Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has begun outlining how it will study potential elementary and middle school closures and consolidations as enrollment declines for the first time in more than 40 years.
The district says declining birth rates and other demographic changes have resulted in fewer students entering MCPS, leaving some schools with more space than they need while other parts of Montgomery County continue to grow.
The review will take a countywide look at how schools are organized, where students are located and how school buildings are being used. MCPS says the goal is to ensure resources are distributed effectively and schools are appropriately sized to provide students and staff with the programs, staffing and facilities they need.
As part of the process, MCPS will consider factors established by Board of Education policy and Maryland regulations. Those include, but are not limited to, enrollment trends, the age and condition of school buildings, transportation, paired schools and racial composition.
According to MCPS, schools with too few students may have difficulty supporting the desired range of staff and programs, while schools with too many students may lack the space and flexibility needed for additional programs and opportunities. The physical condition of school buildings will also be considered. Families and community members will have multiple opportunities to provide input before recommendations are finalized.
Two rounds of community engagement are planned, with four virtual and six in-person sessions during each round. The first round will take place October 19 through November 2, 2026. A second round is scheduled for November 30 through December 11.
The Superintendent’s recommendations are expected to be released February 4, 2027. Public hearings will follow in February, March and April, with the Board of Education scheduled to make its final decision on April 15, 2027.
MCPS has emphasized that the process is intended to look at the school system as a whole rather than simply reducing space because enrollment has declined. The district says the central question guiding the review is what every student and staff member should have access to in MCPS schools.
