More Choices, Better Access -

Big Changes Proposed for MCPS
High School Academic Programs

MCPS proposes a new approach to expand access to academic programs for high school students across Montgomery County. These changes are designed with one goal in mind: to ensure more students can pursue the learning experiences they want—and deserve—no matter where they live.

When we get down to the nitty‑gritty, what we’re really facing is a classic supply-and-demand problem: too many students chasing too few seats, burdened by long commutes and uneven program quality and availability. Thousands apply to specialized programs, but with only a handful of openings, most are left on the sidelines. That’s the issue—and we want to fix it.

Let’s look at a couple of real examples that highlight the urgency of expanding access and removing barriers:

• Poolesville High School – Global Ecology Program
  • Over 800 applicants compete for just 90 seats.
• Richard Montgomery High School – Countywide International Baccalaureate Program
  • Receives 1,000 applications for only 125 seats (just 25 reserved for local students).
  • 141 applicants come from its direct feeder, Julius West Middle School.
  • The majority of enrolled students come from five other high schools across the county, most of which drive past other International Baccalaureate Programs in the county
  • 24 buses are required to transport students to the program.

The academic performance difference that separates students who apply to these criteria-based programs is slim. Why would we continue the practice of denying talented students an opportunity to thrive?

These examples make it clear: demand far outpaces availability, creating inequities and logistical headaches across the system. We have qualified, eager students being turned away while buses crisscross the county to serve a limited number of seats—that’s just bad business. By expanding and elevating our regional programs, we can meet student interest, reduce unnecessary travel, and provide more equitable access for all.

Let’s Dive Deeper:

These recommendations are not about eliminating strong programs. Quite the opposite, actually. Instead, they are focused on three key goals: 

• Broaden access for more students by building on the successes of our current programs and consortia.

• Creating programs for students closer to their homes and within their home school regions.

• Expanding program options across the district, ensuring that robust course offerings and programs in key academic theme areas are available in ALL regions.

What are the Program opportunities?

This model is based on community feedback and five academic program themes. These Five Academic Program themes are:

• Medical Science and Healthcare
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
• International Baccalaureate, Humanities and Languages
• Leadership and Public Service, including Education
• Visual and Performing Arts, Design and Communication

Each of these program pathways presents great opportunities to feed student interest and generate great opportunities for post-secondary preparedness. We see a clear need to address both criteria-based needs and student interest needs in the pathway opportunities that we provide to our students. Pathways will include a combination of industry certifications, unique extracurricular opportunities, and learning experiences outside of the schoolhouse (internships and apprenticeships). 

With the assets we already have in MCPS, these programs can be replicated in regions in whole or in parts to adjust for school capacity (meaning, that elements of the programs themes listed above can be kept whole or divided into parts based on interest and need; for example:  Visual and Performing Arts can be at one school in a region as one program or a Visual Arts program at one school and Performing Arts program at another).

This Change Will Happen Over Time:

We understand that families of students currently enrolled in these programs may have concerns. Please know that the implementation timeline is designed to avoid disrupting students already in existing specialty or consortia programs. We are planning a progressive realignment, with full implementation of the proposed programs by 2031. Students in a current program or who will join a centrally managed program next year will be able to complete their choice. This progressive timeline begins with the 2027-2028 school year with grade nine students and is fully in place for all high school students in the 2030-2031 school year. 

We encourage all families to learn more about the proposed programs and their implementation. You can do this by reviewing the linked Frequently Asked Questions document (FAQs) and by regularly visiting the Secondary Program Analysis webpage for the latest updates. If you have questions we have not answered here, drop them in this feedback form.

Expanding access, providing options, and doing this closer to home is the right step forward to ensure all students are MCPS Future Ready—prepared to thrive in college, careers, and life.

Dive even deeper:

• Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), which have more information about schools in the six proposed regions, timelines, and more.  (Translations in other languages will be available on the MCPS website over the next few days)

• See the presentation slides. (See program themes, timelines, and recommended regions)

• Program Study Regions Options (the map)

• Program Analysis Data Slides

• Student Demographics 6 Region Scenarios

• 2025 Student Enrollment Countywide Programs

• View the presentation video.

Montgomery County Public Schools