Kindergarten Registration Open for 2025–2026 School Year

Online registration for kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year opens on Monday, Feb. 3. Children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2025 are eligible to register. Registration will be online through the ParentVUE portal. If your family is new to MCPS, you will need to create a ParentVue account here. For more information about eligibility and the registration process, visit the MCPS Kindergarten Enrollment webpage or contact your local elementary school.

Prekindergarten and Head Start Registration Opening March 3

Prekindergarten and Head Start registration will begin Monday, March 3, for the 2025-2026 school year. These programs enroll children who will be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025, as well as a limited number of openings for children who will be 3 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2025. Families must be income-eligible to apply and can register their children online.  In-person registration support is also available at multiple locations.

If your child was 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024, you may still register for Prekindergarten/Head Start for the remainder of this school year.

Click here for how to register. 

For more information about eligibility guidelines, required documents or how to register online, call 240-740-4530 or visit the MCPS website.

Commemorating Black History Month

The following event is open to students, staff and community members. Students can earn up to two Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for attending.

The Road to Advocacy: The River Road Community’s Fight to Stop the Erasure of African American History, in collaboration with the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition

Thursday, Feb. 6, 6-7:30 p.m.
Zoom Webinar registration link
The Road to Advocacy, Feb. 6

Ensuring Safety Should Immigration Law Enforcement Visit an MCPS School

MCPS has clear procedures in place to ensure student safety if immigration officials visit a school. These steps help staff respond appropriately while prioritizing student well-being:

• Verify the visitor's identity and obtain official documentation.
• Notify MCPS legal counsel for guidance.
• Contact the impacted student’s family in their preferred language.
• Follow security protocols to protect all students and staff.

For more information and Frequently Asked Questions, visit the MCPS Immigration Supports page.

Dance Showcase Set for Feb. 7 

Starting Saturday, Feb. 1, get free tickets for the 11th annual MCPS Dance Showcase, set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7 at James Hubert Blake High School, 300 Norwood Road in Silver Spring. The snow date is Monday, Feb. 10.

Students from the following schools are expected to perform—Kingsview, A. Mario Loiederman, and White Oak middle schools and Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Blake, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Northwood and Rockville high schools. There will also be a performance from the All-County Dance Ensemble.

Reserve tickets here.

Save the Date: Annual Used Car, Computer Sale Coming Feb. 22

Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will sell used cars and computers they have refurbished from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at Damascus High School, 25921 Ridge Road in Damascus. The cars and computers are reconditioned by the students as part of their classroom and lab studies.

For a list of cars for sale, check the Automotive Trades Foundation website closer to Feb. 22.

The ITF computer sale includes laptops and desktops. For more information, contact the Foundations office at 240-740-2050.

Student Opportunities

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair: Will be held from 6–8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). This event offers an opportunity for students in Grades 8 through 12 and their parents/guardians to meet with representatives from more than 50 HBCUs. There will also be on-the-spot scholarship opportunities for seniors (offered by the National Pan-Hellenic Council), a panel discussion on college life and several workshops. More information
MCPS HBCU Fair, Feb. 14, 2025

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FAFSA/MHEC One Application Completion Event: Set for 6–8:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at USG, this event is open to all high school seniors and their parents. Representatives from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the Montgomery College Financial Aid Outreach office and the TRiO Educational Opportunity Center will share information about the FAFSA and MHEC One applications. Spanish interpreters will be available. More information
FAFSA, MHEC Completion Event Flyer, Feb. 14, 2025

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Summer RISE 2025 Student Registration: The Summer RISE program is open to current sophomores and juniors who want to gain real-world experience over the summer. Participating students will be matched with career hosts based on their industry preferences for a minimum of 50 hours in person, virtually or through hybrid opportunities from June 23–July 25. Registration closes on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

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Choose Respect 2025: Secondary students participating in the video contest have until Sunday, Feb. 16 to submit their entries. Videos must be 60 seconds with a message raising awareness about dating violence/abuse, consent, or how to support a friend facing a difficult situation. Students can earn SSL hours and win up to $1,000. Learn more.

Registration Open Now for Spring Girls With Impact Program

The spring session of Girls With Impact (GWI) is now open for registration. GWI offers a free 10-week entrepreneurship program to high school students at MCPS. This program focuses on building critical business and leadership skills through a hands-on curriculum that covers topics including business planning, marketing and financial literacy. The spring program begins the week of March 3. Learn more and register.

Good News

Thirteen MCPS seniors earned full-tuition scholarships from QuestBridge, a national nonprofit that connects high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds with more than 50 colleges and universities. Read the full story.

Masks Encouraged in School Health Rooms

With the recent increase in respiratory and viral illnesses (including COVID-19, influenza and RSV) in Montgomery County and the state of Maryland, MCPS has received guidance from the Maryland Department of Health to encourage students, staff and visitors to wear masks when visiting the health room in schools. While wearing a mask is not required, it is encouraged to help prevent the spread of illness. If your child doesn't have a mask during their health room visit, your school will provide one.