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Instructs in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian
Fees Unlisted
Ages 5 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 706
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Elena Lokounia
School Principal
Academic offering
Taught languages Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian
Typical class size 14
Strengths Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction
Baltimore International Academy is a charter school located at 4410 Frankford Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. It serves students aged 5 to 14 in grades K through 8. Enrollment is determined through a charter lottery. The school teaches language and academic content through immersion in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian, creating a shared goal of literacy across languages. In practice, students learn language skills and core subjects in the target language, building bilingual or multilingual proficiency while keeping up with standard curricula. The campus emphasizes consistent language use as a medium for mathematics, science, and social studies, with teachers coordinating instruction to support comprehension and progress in both language and content areas. This immersion approach helps students develop communication skills, cultural awareness, and cognitive flexibility, while meeting district requirements for K-8 education. The program is well-suited for families seeking a bilingual or multilingual pathway within a charter school setting.
Baltimore International Academy has 706 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in Spanish, French, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian.
Location
The school is located at 4410 Frankford Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206. It serves students in grades K–8 as a charter school. The school teaches language skills through immersion in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian.
Stages
K–8 (elementary and middle)
Type
Charter school; enrollment is through a charter lottery
School day structure
The middle school day begins at 7:30 AM and ends at 2:10 PM.
Fees
Application fee - There is no application fee to enter Baltimore International Academy's public lottery; applications are submitted online for the lottery process (Baltimore City residents receive priority).
Tuition fees (K–8) — per year and per term - Baltimore City residents (eligible K–8): USD 0 per year — public charter tuition is free for bona fide Baltimore City residents. - Non‑city residents (K–8): approximately USD 10,000 per year. This non‑resident tuition is arranged and billed through the Baltimore City Public Schools Office of Enrollment; the school specifies the approximate annual amount and that BCPS handles the enrollment/tuition arrangements. - Per term: the schedule for how non‑resident tuition is billed (annual, by semester/term, or by installment) is specified in the enrollment/financial arrangements issued by Baltimore City Public Schools (the family will receive a Letter of Financial Responsibility that sets the rate and payment terms). Tuition billing frequency and installment details are determined by the Office of Enrollment/BCPS policy rather than by the school itself.
Billing schedule and payment terms - Tuition rates for non‑residents are established annually by the School Board and must be paid in accordance with Baltimore City Public Schools' residency and tuition policy and administrative regulations. A Letter of Financial Responsibility documents the annual rate and payment terms for each non‑resident student. Consequences for unpaid tuition are handled under BCPS policy.
Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. Baltimore International Academy is a K–8 day public charter school (standard opening/closing bell times are listed for the school day). There is no boarding program or boarding fees.
Other costs and typical additional fees - Uniforms: Students are required to wear school uniforms. Uniform suppliers listed for the school include Flynn & O'Hara, Herman's Discount, and a French Toast schoolbox; families purchase uniforms from those suppliers and will incur the retail cost of required uniform pieces. - Enrichment / extended‑day care: The school operates an Enrichment Program that offers morning and after‑school care (registration required). This program is an extended‑care service and typically carries registration and participation fees set by the program; billing and refund rules for enrichment are managed by the program director/Enrichment office. Contact information for the Enrichment Program is provided by the school. - Field trips, classroom supplies, clubs/activities, and optional extracurricular or special program fees: the school runs clubs, activities and events; individual charges for optional activities, field trips, or specific program materials may apply and are handled at the school or program level (amounts are set per activity). Parents should expect standard out‑of‑pocket costs for uniforms, enrichment registration, and any optional paid activities.
Refund information - For tuition: refunds and any tuition adjustments for non‑resident students are governed by Baltimore City Public Schools' residency and tuition policy and its administrative regulation; waiver requests and billing disputes follow the BCPS procedures. The Board and administrative regulation outline how tuition, waivers, and related notifications are handled. - For enrichment/extended‑care: refund or cancellation terms for enrichment program fees are managed by the school's Enrichment Program office; families should contact the Enrichment Program director for program‑specific refund policies.
