frequently asked questions
MSDE STAR RATING UPDATE 3/26/19: CLICK HERE
For family reference, here is a complete electronic copy of our Creative City Handbook. This handbook includes (but is not limited to) a curriculum overview, policies and procedures, grading, behavior intervention, and contact information.
Creative City Public Charter School adheres to Baltimore City Public Schools' Code of Conduct. View the Code of Conduct here.
For family reference, here is a complete electronic copy of our Creative City Handbook. This handbook includes (but is not limited to) a curriculum overview, policies and procedures, grading, behavior intervention, and contact information.
Creative City Public Charter School adheres to Baltimore City Public Schools' Code of Conduct. View the Code of Conduct here.
What are the school hours?
Students will be in school from 8:00am–2:30pm every day except for Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoons we will dismiss two hours early, at 12:30pm, to allow teachers to plan together and participate in professional development. We are committed to providing care during that time for all students, if they need it. (see “Before and After Care” section, below)
How does drop-off and pick-up work?
Student arrival happens between 7:45am and 8:15am. Students should enter through the rear doors of the building. Families dropping by car should access Towanda Avenue to the north of school via Grantley Avenue. Accessing at this point helps us prevent difficult back-up into our neighboring side streets. Families may park in a legal parking spot and walk their child in, or may pull up to the rear door to be greeted by an adult who will ensure that their student enters the building safely. Parents may also use our lower parking lot which is accessible from Towanda Avenue to the south via Keyworth Ave. Arrivals after 8:45am must enter through the front door to receive a late pass until 9am.
Student dismissal happens between 2:30pm and 2:45pm daily (with the exception of Wednesdays, when we dismiss early and student dismiss between 12:30pm and 12:45pm). ALL STUDENT DISMISS OUT OF THE REAR OR SIDE DOORS. Cars should access Towanda Avenue via Grantley Avenue to the north. Cars must have a pick-up placard displayed in the front window. Those who do not have a placard must come into the building in person to sign their child out. Late pick-ups after 3:00pm are handled through the front door and adults must enter the building to pick up their child.
How do we know if school is closed/closing/late due to inclement weather?
We follow Baltimore City Schools. Please check TV and radio before heading out.
Will students wear uniforms?
We do not require school uniforms, but understand that uniform-type attire is sometimes preferred by families. For those who prefer uniform-type attire, we recommend clothing choices that reflect school spirit with our school colors – GREEN and BLUE – and we specifically suggest items that will be easy to find, affordable, durable, and comfortable for active learning and play. Creative City t-shirts are available for sale in our main office, at cost.
Clothing Suggestions for families who prefer uniform-type attire:
• Dark bottoms (black or navy blue) which may include pants, shorts, skirts, or jumpers.
• Shirts that are any shade of blue or green – plain polo / collared shirts or plain t-shirts, long- or short-sleeved.
Is Kindergarten full day?
Yes, our kindergarten is full-day. Since it is play-based, please know that students will spend limited time sitting at tables or involved in whole-group instruction.
Will you have recess?
Yes, there will be recess in every grade, every day. Recess timing is at the discretion of the teacher and some classes may have recess more than once per day, depending on circumstances and student needs. We will be outside whenever weather permits. In the event of active precipitation, extreme heat, extreme cold, or other unique circumstances, teachers will hold indoor recess.
How much homework will students have?
Well-designed homework, at the right time in a child’s development, can have significant impact on his/her learning. Homework can reinforce skills, inspire out-of-school exploration and learning, teach the basics of responsibility, and help to instill the discipline of learning. Therefore, we take a thoughtful and developmental approach to homework at Creative City Public Charter School.
Primary homework for all students is to read at home with a family member/caregiver for 30 minutes each night. Talk to your child’s teacher for ideas on how to make reading at home a rich experience for you and your family. Visit us at the school or the local library to check out books. Additional homework will be chosen thoughtfully by teachers to extend skills being taught and to connect with trimester projects.
We encourage families to support their child(ren)’s learning by providing them with a quiet and supportive atmosphere in which to complete homework. Some students, especially in the younger grades, may need more parental support with the understanding and completion of homework. As students get older, we encourage parents to allow their students to be as independent as possible in managing and completing homework. If you work with your child on homework, please be sure it is truly their work that is being returned the next day.
