Career Readiness for students
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Admissions to MCPS Programs
A number of special programs are often available at your local school. Or you may choose to participate in a regional or countywide program. Application and admission processes vary by program. See the categories below to determine whether your program of choice has a regional or application requirement.
Application
A competitive program with a limited number of seats, requiring students to complete an application and meet specific admissions criteria. This may include a written application or the submitting a portfolio. Some programs accept applications countywide, while others accept applications from designated regions of the county.
Choice/Consortia
Students may choose one of several schools in a specific geographic area, each offering specialty courses related to a particular theme or career area. Students must submit a form identifying their school preference. While most get their first choice, it is not guaranteed.
The Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) accepts choice applications from students throughout the entire county. Students who live within the MSMC boundary area are guaranteed a seat at one of the three magnet middle schools.
Local
Each MCPS school offers a comprehensive program of instruction to challenge and meet the needs of all students. Some schools also offer special programs for students attending the school. They are called "local school" programs and are available only to students assigned to the local school.
Contact your local school for details or check out your school's website.
Regional
Available by application to students in a particular geographic region of the county. Contact individual schools for details.
Immersion Lottery
A lottery may be held to determine admission to a foreign language immersion program if requests exceed available program capacity for kindergarten or Grade 1 students. Admission for all other grades is determined by language proficiency and available space. Contact individual schools about their immersion program(s).
, a guide to countywide programs.Elementary School
- Local Elementary School Programs
All elementary schools have a variety of instructional and enrichment programs to meet the needs of students, including those who demonstrate high interest, motivation, and/or level of achievement in a particular area of study. - World Languages Immersion Programs
Students in these programs learn the MCPS curriculum in one of three languages, Chinese, French, or Spanish. - Elementary Centers for Enriched Studies
The Centers for Enriched Studies provide a learning environment for Grade 4 and Grade 5 students that enriches, accelerates, and extends the MCPS curriculum. - Primary Years Programme (PYP)
The Primary Years Programme (PYP), developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), is a comprehensive, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning.
Middle School
- Local Middle School Programs
All middle schools have a variety of instructional and enrichment programs to meet the needs of students, including those who demonstrate high interest, motivation, and/or level of achievement in a particular area of study. - World Languages Immersion Programs
Admission to the World Languages Immersion Programs is limited to incoming Grade 6 students who have graduated from a corresponding immersion program at the elementary level. - Mathematics/Science/Computer Science Magnet Program
The Mathematics/Science/Computer Science Magnet Program provides unique and challenging learning opportunities in three areas of concentration: mathematics, science, and computer science. Students are encouraged to make connections among content areas through a problem-solving approach. - Humanities and Communication Magnet Program
The Humanities and Communication Magnet Programs provide unique and challenging learning opportunities in three areas of concentration: writing, media production, and world studies. - Argyle Middle School for Digital Design and Development
The Humanities and Communication Magnet Programs provide unique and challenging learning opportunities in three areas of concentration: writing, media production, and world studies. - A Mario Loiederman Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts
Students participate in a rigorous academic and fine arts program. - Parkland Middle School for Aerospace Technology
This program is focused in advanced and applied mathematics and science. All students take an interdisciplinary science and aerospace course each year with the goal of taking a high school science course in Grade 8. - Middle Years Programme (MYP)
Developed by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), students in grades 6 – 10 explore the following areas across all academic subjects: approaches to learning, environment, human ingenuity, health and social education, and community and service. They engage in research, the acquisition and application of critical thinking skills, and study a second language.
High School
- Local High School Programs
All high schools have a variety of instructional and enrichment programs to meet the needs of students, including those who demonstrate high interest, motivation, and/or level of achievement in a particular area of study. - Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet Program
This program offers traditional high school offerings, Advanced Placement and Honors courses, unique opportunities with partners and mentors from research and business, and specialized magnet courses. - International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet Program
International Baccalaureate students have access to specialized programming and activities in English, World Languages, Individuals and Societies, Mathematics, Experimental Sciences, Theory of Knowledge, and community service projects. - Whole-School Magnet
Poolesville High School offers unique courses in three rigorous and exciting houses: the Global Ecology House, the Humanities House, and the Science, Mathematics, Computer Science House. - Visual Art Center
Visual Art Center (VAC) students are part of a dynamic, creative arts community that focuses on students producing a strong visual art portfolio to earn AP credit and to gain admission and scholarship to top universities, liberal arts colleges and art school programs. - Thomas Edison High School of Technology
A group of professional career pathway programs available to students enrolled in MCPS high schools. - Northeast Consortium (NEC)
The NEC is made up of three high schools: James Hubert Blake, Paint Branch, and Springbrook, five middle schools, and their feeder elementary schools. Each high school offers a unique Signature program. Signature programs are instructional programs developed around a central theme that appeal to students' interests. - Downcounty Consortium (DCC)
The DCC is made up of five high schools: Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Northwood, and Wheaton and nine middle schools and their feeder elementary schools. - Signature Programs
A number of high schools have created signature programs that integrate a specific focus or distinguishing theme with the skills, concepts, and instructional strategies of some portion of a school's curriculum. In some cases, the school may adopt a school-wide signature focus. - Career & Technology Education Pathway Programs (CTE)
MCPS groups careers into 11 different clusters to help direct students toward focused programs of study, with high school plans to align courses with future career goals. Most programs of study include the opportunity to earn college credit at Montgomery College and other institutes of higher learning. - Foundations Programs
The Automotive, Construction, and Information Technology Foundations provide classroom, lab settings, and authentic real world experiences for students. Exciting career pathways prepare students for a wide range of post-secondary options within the automotive, construction and information technology industries.