News of Note
Supply List - Upper School
USB drive Pens (blue or black ink)
Pencils (#2 only) Pencil Sharpener
Dividers (3 packs) Spiral Notebooks or college ruled paper
2 Inch Binder Folders
Combination Lock Calculator TI-82,83,84 (recommended)
Book bag Ruler
White out Composition Notebooks (2)
Pocket Dictionary/Thesaurus Positive Attitude
Willingness to learn
Summer Reading Lists
Links to summer reading lists (click on View All Announcements to view):
Middle School
Ninth Grade
Upper Grades
BFA Scholars in the News!
Click on the link below to see a wonderful article in the Baltimore Sun with our students commenting on their opinion of Barack Obama’s rise to the presumptive Democratic Party nomination for President.http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-te.youth05jun05,0,5846855.story
100% of the Class of 2008 Admitted to College!
100% of Baltimore Freedom Academy scholars admitted to at least one college or university. Over 70% of our family was admitted to multiple schools and are looking forward to continuing their lifelong learning process. On Sunday, June 1st we will honor the class of 2008 and all of their accomplishments at our second annual graduation ceremony. Keynote Speaker Kweisi Mfume will lead the charge of our graduating class who have the “Freedom to Lead and Daring to Succeed!”
BFA Approved to Become a 6 - 12 Secondary School!
The Baltimore Freedom Academy was approved by the BCPSS Board of School Commissioners to transition from a 9 -12 high school to a 6 - 12 secondary school at it’s March 11, 2008 school board meeting. The BFA Foundation, Inc. is excited to partner with CEO, Dr. Andres Alonso in his effort to provide quality choice options for students in middle grades by expanding our operation to a middle school division. We are presently seeking qualified candidates to lead the middle grades program and to join the faculty and staff (see positions on our STAFF page under the ‘employment’ link).
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NOW HIRING!!!
The Baltimore Freedom Academy is now hiring the following positions for the 2008-2009 school year. Click on the link below the position for available job description (Positions opened until filled):
Upper School Positions
* Please return in November 2008 for vacancies… We will be adding a second foreign language teacher at that time.
Middle School Positions:
* Please return in November 2008 for vacancies… We will be hiring for our eigth grade cohort at that time.
Schoolwide Positions:
* Hall Monitors
Candidates interested in positions should e-mail their resume and cover letter to employment@baltimorefreedomacademy.org unless otherwise noted. Please include a separate statement of educational philosophy. All staff hired must be eligible for employment by the Baltimore City Public School System. Only candidates receiving further consideration will be contacted. No phone calls or faxes please. JOB DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
FREEDOM FIGHTERS WIN 2nd ANNUAL BIAC TOURNAMENT!!!
The BFA Freedom Fighters boys team wins the 2nd annual Baltimore Innovative Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday, March 1, 2008! Despite much fanfare from the opposing team who brought a capacity crowd and cheerleaders, the young men of the Freedom Fighters were able to edge out a victory of 69-64 over Coppin Academy High School. Congratulations to our team, our coaches and Kevin Smith #22 for winning MVP status!!!
BFA WINS Baltimore Innovative Athletic Conference Tip-Off!!!
Baltimore Freedom Academy’s Freedom Fighters men’s basketball squad wins the first official game of the Baltimore Innovative Athletic Conference to start off what promises to be a strong season. After winning the first ever BIAC Championship in 2007, the Freedom Fighters needed to ensure that they would not be made a one trick pony… The teamwork on the court led to a victory of 69 - 40 over the Academy of College and Career Exploration. Great job team!
BFA Faculty Engage in Developing 21st Century Learners!!
Benjamin Alamed and Allyson Smith, teachers at Baltimore Freedom Academy in Baltimore, Maryland, attended the Oracle Education Foundation’s (OEF) first 21st Century Learning Institute to learn how to successfully integrate project learning and 21st Century learning skills into the classroom.
The 21st Century Learning Institute was held from November 5-8 in the San Francisco Bay Area, and brought together 73 educators from 13 countries. Throughout the four-day program, teachers learned to design and implement online learning projects that help students develop 21st century skills. The course used OEF’s global technology programs, Think.com and ThinkQuest, to showcase exceptional project-learning examples and help teachers produce projects as a part of their training experience.
BFA’s 4th Annual Harvest Festival Great Success!
The Baltimore Freedom Academy implemented its 4th Annual Community Harvest Festival in the school’s courtyard. Over 100 community residents joined us for a Saturday afternoon of fun activities for young people of all ages. Face painting, live DJ, moon bounce, carnival games and treats were all part of our effort to serve the community around us and be a part of what’s good about the Jonestown/Oldtowne community. Students led the development and implementation of the event and take great pride in making a difference for the people who they share a community with each day!
BFA Exceeds Expectations on HSA’s!
BFA students rank 3rd place overall among all high school students in Baltimore City on the Algebra High School Assessment with a 71.1% pass rate! They were able to outpace other City students by over 40% on the Government High School Assessments achieving an average score of 72% between the two 06-07 administrations!
Congratulations Class of 2007!
