Raising A Family in Baltimore City

[choccity]

Originally Posted by mattybz

This is an interesting comment and something I've been thinking about a lot lately as I've recently purchased a home in the city and am approaching the age where people typically start a family. I would think the Mayor / City Council would come up with a program to "pioneer" the improvement of the public city schools. Perhaps some sort of property tax break tied to the number of years children in your family have attended city public schools? I would think some sort of incentive that would bring families into the school system could create a positive impact. It could potentially raise the bar in the classroom if there are children with strong family backgrounds in class with those from less ideal situations. Who knows, maybe the prospect of not having to spend money on private school coupled with another "discount" might be enough to incentivize some to "take the chance." If anything it'd be inline with the mayor's goal of growing the number of families in the city.

Not a city incentive but a great program no less. But you said you hadn't started your family yet. But keep this in mind. Johns Hopkins University Office of Undergraduate Admissions: Baltimore Scholars, Baltimore Scholars Program

[pwduvall]

Originally Posted by Tallybalt

In the city?

Once you have schooling sorted out (and you're happy with it) and a good neighborhood, Baltimore can be a great place to raise a family.

The usual North Baltimore suspects - Roland Park, Homeland, Mount Washington, Guilford are all family friendly neighborhoods. Original Northwood is another good option. Families do live in the downtown neighborhoods, including Bolton Hill, Federal Hill and Canton.

I would suggest that you contact someone at the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance: http://www.dbfam.org/
. The Alliance is made up of people that are sending their children to "zoned" public schools. I used the quotes around zoned because there are slots available to non-zone kids in almost every zone school. Roland Park is the only exception that I know of.

Anyway, there are a few zoned schools that are quite good and they are easier to get into than the charters. Unfortunately, this is a tricky route to a good education for your kid. Most zoned schools leave a lot to be desired.