|
Our top priority at Creative City Public Charter School is providing the best education for our students. Our teachers and staff constantly strive to create an engaging learning environment that encourages students to try new things. Our play and place-based approach to learning (in which students spend time learning outdoors and indoors) provides our K-5 students with the tools needed to succeed. We guide young learners toward becoming strong and confident individuals who impact society positively. If you've been curious about a charter school, especially Creative City, this blog will highlight the top 10 reasons to choose us.  10 Reasons to Choose Creative City 1. Creative City is a small, family-oriented K-5 charter school. We ensure every child gets individual attention and the support needed to thrive. Our school is close-knit with a limited number of students; every child is known by name. We make sure our curriculum is challenging, and our approach to teaching is hands-on. 2. Students are active participants in learning at Creative City. We go beyond the traditional classroom approach to bring kinesthetic, visual, and auditory learning experiences. 3. We value art and infuse it into our day-to-day instruction. We teach our students to think differently--independently--and to find their unique voice. Creative City students are encouraged to use their imagination, which also helps them become more curious about the world and better problem solvers. 4. Our principal and staff are dedicated to creating an incredible student experience. We believe educational success comes from collaborative relationships built on mutual respect and trust. Our students know that when they come to Creative City, it is a safe space. 5. We provide a well-rounded education. Our students study music, art, theatre, dance, language arts, math, science, history, geography, and physical education. We nurture our students and help bridge learning gaps by engaging all of our students with opportunities to learn in ways that best match unique talents and abilities.  6. We are a tuition-free public charter school! Unlike private schools with heavy tuition, Creative City has no cost to enroll. We offer similar benefits to a private school, such as smaller class sizes, outdoor learning, special field trips and plenty more! 7. Our teachers are constantly looking for ways to empower our students and support educational goals. We know that elementary school years provide the foundation for lifelong learning, and we make daily efforts to keep students challenged, engaged and happy in their learning environments. 8. Our staff and student populations are diverse. We have created a multicultural learning environment. Every Creative City student knows every person can teach and learn from each other. 9. We know that children and families have varied needs and interests. Our no cost after-school programming offers interest-based clubs and activities such as step team, chess, robotics, art club, drum ensemble, and more. We also offer the option for extra academic help after school. 10. We use play-based learning for our kindergarteners. Our program includes a generous block of time for child-directed play each school day. We believe that young children learn best through play. Creative City offers a high-quality education in a fun environment! Visit our website, or find us on Facebook. We are committed to helping our students thrive. Enroll your child today!
---------------------------------------------------------------- About Creative City Public Charter School Creative City Public Charter School is a dynamic K-5 elementary school with caring educators. We engage our students in a placed-based learning environment using the city of Baltimore as a cultural and civic foundation. Our approach is creative yet challenging; and our tuition-free public school encourages out-of-the-box thinking alongside the pursuit of each student’s personal, highest academic potential. Enroll your child today!
