Category: Education

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History of Francis Scott Key School #76

In 1851, an unknown person laid the foundation of Francis Scott Key School on the South Baltimore Peninsula.

It is likely that this person used her living room to teach the children of Locust Point. The city school records do not mention how many children or what they were taught. But it is apparent that most of the children taught were girls. In 1866, this local school was named the Female Grammar School, #16. In that same year the school was incorporated into the Baltimore City public School System. Commissioners of Public Schools report that two classes were housed within one apartment. A divider separated the learning areas so that the two teachers could effectively instruct the children. The report stated, “A hard task is that which these teachers have assumed. To perform it well was worthy of their ambition.” The commission highlighted the hard work of these dedicated teachers by the notation “no supplies assigned to the school.”

Francis Scott Key Elementary Middle School Logo

The year 1869 provides additional statistics. The Female Grammar School, #16, consisted of 82 students and 2 teachers. The principal, Georgia A. Duvall, earned $900.00 per year. Sallie E. Moore, her assistant earned $648.00 annually. In 1870, the school still showed an enrollment of 81 students. The staff consisted of Ms. Duvall and two teachers. Mary Callendar became the new assistant to the principal. By 1876, the school had grown to 114 students. But, there were still only two teachers. Ms. Callendar had become the principal.

In 1877, the Board of School Commissioners rented a building for $150.00 to house the school that had outgrown its two rooms. In 1881, the City Council gave permission to lease a lot for a new school house in Locust Point on the South Baltimore Peninsula. The original site was on the corner of Hull and Clement Streets. Construction of a new building cost $10,000.00 Students moved into the building in 1882. The school was co-educational and became the first “Francis Scott Key School.”

School Song

Key forever, Key forever,
Sing it loud and strong,
Here we find both love and learning
All the way along.

Key forever, Key forever,
We will shout her name
Her loyal sons and daughters
Bring her fame.

 Rah, Rah, Rah!!!

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South Bmore Community Organizations

South Baltimore organizations help make our community the great place that it is.

People helping people for the good of all; this is a small, but growing, list of local organizations.

Federal Hill South Neighborhood Association

The FHSNA community organization was formed in 1993 to promote and protect the common interests of the residents and property owners in the Federal Hill South community. Federal Hill South Neighborhood Association serves the neighborhood bounded by Light Street, Cross Street, Covington Street and Fort Avenue. serving the neighborhood bounded by Light Street, Cross Street, Covington Street and Fort Avenue.
Website: www.federalhillsouth.org

Riverside Neighborhood Association

Riverside Neighborhood Association (RNA) is a Non-Profit Public Charity that encompasses neighbors from Lawrence Street to Light Street and from Key Highway to the railyard.
Website: www.riversideneighborhoodassociation.com

Friends of Riverside Park, FORP, is a subcommittee of the Riverside Neighborhood Association.

Federal Hill Neighborhood Association

The Federal Hill Neighborhood Association promotes neighbor relations, pride, safety and stabilization in the area. Founded in 1983, the FHNA serves residents from Hughes Street / Key Highway to the north; South Hanover Street to the west; Cross Street to the south; and Key Highway to the east.
Website: federalhillbaltimore.org

South Baltimore Little League – SBLL

The South Baltimore Little League (SBLL) has been supporting wholesome youth baseball and softball activities for our community’s children for more than half a century. The SBLL has been an integral part of the lives of many area children and their families for generations. It is a volunteer organization and all interested community members are welcome. Drop by and watch a game during the season – or get involved all year.
Facebook: facebook.com/SouthBaltimoreLittleLeague

School 33 Art Center – Classes, Gallery, Studios

Created in 1979 by the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Art and Culture, School 33 Art Center is a focal point for contemporary art in the region. The facility is dedicated to providing opportunities for artists through exhibitions, art classes, workshops, a Studio Artist Program, and special events. School 33 Art Center is a program of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, Inc., and is supported in part by grants from the Mayor and the City Council of Baltimore and other organizations and contributors.
1427 Light Street, South Baltimore, MD 21230
Website: www.school33.org

South Baltimore Neighborhood Association

SBNA is a neighborhood association in South Baltimore representing the residents within the area bounded by Cross Street to the north, McComas Street to the south, Race Street to the west and Light Street to the East.