At Creative City Public Charter School, we believe that homework in kindergarten should reflect what research tells us about how children in this age group learn best. Therefore, in general, students in these grades will receive less frequent homework and minimal “traditional” homework worksheets. Research points to improved skills or motivation as a result of other types of homework at this age. At times, you may be asked to read together and discuss the story, to go for a walk and record what you see, or to pursue a specific activity related to project work in the classroom or your child’s interests. All these will be more valuable forms of home learning in kindergarten.
As students get older, they may have a combination of “traditional” assignments, project extensions and skill reinforcement activities with the goal of bridging home and school further and share the themes, subjects and skills that students are learning.
How often will students take field trips/time out of class?
We have budgeted for one field trip per class per trimester. However, that does not include smaller trips in the neighborhood and around the park. We also plan for older students to walk down to Druid Hill Park to use that space as a learning environment.
Will the students do the same mandatory testing that is done at regular public schools?
Yes, as a public charter school we are required to do the state testing. However, we may opt out of district testing (such as quarterly benchmarks).
Will parents be required to volunteer? What will parent engagement look like?
As a public charter school, we do not require parent volunteering. However, we will strongly encourage it and work with parents to find ways that they can volunteer that are responsive to their strengths and time constraints. We are a parent-founded school and long-term opportunities for parent engagement are important to us. We will have a PTA and parents will elect (and can be nominated for) the Creative City Public Charter School Foundation Board of Directors each year.
Parents will be encouraged to participate on committees if they wish. Current committees include fundraising, outreach, school climate/culture, community partnerships, food & farm, and more. Click here for a list of ways to get involved.
What is the student-teacher ratio? How many students will be in my child’s classroom?
There will be approximately 22 students in each classroom. In addition to the primary classroom teacher, classes will benefit from shared teacher's aides (paraeducators) who typically support 2-3 classrooms each, with the exception of Kindergarten where there is one aide per classroom. We also have a devoted team of staff who include: art, music, and physical education instructors, special educators, a reading specialist, a mental health clinician, a social worker, a psychologist, a speech pathologist, and a full-time nurse who support our students.
Will there be free or reduced-price meals available?
Breakfast and lunch are both provided free for any student who wishes to have them, which is consistent with all Baltimore City Schools.
Are parents allowed to visit/observe in their child’s classroom?
Yes, parents are allowed to visit/observe in their child’s classroom as long as the teacher feels that it is not disruptive.
What if my child has an IEP or 504 plan?
Children with an IEP or 504 will be served according to their plan. We will have in-class and pull-out services.
Students will be in school from 8:00am–2:30pm every day except for Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoons we will dismiss two hours early, at 12:30pm, to allow teachers to plan together and participate in professional development. We are committed to providing care during that time for all students, if they need it. (see “Before and After Care” section, below)
How does drop-off and pick-up work?
Student arrival happens between 7:45am and 8:15am. Students should enter through the rear doors of the building. Families dropping by car should access Towanda Avenue to the north of school via Grantley Avenue. Accessing at this point helps us prevent difficult back-up into our neighboring side streets. Families may park in a legal parking spot and walk their child in, or may pull up to the rear door to be greeted by an adult who will ensure that their student enters the building safely. Parents may also use our lower parking lot which is accessible from Towanda Avenue to the south via Keyworth Ave. Arrivals after 8:45am must enter through the front door to receive a late pass until 9am.
Student dismissal happens between 2:30pm and 2:45pm daily (with the exception of Wednesdays, when we dismiss early and student dismiss between 12:30pm and 12:45pm). ALL STUDENT DISMISS OUT OF THE REAR OR SIDE DOORS. Cars should access Towanda Avenue via Grantley Avenue to the north. Cars must have a pick-up placard displayed in the front window. Those who do not have a placard must come into the building in person to sign their child out. Late pick-ups after 3:00pm are handled through the front door and adults must enter the building to pick up their child.
How do we know if school is closed/closing/late due to inclement weather?
We follow Baltimore City Schools. Please check TV and radio before heading out.
Will students wear uniforms?
We do not require school uniforms, but understand that uniform-type attire is sometimes preferred by families. For those who prefer uniform-type attire, we recommend clothing choices that reflect school spirit with our school colors – GREEN and BLUE – and we specifically suggest items that will be easy to find, affordable, durable, and comfortable for active learning and play. Creative City t-shirts are available for sale in our main office, at cost.
