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High School Regional Center Programs ⟶ Regional High School Center Programs

Regional High School Center Programs

MCPS is implementing a regional high school center program model starting with the 2027–2028 school year to expand access to academic programs for high school students across Montgomery County. Under this approach, MCPS will group high schools into six regions to give every student access to parallel, high-quality programs in each region. A regional model will allow MCPS to offer more students opportunities to enroll in higher-level programs by having these programs in every region instead of just a few schools across the county.

Goals

The regional center program model is focused on three key goals:

  • Broaden access for more students by building on the successes of our current programs and consortia.
  • Create programs closer to students' homes and within their home school regions.
  • Expand program options across the district, ensuring that robust course offerings and programs in key academic theme areas are available in ALL regions.

Timeline

Students who are in eighth grade during the 2026–2027 school year will be the first students eligible to apply to the regional center programs. The programs are expected to be fully implemented when this first group of students graduates in 2031. This timeline is designed to minimize disruption for students who are already enrolled in specialty or consortia programs. Students who began a centrally managed magnet or choice program during the 2026–2027 school year or earlier will be able to continue and complete their initial high school program.

Regions

In addition to the programming available at their local schools, students will be able to apply to center programs at any school within the region where the student resides.  Program locations are subject to change based on factors such as school enrollment, facilities, etc.