K-12 Regional/Countywide Programs
Announcements
- NEW! Students currently in grades 5 and 6- A new school will open in September 2025 for 6th and 7th grade. MECCA Business Learning Institute (MBLI) a Public Charter School in Germantown, MD is a countywide school. Students may apply. Read More »
- Students currently in grades 8-11 interested in high school application programs - Learn about the many options for HS and explore resources for parents and students. The application will open in early October. Read More »
- Grade 8 Students and Families participating in the DCC Choice Process - Updated timelines for the 2024-2025 school year are available. Read More »
- Grade 8 Students and Families particicpating in the NEC Choice Process - Updated timelines for the 2024-2025 school year are available. Read More »
- Grade 5 Students and Families - The MSMC Choice Process information and timeline for the 2024-2025 school year are now available. Read More »
- Grade 5 Students and Families - The Central Review Process timeline for middle school enrichment and the Criteria Based Regional Magnet programs is now available. Read More »
- Grade 3 Students and Families - The Central Review Process for grade 4 & 5 literacy enrichment and the Centers for Enriched Studies (CES) lottery timeline will be updated in early December, 2024. Read More »
- Kindergarten Families Interested in One-Way Immersion Programs - The Immersion admission process will open on February 1, 2025. Read More »
What are K-12 Regional/Countywide Programs?
MCPS offers a range of elementary, middle and high school programming. Most students attend their local schools where there are many programs available. Students may also be eligible for regional/countywide programs at other schools in the county that are offered to meet unique interests or programmatic needs. Parents and students are encouraged to learn about all of their options, both local school and regional/countywide programs, to maximize their learning experience. Admission criteria may apply.
Elementary School
Elementary program options include world language immersion programs and the Centers for Enriched Studies. Two-Way immersion programs are local programs for students who reside within the boundaries of the identified schools. Elementary One-Way world language immersion programs are regional programs that begin in Kindergarten. Entry into the Centers for Enriched Studies programs begins in Grade 4.
- Elementary Two-Way Immersion
- Elementary One-Way Immersion (K-5)
- Centers for Enriched Studies (CES) Gr 4-5
Middle School
Middle school programs include interest and criteria-based options. Entry into the Middle School Magnet Consortium begins in Grade 6 or 7. Entry into the middle school regional programs begins in Grade 6. Entry into the middle school immersion programs occur when a vacancy exists in Grade 6.
Read More
High School
High School options include interest-based and criteria-based programs. There are programs for students entering high school as well as for those already in high school. Applications for any of these programs must be submitted in the fall of the current grade level for the following school year. Programs that begin in Grade 9 are full time programs. Programs beginning in grades 10-12 are part-time programs; students take core courses at the local high school, and the program courses offsite.
- Full time regional, countywide programs - Apply in Fall of Grade 8
- Part time regional, countywide programs- Apply in fall of Grade 9, 10, or 11
WHERE DO WE BEGIN? HOW DO WE APPLY?
Begin by exploring the options at your local school. All of our schools offer art, technology, enrichment, and extracurricular needs. Most students find that their local school meets their academic needs and provides opportunities to explore many interests. In addition, parents and students should also consider the following as they explore regional/countywide options:
- Student’s interests and academic needs
- Changing schools and making new friends
- Longer day due to transportation
- Joining a new school community
There is an admission process for these programs which is either interest (lottery) or criteria-based (multiple measures). Admission processes vary by program and by level. Please carefully review the admission process for each program. The majority of the regional/countywide programs require the student to attend the host school full time. Programs for rising Grade 10, 11, and 12 students are primarily part time.The admission process for all regional/countrywide programs occurs the year prior to student enrollment.
For additional information about the admission process at each level visit:
HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
Additional resources include contacting your school counselor, teachers and the administrative staff. Parent/student information meetings are scheduled each year along with school-based opportunities to showcase options to students.
- Grade 8 program options listed by Home/Based High School
- High School Regional/Countywide Application Preview Virtual Presentation for Grade 8 parents and students. / Español
- Rising grade 9 (programs at a glance)
- Options for current HS students ( grades 9,10,11)
- FAQ for Students Entering Grade 9 in 2021-2022
- Presentation tools/resources
- HS Application Program Virtual Bulletin Board
Who should I contact for more information?
General questions:
For general questions about programs and admissions, contact your student’s counselor. Your counselor has received an overview of program and admission options for students at their school.
Specific Program Questions:
Contact the program staff listed on the website or Department of College and Career Readiness and Districtwide Programs at 240-740-4000.
Admission Questions:
Contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services at DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org or 240-740-7800.
Options (Guide to Countywide Programs)
2024-2025
This guide to countywide programs that are available at the elementary, middle, and high school levels aims to help families learn about the many programs available to students.
English (School year 2024-2025)
español (School year 2023-2024*)
አማርኛ (School year 2018-2019*)
中文 (School year 2018-2019*)
français (School year 2018-2019*)
한국어 (School year 2018-2019*)
tiếng Việt (School year 2018-2019*)
*The information will be updated for the 2024-2025 school year shortly.
Featured Videos
MCPS Elementary Immersion Programs Information Session – Winter 2023
Centros de Estudios Enriquecidos y Servicios de las Escuelas Elementales Locales - Año 2024-2025