|
Charles W. Woodward High School opens in Fall 2027, welcoming students in 9th and 10th grade. Woodward is a comprehensive high school that will offer a full program of study designed to engage, challenge, and support every learner. Our program of study includes:
Students will have access to all course options at all levels, and Woodward will work to staff and run the courses our students request. Many center program courses will also be open to students who are not enrolled in the center program. The complete list of Woodward courses will be shared once the 2027-2028 MCPS Program of Study is released. Additional information will be shared as we get closer to the registration window. |
Explore Woodward's Academic Program
| Center Programs | CTE Programs | Core Progressions (Grades 9-12) |
The 2027-2028 MCPS Program of Study
For the 2027-2028 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is standardizing course offerings, course sequences, and registration across all high schools. The goal is more consistent course access for every student, no matter which school they attend. Key changes include:
- One districtwide Program of Study. A single MCPS Program of Study will replace individual school course catalogs. All standard courses will be available for students to request, and student interest will help determine which courses are scheduled.
- Online registration and course planning. Students will use an online system to select courses and build a course plan that they can adjust throughout middle and high school.
- Six-Year Plans. Required by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), each student's individualized plan begins in middle school, is updated every year, and connects directly to high school course registration.
- Consistent course sequences. Updated progressions in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and CTE give students clearer pathways from middle school through graduation.
- Aligned bell schedules. More consistent high school schedules will expand course access and scheduling flexibility.
- Center programs at every high school. Every MCPS high school will host center programs as part of the six-region model.
- Comprehensive Arts Pathway. High schools will offer courses across all five arts disciplines, and four arts credits are required for an Arts diploma.
- AP Capstone. AP Capstone will be offered at all non-IB high schools, including Woodward.
Course Levels and GPA Weighting
MCPS is updating how courses are categorized and weighted. These changes begin in Fall 2027 for all students taking high school credit-bearing courses, which means Woodward's first students will start under the new system. This information is based on the 2027-2028 Program of Study approved by the MCPS Board of Education on October 22, 2026.
| Course Level | What It Means | Added GPA Weight |
| On-Level (General) | Grade-level content and skills aligned to state and county standards. Builds a strong foundation and meets all graduation and content requirements. | None |
| Honors | Grade-level content explored with greater pace, depth, and rigor than on-level courses. Honors courses do not follow an external curriculum or exam. | 0.5 (currently 1.0) |
| Advanced-Level | Content above grade level, including advanced courses within a sequence (such as CTE, world languages, and STEM), Advanced Placement (AP) courses aligned to College Board exams, International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, and Dual Enrollment college courses that earn both high school and college credit. | 1.0 |
Woodward's Center Program Pathways
|
Center Program Showcase Resources Missed our October 27, 2026 Center Program Showcase, or want to take another look? View the presentation and resources from the evening. |
Center Programs and Woodward Overview Video |
As part of the MCPS Center Program structure, Woodward's pathways fall under two program themes, plus access to Middle College. Many center program courses will also be open to Woodward students who are not enrolled in the center program.
(c) = application-based program | (i) = interest-based program
Centers for Aesthetics, Repertoire, Technique & Self-Expression (ARTS)
Woodward offers all five arts disciplines, giving students a clear route to the four arts credits required for an Arts diploma under the new Comprehensive Arts Pathway.