The Baltimore Freedom Academy graduated its first class of students on Sunday, June 3, 2007 at Morgan State University. Commencement speaker, Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon, gave a rousing speech that encouraged our students to lead the next generation to greatness! Over 90% of our seniors have been admitted to four year universities and will be attending schools around the country. The event was memorable for all…
BFA recognized by MSDE for High Performance
The Baltimore Freedom Academy is one of five schools recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education for High Performance in 2006. BFA is the only school without entrance criteria to receive this distinction. www.baltimorecityschools.org
BFA Debaters Reach 3rd Place Overall in BUDL Tournament for 06-07
The members of BFA’s Debate Team have placed 3rd overall in the Baltimore Urban Debate League Tournament for the 06-07 school year. Our students really rose to the competition beating schools that brought over 20 teams to compete at each event. We’re very proud of our student’s achievements and look forward to them doing well in next year’s tournament.
BFA Debaters Going to National Championship! May 2007
Coach Gary Campbell and a team (Brion Gill ‘08 and Leon Ramsey ‘07) from the Baltimore Freedom Academy debate squad will be heading to the National Championships of the Catholic Forensics League. They will be competing against some of the toughest high school national debate teams and are only the second public Baltimore City High School to reach this level of competition… Stay tuned for details!
BFA Basketball Squad WINS Championships! Feb 2007
The Baltimore Freedom Academy men’s basketball team has fought their way to the BIAC Championships and come home with a win! After facing tough competition from other Innovation and Charter high schools, BFA’s squad competed in the Baltimore Innovative Athletic Conference’s first ever championship matchup on Thursday, March 1, 2007 against Baltimore Talent Development High School. Congrats to basketball coach Joseph Connelly for assisting in starting the new league!WE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR TEAM!
Public Justice Center recognizes BFA’s Foster Youth Incorporated! Feb. 2007
The Public Justice Center awards BFA students the John P. Sarbanes “Courage Award” for their work to establish Foster Youth Incorporated. FYI is a youth-led advocacy organization supporting young people who are currently or have in the past been participants in the Department of Social Services. These students have worked hard all year and have been awarded a Youth As Resources grant to continue their efforts and expand to other Baltimore City Schools.
BFA’s Mock Trial team moves to tournament semi-finals! Feb. 2007
BFA’s Mock Trial Team beats City College High School’s mock trial team for the second time in a row to clinch a tie for first place moving them on to the semi-final round of the Maryland State Bar Association’s high school mock trial competition…Go BFA!
100% of Class of 2007 Eligible for Early College…
This spring at least 90% of the Class of 2007 will be taking advantage of BFA’s partnership with Baltimore City Community College to attend early college courses for free! Our students are meeting the challenge to become college ready!
Michael Blackwell ‘07 Wins UFSC Oratorical Contest!
Michael Blackwell has won first place in the United Financial Services Coalition scholarship oratory contest on Thursday, January 18, 2007! Congratulations Michael…
Class of 2007 Making Great Strides!
Over 70% of the members of BFA’s class of 2007 have already been admitted to a four year university. We are well on our way of meeting the 90% minimum goal for college acceptance!
ADMISSIONS
Please click on the following link (http://www.bcps.k12.md.us/Students/PDF/HS_Admisssion_app.pdf) for information about completing a citywide application for innovation high schools. BFA admits 100 students per year and offers a random lottery if there are more than 100 applicants through the Baltimore CIty Public School System.
BFA Charter Application Approved
The Baltimore City Public School System has approved the Baltimore Freedom Academy to convert from an Innovation high school to a charter school in 2008. (http://www.bcps.k12.md.us/News/PR_CharterSchools_2006final.pdf)
Uniform purchase information
After three years of seeking a company with quality service and quality clothing, BFA parents have recommended we use Flynn & O’Hara uniforms (a local company) to provide uniforms for our students. You may purchase uniforms at the Flynn & O’Hara website www.flynnohara.com or visit their Towson location at:
Flynn & O’Hara Uniforms
Loch Raven Plaza
923 Taylor Avenue
Towson, MD 21286
(410) 828-4709
Please note: Uniforms not ordered or purchased prior to August 1, 2006 may not be available prior to the first day of school. ALL Students are expected to be in uniform on the first day of school. All uniform bottoms must be purchased from either Flynn & O’Hara or from the Dickies clothing company.
Students Lead!
Students at BFA participate in many leadership activities. Through a partnership with the Associated Black Charities of Maryland our students were major participants in their “Meet the Candidates” series featuring Mayor Martin O’Malley. Our students were also part of an interest group assembled by the University of MD School of Law to visit the Redhook Public Justice Center in Brooklyn, NY. With the leadership of BFA faculty, students marched on Washington, DC with the likes of community leader and Harvard Professor Cornel West to eliminate the atrocities in the Sudan they also participated with the consent of their parents in student led strikes in protest of underfunding of Baltimore City public schools. Additionally, students participated in many college tours and college recruitment activities required by BFA such as our on campus college fair and the NACAC college fair.
Debate Team makes great strides 2005 - 2006!
Make sure you congradulate our debate team members. BFA students were able to rise through the rankings of the Baltimore Urban Debate League’s 2005-2006 season closing out the year in a strong third place. Great job, team!