0 Comments
At Creative City Charter School, our mission is to empower our students to reach full potential. We strive to provide our young learners with a rich learning environment that realizes unique abilities and bolsters dreams. Our teachers provide support at each and every step while challenging our students to stretch and grow academically.  We are a tuition-free public charter school that uses play-based education for kindergarten and place-based learning for our first through fifth graders. What is place-based learning? Unlike traditional teaching that relies on teachers explaining information to students, place-based learning is experiential; it draws from students' real-life experiences as an authentic foundation for learning. Our approach helps young students tangibly solve problems, discover new ideas and develop strong communication skills in age-appropriate ways. We take this approach one step farther by infusing art and creativity! We Teach Outside the Box At Creative City, we understand the value of balancing academics with art. This equilibrium develops critical thinking and communication skills students might never realize in a classroom setting. We work hard to ensure our K-5 classrooms keep students inspired and engaged because we believe art gives our students the freedom to experiment and explore new ideas while harnessing imagination. Academics are regularly paired with the arts, including visual arts, dance, music and theatre, to help students creatively connect with the world and retain the new information they have learned. Our prioritization of play-based learning creates an empowering environment for our students to ask questions, pursue new ideas, gain self-confidence and learn to work collaboratively. Our teachers are passionate and our staff is nurturing. If you want to learn more about our innovative education approach, please contact us today. ____________ About Creative City Public Charter School Creative City Public Charter School is a dynamic K-5 elementary school with caring educators. We engage our students in a placed-based learning environment using the city of Baltimore as a cultural and civic foundation. Our approach is creative yet challenging; and our tuition-free public school encourages out-of-the-box thinking alongside the pursuit of each student’s personal, highest academic potential. Enroll your child today! Creative City prioritizes giving students an immersive and hands-on learning experience. We strive to be more like a family than a school while challenging early learners to become active participants in their education. At the helm of our school is Principal Traci Johnson Mathena. Like many educators, Principal Mathena is fiercely committed to ensuring students learn through exciting, real-world experiences. As an educator for almost 30 years, Ms. Mathena is passionate about bringing out the best in all students. She has been the principal of Creative City since 2015 and has helped the school thrive in the Baltimore community. In this interview-style blog, we'll share more about Principal Mathena and her thoughts on education!  What do you love most about your role? Interacting with the students is the single greatest joy in this role. Many see this position as the person whose office you never want to visit. On any given day, however, I am sitting on the carpet during a class’s morning meeting. You will find me working with students on an assignment, being the person they selected to take a break with as an incentive or to soothe their soul when needed. All of these things strengthen our school’s sense of community and belonging and truly provide me with fulfillment and enjoyment as an instructional leader. The day I forget what it means to interact with the students is the day I need to retire. What do you love most about your students? My students are honest and caring souls. They tell it like it is, and if you are honest and fair with them, they tell you how they think it should be without being selfish. Students have written me letters about things we need to change or people we need to celebrate. In one case this past year, a student wrote to tell me she was planning a Custodian’s Day, and she led her class – facilitated by her teacher – in designing, creating, and presenting the posters and cards they made for the occasion. How could you NOT love people capable of that kind of care?  What influences how you lead your team and students at Creative City? Finding the paths that lead to the best outcomes for all people is fundamental to leadership. For that reason, I make informed decisions and facilitate interactions by believing in the power of people, not programs. Understanding how children develop academically, social-emotionally, and behaviorally helps us create knowledgeable, creative, critical thinkers and problem solvers. Encouraging and expanding the professional talents of the staff supports a rigorous, challenging, and engaging instructional program and a positive, thriving school environment. Fostering a Village mentality among our parents and neighborhood/community members allows us to see ourselves as partners in this work. I lead based on that dynamic. What made you pivot from being a journalist to an educator? While on assignment for the Baltimore Sun Magazine, writing a piece on my alma mater Western High School, someone asked if I wanted to help and teach journalism and two English Classes. I agreed, and while planning lessons, listening to the students’ ideas, questions and curiosity about learning, I realized how powerful a classroom experience could be. I was determined to become part of that, and 28 years later, I’m still part of that experience. How do Creative City’s mission and vision align with your personal values? Creative City sits in the neighborhood where I grew up, and its mission, vision, and commitment to equity are all part of how I was raised. The community sharing responsibility for its children and using the environment where we live to create positive experiences and outcomes are part of who I am. I believe that “Care, Question, Collaborate, Create” are central to problem-solving, working with others, and being productive, contributing members of society. The school’s commitment to equity and social justice mirrors my own, which led to the establishment of Creative City as the first Baltimore Ceasefire 365 School. It is not a coincidence that this is where I landed. It is where I belong. Who was your favorite teacher and why? In Elementary School, Mrs. Brown told me my ability to view people and situations from all angles helped me stay open-minded. In middle school, it was Mr. Baldwin who told me that I was a writer rather than telling me that I could write. In High School, Mrs. Simms and Mr. Kessler challenged me to lead, something that took hold, stood fast and never faded. Each of those teachers had the same attribute: the ability to see me beyond being a student to help me develop as a person. It is what we endeavor to do at Creative City. What are you most excited about for the next group of students to enroll? I can’t wait to see how they explore the things we offer that I believe are different from any other school. I want to see the faces light up when they create adventures in the outdoor classroom and the faces they make (good or bad) when they taste a pepper or some greens THEY grew in the teaching garden. I am ready to hear their ideas of how they will solve a problem posed in a project and what they research and present when they get the chance to explore their own topic of interest. I want to see what student-interest clubs they participate in and how they contribute to them. I am excited for them to join the village and contribute to what makes it great. I am excited about THEM. What else would you like us to know about YOU? I am a lifelong learner for whom new information and experiences are essential. I want to model those things for all our stakeholders, regardless of age. At 49 years old, I started learning to sail. I am getting pretty good at it! I will always dare to question, and I will always explore the possibilities. Creative City is a tuition-free public school now enrolling grades K-5. To learn more about Principal Mathena and our curriculum, contact us today to learn more! You can also enroll now for 2022-2023. ----------------------------------------------
About Creative City Public Charter School Creative City Public Charter School is a dynamic K-5 elementary school with caring educators. We engage our students in a placed-based learning environment using the city of Baltimore as a cultural and civic foundation. Our approach is creative yet challenging; and our tuition-free public school encourages out-of-the-box thinking alongside the pursuit of each student’s personal, highest academic potential. Enroll your child today! Providing the best education for our students is the daily mission of teachers and staff at Creative City. We build lasting relationships with our students and make each scholar feel seen, confident, and capable of high achievement. At Creative City, we work hard to inspire our K-5 learners to become engaged thinkers and creative problem solvers. There are many reasons students feel at home at Creative City: small classes, caring teachers, passionate administrators and more.  1. Teachers at Creative City give wrap-around support to all students. We know that students who flourish in early education often become happy, confident and successful life-long learners. Teaching emotional intelligence and logical thinking is at the center of our curriculum. 2. We take account of each scholar’s individual learning styles and needs to ensure we strengthen math and literacy skills daily. Teachers at Creative City understand that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. 3. Our faculty and staff provide a welcoming school climate that supports all students. We have a high level of transparency with families, ensuring open communication about academics as well as student social-emotional development. Our low student-to-teacher ratio allows teachers to get to know each child individually and give insights every step of the way. 4. Our teaching style is unique and proven to work. We use art as a learning tool to help our learners understand the limitlessness of creative potential. Whether bringing in professional artists to collaborate on historically-informed murals or immersing students with music programs that teach about different cultures, our students learn about the world around them. We help students understand the connection between what’s outside and inside our school doors. 5. Our scholars learn about local and global communities, how our choices affect others, and concepts such as humility and gratitude. Our students achieve at high levels due to our high expectations and individualized instruction. When children feel supported, they can enjoy school and achieve academically. 6. We use play-based kindergarten. This approach takes advantage of student-directed play as a learning opportunity. Play-based learning helps kindergarteners build strong social and communication skills. Teachers and other classroom helpers engage with students during this time to connect our curriculum, challenge thinking, and identify each student’s emerging interests. We engage just enough to help students learn, but not so much that we solve problems. Creative City teachers guide students in defining healthy social relationships. 7. We teach students the value of always being compassionate, kind and respectful. Our teachers cultivate virtuous character, applying our belief in service to others to our students’ education every day. We reinforce this in our classrooms and at special events such as MLK Day of Service. 8. Creative City teachers love the field of education. We have a nurturing faculty that encourages lifelong learning and motivates students to try new things and work hard. Our staff enjoys bringing out intellectual strength in each child to change the future positively. 9. Our faculty embraces the philosophy that our strength lies in our diversity and commitment to building an inclusive community. We help our K-5 students grow everyday through both strong academics and multicultural learning. 