Visual Art (c) |
Animation & Game Design (i) |
Dance (c) |
|
Students create and refine original artwork across multiple media, building technical skill, artistic voice, and a professional portfolio. |
Students create 2D and 3D digital experiences for film, television, advertising, virtual reality, and interactive entertainment. |
Students build technique and artistry across diverse dance styles, choreography, and performance, creating original work along the way. |
Theatre (i) |
Music (c) |
|
|
Students explore acting, directing, stage design, and production through hands-on workshops and performances that build creativity and confidence. |
Students strengthen performance, composition, recording, and music technology skills through ensemble work and portfolio-building projects. Woodward plans a variety of music programs, including drumline, marching band, performance bands, orchestra, and jazz band. |
Centers for Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)Machine Learning & Data Science (i) |
Montgomery College Middle CollegeMiddle College (c/i) |
|
Students engage in data analysis, statistical reasoning, computer programming, machine learning models, and ethical AI practices. |
The Montgomery College Middle College Program (MC2) dual enrolls students in MCPS and Montgomery College. Students take college credit courses to earn their high school diploma while also earning an associate's degree from Montgomery College. |
Woodward's Local Cornerstone Programs
|
In addition to our Center Programs, Woodward will offer four Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs of Study and the AP Capstone Diploma Pathway. CTE programs combine classroom learning with hands-on experience, preparing students for college, industry credentials, and careers. Through the state's Career Connected Learning model, upper-level CTE students may also access internships, apprenticeships, school-based enterprises, and employer-directed capstone experiences. |
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs of Study
Early Childhood EducationStudents learn how young children grow, think, and learn, and gain practical experience planning and leading activities for preschoolers. The program builds toward the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and prepares students for careers in teaching, child care, and related fields. |
Management & EntrepreneurshipStudents explore how businesses are started, managed, and grown, including finance, marketing, leadership, and operations. Through real-world projects, students develop business plans and the skills to launch and lead their own ventures. |
Computer ProgrammingStudents learn to design, write, and test code to solve real problems, building skills in programming languages, software development, and computational thinking. The program prepares students for further study in computer science and for careers in a fast-growing field. |
Video & Audio ProductionStudents plan, film, record, and edit video and audio content, learning camera work, sound, lighting, and post-production. Students produce original media projects and build a portfolio for careers in broadcasting, film, and digital media. |
Learn more about MCPS CTE Programs
AP Capstone Diploma Pathway
AP Capstone is a College Board program that builds research, analysis, collaboration, and communication skills through two courses taken in sequence:
- AP Seminar: Students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives and present evidence-based arguments. In MCPS, AP English 10 Seminar is offered in grade 10.
- AP Research: Students complete an independent investigation that ends with an academic paper and an oral defense.
Students who score 3 or higher on both AP Seminar and AP Research, plus four additional AP exams, earn the AP Capstone Diploma. Students who score 3 or higher on AP Seminar and AP Research earn the AP Capstone Certificate.
Core Progressions for Math, Science, English, and Social Studies
|
The charts below show the MCPS high school course progressions for grades 9-12, based on the 2027-2028 Program of Study approved by the MCPS Board of Education on October 22, 2026. In each grade, students take one of the listed courses. Woodward opens with grades 9 and 10 in Fall 2027 and will add grades 11 and 12 as our first classes move up. Course options are subject to change, and progressions may be updated pending state guidance. |
Mathematics
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|
|
|
|
Note: Integrated Math courses are rolling out under the revised MSDE mathematics policy. The state is still developing pathways beyond Integrated Algebra.
Science
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|
|
|
|
Note: All 9th graders take the MCAP Biology End-of-Course (EOC) exam, which counts for 20% of the Semester B grade.
English
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|
|
|
|
Note: AP English 10 Seminar is the first course in the AP Capstone sequence.
Social Studies
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade |
|
|
|
|
Notes:
- Students are encouraged to wait until after 9th grade to take honors or on-level NSL Government. These courses carry the MCAP American Government EOC exam (20% of the Semester B grade), and waiting keeps students from taking two state exams in their freshman year.
- Students who take the AP U.S. Government exam in any grade are exempt from the MCAP American Government EOC.
- 9th graders who withdraw from AP U.S. Government will be placed in honors or on-level U.S. History.
- This sequence may be updated pending state guidance.
|
Stay tuned for additional updates! |
Additional Resources
| See all MCPS regions and program pathways | Explore all MCPS program themes in detail |
| Browse MCPS high school academic programs by department | Review graduation requirements by class year |
Program locations are subject to change based on factors such as school enrollment and facilities. As Woodward's specific course offerings are finalized, they will be communicated directly to incoming students and families.