Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland)

Only private schools existed in Montgomery County until 1860, when the public school district was established for white children. The outbreak of the Civil War the following year brought raids by both Union and Confederate forces on local schools, which ultimately closed from 1862 until 1864.{{Cite magazine|last=Offutt|first=William|date=Spring 2016|title=The Superintendents of Our Schools|magazine=The Montgomery County Story|publisher=The Montgomery County Historical Society|volume=59|language=en-US}}

In 1872, the Maryland General Assembly appropriated state money to open schools for children of color. The county established a segregated school system.{{cite web|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OPI/Resources/Files/pdf/mc_history.pdf|title=Our History and Government - Montgomery County, MD|access-date=November 2, 2017|website=MontgomeryCountyMD.gov|language=en-US}}

In 1892, the county opened its first high school, Rockville High School, which graduated its first class of 12 seniors graduated in 1897.{{cite web |title=History of Richard Montgomery High School — About Our School — Quick Links |url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/rmhs/aboutus/HistoryofRM.aspx |access-date=December 13, 2018 |website=Richard Montgomery High School |language=en-US}} (In 1927, Rockville Colored High School would open, after which the older whites-only school changed its name to Richard Montgomery High School.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=M. C. S. |date=2018-03-11 |title=The Origin of Each Public High School Name in MoCo |url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/the-origin-of-high-school-names-in-moco-html/ |access-date=2022-11-30 |website=The MoCo Show |language=en-US}}) A second high school, Gaithersburg High School, was established in 1904.

In the early 20th century, the school budget started to see the effects of suburbanization. In 1908, there were 6,483 students and a budget of $76,000. The school system saw more growth in 1912 after the United States Congress passed a "non-resident" law that excluded Montgomery County school children from enrolling in Washington, D.C. schools, which were known for their higher quality. By 1921, the school budget had grown to more than $316,000.

The county's first Board of Education was named by legislative enactments in 1917; the first board consisted of nine men.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/for-first-time-montgomery-school-board-will-be-entirely-women-led/2018/06/29/0c4060d4-7b28-11e8-aeee-4d04c8ac6158_story.html|title=For first time, Montgomery school board will be entirely led by women|date=June 29, 2018|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|access-date=August 8, 2018|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358}} A woman was appointed to the board in 1920: Mrs. A. Dawson Trumble, who served a five-year term that led to a steady succession of female members.

Edwin W. Broome, superintendent during 1916–1953, combined one-room schoolhouses into multi-room operations at the beginning of his tenure, reducing the number of schools from 108 to 66 by 1949. At that point, school enrollment was over 22,000. When Broome took the job, there were five high schools, all in the northern portion of the county. He built two secondary schools for Silver Spring and two for Bethesda, and also pushed high schools to add the 12th grade.

In 1936, Broome and his board agreed to equalize teacher pay regardless of race in response to a lawsuit brought by William B. Gibbs Jr. and the NAACP.{{Cite web |last=Klinger |first=Jerry |date=2019-04-07 |title=William B. Gibbs, Jr. (1905-1984) |url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/william-b-gibbs-jr-1905-1984/ |access-date=2024-01-09 |website=BlackPast.org |language=en-US}}

In the early 1950s, elementary students of color attended one of four elementary schools{{spaced ndash}}Linden, Ken-Gar, Takoma Park, and River Road{{spaced ndash}}all of which were considered substandard.{{cite news|title=Montgomery Plans Integration in Part|last=Stern|first=Laurence|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 5, 1955|page=A9|language=en-US|id={{ProQuest|148713856}}}}{{cite news|title=136 Negro Secondary Students Request Transfers to White Schools|last=Stern|first=Laurence|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 18, 1955|page=17|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/148668348|language=en-US|via=ProQuest}} Older students of color attended Lincoln Junior High School and George Washington Carver High School in Rockville. Montgomery County was one of the first seven counties in Maryland to start to desegregate its public schools, which it began in September 1955, following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that ordered the desegregation of all schools nationwide.{{cite news|title=Integration in 7 Md. counties: Report two minor incidents|date=September 17, 1955|work=Baltimore Afro-American|page=14|language=en-US|id={{ProQuest|531919592}}}}{{cite news|title=School Bells Call 156,000 Back to Classes Today: Fares Go Up, Too|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 12, 1955|page=1|language=en-US|id={{ProQuest|148597687}}}}{{cite news|title=Court Orders School Desegregation On Local Basis|date=June 1, 1955|work=The Baltimore Sun|page=1|language=en-US|id={{ProQuest|541518934}}}} Montgomery County completed the integration of its schools in 1960–1961.

In 1961, the school system had 85,000 students and a $70 million budget, having become the largest system in the Washington suburbs.

Before 1961, separate schools were maintained for black children. At that time, Rockville's George Washington Carver High School students were rezoned to the previously all-white schools across the county.{{cite news|title=From Segregation to Integration: Two Black Teachers Look Back — Integration in Montgomery County was slow, but reasonably smooth.|url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2005/feb/14/from-segregation-to-integration-two-black/|date=February 14, 2005|work=Potomac Almanac|publisher=The Connection Newspapers|location=Alexandria, Virginia|access-date=December 13, 2018|language=en-US}}

File:WOODWARD_HIGH_SCHOOL_IN_BETHESDA,_MD._MANY_STUDENTS_DRIVE_THEIR_OWN_CARS_TO_SCHOOL._SCHOOL_BUSES_IN_BACKGROUND-cropped.jpg's parking lot, in Bethesda, in May 1973, from the U.S. National Archives]]

MCPS saw enrollment numbers peak in 1972 when they reached 127,912. However, enrollment decreased over the next ten years, hitting a low of 91,030 in 1983. This prompted the closure of 60 schools.{{Cite web |title=Boundary Analysis Interim Report |url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/departments/publicinfo/Boundary_Analysis/interim-report/01_Introduction.pdf |access-date=December 5, 2022 |website=Montgomery County Public Schools}}{{cite web |last1=Hand |first1=Mark |title=Vandalism, Police Training Take Over Abandoned MOCO School |url=https://patch.com/maryland/bethesda-chevychase/chevy-chases-rollingwood-elementary-what-becomes-closed-school |website=Patch.com |access-date=3 September 2023}} However, with more than 96,000 students and 13,000 staff members in 155 schools in 1986, the school system was still one of the 20 largest in the nation. Enrollment was over 100,000 by 1990.

In 1982, Odessa Shannon became the first elected black woman to serve on the Montgomery County School Board.{{Cite web |title=Biographies - Odessa M. Shannon |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/educ/exhibits/womenshallfame/html/shannon.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=msa.maryland.gov}} 1991, Paul L. Vance became the county's first black superintendent when there were 107,000 students and 174 schools. When he left in 1999, MCPS had 129,000 students in 185 schools. Over the next ten years, enrollment grew to more than 150,000.

In 2014, the board modified the school calendar to remove all references to the Christian and Jewish religious holidays of Christmas, Easter, Yom Kippur, and Rosh Hashanah. The amendment was in response to a campaign by the initiative "Equality for Eid" (E4E), which sought for Montgomery County Public School closures on the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cair.com/cair_md_launches_equality_for_eid_campaign_for_muslim_school_holidays|title=CAIR-MD Launches 'Equality for Eid' Campaign for Muslim School Holidays|date=May 1, 2013|website=CAIR.com|access-date=December 13, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.muslimlinkpaper.com/community-news/community-news/3483-equality-for-eid-activists-ask-moco-families-to-keep-students-home-october-15.html|title=Equality for Eid Activists Ask MoCo Families to Keep Students Home October 15|last=Zuberi|first=Hena|work=The Muslim Link|language=en-US|access-date=December 13, 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/christmas-stricken-from-school-calendar-after-muslims-ask-for-equal-treatment/2014/11/11/f1b789a6-6931-11e4-a31c-77759fc1eacc_story.html|title=Holidays' names stricken from next year's Montgomery schools calendar|last=St. George|first=Donna|date=November 14, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358}}

