Public information meetings start April 2, 2025
Think you’ve seen enough change with the various iterations of the affordable housing initiative? Get ready for changes to the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) attendance boundaries. Studies are being conducted now, and changes are coming soon.
Even if you do not have children in the public schools, you like us most likely bought your home based on the quality of the high school that children in your area would attend. These changes WILL impact property values negatively if YOU are NOW assigned to one of the top 4 - 5 County Public Schools but your residence gets reassigned to schools OUT of those top school districts!
Last December, Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Taylor explained the priorities for the boundary study. MCPS’ top priority is “Diversity.”
Superintendent Taylor said (0:34), “I recognize that this can be pretty intense and an emotional experience. Many of your family decisions may have been tied to planning where your children were going to be assigned to go to school. We know that this is a big deal and if we’re going to make a change to attendance boundaries, we must proceed with as much thought and care as possible. Because this involves some pretty big new attendance zones this will likely have a domino impact across the county and may even impact schools that don’t even border Damascus, Crown, or Woodward.”
Yes, many schools will be impacted (see below). The Woodward High School Boundary Study will include 14 middle schools and 8 high schools. The New Crown High School and Expansion of Damascus High School Boundary Study will include 17 middle schools and 11 high schools.
When will all these changes take place? According to the Timeline for the Boundary Study Process (see below), “…begin implementation (multi-year)” starts in October 2025. Taylor mentioned that elementary school attendance zones will not be included in the study. But according to the Timeline, “…initiate development of framework for PreK and elementary realignment” is scheduled for August-September 2025.
Parents are hoping MCPS has put aside funding to handle the lawsuits they will be getting! MoCo realtors are also concerned. Buyers are always asking “what school district is this property in?”
Do you think these changes will be good for your children? How will they impact the value of your home? We encourage you to speak up now.
MCPS to Hold Public Information Meetings on School Boundary Studies
The Boundary Study for Reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School
Virtual Session: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM (Meeting Link– session will be recorded and made available to the public.)
In-Person Session: Tuesday, April 8, 2025 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Walter Johnson High School Auditorium
Boundary Study for Opening Crown High School & Expanding Damascus High School
Virtual Session: April 7, from 6-8 p.m. (The session will be recorded and available online at this meeting link.)
In-Person Session: April 9, from 6-8 p.m. at Gaithersburg High School.
Registration is not required, but MCPS encourages RSVPs to help with planning.