Fee payment options - Non‑resident tuition billing and payment arrangements are processed through the Baltimore City Public Schools Office of Enrollment and follow BCPS financial procedures (the Letter of Financial Responsibility specifies how and when payments must be made). Specific accepted payment methods for BCPS‑handled tuition (for non‑residents) are determined by BCPS Finance/Enrollment at the time the tuition arrangement is issued. - Uniforms and other retail purchases (uniform suppliers listed by the school) are purchased directly from the listed suppliers; those vendors provide their own standard retail payment options (online checkout and card payments are commonly available through those retailers' stores). - Enrichment program and activity fees (if charged) are billed by the school's Enrichment/Activities offices and are paid according to the program's instructions; contact details are provided on the Enrichment page.
If you need the precise non‑resident tuition billing schedule, the school's enrollment notice identifies that the Office of Enrollment/BCPS arranges non‑resident tuition and will provide the Letter of Financial Responsibility containing rate, billing schedule, and payment terms.
Academics
Curriculum
The school teaches language and academic content through immersion in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian. Students learn language skills and core subjects through immersion. Grades served are K to 8.
Wellbeing
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches through immersion in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian, enabling students to learn language skills alongside academic content.
FAQs
What grades does Baltimore International Academy serve and where is it located?
Baltimore International Academy serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade (K–8), typically ages 5 to 14. The school is located at 4410 Frankford Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206.
Is Baltimore International Academy a charter school, and how is enrollment determined?
Yes, it is a public charter school. Enrollment is conducted through a charter lottery, with priority given to Baltimore City residents.
What is the middle school day schedule and what languages are used for immersion?
The middle school day runs from 7:30 AM to 2:10 PM. Instruction uses language immersion in one of five languages—Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian—while teaching language skills alongside core subjects.
Is there an application fee for entering the BIA lottery?
There is no application fee for entering the public lottery. Applications are submitted online.
What are the tuition costs for residents and non-residents, and who handles billing?
Baltimore City residents attend free as part of the public charter. Non-city residents pay about $10,000 per year, with billing arranged through the Baltimore City Public Schools Office of Enrollment.
How is non-resident tuition billed and what documents are involved?
Non-resident tuition is billed according to BCPS policies, and families receive a Letter of Financial Responsibility that sets the rate and payment terms.
What enrichment or after-school options are available at BIA?
The school operates an Enrichment Program with morning and after-school care; registration is required and fees may apply.
Are there clubs or other extracurricular activities, and do they have costs?
Yes, the school runs clubs, activities, and events, and there may be charges for optional activities, field trips, or specific program materials.
What leadership or PBIS initiatives exist beyond the classroom?
The school uses PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) to promote positive behavior, and there are community events and volunteer opportunities beyond the classroom.
How does the school support English language learners within the immersion model?
Language immersion in Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian supports language development as part of the core curriculum, benefiting English language learners.
What information is available about safeguarding and welfare provisions?
Details about safeguarding and welfare provisions are not specified in the provided information; for the latest policies, contact the school directly.
Is a uniform required, and where can uniforms be purchased?
Yes, uniforms are required. Uniform pieces can be purchased from Flynn & O'Hara, Hermans Discount, and French Toast.
How is governance structured for this charter school?
Baltimore International Academy is operated as a charter school; the operator's contract was renewed through June 2029, and the school is not owned by Baltimore City Public Schools.
Is there a boarding option or a house system at BIA?
There is no boarding program, and there is no house system described in the information provided.
Which languages are taught through immersion at BIA?
Immersion options include Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Russian; students learn language skills and academic content through immersion.
Do students choose one language to immerse in or learn multiple languages?
Students participate in language immersion in one of the listed languages, alongside core subjects.
Is IB offered for K–8 at Baltimore International Academy?
Yes, the school offers International Baccalaureate (IB) programs for grades K–8.
What is the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) structure, and how can parents get involved?
The PTO East is an independent organization that promotes open communication between parents and teachers, plans activities, and fundsraise; dues are $6 for individuals or $10 for families.
What kinds of community events or volunteer opportunities exist at BIA?
The school hosts events beyond the classroom, such as a Black History movie and a Valentine's Day ice cream social, with volunteers for school activities and fundraising.
What role does PBIS play in school culture?
PBIS is used to promote positive behavior and support a constructive school culture within the broader community and events.
