 Population decline in the city of Baltimore due to the migration of middle @-@ class white populations to the suburbs during the 1950s and 1960s , coupled with the failure of Baltimore City Public Schools officials to address infrastructure improvements needed in the school 's deteriorating , then @-@ thirty @-@ seven @-@ year @-@ old main academic building lead to a gradually declining public perception of the school 's academic reputation . In response , school administrators and faculty developed the " City Forever " strategic plan in 1965 @-@ 66 . The performance improvement plan also served as a call to action for the school community , resulting in formal recommendations from the Alumni Association , a series of student @-@ led demonstrations , newspaper articles and television news segments produced by alumni working as media professionals , letters @-@ to @-@ the @-@ editors of local newspapers submitted by parents and teachers , and routine public comments in support of City College at School Board meetings . The public outcry stunned city leadership , which resulted in the district announcing a <unk> to Baltimore City College and its unique role as the selective flagship high school of Baltimore . 
