Special Programs → Middle School Programs

Grade 5 Central Review for Enrichment and Middle School Criteria Programs

The grade 5 central review process looks at school system performance data of grade 5 students in December. Students whose data meet the criteria for enriched and accelerated instruction in middle school are centrally recommended for one or two enriched and accelerated courses at their local middle school and placed in the candidate pool for one or both of the corresponding regional middle school criteria-based programs; the Humanities and Communication program and/or the Math, Science, Computer Science program. It is not necessary for current MCPS students to submit an application for consideration.

Information For the 2026-2027 school year is coming soon

2026-2027 Timeline 

• September 2026- Letter explaining the process sent to grade 5 families  (English   español)
• October 19, 2026- Middle School Magnet (Criteria Based) Parent Presentation
• Upcounty (Roberto Clemente and Martin Luther King Middle Schools)
  • Presentation in English (available 10/19/26)
  • Presentación en español (disponible 19/10/26)
• Downcounty (Eastern and Takoma Park Middle Schools)
  • Presentation in English (available 10/19/26)
  • Presentación en español (disponible 19/10/26)
• December 2026/ January 2027
  • Data collection and review.  No application necessary for current MCPS students.
  • Deadline for private/homeschooled students to submit documents- 12/2/2026 (more information) 
  • Lottery conducted
• Mid January 2027 - Parent Notification of Central Review and lottery results
• Late January 2027 - Deadline to appeal Level I Central Review results

 2026-2027 Resources

• Grade 5 Central Review Process for MS Enrichment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Preguntas frecuentes en español)
• Information for private and homeschooled families and those new to MCPS (application open until 12/2/26)
• Middle School Programs Flyer
• Family letter explaining the Central Review Process  (English   español)

Updated 8/6/2026

2025-2026 Timeline 

• September 2025- Letter explaining the process sent to grade 5 families  (English   español)
• October 20, 2025- Middle School Magnet (Criteria Based) Parent Presentation
• Upcounty (Roberto Clemente and Martin Luther King Middle Schools)
  • Presentation in English (available 10/20/25)
  • Presentación en español (disponible 20/10/25)
• Downcounty (Eastern and Takoma Park Middle Schools)
  • Presentation in English (available 10/20/25)
  • Presentación en español (disponible 20/10/25)
• December 2025/ January 2026
  • Data collection and review.  No application necessary for current MCPS students.
  • Deadline for private/homeschooled students to submit documents- 12/2/2025 (more information) 
  • Lottery conducted
• Mid January 2026 - Parent Notification of Central Review and lottery results
• Late January 2026 - Deadline to appeal Level I Central Review results

 2025-2026 Resources

• Grade 5 Central Review Process for MS Enrichment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Preguntas frecuentes en español)
• Information for private and homeschooled families and those new to MCPS (application open until 12/2/25)
• Middle School Programs Flyer
• Family letter explaining the Central Review Process  (English   español)

Updated 1/9/2026