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August 12, 2025

What's Inside

The first day of school is Monday, August 25 at most schools!

  • 5 Things to Know About Back to School

  • TOMORROW: Last chance for open transfer window

  • Complete Annual Student Verification

  • Read updated cell phone policy

  • Visit our back-to-school page

  • Register to receive backpack at Mayor's Back-to-School Kick-Off

  • Watch Summer Graduation

  • Take the summer program survey by August 15

  • New Board meeting procedures to prevent unauthorized speakers or images

  • Download the 2025-26 School Calendar

  • Spreading good news

  • Upcoming events

  • Local news

Baltimore City College - Class of 2029 Summer Bridge
📸 Baltimore City College - Class of 2029 Summer Bridge
whats new

5 Things to Know About Back to School

TOMORROW: Last chance for open transfer window

Enrollment staff member

Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13, is your LAST opportunity to visit the enrollment office in person as part of the open transfer window. Applications and documents (no originals, please) can be placed in the North Avenue Enrollment Office mailbox through Friday, August 15.

Please note that because the original transfer window has closed, placement and scheduling for transfer students may not be complete by the first day of school. New enrollments will continue to be available and processed for students entering City Schools. Find all the details on our Enrollment webpage.

Families can now expect enrollment updates within 15 to 20 business days from the date of submission due to scheduled districtwide system maintenance by the Office of Information Technology.

Complete Annual Student Verification

Please log into Campus Portal by September 30 to update and confirm contact information and student information for Annual Student Verification - even if there are no changes.

Read updated cell phone policy

Under our updated cell phone policy, students may bring devices to school, but they must be powered off, away, and secured during the school day. Read our Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy.

Back-to-school checklist

Visit our back-to-school page

Check out our back-to-school page and finish the checklist to get ready for our first day of school* on Monday, August 25.

  1. Complete Annual Student Verification.

  2. Read the Family Guide, Code of Conduct, and Students Rights and Responsibilities handbooks.

  3. Check your school's start time and plan transportation.

  4. Connect with your student's school about uniform and backpack requirements, and school supplies.

  5. Check requirements for immunizations, student-athletes, and more.

*August 25 is the first day for most schools. Please check with your school for the exact date if attending a charter school.

Mayor's Back-to-School Kick-off

Register for a backpack at the Mayor's Back-to-School Kick-off

Register to receive a student backpack at Mayor Brandon Scott's Back to School Kick-off, which will take place on Saturday, August 23, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at War Memorial Plaza. The event includes live entertainment, free food, fun activities, community resources, and more.

Registered attendees will receive:

  • Backpacks stuffed with supplies

  • Resources for families

  • FREE local Baltimore eats

  • Community resources

  • Family site map

Find all the details on the kick-off webpage.

Summer Graduation 2025

Watch Summer Graduation

Celebrate the newest members of the Class of 2025!

Watch Summer Graduation live on August 14 at 5:30 p.m.

Clay Hill Public Charter School - Summer Academy

Take the summer program survey by August 15

If your student attended a City Schools summer program, please take our quick 3-minute survey. We need your feedback to plan for next summer! Thank you for partnering with us to make summer safe, fun, and engaging for our students.

And don't forget, summer meals are still available at some sites. Check the Summer Meals Site Finder.

Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners' meeting room

New Board meeting procedures to prevent unauthorized speakers or images

To prevent future incidents, starting with the August 12 meeting, public comment will be limited to participation in person or virtually via pre-recorded video or written letter read aloud by Board staff. This critical step drastically reduces the opportunity for participants to post unapproved content.

More information will be available on the School Board meeting webpage.

Download the school year Calendar

Download the 2025-26 school calendar

The 2025–26 one-page calendar for City Schools is available in English and Spanish! This calendar includes key dates such as the first and last days of school, observance days, early release days, and breaks. Stay tuned for more updates to help you plan for the year ahead.

spreading good news

How do thousands of school meals get to students?

Go behind the cafeteria line with some of our school meal superheroes to see what goes into our work to nourish students with thousands of free meals each day.

Upcoming Events

  • Wednesday, August 13: Last chance for open transfer window 

  • Wednesday, August 14: Summer Graduation, 6 – 8 p.m. 

  • Tuesday, August 19: School-based staff return to schools 

  • Tuesday, August 19: Policy Commitee Meeting, 4 – 5:30 p.m. 

  • Thursday, August 21: Parent & Community Advisory Board (PCAB) Meeting, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

  • Saturday, August 23: Mayor's Back-to-School Kick-off, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

  • Monday, August 25: First day of school

Local News
ACCE student raising hand

Apply to earn service-learning hours

Interested in 3D printing? Apply to earn service-learning hours through the Enoch Pratt Youth Collective for Baltimore students aged 12-18. The program includes technical instruction, hands-on workshops, group projects, and discussions.

September 30 through October 23:

  • Tuesdays at Central Library, 3:30-5 p.m.

  • Thursdays at Roland Park branch, 3:00-4:30 p.m.

October 28 through November 25:

  • Tuesdays at Patterson Park branch from 3:30-5 p.m.

  • Thursdays at Edmondson Avenue branch, 3:15-4:45 p.m.

In case you missed it...

  • Save during Maryland Tax-Free Week through Saturday, August 16

  • Our thanks to WBAL-TV, 98 Rock, WBAL NewsRadio, and the Orioles for hosting Dr. Tim Tooten’s Stuff the Bus school supplies drive at Camden Yards on Wednesday, August 13

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City Schools Helpful Numbers

Main: 443-984-2000
Enrollment: 410-396-8600
Transportation: 410-396-7440
Complaints/ Concerns: 410-545-1870
Special Education Parent Response Unit: 443-984-1561

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Baltimore City Public Schools does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy/parenting status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally or constitutionally protected attributes or affiliations, as outlined in Board Policies JBA, JBB, JICK, ACA, ACB, and ACD. Full nondiscrimination notice: www.baltimorecityschools.org/notice-nondiscrimination