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#867 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

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Baltimore

#150 of 267

public schools

Maryland elementary schools

#692 of 882

In district

#90 of 149

Baltimore City Public Schools

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Southwest Baltimore Charter School

Southwest Baltimore Charter School is a charter school located in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 373 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.8:1 with 27 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. While Southwest Baltimore Charter School currently ranks #1240 out of 1364 schools in Maryland, placing it in the 9th percentile, the school focuses on providing a supportive and nurturing environment for its students to grow and develop.

With an ELA/reading proficiency rate of 16% and a math proficiency rate of just 6%, there is room for academic improvement, but the school is dedicated to enhancing student learning and achievement. Situated in a bustling urban setting, Southwest Baltimore Charter School offers a variety of programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its community. Despite its current challenges, the school remains committed to providing quality education within an engaging and supportive atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Southwest Baltimore Charter School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Southwest Baltimore Charter School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics3.9Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency10.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.5%
Math vs. State Avg-19.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-30.6 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected-4.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,272

Southwest Baltimore Charter School — Students at Southwest Baltimore Charter School score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

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 7.3%
School
State
30.2%
ELA Proficiency 15.6%
School
State
51.1%

Based on 8 test records from MD state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
13%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2022
Math
3%
ELA
16%
2025
Math
10.3%
ELA
20.5%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Southwest Baltimore Charter School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in MD
Academic
3.9/10
3.9/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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. George Washington Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harlem Park Elementary/Middle (rated 7.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. 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 5.0
MOUNT CLARE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Baltimore 0.3 mi 6.4
James McHenry Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.5 mi 6.1
Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy Baltimore 0.6 mi 4.4
George Washington Elementary Baltimore 0.5 mi 8.3
Franklin Square Elementary/Middle Baltimore 0.7 mi 5.6
Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High Baltimore 0.7 mi 6.0
MOTHER MARY LANGE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Baltimore 0.9 mi 4.1
Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts Baltimore 1.1 mi 5.5
Bluford Drew Jemison STEM Academy West Baltimore 1.1 mi 6.1
Harlem Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.1 mi 7.0
GREATER YOUTH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Baltimore 1.0 mi 5.5
Frederick Elementary Baltimore 1.0 mi 5.0
Mary Ann Winterling Elementary at Bentalou Baltimore 1.1 mi 4.1
Furman Templeton Preparatory Academy Baltimore 1.3 mi 6.9
Westport Academy Baltimore 1.4 mi 6.9
The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary Baltimore 1.3 mi 5.9
Joseph C. Briscoe Academy Baltimore 1.4 mi
Morrell Park Elementary/Middle Baltimore 1.5 mi 6.6
Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore 1.6 mi 7.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Southwest Baltimore Charter School has a median household income of $41,828. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $93,700, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bear Creek Elementary Baltimore, MD 5.8
Church Hill Elementary School Church Hill, MD 5.8
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Baltimore, MD 5.8
Kemptown Elementary Monrovia, MD 5.8
MARY OF NAZARETH SCHOOL Darnestown, MD 5.8
North Forestville Elementary Forestville, MD 5.8

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 is ranked #867 out of 1,363 schools in MD.

What is Southwest Baltimore Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southwest Baltimore Charter School has a composite rating of 5.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Southwest Baltimore Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Baltimore Charter School has 7.3% math proficiency and 15.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (5,784/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Baltimore). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Baltimore City Public Schools
District Enrollment
75,811
Schools in District
151
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,977
District Rank
#90 of 149

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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