Special Programs → Admissions → Application Forms

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.”

The application for the Blair, Richard Montgomery, and Poolesville magnet programs is now closed. The applications were due on Friday, November 2, 2018. The Grade 8 tab below contains answers to commonly asked questions about the next steps in the application process.  
(Please note all other high school application programs have a deadline of November 2, 2018 with the exception of VAC and Early College with a due date of November 26). 

For specific information, click on the tab below with the current grade level of your child.

High School Options Letter Grades 8-11. English  Spanish 
High School Application Programs At A Glance 

For Current Grades 9 and 11 Students Adobe PDF icon square 
For Current Grade 10 Students

For Grade 3 Students

Documents and information  

During the 2018-2019 school year, all Grade 3 students will be centrally reviewed for potential candidacy for the CES rather than parents submitting an application.  MCPS offers both regional and local programs.  Grade 3 students will be considered for a regional CES program, which is based on their address, unless they attend a school that houses a local program.  Letters informing parents will be mailed in early February 2019.  The deadline to decline or request testing is Friday, February 15, 2019.  The form is to be returned to your child's school.

  • 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, and Pine Crest/Oak View.

  • Elementary schools that currently house a local program include:  Rachel Carson, Piney Branch, Spark Matsunaga, and Stonegate.   

CES Meeting PowerPoint Presentation  November 2017
CES Selection Committee PowerPoint Spring 2017

Private school parents:  Updated information will be posted by December 1, 2018.  Testing will take place in February 2019.  

Who is this information for?

    The documents and information listed are for Grade 3 students considering the Center for Enriched Studies.

    About the Center for Enriched Studies 

Have additional questions?

For additional information, contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 240-740-2540.

Updated August, 2018

For Grade 5 Students

Documents and information

    During the 2018-2019 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 in October, 2018 and results mailed in January, 2019.  More information will be available soon!

    Parent/guardian information meetings regarding the program and admissions process will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 7pm at John F. Kennedy High School or on Monday, October 15, 2018 at 7pm at Gaithersburg High School.  Each presentation will be held in the school auditorium. 

    Private school families interested in applying to selective magnets must obtain an MCPS student ID at their neighborhood school.  An MCPS student ID is required to apply to a special program.  Application materials for private school and home-schooled families can be found here. To find your neighborhood school you may use this link

    Thank you for attending the information session on October 4, 2018 at Kennedy HS!
    To view the video of the information session, click here.  

    ** Fall 2018 Parent Meeting PowerPoint

 Who is this information for?

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 September 17, 2018

For Grade 8 Students

Documents and information for 2019-2020 school year

The application for the Blair, Richard Montgomery and Poolesville magnet programs is now closed. The applications were due on Friday, November 2, 2018.  


(Please note all other high school application programs have a deadline of November 2, 2018 with the exception of VAC and Early College with a due date of November 26). 

Information about next steps in the application process

Should you need to address a concern about the application, you may contact the program coordinators (link)
Important Testing Information (link)
What should students bring to testing (link)
Testing Site Information (link)

Who is this information for?

The documents and information listed are for Grade 8 students applying to these programs

 

  • Northeast Consortium (about this program) 
  • College and Career Programs (about this program) **the 2019-2020 application for these programs will be available in mid-October.    

More information: Contact Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services, at 240-740-2540.

Updated September 18, 2018