The amendment received some media attention.{{cite news|last=Henneberger|first=Melinda|title=No Muslim holiday on Montgomery County school calendar isn't fair or 'PC'|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/no-muslim-holiday-on-montgomery-county-school-calendar-isnt-fair-or-pc/2014/11/12/ce1dee46-6ac0-11e4-a31c-77759fc1eacc_story.html|date=November 12, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358}}{{cite news|title=Maryland county: No school holiday for Eid ad-Adha, and none for Christmas, Yom Kippur either|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/.premium-1.626382|access-date=November 2, 2017|work=Haaretz|date=November 14, 2014|language=en}} Criticism of the amendment came from a variety of sources, including Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Congressman John Delaney.{{cite press release|last=Delaney|first=John|title=Delaney Statement on Montgomery County Board of Education Decision on Religious Holidays|url=http://delaney.house.gov/news/press-releases/delaney-statement-on-montgomery-county-board-of-education-decision-on-religious|access-date=November 2, 2017|date=November 12, 2014|publisher=Congressman John Delaney|location=Washington, D.C.|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141206042143/http://delaney.house.gov//news/press-releases/delaney-statement-on-montgomery-county-board-of-education-decision-on-religious|archive-date=December 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}

For the 2022–2023 school year, the district has 210 schools and an enrollment of 160,554 students.{{Cite web |title=Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD |url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |website=www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org}}

On February 2, 2024, Monifa McKnight, the first black woman to serve as superintendent of Montgomery County schools,{{Cite news |title=Montgomery County votes in its first Black woman as superintendent |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/02/08/monifa-mcknight-montgomery-schools-superintendent/ |access-date=2022-02-08 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} resigned under pressure from the school board "amid questions about how the district handled sexual harassment, bullying and other allegations involving a former principal," according to the Washington Post.{{Cite news |last=Asbury |first=Nicole |date=2024-02-03 |title=Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Monifa McKnight steps down |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/02/02/monifa-mcknight-leaving-montgomery-schools-superintendent/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |work=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}

MCPS funding comes mostly from Montgomery County (66%) and the State of Maryland (27%), with additional funds from federal government grants (3%), enterprise funds (3%), and other sources (1%).MCPS – About MCPS.

MCPS, which covers the entire county as its school district,{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st24_md/schooldistrict_maps/c24031_montgomery/DC20SD_C24031.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Montgomery County, MD|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=2022-07-25}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st24_md/schooldistrict_maps/c24031_montgomery/DC20SD_C24031_SD2MS.txt Text list] is governed by a board of education that sets goals, establishes policies, and allocates resources.{{Cite web|url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/about/|title=Board of Education — Members — Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD|website=MontgomerySchoolsMD.org|language=en-US|access-date=August 8, 2018}}

In 1977, the Maryland General Assembly amended Section 3-901 of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of the Public General Laws of Maryland to create a seat for a student on the eight-member board of education with a one-year term.

{{cite court

| litigants = Md. Code Ann.

| vol = Education

| reporter = § 3-901

| opinion =

| pinpoint =

| court =

| date = 2020

| url = https://codes.findlaw.com/md/education/md-code-educ-sect-3-901.html }}

{{cite web

| url = https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/fairvote/pages/2394/attachments/original/1449515785/DI-Finallayout.pdf?1449515785

| title = Spotlighting a best practice, student voters and representation in Montgomery County (MD)

| last = Guterman

| first = Rebecca

| date = 2009

| website = FairVote.org

| access-date = 22 October 2020

}}

{{cite web

| url = https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/smob/history.aspx

| title = Montgomery County Public Schools, Past Student Board Members

| website = Montgomery County Public Schools

| access-date = 22 October 2020

}}

From 1978 until 1982, a small representative assembly of students selected the student member. The first was David Naimon, who served during the 1978–1979 school year.

{{cite news

| url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/legislation-would-expand-student-voting-rights-on-maryland-school-board/2016/03/30/1c5578c6-f6a8-11e5-8b23-538270a1ca31_story.html

| title = Legislation would expand student voting rights on Maryland school board

| last = St. George

| first = Donna

| date = March 16, 2016

| newspaper = The Washington Post

| access-date = December 13, 2018

| language = en-US

| issn = 0190-8286

| oclc = 2269358 }}

Traci Williams, who served during the 1980–1981 school year, was the first African American to serve as a student member.

{{cite web

| url = https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedfiles/boe/smob/williamsBOEres09.pdf

| title = Montgomery County Board of Education, Resolution Traci L. Williams, SMOB 1980-1981

| date = 13 January 2009

| website = Montgomery County Public Schools

| access-date = 22 October 2020

}}

After Williams died in December 2008, the MCPS board released a declaration recognizing her effect on the county.{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Quratul-Ann |date=January 13, 2009 |title=Traci L. Williams, Student Member of the Board of Education (1980-1981) |url=https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/district/boe/smob/williamsboeres09.pdf |access-date=December 7, 2022 |website=Montgomery County Public Schools}}

Since 1982, the student member has been directly elected by vote of all MCPS secondary students (i.e., those in middle and high schools). Kurt Hirsch, the first student member directly elected by secondary students, served during the 1982–1983 school year. During the 1989 session of the Maryland General Assembly, Section 3-901 was again amended and established a limited vote for the student member. In 1995, Charles McCullough was the first African American to be directly elected as a student member of the board, serving during the 1995–1996 school year.

{{cite web

| url = https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/meetings/minutes/1995/minutes.050995.pdf

| title = Montgomery County Board of Education, Meeting Minutes

| date = 5 May 1995

| website = Montgomery County Public Schools

| access-date = 22 October 2020

}}

{{cite news

| last = Beadle

| first = Andrew D

| title = RM junior elected to school board

| newspaper = The Montgomery Journal

| pages = A1, A7

| date = 12 May 1995

}}

Since 2016, the student member has had full voting rights, except for votes to punish people.

{{cite news

| last = Chowdury

| first = Maureen

| title = Bill that expands student voting rights on montgomery county school board passes state legislature

| newspaper = MyMCMedia.org

| pages = A1, A7

| publisher = Montgomery Community Media

| date = 31 March 2016

| url = https://www.mymcmedia.org/bill-that-expands-student-voting-rights-on-montgomery-county-school-board-passes-state-legislature/

| access-date = 22 October 2020 }}

The student member of the board serves one year and can vote on matters related to collective bargaining, capital and operating budgets, and school closings, re–openings, and boundaries. The student member of the board receives a college scholarship equivalent to the cost of one year at the University of Maryland, student service learning hours, and one honors-level social studies credit.

{{cite web

| url = https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/student-leadership/smob/

| title = Montgomery County Public Schools, Student Leadership, Student Member of the Board

| date = 2020

| website = Montgomery County Public Schools

| access-date = 22 October 2020

}}

{{Cite web |title=MC 5-22 |url=https://www.montgomerycountydelegation.com/2022/MC5-22.html |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=www.montgomerycountydelegation.com}}

File:Bethesda bus depot, Potomac (20100325-DSC01295).jpg, March 2010]]

The Board of Education student member for the 2024–2025 school year is Praneel Suvarna, a senior at Clarksburg High School. Suvarna was elected by 53 percent of the 58,927 students who voted.{{Cite web |title=SMOB Suvarna {{!}} Montgomery County Public Schools {{!}} Rockville, MD |url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/mcps-news/2024/04/smob-suvarna/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org}} He was sworn in on July 1, 2024.{{Cite web |title=SMOB Sworn in {{!}} Montgomery County Public Schools {{!}} Rockville, MD |url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/news/mcps-news/2024/06/smob-sworn-in/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org}}

The board's current members are:{{cite web| url = https://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/boe/members/#members | title = MCPS School Board Members | work = MCPS | access-date = 2019-06-12}}

The MCPS student population has continued to grow over the years. The district saw a record enrollment of 160,564 students at the start of the 2022–23 school year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/school-year-opens-in-maryland-with-enrollment-surge-in-montgomery-county/2017/09/04/ef72a664-8f24-11e7-84c0-02cc069f2c37_story.html|title=School year opens in Maryland with enrollment surge in Montgomery County|last=St. George|first=Donna|date=September 5, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 13, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358}} MCPS serves a diverse student body, with 32.8% Hispanic, 25.8% White, 21.8% Black, 14.3% Asian, .1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 5.0% two or more races.MCPS – About us

Graduates from the class of 2018 earned $364 million in college scholarships, an increase of more than $14 million over the previous year.{{Cite press release|author= |url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?pagetype=showrelease&id=8198&type=archive&startYear=2017&pageNumber=&mode=|title=MCPS Seniors Earn More Than $364 Million in Scholarships|publisher=Montgomery County Public Schools|location=Rockville, Maryland|language=en-US|access-date=July 19, 2018}}

The class of 2017 outperformed their peers in the state of Maryland, and the nation as a whole, on Advanced Placement (AP) exams, based on AP Cohort Results released by the College Board. In 2017, more than 7,000 MCPS graduates (66%) took one or more AP exams. The percentage of students receiving a college-ready score of 3 or higher on at least one exam rose to 52%, higher than the 31% of the public school graduates in Maryland and 23% of the national graduates.{{Cite press release|author= |url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?pagetype=showrelease&id=8161&type=archive&startYear=2017&pageNumber=3&mode=|title=MCPS Students Lead State and Nation in Advanced Placement Success|publisher=Montgomery County Public Schools|location=Rockville, Maryland|language=en-US|access-date=July 20, 2018}}

The total number of AP tests taken declined from 41,048 in 2019 to 31,750 in 2021. Passing scores increased from 71.5% in 2019 to 75.1% in 2020; however, they declined again in 2021 to 68.1%.{{Cite web |last=MOCO |first=Moderately |date=2022-10-23 |title=MCPS Advanced Placement (AP) Tests Scores by School (2019-2021) - Data & Analysis |url=https://moderatelymoco.com/mcps-advanced-placement-ap-tests-scores-by-school-2019-2021-data-analysis/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Moderately MOCO |language=en-US}}

MCPS has established certain criteria for students to graduate high school. Students must achieve 22 credits to graduate, with each semester course worth 0.5 credits.https://ww2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/policy/pdf/isbra.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}} The necessary credits include, among others, the following requirements for the class of 2025:https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/curriculum/0212.21_GraduationAtAGlance_Classof2025%20(1).pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}

• 4 credits — English.
• 4 credits — Math: At least 1 Algebra and 1 Geometry.
• 3 credits — Science: At least 1 Life science (e.g., Biology) and 1 Physical science.
• 3 credits — Social studies: 1 credit each of Government, U.S. history, and World history.
• 1 credit — Technology: Students can choose among Computer Science, Engineering, or other technology-related courses.
• Other credit requirements include: Physical Education, Health Education, Fine arts, and Electives.

In addition to these credit requirements, other requirements for graduation include four years of enrollment, student service learning, and assessments.

During the 2017–18 school year, the district launched data dashboards to focus on learning, accountability, and results. Continuous monitoring of students' progress ensures that students have timely support, focused interventions, acceleration, and enrichment. Readiness data helps the district to monitor students' progress and plan accordingly.{{Cite web|url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/data/learning-accountability-and-results.html|title=MCPS Data Dashboard — Strategic Planning Committee|website=MontgomerySchoolsMD.org|access-date=August 8, 2018|language=en-US}}

The district has emphasized preparing students for both college and career. In April 2018, the College Board and Project Lead the Way awarded more than 3,000 students in the U.S. for their accomplishments in the 2016–17 school year. Compared to other school districts, MCPS had the most students who'd earned the AP + PLTW Student Achievements, followed by districts in Illinois and Texas, and its neighboring Howard County Public School System in Maryland. Wheaton High School, which focuses on project-based learning, had the second-most students with the achievement, behind Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Illinois.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2018/MCPS-Takes-First-Place-in-Ranking-on-College-Preparedness-STEM-Career-Readiness/|title=MCPS Takes First Place in Ranking on College-Preparedness, STEM Career Readiness|last=Rodgers|first=Bethany|date=April 23, 2018|magazine=Bethesda Magazine|publisher=Kohanza Media Ventures|location=Bethesda, Maryland|access-date=December 13, 2018|language=en-US}}

Every high school offers courses linked to a variety of careers. A program implemented at Magruder High School during the 2018–19 school year allows students to get a head start on careers in aviation.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mymcmedia.org/magruder-high-school-takes-new-flight-aviation-program/|title=Magruder High School takes new flight with aviation program|last=Hicks|first=Mitti|date=May 15, 2018|work=MyMCMedia|access-date=December 13, 2018|publisher=Montgomery Community Media|location=Rockville, Maryland|language=en-US}}

In May 2018, students from Northwest High School were the first in the district to graduate with a two-year degree in general engineering from Montgomery College as well as a high school diploma.{{Citation|last=MCPSTV|title=Northwest MC2 2018 graduates|date=May 30, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Alc9Xno0n4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/_Alc9Xno0n4| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=August 8, 2018}}{{cbignore}} In May 2018, five Northwood High School students were the first MCPS students to complete the Middle College Program at their school, which allowed them to earn an associate degree from Montgomery College as well as a high school diploma.{{Citation|last=MCPSTV|title=Northwood High School MC2 2018 Graduates|date=May 30, 2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxXBlBFxpB8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/QxXBlBFxpB8| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=August 8, 2018}}{{cbignore}}

MCPS is one of the few school districts in the nation that offers comprehensive services at the elementary, middle, and high school levels for twice-exceptional students. Twice-exceptional students have a unique profile of significant strengths and weaknesses{{spaced ndash}}they are gifted and talented and also meet the criteria for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan. Twice-exceptional students access accelerated and enriched instruction with appropriate support and services at their local school, a magnet/choice program, or a special education discrete service.[https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/enriched/gtld/ Twice Exceptional Students and Services], MCPS.

Language immersion programs are offered at several elementary and middle schools.{{Cite web|url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/admissions/immersion.aspx|title=Montgomery County Public Schools: Special Programs — Foreign Language Immersion Programs|website=MontgomerySchoolsMD.org|language=en-US|access-date=August 8, 2018}}

{{Main|List of public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland}}

MCPS consists of 211 schools: 137 elementary schools, 40 middle schools, 26 high schools, 5 special schools, 1 early childhood learning center, and 1 alternative education program.

MCPS publishes school data annually. Its "Schools at a Glance" document provides information about enrollment, staffing, facilities, programs, outcome measures, and personnel costs for each school.{{Cite web|url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/sharedaccountability/glance/|title=At a Glance Reports — Office of Shared Accountability (OSA) — Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD|website=MontgomerySchoolsMD.org|language=en-US|access-date=July 20, 2018}}

The district has 39 National Blue Ribbon Schools, a designation that recognizes public and private schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.{{Cite press release|author= |url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/press/index.aspx?pagetype=showrelease&id=8123&type=archive&startYear=2017&pageNumber=5&mode=|title=Bannockburn and Luxmanor Elementary Schools Selected as Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools|publisher=Montgomery County Public Schools|location=Rockville, Maryland|language=en-US|access-date=July 20, 2018}}

The school system piloted an extended school year at two elementary schools{{spaced ndash}}Arcola and Roscoe Nix elementary schools{{spaced ndash}}during the 2018–2019 school year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/as-poverty-rises-one-maryland-school-system-tries-a-longer-school-year/2017/12/23/e7ed3990-e50a-11e7-833f-155031558ff4_story.html|title=As poverty rises, one Maryland school system tries a longer school year|last=St. George|first=Donna|date=December 23, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358|access-date=August 8, 2018}} The plan aims to help economically disadvantaged students, who lose the most ground during long summer breaks. As of 2022, the program is still in effect at these schools. The school began July 6 for the 2022–2023 school year, giving students an additional 30 days of school. The county says this extended schedule provides students interactive learning and social/emotional growth.{{Cite web |title=Arcola and Nix Elementaries Welcome Students Back for 2022-2023 School Year |url=https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/mainstory/story/680930/Innovative-Schools/ |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Montgomery County Public Schools |language=en}}

Prominent graduates or former attendees of the school system include:{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=M. C. S. |date=2017-10-16 |title=The Most Famous Person From Each MoCo High School |url=https://mocoshow.com/blog/the-most-famous-person-from-each-moco-high-school-html/ |access-date=2022-11-28 |website=The MoCo Show |language=en-US}}

• Tori Amos, singer
• Michelle Bachelet, 33rd and 35th president of Chile
• Jonathan Banks, actor
• Lewis Black, comedian
• Carl Bernstein, journalist
• Mark Bryan, musician
• Dave Chappelle, comedian
• Connie Chung, journalist
• Darrell Docket, football player
• Michael Ealy, actor
• Katie Feeney, social media personality
• Dean Felber, musician
• John Harwood, journalist
• Goldie Hawn, actress
• Dan Heillie, TV anchor
• John Michael Higgins, actor
• Thomas Jane, actor
• Joan Jett, singer
• Spike Jonze, director/screenwriter
• Logic, rapper
• Mia Khalifa, media personality
• Helen Maroulis, Olympic gold medalist
• Paula Marshall, actress
• Shervin Pishevar, entrepreneur
• Curtis Pride, baseball player
• Giuliana Rancic, media personality
• Irvin Smith, football player
• Sylvester Stallone, actor
• Darren Star, television and film writer
• Brian Stelter, journalist
• Daniel Stern, actor
• Rebecca Sugar, creator of TV show Steven Universe
• Scott Van Pelt, TV anchor
• Wale, rapper
• Sean Whalen, actor
• Frederick Yeh, biologist
• Siribha Chudabhorn, princess of Thailand{{cite web|url=https://www.au.edu/news-importantdates/royal-birthday-anniversary-of-her-royal-highness-princess-siribhachudabhorn-8-october.html|title=Royal Birthday Anniversary of Her Royal Highness Princess Siribhachudabhorn, 8 October|date=}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{Commons category|Montgomery County Public Schools}}

• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/maryland/districts/montgomery-county-public-schools-104047 MCPS] at U.S. News & World Report′s Best High Schools
• [http://gis.mcpsmd.org/ MCPS] Maps and Geographic Information Systems
• {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961227052628/http://mcps.k12.md.us/|date=December 27, 1996 |title=Montgomery County Public Schools}}
• [http://www.r2minnovations.com/mcps-reviews/ Reviews of Montgomery County Public Schools Special Education Programs]

{{Montgomery County Public Schools|state=expanded}}

{{Montgomery County, Maryland topics}}

{{School districts in Maryland}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland}}

Category:Education in Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:Public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:School districts in Maryland

Category:1860 establishments in Maryland

Category:School districts established in 1860