Creative City Public Charter School

Posted: January 15, 2026

Posted: January 15, 2026

Posted: January 15, 2026

Posted: January 15, 2026

Posted: January 15, 2026

Posted: January 15, 2026

Posted: January 15, 2026

Posted: January 15, 2026

I have a unique perspective on Creative City. I was a teacher there for 5 years, and I can say that the school does more than "talk the talk." The teachers and administration are committed to the mission and vision of the school. The principal, Ms. Mathena, is always researching ways to best support the students and works hard to find ways to support the teachers in achieving that.

Even though I left teaching to stay home with my young children during the pandemic, I still chose to send my children here. My 4th grader has been there since kindergarten, and I have a current kindergartener. They are both thriving and love going to school. They are excited to hop out of the car every morning and beg me to let them stay at aftercare as long as possible.

Posted: July 6, 2020

Posted: July 6, 2020

Posted: July 6, 2020

Posted: July 6, 2020

Posted: July 6, 2020

Posted: July 6, 2020

Posted: July 6, 2020

I am lucky enough to go from working in the community in partner with creative city and then transitioned into working there and i have to say the things that made me fall in love with the school are still there.. the love the staff has for the students.. the unconventional and creative methods of working with students ..the outreach with the community and making people feel like they truly are family its just amazing

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

I am blessed to be both a staff member at this school and a parent.

We strive every day to not only meet each and every student where they are academically and take them to the next step, we also strive to connect with each and every family to find out what they are hoping for in a school experience both academically and socially. We seek to not only provide opportunities and skills for students to succeed academically, but we also place an emphasis on these children having a role to play in their communities and the city of Baltimore right now. Whether it is writing about creating art for, or hitting the streets as part of Baltimore Ceasefire activism or examining current events and local history for inspiration and direction in their own identity development, or researching, connecting with, and writing about their families' historical narratives, we place the value of the student's identity at the forefront of our work.

Seeing this place day in and day out, there was no doubt for my family where my daughter would go when she turned Kindergarten age. She is starting her second year now and is not only thriving academically (I've lost track of her reading level when she moved onto chapter books at the end of K), but she is renewed every day with a sense of community, caring, and connection within her school and with an idea that she has a role to play in the world RIGHT NOW!

Posted: September 6, 2019

The principal is very supportive of staff and kids. She's very engaged and accessible.

Posted: September 6, 2019

The curriculum is project-based which really helps kids connect with the subjects in a way that is unique to them. There's also a special education team that pushes in or pulls kids out as needed.

Posted: September 6, 2019

The school uses restorative practices in the classroom and creates a culture of support for all kids.

Posted: September 6, 2019

Evidence shows there is no benefit to homework in elementary grades. Our school is a no-homework school. Children are encouraged to read every night. Teachers start giving homework in the later grades to help students get in the habit of homework.

Posted: September 6, 2019

I love the teachers and the curriculum! It really is "Creative" city. The projects are engaging and the kids love to learn here.

Posted: September 6, 2019

Our school has a school pledge that focuses on being a part of a community, connecting and caring.

Posted: September 6, 2019

My son just finished 5th grade last year and my daughter is in 1st. This school has been wonderful for both of them. My son is now in the ingenuity program for middle school and he's been prepared really well. My daughter loves school and learning. They've had great experiences at Creative City.

Posted: September 6, 2019

I went to school in one of the wealthiest public school districts in the country, and I had some great teachers. I am so pleased with the teachers!

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

Posted: September 6, 2019

The school has put in place strategies to deal with bullying.

Posted: September 6, 2019

I'm so glad our family found Creative City. My kids have done well on the standardized tests, have made friends, and enjoy weekly art, music, and gym classes.

Posted: September 6, 2019

After hearing how stressed out my friends' kids were with homework -- and reading studies about how homework in lower grades can actually be harmful, I was happy to find a place where homework is introduced at a developmentally-appropriate time. (And, if parents ask, teachers will work with you on optional take-home work.)

Posted: September 5, 2019

Most of the teachers are terrible. My kids had 3 years of preschool and are testing at the 20th percentile in the state with the rest of the school.

