About Baltimore Freedom Academy (BFA)

BFA converted to charter school status in August 2008. One-hundred percent of 2008 graduates were admitted to four-year universities. BFA students scored the highest on Maryland’s 2006 and 2007 Algebra assessment among all BCPSS high schools without academic entrance criteria. BFA’s debate team has ranked in the top three for the past three years in the Baltimore Urban Debate League and the varsity men’s basketball team won the BIAC championship in 2007 and 2008. Members of the Foster Youth Incorporated advocacy group have been acknowledged by the Public Justice Center for their impact on the passage of legislation improving Maryland’s foster care system.

Program Philosophy and Model

Baltimore Freedom Academy delivers a curriculum and creates a culture focused on social justice and activism, preparing its students to immediately participate in the transformation of their communities.

• Students are selected through a random lottery into 100 available seats in the 6th grade; the number of 9th grade vacancies is determined 8th grade class attrition
• Students attend from every corner of Baltimore City
• 80 percent are eligible for free or reduced price lunch
• 18 percent receive special education services in an inclusion setting
• Over 35 percent of students currently receive support from the Baltimore Department of Social Services

Learning Environment

• All students are required to take law-related and social justice courses
• BFA uses Expeditionary Learning as the framework for professional development and in-depth project-based learning in the middle grades
• Early college courses and dual enrollment opportunities are available to all students in the upper school division
• Rising 9th graders are required to participate in an extended school year to facilitate the transition into the upper school division; entering 6th graders participate in a weeklong Summer Foundation program to facilitate their induction into BFA
  • Families commit to 20 hours of service per student
  • Technology is integrated into every course; its use is essential to students’ ability to self-advocate and transform communities
  • 11th grade students are required to volunteer weekly at local non-profits
  • College tours are an annual requirement for all students
  • Seniors complete a multi-media portfolio presentation addressing a social issue of their choice that demonstrates mastery of content standards

Student Support Services

• Faculty advisors mentor and coach small groups of students a minimum of four times per week
• A Family Support Center provides counseling services, free legal services, and a food and clothing pantry to all students; a small business center is available for drop-in use by family members
• BFA participates in a charter school athletic league for middle school students and the Baltimore Innovative Athletic Conference for students competing at the varsity level
• Twenty-five extra-curricular programs are available on-site for students to explore interests outside of the classroom
• A Restorative Support Center provides students with opportunities to resolve conflicts while receiving academic program support

Partnerships

• University of Maryland School of Law (UMLAW) students teach courses for students at BFA and advanced students may participate in classes on the UMLAW campus
• More than fifty-five organizations host 11th grade students in their service internship
• Several Baltimore corporations participate in our “Work for Change” mentoring program
• A major area law-firm provides pro-bono legal services to family members of BFA students on-site to increase parental visitation and volunteerism
• BFA is developing a partnership with a local non-profit to ensure every BFA household has at least one fully functioning computer for family use
• Our board of directors is comprised of a committed set of community stakeholders, including BFA parents