(Q) - What are the dates for the summer training? 

(A) - Pre-Service Training (PST) will start on July 1, 2024, and end August 2, 2024, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. We will be host by Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School No. 237 at 231 S. Eaton Street, Baltimore, MD 21224 for this year's training. PST will be an in-person training. There will be mandatory orientations on May 18, 2024, and June 27, 2024, at the same location.


(Q) - What are the dates for the mandatory orientations? 

(A) - Mandatory, in-person orientations are on Saturday, May 18, 2024, and Thursday June 27, 2024, Highlandtown Elementary/Middle School No. 237 at 231 S. Eaton Street, Baltimore, MD 21224. 


(Q) - What Praxis exams do I need to take? 

(A) - All resident need to take the Praxis Core Combined (5752) or submit a qualifying the SAT®, ACT® or GRE® score report or summit a conferred transcript with a 3.0 or higher GPA (Click here for more details) 


In addition to the Praxis Core exam, you will need to complete a Praxis content exam in your subject area. See below for which subject exam you would need to take. 


(Q) - Where will the summer training be held? 

(A) -   Currently, the site for the summer training has not been finalized. We should have confirmation of the training school by the end of April 2024. Last year's PST was held at Academy for College and Career Exploration (ACCE). You can click on the link to get information about the school, including the location.


(Q) - When certified through BCTR, are residents required to teach for two or three years in Baltimore? 

(A) - ​You are a fully certified Maryland teacher after successfully completing your 2nd residency year. With the full certification, you can teach in any Maryland public school in your subject area. You can also transfer it to another state to teach. If you want to move schools in Baltimore City, the district requires you to be in your original school for 3 years before moving to a new school in the district.


(Q) - I see the resume requirements, but I am just graduating from college and do not have enough work experience. Do I have to submit a resume/could I just leave the Career Experience and Relevant Experience sections blank? 

(A) - Even if you haven't had a career, you have a ton of experience. Have you held summer jobs? Did you work as a barista or server or hold some other sort of part-time job while in school? Have you volunteered with an extracurricular club or with your church/temple/mosque? You have plenty of experience and don't discount all that you've done.


(Q) - Do I need to take the Praxis Core test? 

(A) - You do, but there are substitutes. If you took the PPSTs, SATs, ACTs, or GREs, those scores can be used as accepted as substitutes if they meet the score requirements. You can review the score requirements here.  A 3.0 GPA on a conferred degree is also an approved substitute. 


(Q) - I already work with Baltimore City Schools, though not as a teacher. Do I need to fill out the application/do I have to complete everything? 

(A) - In short, yes. The Baltimore City Teaching Residency (BCTR) is a separate entity from Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS), so while this process will place you in a Baltimore City Public School, the application process will be going through BCTR. BCTR has to do its own verification and administrative process and are unable to green-light current employees because we do not have access to BCPS records. If you have questions about continuing benefits, tenure, or anything else related to BCPS employment, we recommend you reach out to the district after your placement or during the interview process.

(Q) - What is the tuition for BCTR, and when is it due?  

(A) As a Baltimore City Teaching Resident, you are responsible for coursework tuition and fees, which total approximately $7,000 during the 2024-2025 school year. Special Educators are responsible for an additional $1,000 to cover their second year of coursework and can spread payments for the additional $1,000 across both years. One- or two-year payment plans are available for all Residents. 


Tuition Support: Additionally, Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) offers partial tuition reimbursement for BCTR Residents in good standing. BCPSS offers up to $3750 for those with a bachelor's degree and up to $2500 for those with a master's and above. 

Residents are not responsible for tuition until they begin teaching during the 2024-2025 school year. (See Program Costs) 

(Q) What is the pay compensation for district teachers? 

(A) 2023 BCPSS salaries with no teaching experience (2024 salaries are expected to be higher) 


(Q) - Are we paid over the summer? 

(A) - Residents are not paid during the summer. We do work with outside funders to try to provide stipends to residents. This is still pending but we are usually able to offer $1000 to $3000 stipend for the summer training if we receive funding. We should have confirmation of funding and amounts by mid-May.