Montgomery County Public Schools is committed to providing rigorous instructional programs that encourage all students to realize their full potential as learners. A continuum of programs and services are provided.
Students’ learning may be enriched and accelerated; and, students may participate in advanced-level coursework at their local schools. Instruction is differentiated to provide all students appropriate pacing and support necessary for advanced-level learning.
Students may also attend special programs such as centers for enriched studies, magnet programs, or specialized programs, based on their interest and talent.
Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
Students in grades 2 and 3 will take the CogAT from December 2, 2024-December 20, 2024. This data will be one criteria that will be used to determine gifted and talented designation.
To learn more about CogAT, parents and caregivers are invited to watch the short video: Getting to know CogAT for Parents
Updated 10/18/24
To address the needs of academically gifted and advanced readers at the local school level, MCPS expanded the ELC to all comprehensive K-5 elementary schools. The schools that were added during the 2023-2024 school year began implementing the ELC in grade 4 and will add ELC to grade 5 during the 2024-2025 school year.
Updated 11/16/2023
Elementary Programs
Local Enrichment, Enriched Literacy Curriculum, Centers for Enriched Studies
Middle School Programs
Local Enriched Courses in Math and World Studies, Magnet Programs,
High School Programs
Magnet Programs
Twice Exceptional Students and Services
Frequently Asked Questions, Publications and Resources about gifted students with disabilities (e.g. GT/LD)
Policies and Processes
Links to MCPS gifted and talented policies and processes including GT Identification
Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) School Awards Program- This program honors exceptional elementary, middle, and high schools that offer gifted and telented programs aligned with the objectives and criteria of the Maryland Criteria for Excellence: Gifted and Talented Program Guidelines and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) 13A.04.07 Gifted and Talented Education. The following MCPS schools have been named EGATE schools:
About Accelerated and Enriched Instruction
AEI Vision, Mission and MCPS GT Policies
850 Hungerford Drive,
Room 259
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Fax: 301-279-3529
Telephone: 240-740-3110
Email: AEIquestions@mcpsmd.org
The AEI Feedback Council provides feedback and continuing guidance to staff on MCPS programs and the implementation of MCPS Policy IOA Gifted and Talented Education (PDF). The committee is comprised of 20-25 community and staff stakeholders who represent multiple points of view.