Celebrate the Best of MCPS!

Make plans to join MCPS and the Montgomery County Board of Education for the 2025 Distinguished Service to Education Honors — a free event to celebrate the power of public education — on Tuesday, May 6. 

Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for this ceremony, which is the year’s largest and most prestigious recognition of Montgomery County educators, students and community partners. This signature event will honor top staff and unveil the MCPS Teacher of the Year, the Supporting Services Employee of the Year and the Board of Education’s Student Service Award winner.

Join us at The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. Read about the honorees and RSVP.

2025 Graduation Schedule Available Online

High school commencement ceremonies will be held between Wednesday, May 28, and Thursday, June 12. Graduation ceremonies will take place on individual high school campuses, at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., at XFINITY Center at the University of Maryland, College Park, and on the campuses of Mount St. Mary’s University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Graduation dates, locations and times for every high school

Registration Open for Kindergarten, PreK, Summer School

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

Prekindergarten and Head Start: Enrollment is open to 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. For more information, call 240-740-4530.

Summer School: Contact your student’s school counselor to register. In-person located at Gaithersburg High School, with virtual options also available.

• Session 1: June 30 – July 18
• Session 2: July 22 – August 8

Don’t Miss the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 17

The Gaithersburg Book Festival, a celebration of books and writers that will feature more than 100 award-winning and best-selling authors in fiction, non-fiction, mystery, science fiction, poetry, children’s and young adult literature, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Shuttles from the Shady Grove Metro and the Montgomery County Fairgrounds are free.

The festival will feature a lineup of authors and activities for children of all ages. There will be programs, workshops for children, teens and adults, and activities in the Children’s Village designed to promote interest in reading, writing and illustrating. More than 130 authors and illustrators are scheduled to appear.

This year's author lineup includes Ashburton art teacher Johnathan Roth, who will be presenting his most recent graphic novel, “Rover and Speck: It’s a Gas!” and former MCPS educator Sara Goodman Confino, whose latest novel is “Behind Every Good Man.” Admission and parking are free.

Reminders and Upcoming Events

Boundary Study Update: There will be important updates regarding the Boundary Study Project for the new Crown and Damascus high school projects, as well as the new Woodward High School project, during the Board of Education meeting on Thursday, May 8. The Board meeting will offer insight into the engagement plan, including the announcement of dates for the next round of community engagements scheduled for late May and early June. During these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to review and discuss early options for the projects.

High School Programs Survey: Be sure to check your email for a survey MCPS is conducting to ensure that high school students have equitable access to high-quality academic programs that reflect student needs. Some programs are available at students' home schools, while others require travel. This survey is collecting input to help decide which programs should be available to all students within a reasonable distance. Learn more about the High School Academic Programs Analysis. Take the survey.

Used Car, Computer Sale: The last used car and computer sale of the school year will be held from 9–11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Thomas Edison High School of Technology, 12501 Dalewood Drive in Silver Spring. More information will be posted here.

Special Ed Family Resource Fair: This free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Seneca Valley High School, 19401 Crystal Rock Drive in Germantown. This event connects families, educators and community organizations with valuable resources and information to support individuals with special needs. Attendees can gather information, ask questions and network with professionals and other families. There will be children’s activities, including a DJ, moon bounces, face painting and tattoo artists. Special Education Family Resource Fair Flyer, 2025

Blair Fair: Set for noon–4 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring, rain or shine. This event will connect students, families and community stakeholders with local agencies, businesses and organizations. Students will showcase their talents in STEM activities, arts and crafts, music, dancing, performances and other activities.

Safety Day: This family-friendly event will be held from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 in the Carver Educational Services Center parking lot, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. The event is appropriate for all ages, with dozens of activities and community partners to visit for giveaways and prizes. Rain date: Saturday, May 17. 

KID Museum Programming

• Middle School Maker Night: Friday, May 9, 5-7:30 p.m., 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda. Register
• Invent the Future Expo: Sunday, June 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 3 Bethesda Metro Center, Bethesda. Tickets are free; registration is required.

Don’t Miss the Latest from Our News Page

• Project SUCCESS: Students at Sligo Middle School showcased their research on topics ranging from space exploration to the impact of writing practice. 

• How Model UN Shapes Young Leaders: Students at Silver Spring International Middle School have learned skills in this elective that apply to everyday life. 

• Trashbots and Wearable Tech: Meet the six MCPS schools on their way to the Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) state competition on May 3.

• Best in the DMV!: Northwest High School celebrates its victory as proclaimed by radio station Hot 99.5’s annual listener-voted competition.