Incoming ninth graders at Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walt Whitman and Walter Johnson high schools will get the building to themselves Monday, Aug. 24, before the full student body arrives the next day.

The district's Student Transition Day is a dedicated, non-instructional school day for students entering kindergarten, sixth grade, ninth grade and third grade at intermediate schools, as well as anyone new to MCPS. It's the second year the district has run the program, according to MCPS.

School starts for everyone Aug. 25.

What happens on Transition Day

The day looks different depending on grade level. High schoolers will review class schedules, practice transitions between periods, learn about extracurricular activities and hear about student rights, responsibilities and support services available to them.

Sixth graders heading into middle school will explore their schedules, practice using lockers, log in to technology platforms and get student-led tours of clubs and athletics.

Kindergartners will tour the building, meet teachers and administrators, try icebreaker activities and preview special-area classes like art and music.

School buses will run on the regular first-day schedule, and free lunch will be provided. Students may also bring their own.

MCPS distinguishes Transition Day from a typical open house: it runs a full school day and is focused on students, not an evening event for families.

Which Bethesda-area schools are involved

BCC, Whitman and Walter Johnson all list Transition Day on their Aug. 24 calendars. BCC, where Principal Dr. La Faye E. Howard leads the school at 4301 East-West Highway, confirmed the date on its website. Feeder middle schools in the BCC, Whitman and Walter Johnson clusters will host sixth graders the same day.

Third graders at Chevy Chase Elementary, North Chevy Chase Elementary and Cresthaven Elementary, all intermediate schools, also participate.

Individual schools will share specific schedules and details about before- and after-school care, according to MCPS.

Back-to-school fair Saturday, Aug. 22

Families who still have questions can attend one of six regional Back-to-School Fairs on Saturday, Aug. 22. BCC and Whitman cluster families should head to Albert Einstein High School from 9 a.m. to noon. Walter Johnson cluster families go to Wheaton High School from 3 to 6 p.m.

Staff from transportation, technology, special education, multilingual services and mental health offices will be on hand.

Families also have until Friday, Sept. 25 to get free vaccinations at county clinics. Maryland requires updated immunization records for all students, and seventh graders specifically need Tdap and meningococcal vaccines. We covered the free vaccination clinic details Aug. 17.

BCC's Back to School Night is scheduled for Sept. 3.