Damascus High School

Mission Statement

Our mission is to empower every student through excellence, equity, and meaningful connections by intentionally providing multiple entry points to rigorous core instruction and advanced coursework, ensuring every learner succeeds.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to inspire students to lead, think critically, and thrive in a diverse world. We strive to dynamically reflect our students’ interests and strengths through our community and programs, preparing them to navigate their unique pathways with confidence.

Core Values Slogan: What We Believe

Rooted in Belonging. Growing in Achievement. Thriving Together.

DHS Class of 2027 Graduation Date

We are excited to share an important milestone for the Class of 2027! Please mark your calendars for our upcoming commencement ceremony:

• Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2027
• Time: 9:00 a.m.
• Location: UMBC

Further details regarding tickets, arrival times, and senior logistics will be shared as we get closer to the event. We look forward to celebrating the amazing accomplishments of the Class of 2027 with all of you!

NestFest

Please join us on Wednesday, 08/19 from 3:30 - 5:30 for our first ever cluster NestFest! Join us as we are "SWARMIN' to SUCCESS" for the 2026-2027 school year. Parking will fill up quickly at DHS and additional parking will be either at Baker MS or the Damascus Rec Center. There will be shuttles back and forth between 3 PM - 6 PM from those locations. Please see our flyer here for more information, including a list of our cluster schools that will be participating.

Back to School Night

• 📅 Date: August 20th
• ⏰ Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• 📍 Location: Damascus HS

• Meet your child’s teachers and learn about classroom expectations and curriculum goals.
• Tour the school and see where your child spends their day.
• Connect with our Community Partners (PTSA, NAACP, Hispanic Alliance, Music, and Athletic Booster, and explore other ways to get involved.

Transition Day

On Monday, 8/24, MCPS will have our second annual Transition Day. This day is for 9th grade students and students new to DHS only. Students will have the opportunity to meet with teachers, learn and acclimate to our building, and get to know one another.

First Week of School

Student Parking Application 2026-27

STUDENT PARKING applications are being accepted for eligible seniors and juniors through this LINK. To be considered for a parking permit, a student must have a valid driver’s license and be obligation free by the application deadline. Obligations can be checked and paid online through School Cash Online (SCO).

Only approved seniors may receive their parking hang tags during distribution on Transition Day (between 12:30-1:30pm in the cafeteria). If spaces remain available after the first week of school, juniors will be considered.

Students will be notified of their approval status via the email address on the application.

If approved, instructions on how to make payment for the $78.25 full-year permit (including processing fee), along with further details on how to obtain the parking tag, will be included in the email. Student parking, by permit only, will go into effect the first day of school. Students must have an approved parking permit to park on school grounds. Security will be enforcing the DHS Student Parking Regulations. Please make note of the academic eligibility and attendance requirements included in the regulations, which are as follows:

Parking Eligibility Expectations: Parking is a privilege and students must:

• Maintain attendance expectations in Periods 1 and 5. Students may not exceed 5 total unexcused absences in either period during a marking period. (Three tardies count as one absence toward this total.)
• Maintain regular attendance and avoid chronic absenteeism (missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused) during a marking period.
• Meet academic eligibility requirements (minimum 2.0 unweighted marking period GPA and no more than one failing grade)

Attendance and academic eligibility will be reviewed at the end of each marking period. Students who do not meet expectations will lose their parking privilege for the next marking period.

For further information, please refer to the Student Parking Schedule and parking regulations.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email DHSParking@mcpsmd.org. For any concerns regarding obligations, please contact Sharon_M_Weston@mcpsmd.org. For parking enforcement questions/concerns during the school year, please contact a security staff member.

Homecoming Week

Who's got spirit? Definitely DHS Hornets! Our Homecoming Week will be from October 12 through October 16. Our Homecoming Dance will take place on October 17 at DHS.