One of Baltimore’s boldest initiatives is its goal to open up to 24 new Secondary Transformation Schools by the 2011-12 school year. At scale, these schools will serve students in grades 6 through 12 and each offers a unique college and/or career preparatory focus. All of these schools are supported by an external operator that brings hands-on implementation and/or programmatic expertise, as well as an ability to expand the school’s connection to the corporate and post secondary school sectors. These schools add to the growing array of secondary school choices available to students, and promote the goal of giving all of Baltimore’s students the ability to further their education in a school that matches their individual interests and potential career options. This initiative is an outgrowth of the high school reform effort that began in 2001 and put in motion many of the strategies that have led to dramatic improvement in Baltimore’s overall graduation rate.

The secondary transformation schools initiative is generously supported by a group of local and national foundations, with the Fund serving as fiscal intermediary and key reform partner. We help our partners at the City Schools think strategically about the types of schools needed and also sit on the committee to review potential secondary school proposals and operators. For example, while Baltimore has established a number of high quality college preparatory schools, we are now helping City Schools assess some stronger career preparation schools to support students whose interests lie in specific career pathways, such as engineering. In addition, we support new school operators with their planning grants and two-year implementation grants and serve on site visits that help new and existing schools complete self assessments and improvement plans.