Schools 101 Offers Baltimore Families a Free School-Choice Workshop

Two students in navy school shirts walk beside an adult near red and white balloon columns.

Baltimore families preparing for middle or high school can get an early look at the choice process through Schools 101, a free virtual workshop on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 8 p.m. Live Baltimore is hosting the session with the Fund for Educational Excellence, according to Baltimore City Public Schools.

The district’s workshop announcement describes the session as a way to help families understand their student’s next educational step. It includes an Eventbrite registration link. With the workshop taking place online, families can begin preparing before the district’s application window opens in December.

Dates to Put on the Calendar

City Schools’ school-choice page says fifth- and eighth-grade families can submit applications through the Student Enrollment Management System, or SEMS, from December 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. The November workshop gives families time to learn about the process before they begin making those selections.

The district also lists its annual School Choice Fair for December 12, 2026, at the Baltimore Convention Center, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The workshop and fair serve different purposes: one is an online introduction hosted by community partners, while the other is the district’s scheduled choice fair.

Prepare Questions Before Applying

Families considering schools or programs with entrance criteria should pay attention to composite scores. City Schools says those scores draw on grades and standardized test results, including spring 2026 MCAP assessments for this choice cycle. Its choice page is the place to check current requirements and application instructions.

Before the workshop, write down the schools your student is considering and the questions you want answered about next steps. Use the registration link in the district announcement, then keep the application dates handy. Attending an information session is preparation; the application still needs to be submitted through the district’s process.

For another look at local education support, see PowerPage’s report on BCPS Foundation classroom and field-trip grants in Baltimore County.