Contact Us
If you would like to contact the school, please call or send us an email. During weekends, responses to emails will likely not be made until the following Monday.
Message BDS
Send us your requests, comments, and questions.
Our Location
Located in Station North,
1500 Barclay Street
Get Directions
FAQS
Frequently asked questions on a broad range of topics related to our school. If you would like to contact the school, please call or send us an email at apply@baltimoredesignschool.com.
BDS Community
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How do I get involved with BDS?
Want to get involved? Click here to learn more about the available volunteer and support opportunities.
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How do I make a donation to support BDS?
We’re grateful for your support! To make a donation click here or contact Jovanna Barney, our Development Operations Manager, if you have questions.
Current Students & Parents
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If my child enrolls in the BDS middle school program, is he/she automatically accepted into the BDS high school program?
Acceptance into the high school program is based on a review of student portfolios. Although we are a 6-12th grade school, middle school students must submit an application and prepare a portfolio. Our current middle school students have an advantage because we help them to develop their portfolios during the 6-8th grades, so that they are prepared for the application process.
To learn more about our portfolio review days, workshops or to apply at the high school level, click here.
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How can parents get involved?
The school is guided by a Board of Directors. Additionally, we have a School Family Council (SFC) that always welcomes new members. We encourage parent involvement and want to make sure parents have a voice in the school. Please check out our calendar for upcoming SFC meeting dates and BDS Stakeholder nights.
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When is your next open house?
Parents are welcome to attend a tour of our school during our workshop dates. For dates and to RSVP for a tour, click here.
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How do I contact a teacher for questions or to request a conference?
- Conferences need to be scheduled in advance by contacting the teacher via ParentSquare, e-mail, or submitting a written note to be delivered with your student.
- Please allow 48 hours for a response from your student’s teacher.
- Walk-in conferences are not permitted at any time.
Need contact information? Click here for our staff directory.
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What is the Baltimore Design School uniform policy?
The following information applies to the BDS uniform policy for the 2021/22 school year. Middle school students are required to wear a uniform. High school students adhere to the BCPSS dress code policy.
Grades 6-8 have a specific color shirt, and that color will follow students throughout their middle school years.
Middle School:
Grade 6- TBD + Khaki pants
Grade 7- TBD + Khaki pants
Grade 8- TBD + Khaki pantsOur authorized uniform vendor is Hermans Discount located at 3106 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21218 or call 410-662-9626.
High School:
Students will have t-shirt options they can purchase. While there is no uniform, we ask that parents please abide by the code of conduct when allowing their students to dress for school. Please no open toe shoes, slippers, flip flops, see through shirts, halter-tops, or ripped up jeans.All Students:
This school year, book bags will fall under the the uniform policy for Baltimore City Public Schools. It is recommended that students have a see-through or a mesh book bags and will be the only approved type of book bags allowed within classrooms. Book bags comprising of other material will have to be placed in student lockers. There are no exceptions to this policy. Students will also need to have a lock for their lockers. It is recommended that students bring a combination lock, however students must have a lock for their locker to secure their property. -
What do I need to do if my student is absent?
- Click here to complete the form on ParentSquare. Send in a signed note to the front office desk offering an explanation of student absence and parent signature. An e-mail or phone call is not sufficient to excuse an absence. If your student is absent from a specific class or classes due to tech issues, click here to complete the Google Form.
- For a short-term absence (1-2 days), it is the responsibility of the student to obtain any missed assignments.
- For a long-term absence (3+ days), please call your student’s homeroom teacher, or contact teachers via ParentSquare to assemble a work packet. Please allow 24-48 hours for assembly before pick-up in the main office.
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What do I need to do if there is inclement weather/early dismissal?
Inclement weather: Check Parent Square for an urgent message, check WBAL School Closings or the Baltimore City Schools websites prior to school.
Early Dismissal (weather, heat or hazardous conditions):
- Dismissal will follow normal procedures at the announced closing time.
- The building will be closed within one-half hour of the announced closing time.
- After-school activities will be cancelled.
Early Dismissal (Parent/Guardian Planned):
- Send in a written note to the front desk on the scheduled day.
- Sign in to the main office upon arrival to pick up your student.
- Your student will be sent down to you ready to leave.
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What transportation is available? How can I learn more about the MTA bus options to get to BDS?