10. At Creative City, we value the importance of exploration. Our curriculum engages and develops students' thinking and reasoning skills. By encouraging our students in our K-5 classes to question, observe, and explore, our elementary students become proficient at expressing unique perspectives in imaginative ways. Creative City is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades K-5. Our teachers collaborate to provide a rich, engaging curriculum that prepares our students for middle school and beyond. We are a fantastic choice for early elementary education and would love to welcome your child to our school. Contact us today to learn about open enrollment! About Creative City Public Charter School Creative City Public Charter School is a dynamic K-5 elementary school with caring educators. We engage our students in a placed-based learning environment using the city of Baltimore as a cultural and civic foundation. Our approach is creative yet challenging; and our tuition-free public school encourages out-of-the-box thinking alongside the pursuit of each student’s personal, highest academic potential. Enroll your child today! Creative City is a one-of-a-kind free public charter school in Baltimore. We teach our K-5 students by blending adventure and discovery through hands-on learning rooted in our community. Using this method, our teachers weave traditional subjects like math and reading into projects that explore our local neighborhoods, history and people. We call this Place-Based Learning. This blog will explore three phenomenal benefits of our approach and why you should consider Creative City for your K-5 needs.  Teachers who know our community: Creative City teachers deepen their connection with our neighborhood (Park Heights), of Baltimore City, and our region when they plan and teach place-based lessons. Understanding our community means a stronger connection with students. Teachers can then use place-based learning to help students develop crucial life skills such as creative problem solving, critical thinking, and understanding the world. Our teachers support the whole child and build creative citizens who strive to make a difference in their communities. Students start as experts: A place-based approach means that students enter the lesson as experts. Even our youngest students can share with confidence about their families, the neighborhood, the school, and other familiar surroundings and experiences. Starting with confidence allows students to be more open to new skills that may be challenging, such as learning to read and write in Kindergarten or tackling more complex science concepts in 4th and 5th grade. Place-based education creates an openness to learning new things. Expanded learning opportunities: Through place-based learning, our teachers expand lessons to include more interdisciplinary activities such as public speaking, group discussions, and field trips that allow students to develop critical social skills and emotional intelligence. Authentic, real-world connections to learning deepen student engagement and create opportunities for students to be active citizens in their community at any age.  Creative City is a tuition-free K-5 public school with small classes and an engaging curriculum. Families love our approach because it is so stimulating and impactful. We would love to chat with you to see if our school is an excellent fit for your family. Visit us on Facebook! Schedule a tour! Or, contact us today! About Creative City Public Charter School Creative City Public Charter School is a dynamic K-5 elementary school with caring educators. We engage our students in a placed-based learning environment using the city of Baltimore as a cultural and civic foundation. Our approach is creative yet challenging; and our tuition-free public school encourages out-of-the-box thinking alongside the pursuit of each student’s personal, highest academic potential. Enroll your child today!  Kendra Nelson - Enrollment Coordinator HOW TO ENROLL YOUR STUDENT IN 5 EASY STEPS The school year can feel overwhelming for families, so we’re here to help. At Creative City, our top priority is providing the best learning experience for our students, and as Enrollment Coordinator, I’d like you to think of me as your tour guide. My name is Kendra Nelson, and I can be your point of contact for information and scheduling a tour. My job is to help you with every step - from d ue diligence to enrollment. Once you have decided to make Creative City your school home, I will give you the keys to the city - Creative City. This blog shares five easy steps to enrolling your K-5 student.  5 Steps for Easy Enrollment
We love to see our students benefit from our warm, supportive environment and I look forward to helping you with anything you might need. If you require additional information or have any questions, please contact me at (562) 225-8201 or by email at knelson@coe.k12.ca.us. Let's get your child enrolled. About Creative City Public Charter School Creative City Public Charter School is a dynamic K-5 elementary school with caring educators. We engage our students in a placed-based learning environment using the city of Baltimore as a cultural and civic foundation. Our approach is creative yet challenging; and our tuition-free public school encourages out-of-the-box thinking alongside the pursuit of each student’s personal, highest academic potential. ENROLL YOUR CHILD today! Arts Every Day is pleased to announce Freedom Dreaming: Finding Joy, its sixth annual 10×10 Exhibit featuring art from Baltimore City Public School students and teachers. Guest curated by MICA Curatorial Practice MFA student Nia Ricks in collaboration with a youth curatorial team, the virtual exhibition will be on view at www.10X10exhibit.org starting February 17, 2022. beyond memorization: understanding Earth's systems using science textbooks, photography, and abstract paintingCreative City 5th Graders studied Earth’s systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere: Next Generation Science Standard 5-ESS2-1) using Discovery Education science curriculum materials. They read texts, watched video clips, and discussed, defined and applied new vocabulary. Student assessment was conducted before and after this regular, standards-based instruction. Two arts integrated extensions were then offered to deepen understanding. Taking a place-based approach, students first used photography to document examples of Earth’s spheres that they could directly observe around the school grounds. Students then wrote about the relationship between spheres as evidenced in their photo. (Fig. 1) As a second arts integrated approach, students participated in a painting project inspired by African-American abstract artist, Alma Thomas. Students researched and selected habitats to depict, and planned their representation through abstract painting. (Fig. 2) Ultimately, they explained to their class and teachers what they had represented about Earth’s systems.   Student assessment was conducted again at the completion of the arts integrated extensions. The assessment tool remained static in all three administrations, and the assessment questions were strategically selected because they mirror questions that also appear on the MISA standardized test, which these students will take later this school year. Results demonstrate the positive impact that arts integrated extension had on students’ understanding and mastery of grade level Science content.  Of the 45 fifth grade students who took all three assessments:
 For questions or more information about Creative City's arts integration program or its alignment to standards-based instruction in all contents, contact us at 443-642-3600 or email Marisa Canino, Executive Director, at MCanino@bcps.k12.md.us.  (Comprehensive definition of Arts Integration from The Kennedy Center)
Creative City students score higher than district averages on Math and ELA assessments at the beginning of their 6th Grade year[January 23, 2022] - This year, Creative City Public Charter School (a K-5 school) conducted an analysis of Beginning-of-Year (BOY) Grade 6 iReady diagnostic scores from former Creative City 5th graders.[1] Three years of Math and ELA data were reviewed.[2] This measure was selected because the September diagnostic captures what students learned in 5th Grade. It also allows comparison with grade-level peers who had attended other elementary schools. In each year reviewed, students from Creative City scored higher than district averages. Because of COVID-19 interruptions to in-person schooling, there is no standardized testing (PARCC / MCAP) data beyond the 2018-19 school year. This analysis was completed to review student academic success during that time. Third grade is the youngest grade tested in MCAP. Therefore, our youngest test-takers from 18-19 are now in 6th Grade, with no standardized data beyond their 3rd Grade year. The findings are clear. Comparing Mean Scale Score from the Beginning-of-Year (Window 1) iReady diagnostic in Math and ELA from each of the last three years, we see that Creative City students who are entering 6thGrade and who completed iReady have a mastery of both ELA and Math content that is greater than their grade-level peers across the district. (See Figure 1.) In addition, the degree to which Creative City students exceeded district averages has increased each year for the three years under study, showing that steady improvements to Creative City's instruction of 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders continue to improve student outcomes.  We also had the opportunity to follow a subset from the above group. Eight (8) Creative City students took the Grade 3 MCAP test at Creative City in Spring, 2019, and then took the Grade 6 Beginning-of-Year iReady diagnostic at Baltimore Design School in Fall, 2021.[3] We had access to student-level data from each of these tests. This subset of students performed well below their district peers in both Math and ELA on their Grade 3 MCAP, but exceeded the district averages on their Grade 6 iReady in both domains. (See Figures 2 & 3.) This data, and Creative City's academic performance and improvement as a whole, should be viewed in light of the fact that as few as 5% of incoming students (versus 39% of all BCPS students) demonstrate readiness for Kindergarten, according to 2019-20 KRA scores.  Weak MCAP performance in the 2018-19 test cycle (and in years prior) prompted multiple changes to Creative City’s instructional program to improve student outcomes. These changes are now bearing fruit and include:
While MCAP and iReady are not strictly parallel assessments, this metric is the best substitute amidst a lack of other options to measure student growth and success. Both tests measure performance in ELA and Math, both tests are computer-based, and both tests are standardized and adaptive. FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, contact Marisa Canino, Executive Director, at 443-642-3602 or MCanino@bcps.k12.md.us [1] Data sources: BCPS Office of Achievement & Accountability; Baltimore Design School; PARCC records; public KRA records
[2] While not all middle schools use the iReady diagnostic, a majority of our 5th grade students who remained in Baltimore City schools for middle school (149 out of 175) took iReady in the first quarter of 6th Grade. (58% of these took ELA, 61% took Math) [3] In SY21-22, Baltimore Design School received the largest number of 5th graders (19% of total) from Creative City. These students comprised 16% of Baltimore Design School’s 6th grade in 21-22. We were able to access student-level iReady data to support our analysis. We do not yet have student-level data for the remainder of the students in this study. COVID-19 dramatically changed the school experience in Maryland. Students were abruptly forced out of the classroom and into their homes to learn, causing quite a disruption. While some schools opened back up in the fall, many parents had already begun questioning their school choice for their children.
