What did the board say about the Regional model and the DCC for upcoming school year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone knows if the MSMC is also dissolved? Nothing about that in the document.

It will be dissolved next. They just didn't want to do it in this go round. But the current MSMC does not align with the new superboundary regions so it has to be dissolved and replaced with something else.

Example: Argyle can't be available to kids who will articulate to Northwood, since Arygle is in Region 3 and they're in Region 1 now.

Does that mean in Fall 2026, since DCC is dissolved, an Argyle kid cannot apply to Kennedy IB or Wheaton engineering? But they can apply to anything in Region 1 even if they are not part of the consortium?

Which high school is Loiderman and Parkland zoned to?

They haven't addressed where the MSMC kids who are out of bounds can apply to or did I miss that part?

My understanding is you would apply based on your home high school. Though nothing is finalized yet except that there will be regions.

Is this just an assumption since nothing is finalized yet and DCC is dissolved?

They will have to make it clear to the MSMC kids in these programs in the next few sessions and most definitely at the time of applying in Fall 2026. As it is, it is going to be confusing for the first batch of kids. The counselors have their work cut out for them (if they are the ones advising these kids).

Yes, it's an assumption since nothing is finalized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone knows if the MSMC is also dissolved? Nothing about that in the document.

It will be dissolved next. They just didn't want to do it in this go round. But the current MSMC does not align with the new superboundary regions so it has to be dissolved and replaced with something else.

Example: Argyle can't be available to kids who will articulate to Northwood, since Arygle is in Region 3 and they're in Region 1 now.

Does that mean in Fall 2026, since DCC is dissolved, an Argyle kid cannot apply to Kennedy IB or Wheaton engineering? But they can apply to anything in Region 1 even if they are not part of the consortium?

Which high school is Loiderman and Parkland zoned to?

They haven't addressed where the MSMC kids who are out of bounds can apply to or did I miss that part?

Argyle is part of the Kennedy Cluster and feeds into Kennedy and Wheaton is in the same region as Kennedy, so those programs would be available to an Argyle student.

Parkland and Loiderman both feed into the Wheaton Cluster.

The biggest disruption comes from kids outside of clusters in Region 3, since all of the MSMC schools are now within Region 3. So kids from Einstein, Northwood and Blair clusters will no longer have access to the three MSMC programs after the Boundary changes go into effect next year. Those are already in the programs, however, will be grandfathered in and be allowed to finish.

At least that how's I understand it. Again, MCPS has not said anything specifically about how they will be changing the MSMC other than to say they aren't changing it yet. But I can't see how that is the case since the new regions set up hard boundaries that have to cut off Northwood, Blair and Einstein kids who are part of Region 1, from accessing the MSMC schools, which are all in Region 3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone knows if the MSMC is also dissolved? Nothing about that in the document.

It will be dissolved next. They just didn't want to do it in this go round. But the current MSMC does not align with the new superboundary regions so it has to be dissolved and replaced with something else.

Example: Argyle can't be available to kids who will articulate to Northwood, since Arygle is in Region 3 and they're in Region 1 now.

Does that mean in Fall 2026, since DCC is dissolved, an Argyle kid cannot apply to Kennedy IB or Wheaton engineering? But they can apply to anything in Region 1 even if they are not part of the consortium?

Which high school is Loiderman and Parkland zoned to?

They haven't addressed where the MSMC kids who are out of bounds can apply to or did I miss that part?

Argyle is part of the Kennedy Cluster and feeds into Kennedy and Wheaton is in the same region as Kennedy, so those programs would be available to an Argyle student.

Parkland and Loiderman both feed into the Wheaton Cluster.

The biggest disruption comes from kids outside of clusters in Region 3, since all of the MSMC schools are now within Region 3. So kids from Einstein, Northwood and Blair clusters will no longer have access to the three MSMC programs after the Boundary changes go into effect next year. Those are already in the programs, however, will be grandfathered in and be allowed to finish.

At least that how's I understand it. Again, MCPS has not said anything specifically about how they will be changing the MSMC other than to say they aren't changing it yet. But I can't see how that is the case since the new regions set up hard boundaries that have to cut off Northwood, Blair and Einstein kids who are part of Region 1, from accessing the MSMC schools, which are all in Region 3.

Where are you seeing this? In the map I saw Blair, Northwood and Einstein are together in one region, Kennedy and Wheaton in another.

[Anonymous]

Pp. Nvm. I see what you mean

[Anonymous]

So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

That's what this resolution seems to be saying:

Resolved, That students who are assigned through the Northeast Consortium or Downcounty Consortium school assignment processes prior to the 2027-2028 school year, or who enroll in a centrally-managed regional or countywide program through the existing admissions process, may continue in their assigned or selected program through graduation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

Yes. Current 7th graders in those schools can continue and will be grandfathered in.

But starting next year, those DCC kids outside of Region 3 should be cut off since the DCC no longer exists and they can't cross regions anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

Yes. Current 7th graders in those schools can continue and will be grandfathered in.

But starting next year, those DCC kids outside of Region 3 should be cut off since the DCC no longer exists and they can't cross regions anymore.

Interesting. So my kid from Clarksburg who goes to Argyle now can actually apply to Blair CAP or Wheaton Engineering, along with applying to the magnets in our region?

Is Wheaton Engineering the only engineering focused high school is MCPS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

Yes. Current 7th graders in those schools can continue and will be grandfathered in.