Posted: September 5, 2019

Nope. They have 5th graders beating on little kids in the school and do nothing.

Posted: September 5, 2019

Leadership is nice, friendly. They let kids physically abuse other kids, and do little to stop the constant school violence. They are overwhelmed.

Posted: September 5, 2019

Nope. My son has trouble with math, the teacher shames him. Put him in kumon he is finally making progress.

Posted: September 5, 2019

Absolutely not. They let everything slide. Kids are getting hurt and harassed daily.

Posted: September 5, 2019

They send little to no homework home.

Posted: September 5, 2019

I wish we had never signed up for this school. It’s been a nightmare. We are moving, leaving the city, because of this school and it’s situation,

Posted: August 5, 2019

The only time your child gets attention is if they misbehave, and even then it's a slight reprimand and then back to not caring about the kids

Posted: August 5, 2019

No consequence for children who bully or misbehave, which is ridiculous

Posted: August 5, 2019

The staff clearly doesnt actually enjoy kids

Posted: August 5, 2019

Kids do whatever they want and teachers just let them

Posted: August 5, 2019

No communication, rude staff, no clear cut rules that are actually followed

Posted: August 5, 2019

They initially said no he in lower grades. Cool. Then gave it sporadically which is worse because there were some times when we didnt find out until the day before it was due!

Posted: August 5, 2019

Zero.
I can't describe the relief that my daughter will not be returning next year. The communication from the school is horrible, the teachers are rude and clearly do not actually enjoy being around children, and 99% of the students act like they have no discipline whatsoever. If your child does not have behavioral issues or does not have a parent who is a founding member, then your child might as well be invisible.
It brags about being a school that "celebrates outdoor learning" yet I can count on my hands the number of times my child actually did anything outside last year (either due to weather, kids behavior in class, or the lockdowns due to shootings in the area).
I was sincerely disappointed in every aspect of the school, and if you are looking at sending your child here, do yourself a favor and find somewhere else.

Posted: December 4, 2017

Posted: December 4, 2017

Posted: December 4, 2017

Posted: December 4, 2017

This is a perfect school for my 2nd grader and my Kindergartener - two very different children. My (now) 2nd grader began as an anxious and reluctant reader who was not really reading until the middle of 1st grade. Now, he is at least one full grade above his expected level and devouring books. My Kindergartener began school reading a little already and with a persistent drive to learn. The classroom teacher met her exactly where she is, and she is soaring. Not yet 6, she writes and writes and writes, a confidence that I largely attribute to the thoughtful implementation of the writer's workshop model in her classroom.

Posted: December 4, 2017

Posted: July 20, 2017

Posted: July 20, 2017

Posted: July 20, 2017

Posted: July 20, 2017

Posted: July 20, 2017

Posted: July 20, 2017

Our son is happy and challenged each day at Creative City. He has been exposed to a lot of time for creativity, play, and outdoor exploration in his K-3 years.

Posted: July 20, 2017

Posted: December 5, 2016

My daughter is thriving here. She loves her class, her teacher, and the varied learning experiences she has each day.

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: January 12, 2016

Homework in Kindergarten is optional, so there's no pressure on the parents - you can complete it if you want to but it isn't required (if you don't want to have your child do any homework).

Posted: January 12, 2016

Everyone at this school is very dedicated to making sure that every student receives a top quality education. The classrooms aren't too big and everyone is given the attention they need to succeed.

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: January 12, 2016

Posted: January 12, 2016

We have been at Creative City for two years and could not be happier with our decision to attend. The school emphasizes play and the arts as important tools in learning, and the results are children who are happy, engaged and thriving. Our school also places a heavy emphasis on the importance of our city as our school home. From initiatives to provide beautiful spaces around our campus that are open to the community, to hosting and partnering with community groups to taking advantage of all of the resources our city has to offer to enrich curriculum (e.g. having pen pals in nearby schools and using the local post office to learn math, calculating postage, and literacy in writing and addressing the letters; tours of local museums including partnerships with local photographers to provide history and civics lessons; an annual student art show at the Walters), our kids have some incredible experiences.