Baltimore Public Schools Introduce Swimming Program to Middle Schools
Baltimore Public Schools Dive into New Swimming Program
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Public School System is making a splash with the addition of swimming to its middle school athletics program. Superintendent Dr. Sonja Santelises announced the launch of the new program on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of providing diverse opportunities for Baltimore’s youth.
“This is a vision not just about sports, but about expanding opportunities for Baltimore’s youth to discover their talents,” said Dr. Santelises.
The swimming program is part of the expansion of middle school athletics, which began in 2023 with the introduction of cross country and flag football. Baltimore City schools have partnered with 13 vendors to offer a variety of sports programs, including rowing, golf, lacrosse, soccer, and more.
Students from Rosemont Elementary/Middle School demonstrated their swimming skills at the YMCA in Druid Hill, where the announcement took place. Mayor Brandon Scott emphasized the historical significance of the location, noting that Thurgood Marshall learned to swim at the same Y.
The new program aims to not only teach students how to swim but also to address the racial disparities in swimming ability. Mayor Scott pointed out that black children are three times more likely to drown than white children, and 64% of black kids cannot swim.
The swimming lessons will be offered after school, with the hope that students will eventually progress to competitive swimming as they advance to high school. Currently, there are no middle school swimming teams, but the school system is working to expand access to the program to all middle schools in Baltimore City.
In addition to swimming, Baltimore City Schools now offer seven different sports this fall, including cross country, flag football, bocce, volleyball, and track and field. The introduction of swimming adds a new dimension to the school system’s athletic offerings, providing students with the opportunity to learn a valuable life skill while staying active and healthy.