Fund for Educational Excellence

06/22/2026

Exciting news! 🎉

Since launching in April, The Fund has raised more than $450,000 for the Dr. Sonja B. Santelises Legacy Fund.

Created to honor Dr. Santelises' decade of leadership and service to Baltimore City Schools, the fund will support at least eight Santelises Scholars each year with transformative pre-college experiences on university campuses.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this milestone possible and is investing in the future of Baltimore's students.

Learn more in The Baltimore Banner:

The money will support at least eight Baltimore high schoolers each year.

06/17/2026

The Fund wishes all Baltimore City Public Schools students, families, and staff a wonderful summer filled with rest, fun, and new adventures. Thank you for another incredible year of learning, growth, and achievement.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for an exciting and successful 2026–27 school year!

06/15/2026

TOMORROW: Join us for an important presentation and conversation on the intersection of race, transportation, and equity. Race, Justice and Mobility: Discussion with Deborah Archer at the Greater Baltimore Committee on Tuesday, June 16, 10am to 11:30am. Deborah Archer is the President of the ACLU and author of Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality.

The presentation will be followed by a moderated panel exploring how these issues show up in people’s lives today. We're especially proud that Maiya, a member of The Fund’s Student Advocacy Transportation Cohort (STAC), will join the panel to share her perspective and lived experience. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/race-justice-and-mobility-discussion-with-deborah-archer-tickets-1989111526120?aff=eemailordconf&ref=eemailordconf&utm_campaign=order_confirm&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_term=viewevent

Big thanks to CMTA, TransitCenter, the Summit Foundation, the Lockhart Vaughn Foundation, Wally Pinkard, the Maryland Philanthropy Network, and the GBC for partnering to bring her to Baltimore for this education event for funders and civic leaders.

Explore how transportation infrastructure not only shaped racial inequality but also reinforces it today.

06/11/2026

The Maryland SUN Meals program provides FREE meals to kids 18 and under. Visit https://bit.ly/4vGMfst to find in-person meal sites using our interactive map!

Looking for your local summer meal site? Visit https://bit.ly/4vGMfst to find in-person meal sites using our interactive map!

The Maryland SUN Meals program provides FREE meals to kids 18 and under.

06/11/2026

06/10/2026

Are you still looking for fun and engaging opportunities for your child this summer? Seats are still available in several free summer programs for City Schools students. Visit www.baltimorecityschools.org/summer for information about program offerings, eligibility requirements, locations, and hours.

06/09/2026

Transitions and routines are an important part of every child's day. Whether it's getting ready for school, cleaning up after playtime, or preparing for bedtime, predictable routines help children feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

In this 1-hour virtual session, families will learn why transitions can sometimes be challenging for young children and discover practical strategies to make these moments smoother and less stressful. Participants will explore ways to create consistent daily routines at home, support their child's growing independence, and build skills that promote positive behavior and emotional well-being at home and in school.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026
6-7 pm
https://frogstreet.zoom.us/just/87023772799

05/29/2026

Here’s a closer look at 2026 Heart of the School Awardee Cheyanne Zahrt of City Neighbors High School.

Principal Zahrt leads a school where student voice isn’t a buzzword, but core to the experience for each young person. Students have the space to create their own student-run clubs, are trusted as young adults, have opportunities to express themselves, and get to engage in meaningful internships to grow in a self-directed manner. This ethos extends to staff, who regularly co-collaborate across departments on units and help identify and design changes in programming. This all stems from Principal Zahrt, and City Neighbors High is reaping the benefits – a 95% graduation rate, an increase of 30 percentage points in MCAP ELA scores, increased AP offerings and dual enrollment courses. It’s no wonder CNHS was the first high school to receive an 8-year charter renewal – amazing things are happening!

05/28/2026

Introducing 2026 Heart of the School Awardee Craig Rivers of Carver Vocational Technical High School.

Emanating calm and kindness, Principal Rivers has an uncanny ability to bring peace to turbulent situations. Perhaps this explains his career trajectory, as the school district has entrusted him with rebuilding cultures in three large high schools where his steady leadership brought focus and student-centered presence. Now at Carver Vocational Technical High School, Principal Rivers leads with compassion, ensuring that all members of the school community – adult and student alike – are treated with respect. He has also built a strong partnership with The Movement Team, establishing bonds with the community and supporting his students holistically, both inside and outside of his building.

05/27/2026

Explore the story of 2026 Heart of the School Awardee Denita Plain of James McHenry Elementary Middle School.

Principal Plain knows how important it is to give every child a reason to be excited to be at school, starting with engaging instruction. She has worked hard to build a school culture where everyone believes in this vision, and the data shows she is succeeding! James McHenry has made significant growth in both ELA and mathematics, has seen chronic absentee rates drop by more than 20 points (including winning the Mayor’s attendance competition three times) and has grown their Gifted and Advanced Learning program from 19 students two years ago to 118 students today. The enrollment is trending in the right direction and there should be no confusion as to why – great things are happening at James McHenry!