While traditional public schools are still a great option, you might be looking for something different. A tuition-free public charter school is an excellent alternative. Keep reading to find out more about tuition-free public charter schools and what we recommend in Baltimore, Maryland. What is a Tuition-Free Public Charter School in Baltimore?A tuition-free, public charter school is similar to a traditional public school. It offers education to students in pre-kindergarten to grade 12. Community members such as guardians, parents, and teachers can petition for a new charter school opening. Often, the governing board of the local school district evaluates and approves petitions for the opening of a new charter school. According to Maryland's Education Code (EC), the county boards of education and the State Board of Education can be the authorizing organizations for charter school petitions. Another similarity shared by charter schools with traditional public schools is the source of funding. Both schools are funded by the state but differ in their administration and management since charter schools have more control over these aspects. Charter schools enjoy more flexibility in running their schools, such as in hiring and curriculum management. An entity manages charter schools under the supervision of its self-appointed board. Elected school boards and districts and their board-appointed superintendents oversee traditional public schools. This means charter schools have more independence than usual public schools, allowing them to make their own rules and innovate. What tuition free public charter schools are available in Baltimore?Creative City Public Charter School is our recommendation. Our dedicated staff recognizes every student's unique academic needs, interests, and talents and strives to meet them right where they are. Our top-notch academics are complemented by fun electives on Wednesdays and after-school clubs, like robotics, chess, dance team, and karate. We are a K-5 school that feels like a family. We also value art as a learning tool and a joyful exploration. Our art-infused curriculum teaches students how to think creatively and develop problem-solving skills. We also live in a culturally-rich city, and we use it as a foundation for place-based teaching and learning. We use our city as a foundation to an out-of-the-box community-enhanced education. Are There Other Tuition-Free and Public Charter Schools Available in Baltimore?You can choose to apply and enroll your children in a tuition-free, public charter school, even if it is outside your school district. Maryland laws state that charter schools admit any child residing in the state if their capacity allows it. Baltimore charter schools do not have to comply with boundary school rules. Thus, parents in Baltimore can opt for the charter school of their choice and not worry about breaking district rules. What is the Process of Enrolling my Child in a Tuition-Free Public Charter School in Baltimore? The enrollment process of charter schools is highly similar to other school types. They require an application where parents have to provide information about the child, such as name, address, birth date, ethnic background, and the last school attended. It is your responsibility to check the charter schools’ application and enrollment deadlines along with the school’s specific enrollment rules, policies, and requirements. Charter schools may have different rules and processes, but their admission rules must comply with state laws. According to Maryland laws, charter schools cannot implement policies that discriminate against their applicants unlawfully. You should also remember that you are likely to see your child’s name on the school’s waitlist, especially if you applied to a sought-after charter school. Many charter schools receive more applications than their capacities allow. Schools that have more applicants than they can take in usually employ a random selection process. The lottery system is a commonly used selection technique by many charter schools. Do Public Charter Schools Offer High-Quality Education in Baltimore? According to one a study by the Baltimore Sun, students in our public charter schools gained an additional 47 days of reading and an astronomical 59 days of math achievement. These additional days of achievement are not due to more physical time in school but done in the same 180 days required of all public school students.
About Creative City Public Charter School Creative City Public Charter School is a dynamic K-5 elementary school with caring educators. We engage our students in a placed-based learning environment using the city of Baltimore as a cultural and civic foundation. Our approach is creative yet challenging; and our tuition-free public school encourages out-of-the-box thinking alongside the pursuit of each student’s personal, highest academic potential. Enroll your child today! |
Archives
August 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed