Exploring Baltimore City’s Middle / High School Choice Process

One factor that makes Baltimore City unique is that families can choose where their children attend middle and high school. City Schools’ fifth and eighth graders begin the process with open houses in the fall, submit their applications in January, and receive their placement in March.

Live Baltimore partnered with the Fund for Educational Excellence to offer a free webinar, “Understanding the Middle/High School Choice Process,” on December 3, 2024, with information about the 2025-2026 school year. This workshop was part of our resources for Baltimore City families with children. Some key takeaways are below.

• Q: Where can I find the Choice application, and when is the deadline?
• A: You can find the Choice application, due mid-January, on City Schools’ Student Enrollment Management System (SEMS).

• Q: What is a composite score, and how is it calculated?
• A: Composite scores (visible in the SEMS portal starting in early December) are needed for students applying to schools and programs with entrance criteria. Students must have a minimum score of 610 to apply to the four high schools with entrance criteria (Poly, City College, Western, and Dunbar). The scores are calculated with:
  • General overall grade point average: this year’s first quarter grades (8th or 5th grade) and last year’s final grades (7th or 4th grade). Only the core subjects (English/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) are used in the grade calculation.
  • English & Language Arts MCAP assessment score (spring 2024)
  • Math MCAP assessment score (spring 2024)

• Q: What is the process for children coming from independent schools?
• A: You should contact the Office of Enrollment, Choice, and Transfers at City Schools. They will use your student’s course grades and test (such as i-Ready) scores to calculate your student’s composite score and work with you to complete a choice application.

• Q: Are charter schools part of the choice process?
• A: Charter middle and high schools handle their own admissions processes outside the choice process. Submit applications to the individual schools you’re interested in. The deadline is usually early February, with lotteries taking place later that month. To maximize your options, it’s a good idea to submit your five schools through the Choice process and apply to some charter schools. Learn more about the charter school enrollment process here.

• Q: Where can I learn more about the Choice process?
• A: Check out the annual Baltimore City School Choice Fair. Attend an open house (or two). Keep an eye out for the 2025-2026 School Choice Guide, and check out last year’s here. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the staff of Live Baltimore (schools@livebaltimore.com), the Fund for Educational Excellence (jadej@ffee.org), and/or City Schools (Enrollment@bcps.k12.md.us) with questions.