Things to Know

MCPS Future-Ready Vision Takes Hold with Promising Quarter 1 Gains

MCPS presented the district’s baseline data for all performance metrics defined in the MCPS Future Ready: Fiscal Years 2025–2030 Strategic Plan and Quarter 1 progress for the 2025–2026 school year to the Board of Education on Dec. 11. This year marks the first full implementation cycle of the strategic plan, which outlines the collective commitment to ensure that every MCPS student graduates prepared to thrive. Read more. 

Also Released: The 2024–2025 MCPS Annual Report
MCPS has published the 2024–2025 Annual Report, capturing a pivotal year of transition — one that included the development of the MCPS Future Ready Strategic Plan, which now drives and monitors our progress and sets the goals and objectives that guide our work.

Superintendent Proposes $3.775 Billion Operating Budget

MCPS Superintendent Thomas W. Taylor presented his recommended Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Operating Budget on Dec. 17, featuring people-first investments, smaller elementary class sizes amid declining enrollment, clear staffing standards that strengthen schools, and targeted instructional supports in math and literacy.

Dr. Taylor proposed a $3.775 billion Operating Budget, representing a $179.7 million (5%) increase over FY 2026. The increase, significantly smaller than the previous year, reflects an understanding of the current economic conditions, while prioritizing student learning, addressing structural budget pressures and aligning resources with measurable outcomes. The budget also includes $11.5 million in central services efficiencies, including reduced contracts and zero-based budgeting, while honoring union contracts and reducing class size with direct school support. Read more.

Budget Materials

• Presentation Slides

• Budget Summary Sheet

Four Months, Every School — MCPS Completes Security Rescreening

After nearly four months of hard work, MCPS has completed the background check, fingerprinting and badging process of all school-based staff and transportation staff. Read more.

A Heartwarming Reminder of Student Talent, Creativity and Promise

MCPS students from Northwest High School and Roberto Clemente Middle School proudly present Unleashing Potential, an original, student-driven music video celebrating what it means to be Future Ready in MCPS. This powerful production highlights the creativity, collaboration and innovation thriving across MCPS. From concept to performance, this project showcases the incredible talent of our students and the dedicated educators who support them.

Watch the video. 

Nominations Will Open for Board’s Public Service Awards on Jan. 5

The Board of Education will begin accepting nominations for its 2026 Awards for Distinguished Service to Public Education on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

The categories include Business Partner, Community Partner, School Service Volunteer and Student Service Award. Community members are encouraged to start identifying deserving individuals, organizations and students and be ready to submit nominations when the process opens.

More information

Deadlines Extended for Staff Awards; Get Those Nominations In!

The deadlines to submit nominations for MCPS awards are nearly here—make sure to get those applications in! Fill out applications to honor your outstanding administrators, superb principals and terrific teachers. Read about all the awards.

Now You Know: Operating Budget — How You Can Provide Input

Superintendent Thomas Taylor has presented his Recommended Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget to the Board of Education, and we’ll need your voice throughout the process. The Board and County Council will each hold work sessions and public hearings before its final approval. Your input and advocacy are a critical part of the process.

Watch in English | Spanish | French | Chinese | Vietnamese | Amharic | Korean | Portuguese

Looking for a Job? We’re Hiring Bus Drivers!

MCPS is hosting a job fair for bus drivers from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22 (snow date: Jan. 29). The fair will be held at the Division of Transportation Services’ Shady Grove Transportation Depot, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Read more.

Job Fair, Jan. 22, 2026

Winter Coat Drive Underway — Larger Sizes Needed

The International Admissions and Enrollment Office (specifically, the McKinney-Vento Unit, which assists students experiencing homelessness or housing instability) is requesting donations of new coats for students in need. Medium and large sized donations of boys’ and girls’ coats (up to size 5X) are most needed. Suggested items may be found on its Amazon wish list.

Items can be dropped off at Rocking Horse Road Center, 4910 Macon Road, Room 149 in Rockville, in person from 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday, or ordered online and delivered directly to Rocking Horse Road Center, to the attention of Heidi LeMond.

Calling All Seniors: Educational Foundation Has Scholarships Available

The MCPS Educational Foundation (MCPSEF) has a variety of scholarships and awards open for high school seniors passionate about pursuing career and educational goals, and who face opportunity gaps in achieving those goals. 

Apply today through one application, now open through Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Scholarship awards range from $250 up to $20,000. More information

For questions, send an email or call 240-740-3216. 

Reminder: See the Approved 2026-2027 School Calendars

The Board of Education approved the 2026–2027 traditional and innovative school calendars on Dec. 11. Find them here.

Student Opportunities

• HBCU Fair: Registration is now open for this event from 6-8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at The Universities at Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. 

• Speak Up; Save a Life: Create an original video to promote awareness of the dangers of opioid/fentanyl abuse and overdose among teens. Deadline: Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.

• C-SPAN StudentCam Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to create a video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Exploring the American Story through the Declaration of Independence.” Top prize is $5,000. Deadline: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

• Black History Oratory Contest: This essay contest is open to 9th–12th grade students. Twenty finalists will be invited to read their essays in front of a live audience for prize money. Deadline: Sunday Jan. 25, 2026.

• Choose Respect Video Contest: Open to middle and high school students, this contest challenges teens to create an original video promoting awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Videos can be in English or Spanish. Top prize is $1,000. Deadline: Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.

• Gaithersburg Book Festival Poetry Contest: This year’s theme is “What Is Humanity?” Students must be in high school to participate. Deadline: Friday, Feb. 20, 2026.

• Next Generation Leadership Day: This event is a day of workshops for 4th and 5th graders. Seeking secondary students to create workshops and to be presenters/mentors at the event on Saturday, April 11, 2026. Apply to create a workshop by Friday, Feb. 13, 2026. Apply to present a workshop by Monday, March 9, 2026.

• Keeping It Safe Video Contest: Open to middle and high school students, the contest invites students to create a 30-second video on the risks and dangers of under 21 alcohol use. Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

• Sustainability Poster Contest: All students and staff can participate in this annual contest to increase awareness of energy conservation, waste reduction and responsible recycling. Check out the new digital art category! Deadline: Friday, April 3, 2026.

Summer RISE 2025 Host Registration Is Now Open

Inspire the future! Guide students on their career journeys! MCPS is seeking hosts for the 2026 Summer RISE program, which will be held from June 22–July 24, 2026. Open your workplace to rising MCPS juniors and seniors for 50 hours of hands-on learning—virtual, in-person or hybrid experiences.

Learn more by scheduling an informational meeting, visit www.MCPS-SummerRISE.org or contact Davida Gurstelle at 240-740-5599.

Looking for Something for the Kids to Do This Summer?

Montgomery County Recreation will host two summer camp fairs in January. These events give families a chance to explore the county’s camp programs. They are:

• Saturday, Jan. 10, 1-4 p.m., Germantown Community Recreation Center, 18905 Kingsview Road, Germantown 

• Sunday, Jan. 11, 1-4 p.m., Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center, 14906 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville 

You can see camp listings at ActiveMONTGOMERY.org starting Friday, Dec. 19. The Digital Summer Camps GUIDE will be out Friday, Jan. 2. 

From the News Page

• Scholarship Winners Abound: Seven MCPS seniors win full-tuition QuestBridge scholarships and 12 win a full-tuition ride from the Posse Foundation.

• Competing in SkillsUSA: After showcasing knowledge, skills and growth in their respective competitions, 127 Thomas Edison High School of Technology students who earned top scores will advance to regional and/or state contests.

• International Orchestra Conference: String orchestras from Robert Frost Middle School and Thomas S. Wootton High School will be taking the stage this week at the The Midwest Clinic in Chicago.

• And the Emmy Goes to …: John F. Kennedy High School’s Broadcast and Communications Academy earned two for a story on teacher retention.