But starting next year, those DCC kids outside of Region 3 should be cut off since the DCC no longer exists and they can't cross regions anymore.

Interesting. So my kid from Clarksburg who goes to Argyle now can actually apply to Blair CAP or Wheaton Engineering, along with applying to the magnets in our region?

Is Wheaton Engineering the only engineering focused high school is MCPS?

BCC HS and Rockville HS have Project Lead the Way engineering programs. Other high schools teach some engineering curriculum, but I would question the quality of the homemade curriculum with these. Project Lead the Way is an externally developed and evaluated curriculum, so it's high quality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

Yes. Current 7th graders in those schools can continue and will be grandfathered in.

But starting next year, those DCC kids outside of Region 3 should be cut off since the DCC no longer exists and they can't cross regions anymore.

Interesting. So my kid from Clarksburg who goes to Argyle now can actually apply to Blair CAP or Wheaton Engineering, along with applying to the magnets in our region?

Is Wheaton Engineering the only engineering focused high school is MCPS?

BCC HS and Rockville HS have Project Lead the Way engineering programs. Other high schools teach some engineering curriculum, but I would question the quality of the homemade curriculum with these. Project Lead the Way is an externally developed and evaluated curriculum, so it's high quality.

Depends on implementation. My kid was at PHS and zi wasn’t impressed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

Yes. Current 7th graders in those schools can continue and will be grandfathered in.

But starting next year, those DCC kids outside of Region 3 should be cut off since the DCC no longer exists and they can't cross regions anymore.

Interesting. So my kid from Clarksburg who goes to Argyle now can actually apply to Blair CAP or Wheaton Engineering, along with applying to the magnets in our region?

Is Wheaton Engineering the only engineering focused high school is MCPS?

BCC HS and Rockville HS have Project Lead the Way engineering programs. Other high schools teach some engineering curriculum, but I would question the quality of the homemade curriculum with these. Project Lead the Way is an externally developed and evaluated curriculum, so it's high quality.

Thank you! Is Wheaton ranked better for engineering though? I have heard about Wheaton but not these programs. That may also be because of where my kid is attending MS now.

[Anonymous]

Project Lead the Way is used in about 10-12 MCPS high schools, and even in some middle and elementary schools.

Notably, the team designing the Regional Program Model has not committed to using PLTW in all the engineering special programs, even though it is a high quality, externally vetted curriculum, with a history of successful implementation in MCPS.

Parents of today's 7th graders or below, ask a LOT of questions about the curriculum choices for these special programs. Their initial budget included paying MCPS staff $25/hour over the summer to develop curricula. You can make $22/hour at Target, btw. Not saying MCPS teachers aren't smart, but MCPS central office doesn't give a darn about high quality curriculum and how you get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Project Lead the Way is used in about 10-12 MCPS high schools, and even in some middle and elementary schools.

Notably, the team designing the Regional Program Model has not committed to using PLTW in all the engineering special programs, even though it is a high quality, externally vetted curriculum, with a history of successful implementation in MCPS.

Parents of today's 7th graders or below, ask a LOT of questions about the curriculum choices for these special programs. Their initial budget included paying MCPS staff $25/hour over the summer to develop curricula. You can make $22/hour at Target, btw. Not saying MCPS teachers aren't smart, but MCPS central office doesn't give a darn about high quality curriculum and how you get it.

Good lord. FU Rita Montoya

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Project Lead the Way is used in about 10-12 MCPS high schools, and even in some middle and elementary schools.

Notably, the team designing the Regional Program Model has not committed to using PLTW in all the engineering special programs, even though it is a high quality, externally vetted curriculum, with a history of successful implementation in MCPS.

Parents of today's 7th graders or below, ask a LOT of questions about the curriculum choices for these special programs. Their initial budget included paying MCPS staff $25/hour over the summer to develop curricula. You can make $22/hour at Target, btw. Not saying MCPS teachers aren't smart, but MCPS central office doesn't give a darn about high quality curriculum and how you get it.

I’m in support of what the regional model can bring but paying teachers $25 a hour is ridiculous particularly when ideally who you’d want participate in curriculum development are experienced teachers and documented highly capable teachers at the HS level. At least pay them close to their average hourly rate. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So what I understand is all 3 MSMC schools feed into the region where Kennedy and Wheaton are.

My question now is can all the CURRENT 7th graders in those schools, (regardless of where they will go in 2027/28 when DCC will be dissolved) apply to Kennedy and Wheaton coming FALL since all three schools feed into that region? Basically grandfathering them because they are already attending those schools.

Yes. Current 7th graders in those schools can continue and will be grandfathered in.

But starting next year, those DCC kids outside of Region 3 should be cut off since the DCC no longer exists and they can't cross regions anymore.

Interesting. So my kid from Clarksburg who goes to Argyle now can actually apply to Blair CAP or Wheaton Engineering, along with applying to the magnets in our region?

Is Wheaton Engineering the only engineering focused high school is MCPS?

I doubt that seriously. Usually you can apply to the HS magnets/programs in your region unless they were countywide. Given that there is no longer countywide programs/schools your kid can apply to the programs/magnets in region.

The ability to continue with your program is respect to the school and program the student would currently be in when the new model takes affect. Meaning if that if they are already in a HS program they won’t have to leave that school/program.