School Counseling, Residency and International Admissions
Montgomery County Public Schools
Rocking Horse Road Center
4910 Macon Road
Rockville, MD 20852
301-230-0686

Our Mission
Professional school counselors are leaders who advocate, collaborate, and facilitate individual and system change to ensure every student has the knowledge and skills necessary for academic success and personal growth.

The mission of School Counseling, Residency and International Admissions (SCRIA) is also to facilitate the enrollment of eligible international students, foreign students, and United States citizen students coming from foreign and other US schools into Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

In addition, SCRIA provides assistance and support to school system staff members in resolving counseling, residency, and enrollment issues.

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What We Do
School Counseling: SCRIA works to promote the academic success and personal growth of every student through supporting the consistent implementation of the MCPS Comprehensive School Counseling Program. The office provides staff development, consultation, and resources that enhance the knowledge and skills of school counselors; collaborates with other MCPS departments, higher education, and community agencies; and provides education and outreach to parents and other community members.

Residency and International Admissions: SCRIA determines eligibility for school admissions for all international students as well as for students with more complex residency issues. It also provides technical assistance to MCPS staff related to enrollment and residency.

Assistance is provided to families and schools to enroll homeless MCPS students. The goal is to maintain a stable educational environment by minimizing the effect of mobility and to ensure academic success.

The following students must start their enrollment process at Residency and International Admissions, telephone 301-230-0686:
• Students who are residing in Montgomery County without parents and are requesting a waiver of tuition.
• Students residing with parents who reside in housing with a short-term lease.
• Students residing with a non-custodial parent.
• Students over the age of 18 and self-supporting.
• Students living with parents and awaiting completion of permanent housing within 60 days.
• Students placed in Montgomery County (e.g. foster, group home) by a juvenile or social services agency.
• U.S. citizens who attended a foreign school need interpretation of school documentation, and educational records for placement.
• Foreign students who have a permanent residency abroad but are seeking admission into MCPS. This group includes holders of J-1 visas (exchange visitors) and applicants of I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Student Visa Status.
• International students, defined as nationals from other countries, with bona fide residency in Montgomery County who have not been attending a United States school system at any time during the prior two years.

Residency and International Admissions provides the following services to incoming students and their families:
• Verifies students school eligibility
• Interviews parents and students and reviews school records and other appropriate documentation
• Makes grade placement recommendation and evaluates foreign school credentials to grant high school credits toward graduation
• Assigns students to the receiving school
• Refers students, as needed, to other appropriate services, including the Division of ESOL/Bilingual Programs for assessment of English proficiency; Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services for completion of state health requirements; the Department of Special Education for assessment and early determination of appropriate programs for students with special needs; the Division of the Controller for tuition payment, and the U.S. Office of Immigration and Naturalization Services to facilitate the admissions of foreign students.