Bethesda families with students at Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walt Whitman and Walter Johnson high schools face four major policy changes taking effect when classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 25: a new regional programming model replacing the cluster system, a boundary study that could close elementary and middle schools by 2029-30, the end of free dual enrollment for 289 families and a budget that eliminated 255 positions, including the district's chief of security.

New regional model replaces clusters

The school board approved a six-region programming model in March that divides MCPS high schools into regions of four or five schools each. BCC, Whitman and Walter Johnson families are assigned to Region 1 under the new structure, according to Bethesda Magazine.

The model dissolves the Downcounty and Northeast consortiums and converts competitive countywide programs into regional ones. The Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science Magnet at Blair and the countywide IB Programme at Richard Montgomery will no longer accept students from across the county.

Students who entered seventh grade last year are eligible for the first regional admissions cycle during the 2026-2027 school year.

Boundary study could close schools by 2029-30

A new elementary and middle school boundary study launches this month. MCPS projects enrollment will decline by 7,500 students between 2025 and 2031; the Maryland Department of Planning projects a decline of 4,500. The Montgomery Planning Board's annual school test projects more than 13,300 surplus elementary seats and 7,100 surplus middle school seats by 2031-32.

Phase 1 runs through May 2027. Superintendent Thomas Taylor will present closure or consolidation recommendations in February or March 2027, with public hearings to follow and a board vote in May 2027.

"We found ourselves in an interesting place in MCPS history and in Montgomery County history," Taylor told the school board on July 17 when presenting the case for the study. "It is not unprecedented. We've experienced this before, but it's been an awful long time."

No specific Bethesda-area schools have been named for closure. The study will be conducted by Flo Analytics, the same firm that handled the high school boundary study.

289 families lose free dual enrollment

After a $1.4 million cut to dual enrollment funding, MCPS will only cover costs for students who meet the state's College and Career Readiness standard. In mid-July, the district sent 289 letters to affected families, according to MCPS spokesperson Liliana López. Those students represent about 9% of the roughly 3,159 enrolled in dual enrollment at Montgomery College, per community college spokesperson Vanessa Zambrano.

A three-credit course costs $553 for county residents. The cost changes take effect in spring 2027.

Brigid Howe, president of the Montgomery County Council of PTAs and a parent of a student taking dual enrollment courses, told Bethesda Magazine on July 10: "It's not fair to have families in limbo. It is known that this is a possibility, and for it to be July and payments are due in August is really unfair to parents."

Budget cuts 255 positions, eliminates security chief

The board voted 7-1 in May to approve the FY2027 budget after the County Council's $7.9 billion operating budget left MCPS with a $36 million shortfall. The resulting cuts eliminated approximately 255 positions plus nearly 160 proposed positions that will not be filled.

Among the cuts: social workers, family engagement specialists and pupil personnel workers. The district also eliminated the chief of security position, previously held by former Montgomery County police chief Marcus Jones. MCPS is creating 28 new security assistant jobs in its place.

Stacey Rosenberg, parent of a rising sophomore at Whitman, told the Washington Jewish Week on July 30 that she worried about the impact on students: "It seems to me there's a lot going on in MCPS in terms of antisemitic harassment, and that can take a toll psychologically on students."

What's next

The Region 1 back-to-school fair for Bethesda and Chevy Chase families is Saturday, Aug. 22, at Albert Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road in Kensington, from 9 a.m. to noon. Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 25.