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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.
**Decisions for Centers for Enriched Studies programs will be mailed on or about April 1, 2019.
NEW for Grade 3 Families Centers for Enriched Studies & CogAT®- Frequently Asked Questions Updated March 29, 2019
**Interested in applying to an Elementary Language Immersion Program? Click here for more information! **
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.
Available in English and Spanish (español)
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, Oak View and Pine Crest.
Elementary schools that currently house a local program include: Rachel Carson, Piney Branch, Spark Matsunaga, and Stonegate.
CES FAQs (posted 12/2018)
CES Meeting PowerPoint Presentation November 2017
CES Selection Committee PowerPoint Spring 2017
Private school and home school parents interested in applying to the Center for Enriched Studies (CES) must obtain an MCPS student ID at their home (neighborhood) school. An MCPS student ID is required to apply to a special program. The application for the Center for Enriched Studies is here.
Private school testing will take place on February 25, 2019 8:15 AM at CESC.
The documents and information listed are for Grade 3 students considering the Center for Enriched Studies.
For additional information, contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at 240-740-2540.
Updated January 2019
Winter 2019
Decisions for the Regional Middle School Magnet were mailed on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.
Regional Middle School Magnet Selection & CogAT®- Frequently Asked Questions - Updated 2/5/19
Fall 2018
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. 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.
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 16, 2019
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 April 2019