This week the teams at Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School and Forest Park High School celebrated back-to-back Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies. Both events represented historical significance to their respective communities. The 21st Century Schools initiative has been a long-awaited reveal for the Baltimore neighborhoods and crowds arrived excited to tour both projects.

The Cherry Hill facility will serve students in grades 3-8, focusing on high school academic preparedness while bridging the socialization gap between elementary and middle school students. The community of Cherry Hill has been an invested partner from day one, advocating for specific program and classroom spaces as well as a change in the curriculum to offer advanced learning opportunities.

Forest Park is the first high school in Baltimore to end segregation. Yesterday’s Ribbon Cutting ceremony served as a reminder of how far the region has come and emphasized the work of city supporters who continue to promote those uplifting and unified values in the day-to-day lives of students. Forest Park High School includes a significant number of career and technical education (CTE) spaces, some of which will be shared community spaces for after school and weekend functions. Notable features include a natatorium with 25-meter swimming lanes, mock courtroom, state-of-the-art culinary kitchen, auxiliary gym, Black Box theatre and above all else – clean, usable water fountains!

To learn more about the city’s ongoing initiatives and the impact to Baltimore City Public Schools students, check out this recent article in the Baltimore Sun. These institutions are the first step in paving the way for tomorrow’s leaders.