When is the plan for new HS programs coming out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it true that CAP would move to Northwood?

Tough to ask kids to move mid-high school to stay with their program

And where did you hear this? All this rumor spreading is irritating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does this apply even to rising 8th graders applying in AY25-26? Will be hard to them to choose from unclear options

I suspect few if any things will actually change for the 2026-2027 school year (other than internal prep stuff); 2027-2028 is more likely.

But no one really knows at this point. We'll see what gets shared at the board meeting on Tuesday, and if you have questions or thoughts about it you might want to share them with board members now in hopes they will bring them up during that part of the agenda.

MCPS knows and they already said they would share the new programs in time for applications in January 2026 for the 2026-27 school year. I can understand how it’s confusing given the amount of information coming out about so many topics at once, but they are clearly communicating

This has not been communicated, let alone clearly. HS applications are in the fall. January is already course selection. Your timeline makes no sense and you keep posting with such confidence.

Not the OP, but January is when the implementation begins per CO. Course selection does not impact special programs because kids regular for the home school until they are accepted at a special program which does not occur until Febrary/March timeframe.

Last year the application for HS special programs opened on October 7th and closed on November 1st. Previews of the programs began before the app opened, in September. How can all of that happen if they don't know what the new programs will be until January?

Yeah, I think someone is either confused or intentionally rumor mongering or both. If this is just about that "implementation begins in January 2026" thing, I suspect we should read that more as "we will finish up the plan by January and shift from the planning phase to the implementation phase, to start the slow and complicated process of getting ready for implementation in the 2027-2028 school year when the new schools open and the new boundaries are in place.". There's no way they can make huge changes starting in January 2026 and have it all done by August 2026.

[Anonymous]

They really need to slow this down. They are proposing major changes on a fast timeline without opportunity for public input.

[Anonymous]

Does the Board have to approve of these changes, or can MCPS simply make them and inform the Board?

[Anonymous]

Where is mcos going to get the $ to create the labs etc for all the new SMCS programs? Will the new programs all have 9 period days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does the Board have to approve of these changes, or can MCPS simply make them and inform the Board?

The board had to approve the creation of the regional IB programs a few years back, so I think the same would be true now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They really need to slow this down. They are proposing major changes on a fast timeline without opportunity for public input.

Should have been completed prior to boundary changes that affect 80% of the county, but that didn't happen either. They can't slow it down at this point, they need to speed it up

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They really need to slow this down. They are proposing major changes on a fast timeline without opportunity for public input.

Should have been completed prior to boundary changes that affect 80% of the county, but that didn't happen either. They can't slow it down at this point, they need to speed it up

Yes, these major changes should happen concurrently to get the utilization and demographics right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They really need to slow this down. They are proposing major changes on a fast timeline without opportunity for public input.

Should have been completed prior to boundary changes that affect 80% of the county, but that didn't happen either. They can't slow it down at this point, they need to speed it up

Yes, these major changes should happen concurrently to get the utilization and demographics right.

That is in fact the plan they've been talking about the past few months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They really need to slow this down. They are proposing major changes on a fast timeline without opportunity for public input.

Should have been completed prior to boundary changes that affect 80% of the county, but that didn't happen either. They can't slow it down at this point, they need to speed it up

They should proceed with the boundary study keeping current programs in place. Consider a thoughtful programs study in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They really need to slow this down. They are proposing major changes on a fast timeline without opportunity for public input.

Should have been completed prior to boundary changes that affect 80% of the county, but that didn't happen either. They can't slow it down at this point, they need to speed it up

Yes, these major changes should happen concurrently to get the utilization and demographics right.

Not when the programs study is shoddy. They should hit pause for now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ETA: and the Blair and RM parents who are complaining about the quality of the program declining if it becomes regional are horrible snobs. Your gifted kid can learn with other gifted local kids! They don’t have to be with only gifted kids from all around the whole county! Give me a break. So snobby!

Is MOP snobby?

[Anonymous]

A good read.

[Anonymous]

They really shouldn’t implement the changes to programs until the 2027 school year so that when Crown and Woodward open, they can have programs too…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ETA: and the Blair and RM parents who are complaining about the quality of the program declining if it becomes regional are horrible snobs. Your gifted kid can learn with other gifted local kids! They don’t have to be with only gifted kids from all around the whole county! Give me a break. So snobby!

Is MOP snobby?

The quality of the program would definitely decline if, instead of taking top 100 kids it took the top 1000. It’s already a very tough, challenging program that only the top third or so truly excel in. Expanding without reducing the standards will just set some kids up for failure or more likely dilute the program.