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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
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 check back here in early January for information on how arrange for testing, and 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 information below is from the 2018-2019 School Year.
Learn about the enrichment in the Centers for Enriched Studies and Local Elementary Schools
Parent Information Meeting
January 23, 2019 at Richard Montgomery High School, 6:30 pm
The presentation is available here.
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.
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 FAQs (posted 12/2018)
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 September 17, 2019
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 in October, 2019 and results mailed in January, 2020. More information will be available soon!
Parent/guardian information meetings regarding the program and admissions process will be held on Monday, October 14, 2019 at 6pm at Gaithersburg High School or on Thursday, October 24, 2019 at John F. Kennedy 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 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 are now closed and will open in October 2019.
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
Regional Middle School Magnet Selection & CogAT®- Frequently Asked Questions - Updated 2/5/19
**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 August 22, 2019
High School Preview Night Flyer in English and Spanish.
The High School Common Application will be available on or about Friday, October 4, 2019. Current MCPS students must access the online application through either the MyMCPS student or parent portal, using Google.
Private and home schooled students should check back here in early October for updates, however, must secure an MCPS Student ID in order to submit an application and assess for the program. MCPS Student ID must best obtained from your neighborhood middle school. To find your neighborhood middle school use the School Assignment Tool.
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