CASE STUDIES / BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS CASE STUDY

From Strategy to Success: A Multiyear Literacy Solution in Baltimore

How a district-wide partnership helped 15,000 students improve reading proficiency — making Baltimore one of the few urban districts in the country with higher post-pandemic reading scores.

District Overview

Location

Baltimore, Maryland

District Enrollment:

76,841 Pre-K–12 students

Springboard Program Enrollment

15,000 students served since 2018 across 37 schools in the district

District Demographics:

69.6% African American

0.1% Hispanic/Latino

7% White

≤5% Asian

≤5% multiracial

≤5% American Indian

≤5% Pacific Islander

5.9% Low Income

14.6% Multilingual Learners 14.5% Students with Disabilities

Overview

Years of underfunding and inequity left Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) at an inflection point, facing pressure to accelerate learning, particularly in early literacy, amid limited instructional time and out-of-school barriers.

In 2018, with many students reading below grade level, City Schools partnered with Springboard Collaborative, aligning with the district’s Blueprint for Success to give every student the opportunity to thrive.

Together, they built a multiyear strategy that extends beyond the school day, engages every stakeholder in a child’s learning ecosystem, and builds long-term capacity, driving steady gains in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP).

Challenges

Persistent Achievement Gaps

By 2018, systemic barriers had created a literacy crisis across City Schools, with nearly all third-grade students not reading proficiently.

Need for Evidence-Based, Scalable Programs

City Schools needed a literacy solution that was research-based and scalable. While the district mandated after-school programs, few were aligned with the science of reading or included professional development for teachers.

Capacity Gaps in Extended Learning

Despite a mandate for expanded learning opportunities, City Schools faced capacity constraints. Schools lacked the infrastructure, staffing, and planning to deliver consistent instruction outside regular hours.

Fragmented Community Support and Inconsistent Family Touchpoints

Families wanted to support their children's reading but often lacked the tools, trust, or guidance to do so effectively, and inconsistent communication among schools, families, and community partners weakened a shared culture of literacy at home.

Solution

Long-Term Partnership and Sustainability

A multiyear contract enabled district-wide alignment, strategic planning, and consistent implementation across sites. This stability allowed schools to deepen instructional coherence and embed Springboard’s strategies into daily practice.

Building District Capacity: Teachers and Leaders

Springboard equipped teachers and leaders with standards-aligned materials grounded in the science of reading and real-time coaching, backed by an internal team that draws on community and school resources and coordinates professional learning communities and coaching led by site leadership. Many program leaders have moved into district leadership roles, including assistant principal and instructional coach positions.

Programming During Critical Hours

Springboard offered before-school, after-school, and summer academic programming in small groups that balance rigor and engagement, plus family materials built around the five pillars of reading and the science of reading to extend classroom learning at home.

Family and Community Engagement

Springboard built family partnerships through Team-Building Huddles (home visits) and Family Workshops, while individual schools adapted materials and delivery methods to fit their local communities.

Results

Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Springboard schools in City Schools are progressing in ELA proficiency on MCAP state assessments faster than the overall district.

6.3%

ELA proficiency gains from 2018-2024

97%

Average Family Workshop attendance

94%

Teachers developed strategies to build relationships with families

“Springboard creates a space where families feel comfortable coming into the building and talking about literacy. Even parents who may not be strong readers themselves feel comfortable unpacking their struggles and naming them. It’s been transformational for our community.”

Principal
Baltimore City Public Schools

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