Summary:
The four schools in Baltimore's 21202 zip code, all part of the Baltimore City Public Schools district, serve 1,423 students across elementary and high school grades, but they reveal stark contrasts in performance, resources, and challenges within a single urban area.
Baltimore Design School stands out as the top performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 74th percentile among Maryland high schools, with strong 10th-grade English scores. In contrast, Johnston Square Elementary ranks in the 0th percentile statewide, with near-zero proficiency rates and a 59.6% chronic absenteeism rate. Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School offers a unique bright spot in math, achieving a 61.5% proficiency rate in Algebra I—nearly three times the state average—despite lower overall math scores. Eager Street Academy, a very small high school with only 45 students, spends $45,237 per student—more than double any other school in the zip code—yet posts 0% math proficiency and a 20% dropout rate, showing that high spending does not guarantee success.
Key takeaways for parents: School choice matters greatly here, as outcomes vary wildly. Chronic absenteeism is a powerful predictor of failure, with Johnston Square's 59.6% rate correlating with its lowest scores, while Baltimore Montessori's 20.4% rate aligns with stronger results. Specialized programs, like Baltimore Design School's arts focus and Montessori's advanced math track, can yield impressive results even within a struggling district. However, the data also shows that factors like poverty and attendance, not just spending or class size, drive these disparities, making it essential to look beyond test scores when evaluating schools in this area.
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