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2025 – 2026 School Year

Change of School Assignment Information Booklet (PDF)
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Apply for the 2025 – 2026 School Year

Guide to Submitting a COSA Application in ParentVUE

 

 

More Information

Parents can contact the principal of their home school. Principal names and school telephone numbers are in the Schoolodex.

Questions regarding your COSA status Office Number 240-740-5620

Questions regarding denied COSA applications: contact the Appeals and Transfers Office - 240-740-4130

Parents who are English Language Learners and Parents of International Students

International students and parents who require assistance should call 240-740-3000 or email at ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.org.

Telephone operators who speak English and Spanish are available Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Parents who speak languages other than English or Spanish can also call 240-740-3000 email at ASKMCPS@mcpsmd.organd identify their language. Their questions will be answered through a telephone interpreter.

Related Links

Student Transfers
(Change of School Assignment - COSA)

2025-2026 School Year

How are Students Assigned to Their Home School?

Students in Montgomery County are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or assigned in accordance with their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students may apply for Change of School Assignment (COSA) from the home school, or the school of assignment through the IEP process, based on the following criteria.

To determine what the local school is for a specific address, call the School Boundary Information Line at 240-740-7725 between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. weekdays.  

Why is a Student Allowed to Transfer to Another School?

  • Unique Hardship- Students may apply for a COSA when extenuating circumstances related to their specific physical, mental, or emotional well-being or their family's individual or personal situation could be mitigated by a change of school assignment. 
  • Family Move- Students whose families have moved within Montgomery County who wish to continue attending their former home school may request a COSA without demonstrating a unique hardship.  Such requests may be considered for the remainder of the current school year only, with the exception that students in Grade 11 or 12 may be granted a COSA to stay through high school graduation.  
  • Siblings- When a student seeks to attend the school where a sibling will be enrolled in the regular/general school program, or a special education program, during the year the student wants to enroll.

When a sibling attends a magnet, language immersion, or other application program at the elementary level, a COSA may be approved to the regular school program for other siblings on a case-by-case basis.  Such approval requires consideration of available classroom space, grade-level enrollment, staffing allocations, or other factors that impact the schools involved.

  • The criteria above regarding siblings does not apply if a boundary change has occurred.
  • Refer to COSA Form for more options 

These Students Do Not have to Submit a COSA If Requesting Another School Within Their Consortium:

  • High school students who live in the Northeast Consortium (NEC) or Downcounty Consortium (DCC) areas and are requesting another Consortium school.
  • Middle school students who live in the Middle School Magnet Consortium (MSMC) and are requesting another MSMC school, or who went through the MSMC Choice process lottery and are applying to an MSMC school.
  • If You Are Requesting another school within the Consortium, you must submit a written and signed letter of appeal to the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS), via email  DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org, located at 11721 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902.  For information on changing school with the NEC, DCC, or MSMC, contact the DCCAPS at 240-740-7800, or visiting the website  www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/schoolchoice 

Please Note: By accepting a COSA, the parent or guardian must provide transportation.   

How do I Apply for a School Transfer?

Parents and Guardians can now submit a Change of School Assignment (COSA) Request for the 2025-2026 school year in ParentVUE.

See the Guide to Submitting a COSA Application in ParentVUE.

When Can I Apply?

Montgomery County parents/guardians who wish to request a change in school assignment for their children from their home school may begin the process during transfer season, which is held from the first school day in February 2025 to the first school day in April 2025.

Schools Over Capacity Will No Longer Accept COSA Requests, After July 1

MCPS is committed to supporting schools that are overenrolled. As a result, beginning on July 1, 2025, schools whose enrollment is 10 percent or more over their identified building capacity will be closed to Change of School Assignment (COSA) requests. Parents who believe they have a unique hardship may still complete a COSA request, but they will be asked to request a school that is not over capacity. Enrollment and building capacity will be reviewed monthly.
Students in Montgomery County are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or assigned in accordance with their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students may apply for a COSA based on certain criteria.

According to Board of Education Policy JEE, Student Transfers, a consideration for approval or denial of a COSA includes, “school capacity, including grade level and cluster capacity, and other issues that implicate the ability of the school to admit new students.”

Downcounty, Northeast, And Middle School Magnet Consortia Students

For information about the Northeast Consortium, Downcounty Consortium or Middle School Magnet Consortium, contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS):