Three times a year, our scholars take a question that matters and chase it. Then they open the doors and show you what they found. This is how Black girls in Baltimore learn to lead.
What is an Expedition?
LMCJS is an EL Education school — part of a national network rooted in expeditionary learning. An Expedition is a multi-week, scholar-led investigation of a real-world question, the kind of learning that doesn’t fit on a worksheet. Each grade takes on a different topic. Each scholar does original research, builds something tangible, and presents her findings to the community. Three times a year, we open our doors so you can see for yourself.
Real Questions
Each Expedition starts with a question that matters in our scholars’ lives — survival, energy, plastics, resilience, identity. No filler.
Deep Research
Scholars learn from experts, do field work in Baltimore, and build evidence-based arguments. They become the experts.
Real Products
Every Expedition ends with something built — a kit, a model, a campaign, a presentation. Our girls make things that make a difference.
Public Sharing
At the end of each Expedition, we host a Celebration of Learning. Family, neighbors, and partners walk the studios and meet the scholars.
Black girls deserve schools that take their questions seriously.
Expeditions give our scholars the time, the trust, and the resources to chase ideas to their roots. They learn that their curiosity is fuel — and that the world is theirs to study, shape, and serve. We don’t prepare girls for someday. We invite them to do the work now.
What our scholars carry with them.
Research Skills
Investigation, evidence, citation, argument.
Creative Voice
Confidence to ask questions and make things.
Community
Real relationships with Baltimore and beyond.
Collaboration
Listening, leading, sharing the spotlight.
Built to Bloom
Rooted here. Ready everywhere.
Every grade asks one big question all year.
Each Expedition lives inside the grade’s year-long question. Different topics, different seasons — same lens. From fall to spring, our scholars chase the same thread of inquiry through new material.
Who is She?
Who are They?
Who are We?
Who am I?
Fall, Winter, Spring.
Each season brings a new Expedition and a new Celebration of Learning. Families, alumni, partners, and the wider community are warmly welcome at every one.
November 7, 2025
Leaders of Change
Our scholars studied athletes for social change, monument-makers, voting rights, and the Constitutional Convention — and asked: how do communities advocate for what they need?
February 26, 2026
Pathways of Expression
Your story, your culture, your future. A school-wide gallery walk and stage showcase featuring our scholars’ work in art, theatre, dance, and Chinese language.
May 21, 2026 · 1–3 PM
Built to Bloom
Natural disasters, sustainability, plastics, and survivorship — across grades 5–8. Doors open. Studios full of work. Scholars ready to talk.
Built to Bloom: Four grades. Four big questions.
Walk through the studios on May 21 and see what our 5th–8th grade scholars have built this spring.
How the afternoon flows.
Plan to arrive on time and stay for the whole program. The Celebration is an hour-long structured experience, not a drop-in.
What to bring
Yourself and questions for our scholars. They’ve prepared to talk through their work.
Accessibility
Campus is wheelchair accessible. ASL interpretation can be arranged in advance — mention your request when you RSVP.
RSVP
Help us plan programs. RSVP by Friday, May 15 to info@lilliemay.org.
Many ways to walk with us.
Attend a Celebration
Come to any of our three Celebrations of Learning. No experience needed — just curiosity.
Mentor a Scholar
Share your work and your wisdom with a girl chasing a related question.
Host a Field Visit
Open your business, lab, or community space to a class for an afternoon.
Partner With Us
Local business and nonprofit partners — we’d love to talk about how to support an Expedition.
@lmcj_scholars · lmcjcharterschool.org · #BuiltToBloom
