FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a charter school?

A charter school is a free, public school of choice. Charter schools in Baltimore are open to residents of Baltimore City and enrollment is based on the random results of a lottery typically held in February. Charter schools are governed by a board of directors and run as non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, and create unique communities by choosing their own curriculum, pedagogy, and enrichment programs. Charter schools are held accountable to the local school district, the children and families of the school, and the public. Transportation is not provided unless it is part of a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

For more information about public charter schools, visit the Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools.

How do I enroll my child(ren) in Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School?

In order to be considered for admission, parents or guardians need to submit an application form for each child. In the likely event that the number of applicants exceeds the number of spaces available, a lottery will be held to randomly determine the allocation of available spots. In accordance with the policies of the Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS), priority is given to siblings of currently enrolled students.

Who is eligible to participate in the lottery?

Each year, we accept applications during the application period for students entering PreK3 (aged 3 by September 1) through 8th grade who live in Baltimore City. Proof of residency in Baltimore City is required of all students.

How many spots will there be for the upcoming academic year?

The number of open seats varies from year to year. Since we do not know the exact number of siblings expected to enroll, or how many current students will choose not to re-enroll, we cannot predict how many offers of admission we will be able to make for the upcoming year.

When is the lottery held? How is it conducted?

The lottery is open to the public and held at Baltimore Montessori on the date listed on our How to Apply page. Attendance is not required and results are shared electronically immediately following the lottery. During the lottery, Baltimore Montessori Public uses an online tool to randomize all applicants for each grade. Spaces are offered in the order of names drawn. When the capacity for each grade level is reached, the remaining applicants will be assigned a position on the wait list based on the random order in which they were drawn. If there are no spaces available in a particular grade, names will be drawn directly for the wait list. The lottery is open to the public and a representative from Baltimore City Public Schools is in attendance.

Are some seats reserved for Greenmount West neighborhood families?

As part of our commitment to the community of Greenmount West, Baltimore Montessori Public secured an enrollment waiver from Baltimore City Schools to ensure that every year, 8-10% of available seats are reserved for residents of our community.

***Unfortunately, Baltimore City Schools suspended this waiver for PreK-5th grade as of the 2021-22 school year, due to concerns about the impact of this waiver on enrollment at area schools. We continue to advocate for residents of Greenmount West to have priority for open seats and will update with any changes.***

Neighborhood families interested in enrolling must complete an application and participate in the general lottery. If the number of neighborhood applicants is greater than the number of seats reserved, spaces are offered in lottery order.

What if one of my children is offered admission, but the other is not?

In keeping with the policies of the Baltimore City Public Schools, siblings are given preference, and we make every effort to keep families together. If one of your children enrolls in our school, the other(s) will be offered a seat, space permitting. If we do not have an open seat, siblings move up in priority on their wait list.

What is the deadline for submitting an application? Does it matter when I submit my application?

Applications are available on our website and the school office must receive all applications by the date and time shown on our How to Apply page. Whether the application is received first or last has no bearing on wait list order; all applications received by the deadline are treated equally.

Please make sure all application information is entered correctly as we are not responsible for errors or inaccuracies. Please also be sure to complete a separate application for each child.

Applications received after the lottery deadline will be added to the wait list in the order that they are received, after the lottery is held. Only one entry per applicant is permitted and duplicate entries will be discarded.

When/how will I be notified of the lottery results?

Applicants will be notified via email of their lottery results no later than the date listed on the How to Apply page. Typically our results are sent within 24-48 hours of the lottery.

If my child is not offered a spot this year, do we retain the same position on the waiting list for next year, or will we need to reapply?

A new application is required every year for families not yet enrolled. Interested families who are still on the wait list will need to reapply and participate in the following year’s lottery.

Is it possible to schedule a school tour?

Due to the volume of applicants, we cannot schedule individual tours for all applicants. We strongly encourage all interested families to attend one of our enrollment events. Following the lottery, we offer visiting opportunities for families with a low wait list number or an offer of enrollment.