Baltimore International Academy

As of this school year 2012-2013 BIA has experienced a great amount of change, from school buildings, principals, to schedule. Unfortunately, these changes have affected the way the school runs, picking up of the children is a potential fire hazard. There are double doors heavy to open, were children and parents are coming in and out off with no organization. As a formal teacher and a stay at home mom I spent a lot of time at the school volunteering therefore I am able to observe teaching and behavior methods used by my child's teacher. The behavior in my child's classroom is unbelievable! During SEVERAL of my visits it has taken the teacher an average of 20min to start her morning plan due students disrupting the class. It has taken office personnel another 10 minutes to come and get these students out of the classroom because they are dealing with other students from other classrooms. Where I come from charter schools are held to a higher standards with behavior and classroom management . BIA is no different from an inner city public school.
—Submitted by a parent

I love my school. My children have been coming here since its inception. The new principle is great and is very firm with our children. He demands order and they listen. The only program to which I have not been privy is the French Immersion. I have kids in all other languages and I dont have one complaint. My only suggestion for new comers is that you prepare to teach English at home. English is not introduced until 2nd grade which may put your child behind in reading if you dont pick up the slack. Also, read with them nightly; Dr. Suess books help alot. What they miss in English is made up by the knowledge they gain as a potential interpreter or Language analyst. the possibilities are endless. My girls recognize chinese on movies and can tell me what they are saying. On the last snow day (when it didnt snow at all) I used google to communicate with my babies and to translate their responses. It just makes you feel good as a parent that you are setting them up to be something great. CHinese/Russian programs are by far the best I think. Good luck with your decision
—Submitted by a parent

Thank you for making sure our children are safe! The video cameras, security guard, and the intercom at the front door prove that BIA is dedicated to a safe and quality education for all students.
—Submitted by a parent

This first quarter at BIA has been amazing for my kindergartener who is excited every day about going to BIA. She adores her teacher, has made new friends, and is constantly reciting her new Spanish dialogue at home daily. I see the Principal daily wearing school crossing guard gear, helping the student and parent walkers make their way safely onto the grounds of the school. The combination of learning academics through foreign language is top rate. Learning a second language at this age helps to ensure and enhance our student's success and marketability in the future. I knew this was the right school for my daughter. And she LOVES it! I have an older child who is self taught Chinese and Mandarin, who now teaches Chinese to younger students during the summer months, with excitement! The motivation to learn came from home. At its core, your child's success in all areas, even academically, is dependent upon how you prepare and motivate him or her at home. That's where it starts. BIA does an excellent job with the daytime portion of that duty and responsibility. Five starts for BIA!!!!!!!
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school. I am a teacher at another Batimore City school and BIA is great. I recommend it to all of the parents I know. Of course nothing is perfect. They have their issues, but we have a new school building, a new principal and there is the feeling of new life and great things to come. The school is an IB World Primary Years school, 4 different languages and dedicated teachers. As parents, we must make our presence known, do our part at home and the teachers will do the rest. Join the PTO, get involved parents! The new principal seems to have a vision and a focus for high expectations and he will accept nothing less from the parents. I have a feeling, with his enthusiasm and dedication, our new principal is going to take us places. BIA, the BEST school in Baltimore City!
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of 4 children in 3 languages from 5th grade spanish to kindergarten chinese, I am highly impressed and dream about the future opportunities available to my children through this program. There are some set backs because in order for your child to remain successful in English it requires work/input/actual determination from the parent but if you are in any way like the dedicated, involved, focused parents of BIA, it will be ABSOLUTELY no problem to overcome. They offer FREE rosetta stone software, that I myself work on almost everyday. Your child will almost be guaranteed a scholarship with language skills like this. My children talk to everyone. She speaks chinese to her piano teacher (who is Asian), my son speaks to strangers (in my presense) when he hears them speak Russian, and my other daughter on several occasions has helped an hispanic in the store with a language barrier. The skills are invaluable but you have to be patient. In addition, as in any school, you have to make the teachers know your presence and see that you care about your child's success. Dont leave it up to them whether your child learns successfully or not. It is always up to you.
—Submitted by a parent

Very unorgainized. do not communicate with parent. Spend more time fuzzing with the children. Never see the results of this program through the child.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter loves her school! She is in the Kindergarten Russian Immersion Class and her teacher Ms. Kozyaykina is excellent! I would definitely recommend this school to others. The school is in the process of moving to the Mother Mary Lange school in Frankford where they will have the much needed space for their host of activities. I love that the kids are in a diverse teaching environment and also the host of activities that they attend outside of the classroom to complement the teaching. As a parent, i'm excited to see her having fun, learning and in the process i am learning as well. MMe Loukunia is currently the acting principal and is doing an excellent job! I think that the parents can assist some more with activities and the protocol for dealing with problematic children needs to be revised...but other than that i am pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

The mission? Great! My child read, writes and speaks Chinese remarkably. The school is diverse which was important to me because I attended up in a tremendously diverse school which allowed me to learn about different ethnicity and cultures - this school does exactly that. The reason why I gave it three stars is because the school fails to communicate important information about students to the parents. My child was was touched inappropriately by another student. The student was removed from the school and I was informed of this by a parent that happened to be in the classroom that day. The principal is very hard to pen down long enough to voice your concerns. The child was let back into the school three months later and again I was not informed nor had any say in the matter. The office staff could be more professional. The school secretary insults the parents, intimidates the children and lies about school protocol in order to make your visit difficult. She has threatened to 'beat' my child, call the police when I was late picking up my child and told me it was my child's fault when the school released him and he ended up at another school. You have to stay on top of them!
—Submitted by a parent

I have have had a great experience with my daughter's teachers in both K and 1st grade Chinese. They have been responsive to my concerns and questions regarding educational progress, curriculum and behaviors of certain students in the class. My child has had various opportunities that have expanded her world educationally, socially and culturally, ranging from performing for the President of China to competing in the Chines Bridge competition. There are issues with disorganization at times, but overall, I am happy with the education that my child is receiving at BIA.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is Not organized they lost my picture money. They did not discipline the bullies. Priciple never follows up with complaints.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of three studens attending in two different grades...I am thrilled about the fact that Baltimore International Academy MET AYP for 2011 in Mathematics AND Reading. Just to contextualize this: Mount Royal did not meet AYP, Roland Park did not meet AYP, Baltimore Montessori did not meet AYP. In a year where all the schools came under intense scrutiny during test administration, I think we can be proud of our children's accomplishments. Click the link below to see: http://mdreportcard.org/AYPIntro.aspx?AypPV=14:0:30:0335:3:00000000 We are so appreciative of the hardworking staff at our school :-)
—Submitted by a parent

This school provides a rare opportunity for its students. It is not a traditional program, however, if parents and students understand and embrace the unique aspects of language immersion, the benifits are unmatched. Time and commitment is required to master the target language skills. I have not found my child, who is in kindergarten, lacking in english skills or any other subject. I believe he will have a great advantage and am pleased with the exposure he receives. Teachers demand discipline and order in class. These kids have performed for the President, visited an embassy and more. This is just kindergarten. I am excited about what is to come. Parents are actively involved. I hope that a new space is forthcoming.
—Submitted by a parent

The school is a great concept, but it needs to be revamped. Teachers have no patience for students with special needs. In addition, they do not welcome students who require more time and energy than others. In addition, English language arts is not taught until the 2nd grade as a result parents must invest in tutoring to maintain the English language skills with their children who are in kindergarten and in first grade.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is still young but it is contantly growing and trying to give the students its best effort. The parents are committed and the teachers go out there way to give the children all they need. The middle school still needs a lot of attention. The more advanced students could be more challenged and they could use more training in class management for middle schoolers. The diversity is amazing and I hope it will continue to grow more and more. My only concern is will my 8th grader be able to keep up if they transferr.....I am not concerned about my children in the lower grades because by the time they get to middle school I believe and have faith that all those problems will be solved within a year or two. If you do not have a reliable transportation and live far from the school it is challenging.
—Submitted by a parent

First, this is a K-8 school though we won't have an 8th grade until next year. This is a language immersion school and so the students are getting all of their state mandated curriculum in their target languages (French, Chinese, Spanish, & Russian.) You will be amazed at how much your children learn in such a short period of time! The school is still ironing out some of its discipline problems and finding its place among all of the No Child Left Behind standards, but if you are looking for a school for your K-2 grader, you won't be disappointed. Free-to-affordable after school programs, extra tutoring, class trips to other countries...and this is a public school!
—Submitted by a parent

Great immersion program for four languages. Ethnic teachers for each classroom and the parents are very involved.
—Submitted by a parent