Baltimore School For The Arts

712 Cathedral Street

School District

Baltimore City Public Schools
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

School Map for Baltimore City Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 10, 2022

As a parent of a student that graduated last year, I cannot say enough good things about BSA. We are so grateful for the opportunity for our daughter to get to go there. She has loved this school since her shadow day in her 8th grade year. With the rigorous schedule that she had in high school , it definitely conditioned her for college.
Submitted by parent on October 12, 2022

No school is perfect but this school has been perfect for my child. The student support team has been especially helpful with the accommodations for my child’s special needs via a 504 plan.
Submitted by other on July 14, 2016

I attended the school a few years back and had an excellent experience during my time there.
Submitted by other on October 17, 2014

I am a violin major at BSA and I must say that this is probably one of the best places to be if you like art. I can't speak for the other departments, but for the music department at least, I feel like there isn't much competition or pressure amongst the students because although everyone here is talented, they are also connected by a bond that encourages students to be caring and supportive of each other. The teachers can be tough and the academics are pretty darn rigerous most of the time, but every staff member is almost 100% willing to listen to you when you're struggling. We also have a great, brand new technology center and incoming freshmen are getting more and more opportunities for fun field trips and experiences that I wish I had back when I was in 9th grade XD Overall, the workload can get pretty heavy at BSA, but you kind of adapt to it after a while, so it's nothing to really fear. Great school, great facilities, great education, great community!
Submitted by other on June 26, 2014

I know Im only going to 8th right now but this is my Dream School I hope I can get in.
Submitted by parent on May 11, 2012

The person who suggested admission is based on 'who you know' is mistaken. My daughter knew nobody at the school and we came from another state for her to audition. Acceptance for admission is absolutely based on the audition. Unfortunately, there are so very many wonderful and talented students with great potential competing for so few slots so not everyone who has talent can get in. Though our commute was a tough one and my daughter had many late nights leaving BSA after performances and rehearsals and learned to survive on little sleep these past four years, she has grown so much as an artist and is very well prepared for the rigors of the BFA program she's about to enter. BSA offers a very supportive peer environment within their art majors. So glad my daughter had the opportunity to attend such a special, well respected and highly rated arts school!
Submitted by parent on March 01, 2012

My son is really happy attending BSA. The BSA students are diverse in their fine arts studies, their ethnicities, backgrounds, physical appearances and on.... The students are attending school there because they truly want to be there. And it's exciting for the parents to experience this with them.
Submitted by other on July 24, 2011

My goodness. Of course there are no sports, academic teams etc. It is an ARTS school. The xtra time aside from academics is spent on the student's art. Seems that you misunderstand what this school is all about.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2011

an extraordinary school! Kids apply and audition to enter, are judged entirely on the strength of their artistic potential, not on grades. Once they are accepted they are helped to get where they need to be academically -- additional help, tutoring, guidance, etc. Of course it is expected that they will work hard. Those that don't work hard generally leave the school. But the rewards are tremendous. The environment is about talent, and support of it. No harrassment, no bullying, no violence.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2011

I am a parent of a current freshman student and we LOVE BSA. It is definitely one of the best education based decisions that I have made for my son. I was afraid that BSA was far to focused on the arts and not enough on academics only to discover that I was WRONG. The advanced placement program is excellent and extremely challenging. The students are well behaved and help one another out a lot. They are like a family.
Submitted by student on March 05, 2011

I went to school here and it was the best high school experience, based on my experience and what others have told me about regular academic high schools. All of the teachers are highly qualified and go beyond the call of duty for the students. Class sizes are small so everyone can reach their personal potential whether it be academic or in their arts field. Students are admitted based on their audition, including their excitement to learn, and their ambition and drive to succeed. It is not an "easy" school to go to, and there is a evaluation that you must pass at the end of every year in your art field, in order to go on to the next year. I would recommend this school for any student who is passionate about the arts, and who can make the commitment to working many long hours to develop their skills. This school is perfect preparation for college, when I went to my four-year school in the arts, it was a piece of cake and there was no adjustment period as I was used to 4 hr studio classes, and critiques. The teachers here don't baby you, and I think that's what helped me develop and learn the most. I appreciated it.
Submitted by student on May 06, 2010

This School is My Dream School, I Play Guitar I've Looked At Everything for this School and It's Just A Perfect school For Artists And i will be Auditioning
Submitted by parent on May 04, 2010

BSA is definitely a fine arts school, but there is a very strong culture which continually promotes some students, giving other students only a minimal, if any, chance to be in the spotlight. Questions or concerns from parents are not well-received. It is interesting that extracurricular activities received a 4-star rating, when actually there are no such activities--no sports, no academic teams, no clubs of any kind. Any after-school activities involve the student's art, with participation mandatory in most instances.
Submitted by student on December 04, 2009

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Submitted by other on March 17, 2009

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Submitted by student on August 23, 2008

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Submitted by parent on July 28, 2008

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Submitted by student on July 14, 2008

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Submitted by student on October 24, 2007

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Submitted by student on September 07, 2007

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