Things to Know
October 22, 2026
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School Closure Conversations: Round One Engagement Happening Now |
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Why is MCPS studying school closures and consolidations? What does the data tell us? How will decisions be made? These are important questions, and they're exactly why we're bringing our community together. Our engagement sessions are underway, providing families, staff and community members opportunities to learn about the challenges facing our schools, ask questions and share what matters most to them. No schools have been selected for closure or consolidation, no recommendations have been made and no decisions have been predetermined. Meetings are being held at locations across Montgomery County to make participation convenient for as many people as possible. A note about meeting locations: Meeting sites were selected to provide opportunities for participation across Montgomery County and reach as many families as possible. Hosting a meeting at a particular school or in a particular community does not mean that school or community is being considered for closure or consolidation. You don't need to have all the answers, or even know all the questions, to participate. This is a process of learning, listening and planning together, and there's still time to be involved. Read more.
Watch: English | Spanish
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The Hard Truth: An Off-Year Doesn't Mean a Year Off |
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MCPS has begun the process for its proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2028 Capital Budget and amendments to the FY 2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Because FY 2028 is an “off-year” amendment cycle, the proposal focuses on targeted adjustments to the existing capital plan, not a comprehensive review of all projects. But the hard truth is: MCPS is facing very difficult decisions with our aging schools, declining enrollment and rising construction costs. With limited resources and growing infrastructure needs, the district must rethink how it invests in its facilities. Doing nothing is not an option.
Watch Videos on The Hard Truth.
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MCPS Shares Early Results and Steps to Strengthen Learning |
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Every student. Every classroom. Every day. That's the message as MCPS takes a closer look at student academic performance and strengthens the instruction and support students receive in classrooms.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, the Montgomery County Board of Education heard a first-quarter update on student academic performance for the 2026–2027 school year. The presentation examined early results in reading and mathematics, identified areas of progress and challenges, and outlined how MCPS is using that information to improve teaching and learning across the district. Read more.
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In Case You Missed It … |
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Beverly Farms, Somerset and Travilah elementary schools were named 2026-2027 Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools, recognizing the schools’ exceptional performance on state and national assessments, as well as their success in closing achievement gaps among student groups as compared to the state average. Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools honored 23 exemplary schools throughout the state, 12 of which were public schools. Read more and watch how they announced the news to their schools.
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Be Sure to Weigh In on the 2027-2028 School Calendar |
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As MCPS continues to develop the 2027-2028 school calendar, the district is seeking more input from you!
Complete this second survey to share input on the proposed draft calendar for the 2027-2028 school year. The survey will close on Friday, Nov. 6. Take the survey.
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Are You Getting the Most Out of ParentVue? |
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ParentVUE: it’s one of the easiest ways to stay connected to your student’s school experience. Families can monitor grades and assignments, check attendance, find bus information, access report cards and assessment results, complete online registrations and communicate directly with teachers.
Download the new ParentVue app, customize your Gradebook and favorite shortcuts, and check ParentVUE regularly. You can even schedule parent-teacher conferences directly through the app. And remember: each parent or guardian should use their own ParentVUE account and password.
Learn more: English / español / 中文 / français / Português / 한국어 / tiếng Việt / አማርኛ
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Tune In to EdTalk, and Explore the High School Center Programs |
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On the latest episode of EdTalk, join host Board of Education President Grace Rivera-Oven and her guests as they discuss the new MCPS Center Programs. Learn how 8th grade families can apply to a variety of four-year academic high school Center Programs in their region. Watch EdTalk | Vea Educación al Día
You can now listen to all the EdTalk and Educación al Día episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.
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Now You Know — Career & Technical Education Program Changes |
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Important changes are coming to Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Starting in fall 2027, MCPS will move from 51 to 37 state-approved CTE programs of study. Some will be phased out; others will be combined or updated. These changes provide great opportunities for students to explore new, integrated and modernized pathways that prepare them for high-wage, high-demand careers.
So, what does this mean? Some CTE programs will be integrated into our new six-region high school model, helping expand access to high-demand programs across the county. The programs will also align with Maryland’s new 14-career-cluster model.
If your student is already enrolled in a CTE program, there’s no disruption. They’ll be able to complete their existing program and earn their intended credentials.
Now You Know: English | Spanish | Amharic | Chinese | French | Korean | Portuguese | Vietnamese
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It’s Quick, Confidential and Offers Big Benefits: Apply for FARMS Meals Today! |
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Here’s one school form that’s worth a few minutes of your time. If your family may qualify for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (FARMS), apply!
Best of all, you only need one application for all MCPS students in your household, even if they attend different schools. If you filled an application out last school year, you still need to fill out another one for this school year.
It’s quick. It’s confidential. And it could make a real difference for your family. Don’t count yourself out; take a few minutes and see if you qualify.
Apply for FARMS and learn more. Need help filling out your application? View this step-by-step guide and MySchoolApps video and complete your application before.
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MCPS Is Hiring Bus Operators |
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Interested in a rewarding career in transportation? Don’t miss the Division of Transportation Services’ job fair from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at the Shady Grove Transportation Depot, 16651 Crabbs Branch Way in Rockville. Before attending the event, interested candidates are asked to update or create an online profile on the MCPS Careers website. For more information, call 240-740-6080.
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College Planning? Tips, Tools and Resources to Help |
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Preparing for college? Get FAFSA-ready, explore Maryland’s private colleges and universities, and find useful tips for applications, test prep, college majors and careers as you navigate the college planning process with confidence.
- Parents of high school seniors: The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is open. Before completing the FAFSA, students and contributors (such as a parent or spouse, if required) must create an FSA ID, which serves as their username and password for accessing and signing the FAFSA. For questions about the FAFSA or the financial aid process, contact your College & Career Navigator (CCN) or school counselor.
- Applying for Maryland State Financial Aid for the First Time?: Based on recent guidance from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), seniors should not create an MDCAPS account at this time. Students will create an account through the Maryland Student Information System (MDSIS), which MHEC anticipates will be available in January.
- Recorded College & Career Workshops: Check out college and career readiness workshops covering many topics, including essay writing, financial aid, Common App tips, test prep, AI use in college apps, career planning, NCAA recruiting and more.
- Private College Application Days: Apply to one of Maryland’s private colleges or universities with no application fees on Nov. 9.
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The Road to the State Championships Starts Here! |
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The excitement is building as teams battle their way through the postseason with one goal in mind: bringing home a state championship. Get your tickets to any MCPS postseason event here!
Join us for the following county championships:
- Field hockey – Monday, Oct. 26, Albert Einstein High School, 6 p.m.
- Soccer – Monday, Oct. 26, Seneca Valley High School, Girls 5:30 p.m. / Boys 7:15 p.m.
- Volleyball – Monday, Nov. 2, Quince Orchard High School, 3:30 p.m.
Follow your favorite teams every step of the way by visiting the Sports tab on the MPSSAA website for the latest schedules, brackets, matchups, results and championship updates.
NOTE: only MPSSAA passes are admitted to regional and state games.
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Reminders |
- Game Changer Conference: Male students in Grades 4–12 are invited to attend this event from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, Bioscience Education Center, 20200 Observation Drive in Germantown. Register.
- Marching Band Showcase: Starting at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Albert Einstein High School. Free and open to the public.
- Mary Howard Day of Service: From 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24. Projects will include beautifying gardens and pavilions, maintaining trails and building projects. RSVP.
- Middle School Winter Sports Registration: Opens at noon on Monday, Oct. 26 for boys’ and girls’ basketball.
- Mental Health & Wellness Fair: From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at James Hubert Blake High School. Free and open to staff, students and families.
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Beyond the Classroom |
- *NEW* All middle and high schools have made final updates to their extracurricular activities lists for the school year. The list is available here.
- *NEW* USG Lab Crawl: Open to high school students interested in engineering, technology, health or life sciences. Discover what it’s like to learn and work in these fields through interactive simulations and hands-on activities. Event is from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2 at the Universities at Shady Grove, Building IV, 9631 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville. Register.
- C-SPAN StudentCam Documentary Competition: Students in 6th through 12th grades are invited to participate in C-SPAN’s annual national video documentary StudentCam competition, which encourages them to think critically about issues that affect our communities. This year, students are being asked to create a five-to-six-minute video documentary on a topic that relates to the competition theme, “Mr. Speaker, I Rise To …”. Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027.
- Speak Up, Save A Life Video Contest: Create an original video promoting awareness of the dangers of illicit opioids, overdose and fentanyl among teens. Secondary students can earn 10 SSL hours. Videos can be submitted in English or Spanish. First place wins $5,000, 2nd place, $3,000 and 3rd place, $1,000. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 30. Submit an entry.
- Share Your Vision for America: Make Your Speech calls on students in Grades 5–12 to imagine they’ve just been elected president and are delivering their inaugural address in a 2-3 minute video. Win prizes up to $1,000. Learn more. Deadline: Friday, Oct. 30
- Smokey Bear Poster Contest: The Maryland Forest Service is sponsoring a Fire Prevention Month Smokey Bear poster contest for 7th grade students. Students are asked to create original artwork inspired by Smokey’s classic message: “Only YOU can prevent wildfires!” to explore wildfire safety and forest conservation. Deadline: Monday, Nov. 2. Learn more.
- Capital Weather invites K-8 kids to submit original artwork inspired by weather, seasons, climate or nature to its Kids Art Showcase. Learn more.
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