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Special Programs → Admissions → Application Forms
Some competitive programs with a limited number of seats require that students complete an application and meet specific admissions criteria. This may include a written application or the submission of additional materials such as a portfolio. Some programs accept applications countywide, while others accept applications from designated regions of the county. They are called “application programs.”
For specific information, click on the tab below with the current grade level of your child.
New information for the 2019-2020 School Year for Current MCPS Grade 3 Students
Learn about the enrichment in the Centers for Enriched Studies and Local Elementary Schools
Parent Information Meeting Recording
January 15, 2020 in the Gaithersburg High School auditorium at 6:00 pm
(this meeting will be in both English and Spanish and be live streamed)
There is no application for current Grade 3 students. All Grade 3 parents and students enrolled in MCPS will be sent a letter in mid-January giving students the option to test in order to be considered for the Centers for Enriched Studies (CES).
Private and home school student should click here to apply. Contact your neighborhood elementary school in early January to arrange for testing. Testing will take place at your neighborhood elementary school. Applicants must secure an MCPS Student ID in order to assess for the program. MCPS Student ID must best obtained from your neighborhood elementary school. To find your neighborhood elementary school use the School Assignment Tool. The deadline for the private and home school application is Friday, February 7, 2020.
CES FAQs (posted 12/2019)
Who is this information for?
The documents and information listed are for Grade 3 students seeking more information about the Center for Enriched Studies.
Elementary schools that currently house a regional program include Lucy V. Barnsley, Chevy Chase, Clearspring, Cold Spring, Dr. Charles R. Drew, Fox Chapel, Mill Creek Towne, Oak View and Pine Crest.
Elementary schools that currently house a local program include: Rachel Carson, Piney Branch, Spark Matsunaga, and Stonegate.
Centers for Enriched Studies & CogAT®- Frequently Asked Questions Updated March 29, 2019
CES Meeting PowerPoint Presentation November 2017
CES Selection Committee PowerPoint Spring 2017
About the Center for Enriched Studies
For additional information, contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 240-740-2540.
Updated January 16, 2020
Winter 2020
Middle School Magnet (Criteria Based) Process- Frequently Asked Questions
Fall 2019
During the 2019-2020 school year, all Grade 5 students will be centrally reviewed for potential candidacy for enriched and accelerated programming rather than parents submitting an application. MCPS offers regional centers and local enriched and accelerated courses in humanities and mathematics. The regional Humanities and Communication Magnets are located at Eastern and Martin L. King Middle Schools. The Mathematics, Science and Computer Science Magnet Programs are located at Roberto Clemente and Takoma Park Middle Schools.
Grade 5 students will be considered for a regional program, which is based on their address, unless they attend a school that houses a local program. Letters informing parents about the universal screening process will be mailed the week of October 14, 2019 and results mailed in January, 2020. More information will be available soon!
Parent/guardian information meetings regarding the program and admissions process were held on Monday, October 14, 2019 at 6pm at Gaithersburg High School and on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at John F. Kennedy High School.
Gaithersburg Meeting
John F. Kennedy Meeting
Video of English Presentation
Video of Spanish Presentation
Private school and home schooled families interested in applying to selective magnets must obtain an MCPS student ID at their neighborhood elementary school. An MCPS student ID is required to apply to a special program. The application for the regional Humanities and Communication Magnets Programs located at Eastern and Martin L. King Middle Schools and the Mathematics, Science and Computer Science Magnet Programs located at Roberto Clemente and Takoma Park Middle Schools has closed. Application deadline was November 1, 2019. (Current MCPS students do not need to apply, the application that is here is only for private and home schooled students.)
Fall 2018
Thank you for attending the information session on October 4, 2018 at Kennedy HS!To view the video of the information session, click here.
**Parent Letter for Middle School Magnets 2019-2020 English, Spanish
** Fall 2018 Parent Meeting PowerPoint
Parent Information Meeting FAQs
**FAQs for the Eastern and Takoma Park "Field Test" 2018-2019
Middle School Magnet Field Test Summary Results and Related Information
The documents and information listed are for Grade 5 students and their parents
More information: Contact Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services, at 240-740-2540.
Updated January 2020
Grade 8 application program deadline was Friday, 11/1/19. The link is closed.
Grade 9-11 application program deadline was Friday, 12/13/19. The links are now closed.
Results for all programs will be posted in late January 2020.
High School Application Programs At A Glance for Grade 8- 2020-2021 Options (posted 9/19/19)
High School Application for Grade 8 FAQ (posted 10/4/19)
Letter from Chief Academic Officer to Families of Grade 8 Students.
Letter from Associate Superintendent of OCIP to Families of Grade 8 Students.
High School Preview Night Flyer in English and Spanish.
September 19, 2019 High School Preview Night Presentations in English and Spanish.
High School Magnet/Application programs FAQs
CogAT® Student narratives can be found on the MyMCPS parent portal.
Acceptance/decline decisions are due to the respective program coordinator on Friday, February 22, 2019.
Appeal letters are due to the respective program coordinator on Friday, February 22, 2019.
The documents and information listed are for Grade 8 students applying to these programs
Updated September 17, 2019