Baltimore City College photograph collection

Baltimore City College, commonly referred to as City, is the nation’s third oldest active public secondary institution. The school opened in 1839 to an all male, all white student population with a curriculum centered on the liberal arts. As the number of accepted students increased, City continued to move to new buildings around downtown Baltimore until a permanent location for the school was found in the city’s northeast suburbs in 1927. The gothic structure, aptly nicknamed “the Castle on the Hill,” sits atop the highest point within the city limits. With a singular tower that stands over 200 feet high, the building and campus hold scenic views of the surrounding region.

Since its inception, City has remained a college preparatory institution with a liberal arts focus. Courses at the school mimicked those of higher learning, with classes meeting for prolonged periods of time only two or three times a week. However in 2006, the school switched to a more conventional high school schedule, hosting classes on a daily basis. In 1998, the school became and remains the only Baltimore City Public School to offer the International Baccalaureate Program in addition to its college prep and Advanced Placement courses.

In addition to its strong academic tradition, City has a storied athletic history, particularly in regards to its football program. The Black Knights of City and the Engineers of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute formed the oldest active athletic rivalry in the nation beginning in 1889, when the first City-Poly football game was held. While recent years have seen the strength of both programs fluctuate, the City-Poly game remains a highly anticipated annual event. 1988 marked the 100th meeting of the two schools.

Famous graduates of the school include local politicians such as Representative Dutch Ruppersburger, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Senator Ben Cardin, former Governor William Donald Schaefer, and former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke. Other notable graduates include David T. Abercrombie, founder of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Charles P. McCormick, of McCormick Spices, and Robert Embry president of the Abell Foundation.

The school colors of City are black and orange and the school motto is “Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat” which translates to “Honor to he who earns it.” The school song is “The Castle on the Hill” and the more common fight song is “City Forever.”