All You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Baltimore’s Charter School Lottery Process

In addition to attending your zoned neighborhood school or an “out of zone” public school, Baltimore City families have another public school option: charter schools.

Live Baltimore offered a free workshop, “Understanding the Charter Lottery Process ,” on October 16, 2025, as part of our resources for Baltimore City families with children. Key takeaways are below.

Q: When do the lotteries take place, and when will we hear about a spot?

A: Many applications are open now. The deadline to apply for the 2026-2027 school year is Monday, February 2. Lotteries take place (some are held in-person and others are held virtually) between February 9-13. Schools will notify families of their number by February 27. Families must confirm or decline acceptance by April 10.

Q: What exactly does a “charter school” mean, and how are they different from neighborhood schools?

A: Public charter schools are operated by independent organizations under a contract (or “charter”) with Baltimore City Public Schools. They have greater flexibility in staffing, programming, and operations, but are still held to high standards for academic performance, equity, and operational effectiveness. Charters can be either wholly new schools or neighborhood/conversion schools that become operator-led.

Families from all over Baltimore City submit applications to charter schools. If a charter school has more applicants than seats, it will hold a public lottery to randomly select students, after accounting for legally allowable preferences, to offer seats and generate the school’s waitlist.

Q: How many charter schools can we apply to?

A: As many as you’d like before the deadline. There is no limit!

Q: What factors impact a child’s likelihood of getting a seat at a charter school?

A: All charter schools grant preferences for siblings, children of founders, and children of staff members who are City residents. Some schools have Board-approved enrollment preferences such as geographic area, students with limited English proficiency, or students with disabilities.

Q: If we are waitlisted, what are our chances of getting into the school?

A: It depends on the school and grade, but don’t give up hope if you are waitlisted after the lottery! Many families apply to multiple charter schools. For kindergarten, waitlist movement begins right after the April 10 deadline. For other grades, it takes place in the summer (mostly June and August). Your family could be offered a spot until the new school year begins.

Q: What’s the best way to research schools (charter or otherwise)?

A: Contact the school or check out their website/social media to see when they’re hosting admissions events (info sessions, open houses, and shadow days) or community events. In addition, speak with a current parent about their experiences. You can find data from previous years in the Maryland State Report Card or contact the school to see current attendance rates, family survey data, staff/student ratios, and test results.

Q: Where can I learn more about charter schools in Baltimore City?

A: City Schools’ Office of New Initiatives has more details. You can also hear from charter school administrators in this video series.