Maya Lora

Maya Lora is an education reporter who covers Baltimore City schools, school choice and early childhood education. She previously covered diversity, equity and inclusion for The Baltimore Sun. Originally from Miami, she moved to Baltimore from the Lakeland Ledger, where she spent two years covering growth and development and Polk County government. While getting her bachelor’s degree in journalism and English from Washington and Lee University, she interned at The Hill in Washington, D.C., and the Miami Herald.

The latest from Maya Lora

Nonprofit raises over $450K for Baltimore students in honor of Sonja Santelises

The money will support at least eight Baltimore high schoolers each year.

Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Sonja Santelises will leave her post this month after 10 years. A fund named after her will continue to boost education for the city's high schoolers.

Baltimore City Public Schools settles yearslong dispute with charter schools

Baltimore City Public Schools agreed to pay out an additional $5.2 million to 30 charter schools.

Jun 16, 2026

The Baltimore City school board voted Tuesday to end years of fighting over how it funds its charter schools.

Why Maryland law can’t always keep ICE off school grounds

After two parents were detained outside an East Baltimore elementary/middle school, local leaders are searching for ways to prevent it from happening again.

Jun 15, 2026

Protesters begin to march around the perimeter of Patterson Park as part of an anti-ICE rally in Baltimore, Md. on Friday, June 12, 2026. The group of community members and parents gathered a day after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a student’s parents on Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School’s temporary campus in East Baltimore.

Community rallies behind parents detained by ICE outside children’s school in Baltimore

Parents and community members rallied Friday evening after ICE detained parents outside a Baltimore public school this week.

Jun 13, 2026

Parents and community members rally at Patterson Park on Friday evening after ICE detained parents outside a school Thursday.

ICE vehicles hit Baltimore father’s car as he took his children to school, attorney says

ICE says Jesus Acevedo Sanchez and his wife, who were detained while dropping off their children at a Baltimore school, face federal charges.

Updated Jun 12, 2026

Police vehicles were parked outside Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School after ICE agents detained two people during school drop-off on Thursday.

ICE agents detain parents dropping off kids outside Baltimore school

ICE agents detained two adults on public school property Thursday in a chaotic scene caught on video.

Updated Jun 11, 2026

Baltimore Police vehicles are parked outside The Commodore John Rodgers School, which is temporarily holding classes in Dundalk, after a report that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers arrested a person during school drop-offs on Thursday morning.

Former Baltimore teacher of the year confronted by Chris Hansen in YouTube sting

Former Baltimore teacher of the year Dennis Jutras told Chris Hansen he was trying to warn a teen in a Harford County sting operation targeting adults seeking sex with minors.

Jun 5, 2026

What happens when your child doesn’t get into pre-K at your neighborhood school?

Baltimore City Public Schools prioritizes the neediest kids first. Here’s what else to know.

Jun 3, 2026

Baltimore City has one of the most expansive public pre-K programs in the state, but not all children can attend the schools they live closest to.

Baltimore’s pre-K ‘dumpster fire’ is shutting some families out of neighborhood schools

Middle-class families who live near the most popular pre-k schools in Baltimore City may end up shut out of their neighborhood programs.

Updated May 29, 2026

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026 - Molly Garcia, 34, husband Neil Gavigan, 36, and their children August Garcia-Gavigan, 4, and Lucy Garcia-Gavigan, 15 months, at their home in Baltimore. August wasn’t offered a spot in a Baltimore City Public School earlier this month, leaving the family to decide whether to wait as late as this summer for another chance or shell out $22,000 for another year of childcare.

Even in deep-blue Baltimore, the nonpartisan school board race can’t escape politics

A question about LGBTQIA+ students separated one candidate from the pack.

May 28, 2026

Baltimore school board candidate Brian Robertson drew ire from some opponents and audience members at a candidate forum in Charles Village.

Baltimore School for the Arts is still picking up the pieces after winter flood

The Mount Vernon arts community rallied around teachers and students who knew the show must go on.

May 20, 2026

Rosiland “Roz” Cauthen, left, executive director and principal of the Baltimore School for the Arts, listens as graduating senior Skye Chng-Lim, 18, performs for a group of school supporters.

Former Baltimore teacher of the year charged with sexual solicitation of a minor

Dennis Jutras, a longtime city schools employee, allegedly tried to meet up with an officer posing as a high schooler.

Updated May 19, 2026

The Baltimore City Public Schools Administrative Headquarters at 200 E North Avenue in Baltimore, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Immigration enforcement is inching closer to Southeast Baltimore schools

Reports of immigration enforcement activity near Southeast Baltimore schools last week are frightening parents and spurring City Council members into action.

May 14, 2026