Wheaton, MD (August 17, 2023) – Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) will celebrate the start of the new school year with its annual Back-to-School Fair on Saturday, August 26, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at Westfield Wheaton mall. This free event will feature family-friendly activities, entertainment, information and resources from the school system and from county programs and services. 

“We are so excited and look forward to welcoming families back to school," said MCPS Superintendent Dr. Monifa B. McKnight. “As we begin the new school year, we are reminded of the importance of our partnerships with families as we bring our community “All Together Now.” We are so grateful to Westfield for this continued partnership and to bring these valuable resources and information to the community. We encourage all of our families to engage with the more than 100 offices, businesses and organizations at the fair as we prepare for an amazing school year at MCPS.”

Dozens of MCPS offices and departments, along with government agencies and community partners will provide information and resources to families. 

Key highlights of the 2023 fair Include: 

• School system staff answering questions about programs.
• Interactive activities for kids and families from KID Museum.
• MCPS electric school bus.
• Live entertainment, including a DJ, Zumba dance performance and more.
• AskMCPS! table staffed with school system community navigators and representatives.
• Free Kaiser Mobile health screenings.
• Montgomery County Recreation Department. 
• Representatives from local theater companies (Olney Theatre Center, Round House Theatre, Adventure Theatre).
• Free immunizations for children 5 years old and up. 
• First responder mobile units.
• Health and wellness resources, including many focused on mental health.

The fair will largely take place on the mall’s outdoor upper level in the area known as The Streetery, and in the mall’s North parking lot. 

MCPS will offer free, round-trip shuttle buses between the fair and the following MCPS high schools:

Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring
Paint Branch High School, 14121 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville
Gaithersburg High School, 101 Education Blvd., Gaithersburg
Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive, Rockville

The first shuttle will depart from high schools at 9 a.m. and the last shuttle will leave Westfield Wheaton at 2 p.m.Westfield Wheaton is located at 11160 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton.