MCPS believes participation in interscholastic athletics supports the overall mission of the school district to ensure that every student will have the academic, creative problem solving, and social-emotional skills to be successful in college and career. The MCPS philosophy of interscholastic athletics is founded in our vision, mission, purpose, and R.A.I.S.E. core values, which were established in July 2017.
We promote academic achievement, athletic excellence, positive sportsmanship, and upstanding citizenship by providing the greatest education-based interscholastic athletics program.
Every student will attain the mental, moral, physical, and social-emotional skills to excel in the classroom, community, and the realm of competition.
To provide an innovative education-based interscholastic athletics program that maximizes diverse participation through a commitment to equity and access.
Respect & Sportsmanship
Academic Excellence
Integrity & Character
Spirited & Safe Competition
Equity & Access
MCPS Athletics has designated the 2024-2025 school year as the Year of the Coach, a year-long tribute to the coaching profession and a celebration of the outstanding leaders within MCPS whom we proudly refer to as Coach. Systemwide and school-based celebrations of coaches will occur throughout the school year, including Coaches Appreciation Weeks each season.
The pickleball season is underway and all 25 high schools have teams! MCPS is the first school district to offer pickleball as a varsity sport. The schedule is available here.
Ensuring safe and spirited athletic and school events is a priority for MCPS. Promoting our R.A.I.S.E. core values and implementing additional supports will continue to be a focus to keep athletic events safe for all participants. Decisions about additional strategies will be made using an equity lens and prioritize safety, while encouraging the positive outcomes and engagement that athletic events bring to our schools and communities. The Fall Athletics Safety Plan is available here.
Media credentialing ensures a safe environment for members of the press covering MCPS athletic events and are essential for easy identification and knowing who may be in our athletic facilities. As such, new protocols governing media coverage of MCPS athletic events went into effect on April 1, 2023.
Who Needs to Present Athletic Event Media Credentials
All media, multimedia, journalists, reporters, bloggers, vloggers, social media channels, athletic promoters or individuals, or companies seeking access to an MCPS event for the purposes of recording, photography, videography, reporting, etc., must have applied for and received an official MCPS Athletic Event Credential. Each individual must present (and wear) this badge and lanyard while working at an MCPS athletic event.
Notification of Intent to Cover an Event
Credentialed individuals must also inform high school athletics specialists of their intention to attend an event by email. Email contacts for local school athletics specialists can be found here.
Purchase Tickets Here
NFHS Network
Parents/guardians, students, fans, and community members will have the ability to stream events live through the NFHS Network. Automated cameras have been installed in all main gymnasiums and stadiums. A monthly subscription fee of $10.99 is required to view live events. All MCPS events are free on the NFHS Network, 72 hours following each event.
Parent/guardians can register their student-athletes for the 2024-25 athletic seasons using ParentVue. High school registration opens at 12:00 noon on the following dates:
Information regarding middle school athletics registration can be found here. Below are some helpful resources to assist parents/guardians with the on-line registration process prior to the first day of tryouts: