MCPS is currently holding initial information community meetings regarding the upcoming boundary study as the school system prepares to expand its high school offerings with upcoming opening of Crown High School (Gaithersburg), the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School, and the expansion of Damascus High School.
Based on information provided by MCPS and FLO Analytics (the company conducting the study), we have the timeline for the boundary study and answers to frequently asked questions below (survey available here):
• April 2025: Initial Information Community Meeting Sessions Initial Survey
• May/June 2025: Community Meeting Sessions
Initial Options Survey
• July/August 2025: Synthesize Feedback & Refine Options
• September 2025: Community Meeting Sessions
Refined Options Survey
• October/November 2025: Synthesize Feedback & Further Refine Options (This is a flexible timeline that will be revisited as the boundary studies progress.)
• December 2025: Option Development for Superintendent Recommendations
Frequently Asked Questions, answered by MCPS:
• Why do we need a boundary study? We are opening Crown High School, expanding Damascus High School, and reopening Charles W. Woodward High School for the 2027-2028 school year. Because of this, we need to go through a boundary study process in order to determine who will attend these schools. We also have some schools who are experiencing overcrowding and this process will help to alleviate some of these challenges.
• Who is conducting the boundary study? On December 5, 2024, the Board of Education adopted the Contract Approval of Request for Proposal No. 4998.1, Consultant for School Boundary Review for FLO Analytics to conduct and facilitate the boundary study. They have experience doing boundary studies with large, diverse school systems, some even larger than Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).
• What are the priorities for the boundary study? Our Board Policy, FAA, Educational Facilities Planning, identifies four main factors for consideration when establishing and making changes to school boundaries. These include:
- Demographic characteristics of student population
- Geography
- Stability of school assignments over time
- Facility utilization
• What happens next? We will begin our onboarding experiences with FLO Analytics to identify the timeline and initial approach. We will begin to share expectations for engagement and ongoing communication with our stakeholders, including students, staff, families, and the community.
• How will I be able to provide feedback and input? This process will include input from multiple stakeholders, including a broad representation from the communities in the boundary study scopes, as well as a variety of viewpoints. More specific information will be coming soon about the variety of engagement opportunties.