Baltimore City Council to Hear Testimony on Proposed School Closures

Committee will discuss shuttering 3 schools, including Renaissance Academy and Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Baltimore City Council's education committee will hold a public hearing on Thursday evening to discuss the proposed permanent closure of three schools in the city - Dallas F. Nicholas Senior Elementary School, the Renaissance Academy, and the Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys. The council hopes to get answers from Baltimore City Schools on the reasoning behind the closures, and will also hear from the public.

Why it matters

School closures are a sensitive and often controversial issue, as they can significantly impact students, families, and communities. The Baltimore City Council is seeking to understand the rationale behind these proposed closures and give the public a chance to voice their concerns.

The details

The Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys has already been closed by the school board, while the other two schools - Dallas F. Nicholas Senior Elementary and the Renaissance Academy - remain open for now. The city council's education committee will hear testimony from Baltimore City Schools administrators about the reasons for the proposed closures, as well as input from members of the public.

  • The city council committee hearing will take place on Thursday evening, February 19, 2026.

The players

Baltimore City Council

The legislative body of the city of Baltimore, Maryland, responsible for passing laws and overseeing city operations.

Baltimore City Schools

The public school district serving the city of Baltimore, Maryland.

Dallas F. Nicholas Senior Elementary School

A public elementary school in Baltimore that is proposed for closure.

Renaissance Academy

A public high school in Baltimore that is proposed for closure.

Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys

A public all-boys high school in Baltimore that has already been closed by the school board.

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What’s next

The Baltimore City Council's education committee will use the testimony from this hearing to determine if they can take any action to potentially reverse the proposed school closures.

The takeaway

School closures are a sensitive issue that can have significant impacts on communities. The Baltimore City Council is seeking to understand the rationale behind these proposed closures and give the public a chance to voice their concerns before any final decisions are made.