The South Baltimore Neighborhood Association mission is “to encourage, through regular meetings, the formal exchange of ideas; to work with local law enforcement in promoting safety; and to assist individuals and families in the continuing process of neighborhood renewal.”

South Baltimore Neighborhood Association
P.O. Box 6364
Baltimore, MD 21230

Website: http://www.mysobo.org

Southwest Partnership

Southwest Parntership is a neighboring community organization serving seven neighborhoods and six anchor institutions in Southwest Baltimore. They include the Barre Circle Community Association, Citizens of Pigtown, Franklin Square Community Association, Hollins Roundhouse Community Association, Mount Clare Community Council, Poppleton NOW!, The Union Square Association, Bon Secours Baltimore Health System, The B&O Railroad Museum, The University of Maryland Baltimore, The University of Maryland Biopark, The University of Maryland Medical System and the Wexford Science and Technology.
Website: southwestpartnershipbaltimore.org

Locust Point Civic Association

The LPCA was created in 1972 to promote and protect the common interests of the residents of Locust Point.
Website: mylocustpoint.wordpress.com

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Baltimore Schools

South Baltimore has some of the best public elementary and middle schools in the Entire Baltimore Metropolitan Area.

The Baltimore City Public Schools has charge of the education for 80,000+/- of Baltimore’s school children. The Baltimore public school system maintains about 162+/- schools in all neighborhoods of the city. From the City Schools Website: “City Schools is committed to ensuring that all students graduate from high school ready for college, career training, and life success in the 21st century.”

Where would you like to learn – or have your child learn?

Thomas Johnson Elementary/Middle School #84 – 100 E. Heath Street, 410-396-1575
“TJ” is a traditional neighborhood school serving grades Pre-K to 8. This top-performing school has been recognized by the State of Maryland with an “Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education” award.

Thomas Johnson Elementary / Middle School #84
Thomas Johnson Elementary / Middle School #84

Francis Scott Key Elementary/Middle School #76 – 1425 E. Fort Avenue. 410-396-1503
“FSK” is a traditional neighborhood school, serving grades Pre-K through 8, that also has an “Advanced Academics” program open to middle school students from across the city (admitted based on entrance criteria). Click for a Brief History of FSK.

Federal Hill Preparatory Academy Elementary School #45 – 1040 William Street. 410-396-1207
Fed Hill Prep is a traditional neighborhood elementary school serving grades Pre-K to 5 and has been recognized by the State of Maryland with an “Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education” award.

Digital Harbor High School #416 – 1100 Covington Street, 410-396-1500
The former “Southern High” is now a traditionally managed neighborhood and city-wide innovative technology-focused high school serving grades 9-12. Students take preparatory courses for entry to college, prepare for technology careers, and can earn industry-level certification.

Trivia Moment: When seniors graduate from Digital Harbor and other public high schools where do you think they go? College, work, military, nowhere? Yes, yes, yes and, unfortunately, yes – eventually. But first many of them head to the beach in Ocean City, MD, for seven days of celebratory glee, called Senior Week.

Catholic Community School of South Baltimore – No longer exists. Such a shame.

Coppin State College – 2500 W. North Avenue • Baltimore, MD 21216 (410) 951-3000 • Admissions Phone Number: (410) 951-3600 • Set on 38 acres in northwest Baltimore, Coppin State College is a historically black, four-year liberal arts college providing academic programs in the arts and sciences, teacher education, nursing, graduate studies, and continuing education. Coppin offers 21 majors and 11 graduate-degree programs. A fully accredited urban, residential campus, Coppin serves Baltimore residents as well as students from around the world, with flexible course schedules that include convenient day, evening, and weekend classes.

Baltimore Metropolitan Area Public School Systems: