GOVANS ELEMENTARY
GOVANS OVERVIEW
Founded in 1931, Govans Elementary School #213 has a long history of serving families in North Baltimore. The school became a charter school under BCP’s operation in 2005. Govans serves students in Pre-K through 5th grade from its surrounding neighborhood zone. Any child living in the zone may enroll at any time, without participating in a lottery. Families living outside the zone are also welcome to apply; if no vacancies are available, students can be added to a waitlist or considered in the next lottery.
A True Neighborhood School
In 1918, Baltimore City annexed a significant portion of Baltimore County, including the Govans area, expanding its boundaries from 30 to nearly 90 square miles. This annexation integrated Govans into the city’s urban landscape, leading to increased development and urbanization in the area.
Govans Elementary School was established in 1931 to serve the educational needs of this growing community. The school has undergone several expansions to accommodate the area’s development, including additions in 1951 and 1981. Most recently, as part of the 21st Century School Buildings Program, the original building was torn down and replaced with a modern, state-of-the-art facility, continuing Govans Elementary’s long-standing role as a cornerstone of the community.
SCHOOL SNAPSHOT
Founded: 1931
Charter conversion: 2015
Grades Served: Prek-5
Enrollment: ~400 students
Mascot: Dragon (Govie)
School Color: Green and Dark Blue
Title I school serving students from underserved communities
21st Century School Building (2021)
Focus on restorative practices and positive school climate
Afterschool program & clubs offered
Strong community school partnerships.
North Baltimore
Neighborhood zone: Cameron Village, Chinquapin Park, Belvedere, Mid-Govans, Rosebank, Woodbourne-McCabe, Evesham Park, Homeland, Kenilworth Park, Glen Oaks
CHARTER STATUS:
Govans Elementary converted to a neighborhood charter school in 2015. During its last renewal in 2025, the Board of School Commissioners approved to renew Govans’ charter for three years. The current contract runs from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.
To learn more about the charter renewal process or view decisions for other schools, visit the City Schools Annual Review of Schools.
