Cross Country Elementary/Middle School

This is my daughter's decond year at Cross Country and she thoroughly enjoys the teachers and her classmates. Ms. Karlin is one of the best teachers Baltimore City has to offer. I see Mr. Durham every day attending to the children and monitoring the behavior. I would recommend this school for children who want to learn. There are many wonderful teachers, Ms. Clark, Ms. Vega, and Mr. Katz care about the children. They learn other academics beside MSA testing, because my daughter came home teaching me about the Amish culture. Keep up the good work Cross Country team the children deserve it.
--Submitted by a parent

This how we do it, Cross Country!!! Keep up the good work!!! The students are counting on you!!!
--Submitted by a parent

Looking forward to my children starting another enriching year at a wonderful institution of learning. Mr. Durham and his team are already on the ground running. Looks like great things are on the horizon!
--Submitted by a parent

My son will be in 4th grade this year and he is looking forward to returning to school. He had such a positive experience with his new teacher last year even though she was new to the school. I'm greatful for such a wonderful public school right in my neighborhood. The principal and staff are working very hard to create a culture where all the students can thrive.
--Submitted by a parent

I witnessed a proud moment at Cross Country Elementary School last evening. The principal and I were standing in front of the school following a meeting that had not gone particularly well. When up walks a gentleman recognizing Mr. Durham from an event he spoke at a few weeks ago. The man was full of praise remarking how Mr. Durham inspired him to volunteer with at risk teen boys and be more involved in his community. He spoke of the change he noticed at the school over the last year. The way students conducted themselves at the end of the day. The change was so great for this parent that he asked for the process of transferring his 1st grader to CCEMS.

Cross Country shines! Congratulations on a wonderful year. The Chess Team did great and there were many new and exciting initiatives, like the college tour and a middle school dance. The 8th grade class even enjoyed a "prom". Good job to Mr. Durham and his team!
--Submitted by a parent

I am the proud parent of a second grade boy. I am very pleased with the academic standards at Cross Country and look forward to many years of paren, teacher and student interaction.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm glad to be part of the innovative ideas and projects on the horizon for CCEMS. I think that Principal Durham is a breath of fresh of air with new ideas and the teachers and parents need to give him the support he needs in order to move our children and the school forward in a positive direction.
--Submitted by a parent

My child has been going to Cross Country since Kindergarden and I have to say I loved the old principal-he truly made the students remember that school is for learning. As for the new principal, I feel he is not as involved in the school as he should be, if does not make him look good to the Board of Education then he does not spend too much time of dealing with the issue. I think test scores speak for themselves and test scores have dropped tremediously since the "new" principal. In addition, some of the new teachers are very young and do not have the same passion as they did years prior. I am so happy City Counsel implemented the new" grading system" for teachers. As a result, of so many negative changes, my child will not be attending this school next year, which is sad because the original teachers who are still at Cross Country are good teachers and parents are very much involved with their children.
--Submitted by a parent

Cross Country used to be a wonderful school. Over the past 2-3 years it has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. I like the new principal and think his leadership is what has been sorely lacking for many years. However, my 7th grader tells me that the kids are just horrible at this school in terms of lack of respect for authority and rules. She says the kids are not held accountable for their bad behavior at school so it encourages perpetual dysfunction. If I'm holding my child accountable at home for their behavior, the teachers should as well. Bad behavior should not be tolerated. God willing, my daughter will not be going to this school next year.
--Submitted by a parent