Clothing Suggestions for families who prefer uniform-type attire:
• Dark bottoms (black or navy blue) which may include pants, shorts, skirts, or jumpers.
• Shirts that are any shade of blue or green – plain polo / collared shirts or plain t-shirts, long- or short-sleeved.
Is Kindergarten full day?
Yes, our kindergarten is full-day. Since it is play-based, please know that students will spend limited time sitting at tables or involved in whole-group instruction.
Will you have recess?
Yes, there will be recess in every grade, every day. Recess timing is at the discretion of the teacher and some classes may have recess more than once per day, depending on circumstances and student needs. We will be outside whenever weather permits. In the event of active precipitation, extreme heat, extreme cold, or other unique circumstances, teachers will hold indoor recess.
How much homework will students have?
Well-designed homework, at the right time in a child’s development, can have significant impact on his/her learning. Homework can reinforce skills, inspire out-of-school exploration and learning, teach the basics of responsibility, and help to instill the discipline of learning. Therefore, we take a thoughtful and developmental approach to homework at Creative City Public Charter School.
Primary homework for all students is to read at home with a family member/caregiver for 30 minutes each night. Talk to your child’s teacher for ideas on how to make reading at home a rich experience for you and your family. Visit us at the school or the local library to check out books. Additional homework will be chosen thoughtfully by teachers to extend skills being taught and to connect with trimester projects.
We encourage families to support their child(ren)’s learning by providing them with a quiet and supportive atmosphere in which to complete homework. Some students, especially in the younger grades, may need more parental support with the understanding and completion of homework. As students get older, we encourage parents to allow their students to be as independent as possible in managing and completing homework. If you work with your child on homework, please be sure it is truly their work that is being returned the next day.
At Creative City Public Charter School, we believe that homework in kindergarten should reflect what research tells us about how children in this age group learn best. Therefore, in general, students in these grades will receive less frequent homework and minimal “traditional” homework worksheets. Research points to improved skills or motivation as a result of other types of homework at this age. At times, you may be asked to read together and discuss the story, to go for a walk and record what you see, or to pursue a specific activity related to project work in the classroom or your child’s interests. All these will be more valuable forms of home learning in kindergarten.
As students get older, they may have a combination of “traditional” assignments, project extensions and skill reinforcement activities with the goal of bridging home and school further and share the themes, subjects and skills that students are learning.
How often will students take field trips/time out of class?
We have budgeted for one field trip per class per trimester. However, that does not include smaller trips in the neighborhood and around the park. We also plan for older students to walk down to Druid Hill Park to use that space as a learning environment.
Will the students do the same mandatory testing that is done at regular public schools?
Yes, as a public charter school we are required to do the state testing. However, we may opt out of district testing (such as quarterly benchmarks).
Will parents be required to volunteer? What will parent engagement look like?
As a public charter school, we do not require parent volunteering. However, we will strongly encourage it and work with parents to find ways that they can volunteer that are responsive to their strengths and time constraints. We are a parent-founded school and long-term opportunities for parent engagement are important to us. We will have a PTA and parents will elect (and can be nominated for) the Creative City Public Charter School Foundation Board of Directors each year.
Parents will be encouraged to participate on committees if they wish. Current committees include fundraising, outreach, school climate/culture, community partnerships, food & farm, and more. Click here for a list of ways to get involved.
What is the student-teacher ratio? How many students will be in my child’s classroom?
There will be approximately 22 students in each classroom. In addition to the primary classroom teacher, classes will benefit from shared teacher's aides (paraeducators) who typically support 2-3 classrooms each, with the exception of Kindergarten where there is one aide per classroom. We also have a devoted team of staff who include: art, music, and physical education instructors, special educators, a reading specialist, a mental health clinician, a social worker, a psychologist, a speech pathologist, and a full-time nurse who support our students.
Will there be free or reduced-price meals available?
Breakfast and lunch are both provided free for any student who wishes to have them, which is consistent with all Baltimore City Schools.
Are parents allowed to visit/observe in their child’s classroom?
Yes, parents are allowed to visit/observe in their child’s classroom as long as the teacher feels that it is not disruptive.
What if my child has an IEP or 504 plan?
Children with an IEP or 504 will be served according to their plan. We will have in-class and pull-out services.
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2810 Shirley Ave. Baltimore, MD 443-642-3600 | outreach@creativecityschool.org