Students can be transported to school by parents/guardians or take an MTA bus. Baltimore Design School provides each eligible student with a free MTA student transit pass (S-pass).
Click here for information about CityLink.
Prospective Students & Parents
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How big is BDS and what grades does it serve?
The Baltimore Design School serves grades 6 through 12 with a total of approximately 530 students.
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What is the student to teacher ratio?
BDS has 30 teachers, for a 1:25 student teacher ratio. BCPSS has an average 1:35 ratio.
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How much of the regular school day is spent in art/design classes?
Every student at BDS currently has 70 minutes of art/design classes daily.
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My child likes art. Should he/she attend the Baltimore Design School?
Our students spend seven years learning invaluable skills to become designers. We are hoping to attract students who like inventing something new, have new ideas for fashion, architecture, and graphic design, who think three-dimensionally and like building things, and who have an eye for making things more interesting.
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When is the next BDS open house?
Parents are welcome to attend a tour of our school during our workshop dates. For dates and to RSVP for a tour, click here.
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If my child enrolls in the BDS middle school program, is he/she automatically accepted into the BDS high school program?
Acceptance into the high school program is based on a review of student portfolios. Although we are a 6-12th grade school, middle school students must submit an application and prepare a portfolio. Our current middle school students have an advantage because we help them to develop their portfolios during the 6-8th grades, so that they are prepared for the application process.
To learn more about our portfolio review days, workshops or to apply at the high school level, click here.
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Can my child transfer in as a 10th grader?
All prospective high school students must participate in our portfolio review process to be considered for BDS. In order to be accepted as a transfer student, there must be a spot open in the student’s desired pathway (graphic design, architecture and fashion design). Typically pathways are filled by the time our current students rise to the tenth grade. Unfortunately, we are not able to accept students as transfers beyond the tenth grade due to CTE course requirements. Click here to learn more about our portfolio review process.
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Can non-city residents apply to BDS?
Please visit the BCPSS Office of Enrollment Choice and Transfer for information regarding the Non-City Tuition Policy.
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Does the Baltimore Design School require a uniform?
The following information applies to the BDS uniform policy for the 2021/22 school year. Middle school students are required to wear a uniform. High school students adhere to the BCPSS dress code policy.
Grades 6-8 have a specific color shirt, and that color will follow students throughout their middle school years.
Middle School:
Grade 6- TBD + Khaki pants
Grade 7- TBD + Khaki pants
Grade 8- TBD + Khaki pantsOur authorized uniform vendor is Hermans Discount located at 3106 Greenmount Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21218 or call 410-662-9626.
High School:
Students will have t-shirt options they can purchase. While there is no uniform, we ask that parents please abide by the code of conduct when allowing their students to dress for school. Please no open toe shoes, slippers, flip flops, see through shirts, halter-tops, or ripped up jeans.All Students:
This school year, book bags will fall under the the uniform policy for Baltimore City Public Schools. It is recommended that students have a see-through or a mesh book bags and will be the only approved type of book bags allowed within classrooms. Book bags comprising of other material will have to be placed in student lockers. There are no exceptions to this policy. Students will also need to have a lock for their lockers. It is recommended that students bring a combination lock, however students must have a lock for their locker to secure their property. -
What transportation is available? How can I learn more about the MTA bus options to get to BDS?
Students can be transported to school by parents/guardians or take an MTA bus. Baltimore Design School provides each eligible student with a free MTA student transit pass (S-pass). Click here for information about CityLink.
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How can I learn more about the academic courses offered at BDS?
If design students are going to be well prepared for college, they will need a rigorous academic program. In addition to their art/design courses, all middle school students will take English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, Physical Education, and Health. High school students follow a rigorous academic program, with opportunities to enroll in Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses in their core subjects and in design classes.
For a complete course offering, click here.
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Does BDS offer foreign languages?
Foreign language classes are offered to our students at the high school level, in adherence to the graduation requirements of BCPSS. For a complete course offering, click here.
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What extracurricular activities and clubs are offered?
To view a complete list of our enrichment activities and clubs, click here.
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How can parents get involved?
The school is guided by a Board of Directors. Additionally, we have a School Family Council (SFC) that always welcomes new members. We encourage parent involvement and want to make sure parents have a voice in the school. Please check out our calendar for upcoming SFC meeting dates and BDS Stakeholder nights.