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Average

#885 of 1,363 schools in MD

Southwest Baltimore Charter School

Elementary School · Baltimore City Public Schools

1300 Herkimer Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

Charter

Enrollment

373

Student-Teacher

13.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Maryland schools

#885 of 1,363

In Baltimore

#91 of 267

public schools

In district

#57 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

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Southwest Baltimore Charter School

5.5/10

Elementary School in Baltimore · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary

4.3/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Mount Clare Christian School

6.5/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Southwest Baltimore Charter School

Southwest Baltimore Charter School is a public elementary school in Baltimore, MD, part of Baltimore City Public Schools. Southwest Baltimore Charter School serves approximately 373 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Baltimore Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #885 of 1,363 schools in MD.

Structured state assessment records for Southwest Baltimore Charter School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.0
  • MD avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Southwest Baltimore Charter School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Southwest Baltimore Charter School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

52% of students at Southwest Baltimore Charter School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.95 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.5% (2025 MCAP)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20% (2025 MCAP)
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.1 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2025 MCAP, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)17% (model expectation from 2025 MCAP)
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment5.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,977
Chronic Absenteeism52%

Southwest Baltimore Charter School — Students at Southwest Baltimore Charter School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MD MCAP (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 21.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 MCAP)
ELA Proficiency 34.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
51.1% (2025 MCAP)

Based on 28 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
72%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
39%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
11%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
13%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
13%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2022
Math
3%
ELA
16%
2025
Math
5.5%
ELA
20%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.6/10.

How Southwest Baltimore Charter School Compares

See how Southwest Baltimore Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
35th percentile in MD
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
5.4/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1300 Herkimer Street, Baltimore, MD 21223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southwest Baltimore Charter School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary (rated 5.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is James McHenry Elementary/Middle (rated 5.5/10, 0.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Baltimore, see our Baltimore schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary Baltimore 0.2 mi 4.3
MOUNT CLARE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baltimore 0.3 mi 6.5
James McHenry Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.5
Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 5.8
George Washington Elementary Baltimore 0.5 mi 5.4
Franklin Square Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.7 mi 3.8
Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High Baltimore 0.7 mi 5.5
MOTHER MARY LANGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 4.1
Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts Baltimore 1.1 mi 5.9
Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West Baltimore 1.1 mi 4.5
Harlem Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.1 mi 5.3
GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baltimore 1.0 mi 5.5
Frederick Elementary Baltimore 1.0 mi 2.6
Mary Ann Winterling Elementary at Bentalou Baltimore 1.1 mi 2.4
Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy Baltimore 1.3 mi 4.9
Westport Academy Baltimore 1.4 mi 4.9
The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary Baltimore 1.3 mi 5.7
Joseph C. Briscoe Academy Baltimore 1.4 mi
Morrell Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.5 mi 3.6
Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore 1.6 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 21223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,828

Median Home Value

$93,700

Median Rent

$1,110/mo

Population

19,793

College Educated

12.4%

Homeownership

33.6%

Avg Commute

31.6 min

Poverty Rate

29.2%

Median Age

39.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ardmore Elementary Springdale, MD 5.5
Cannon Road Elementary Silver Spring, MD 5.5
City Neighbors Charter School Baltimore, MD 5.5
G. Lisby Elementary at Hillsdale Aberdeen, MD 5.5
Malcolm Elementary School Waldorf, MD 5.5
Mechanicsville Elementary Mechanicsville, MD 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southwest Baltimore Charter School

What grades does Southwest Baltimore Charter School serve?

Southwest Baltimore Charter School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Southwest Baltimore Charter School?

Southwest Baltimore Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 373 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Baltimore Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Baltimore Charter School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southwest Baltimore Charter School rank in MD?

Southwest Baltimore Charter School ranks #885 of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Southwest Baltimore Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Baltimore Charter School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Southwest Baltimore Charter School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Baltimore Charter School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Southwest Baltimore Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Southwest Baltimore Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Southwest Baltimore Charter School a Title I school?

No, Southwest Baltimore Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Baltimore Charter School?

84.2% of students at Southwest Baltimore Charter School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
86 Very Walkable
Transit Score
74 Excellent Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
373
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
27
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Baltimore city
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.0%

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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