Baltimore’s Hampstead Hill Academy is quietly rewriting what’s possible for city schools. Despite serving mostly low-income families, it’s the only city school to earn a 5-star state ranking and boasts the highest test scores in Baltimore. Chronic absenteeism is just 9%—a fraction of the city average—and family satisfaction is sky-high. What’s behind this? A principal with deep community roots, a relentless focus on great teachers, and a real commitment to building relationships. If this is what happens when a school “does what works well,” what would it take to see more Hampstead Hills across Baltimore? #Education #Baltimore #CommunitySuccess