Inside the MCPS Boundary Process: What Parents Need to Know About the Four Options, Programs, and What Comes Next

Residents packed the Quince Orchard High School auditorium to review four proposed boundary options, raise concerns about split articulations, and ask questions about future construction plans and program changes across MCPS.

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October 16, 2025 (updated 5pm 10/16 with new BOE update)

Important Update: At Today’s 10/16 MCPS Board of Education meeting (just two days after the meeting the rest of this article is about), updates were provided that may completely change the trajectory of this study, including the possibility of using Crown HS as a holding school. We’re about to release an article on that and this will be updated.

I attended the October 14, 2025, MCPS Boundary Study meeting at Quince Orchard High School, where parents and residents gathered to learn about and discuss four proposed boundary options for the Crown/Damascus study that could reshape school zones across Montgomery County.

The evening began with a presentation outlining the process and goals of the study, followed by breakout stations featuring large maps for each of the four boundary options. MCPS staff members were available at each table to answer questions, and attendees could leave written feedback on sticky notes.

Residents can view all four current options and submit feedback online here (as well as the four current options in the Woodward study):

MCPS Boundary Study Portal

A third round of options is expected early next year, followed by a Board of Education vote.

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Major Takeaways from the Boundary Study Meeting

1. Elementary Boundaries: Recommended Future Study May Address Longtime Issues

MCPS staff said they are now recommending a future elementary boundary study in this area to address several underlying problems. All four current Crown study options have nearly every elementary school suffering from split articulation patterns, where students from the same elementary school attend different middle or high schools.

These splits largely result from disjointed “island” zones that separate neighborhoods from their assigned schools. Because of this, almost every scenario under the current options has schools with split articulation.

An elementary study, which is now recommended by MCPS, is expected to look into these problems among others, creating more cohesive and logical school zones and handling longtime issues that have frustrated many families.

2. Damascus High School: Unclear Path Forward During Construction Delays

One major topic missing from much of the public discussion was Damascus High School, which was originally scheduled for completion in 2027 before being delayed to 2029, later removed from funding, and is now potentially tentatively scheduled for 2031 as early discussions resume.

Despite these delays, MCPS appears to be moving forward with implementing the boundary study in 2027. The concern is not necessarily about redrawing boundaries again later, but about how MCPS will handle this transition period while Damascus is under construction, and whether that is being taken into account.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor addressed the district’s broader infrastructure needs during his recent remarks on the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), outlining how many buildings across MCPS are in urgent need of repairs and upgrades (read more here). His proposal includes Damascus among the priorities but calls for a large increase in capital funding.

While the teachers’ union, MCEA, has strongly championed operational budget increases, such as last year’s $200 million boost, it is unclear whether they will push for CIP funding with the same level of intensity.

Read more about the CIP process here: MCPS News – CIP Meeting

3. Academic Programs Analysis: A Key but Quiet Factor

Although not a focal point of the presentation, MCPS staff mentioned an ongoing Programs Analysis that will likely play a significant role in future boundary decisions. This countywide initiative is reviewing how special programs such as International Baccalaureate (IB) and Career and Technical Education (CTE) are distributed, with the goal of ensuring every region of the county has access to these opportunities.

The analysis may eventually lead to nearly every high school in Montgomery County having at least one signature or magnet program to attract students from across regions.
More information is available here: MCPS Academic Programs Analysis

4. Community Reactions: Dufief Elementary and Wootton Concerns

A large turnout from the Dufief Elementary School community voiced strong objections to the proposed shift from Region 4 to Region 5. Given Dufief’s proximity to the Crown area, this move was not unexpected, but residents made clear their frustration over potential changes to school assignments.

Many families say they purchased homes specifically to attend Wootton High School, and the prospect of being rezoned elsewhere has been upsetting. However, as I have said to some when discussing it, much of the new Crown High School population could mirror the same community, and some may welcome a brand-new school once they realize that. Wootton, meanwhile, remains one of the county’s oldest facilities and is in significant need of renovation.

Adding to the confusion, Craftmark Homes’ “The Grove” development, located close to the Crown area, continues to market itself as being part of the “Wootton community.” The company’s website highlights nearby North Potomac schools zoned to Wootton but omits both Quince Orchard and Crown, which are geographically closer.
See for yourself here: Craftmark Homes – The Grove

5. Observations from the Meeting Floor

Only one Board of Education member, Laura Stewart, attended the meeting. Although she does not represent the closest district to the Crown area, her attendance was appreciated by residents who felt heard in a difficult and often emotional process.

I also spoke with representatives from FLO Analytics, the firm assisting with the boundary study. When asked about the use of optimization, automation or AI to streamline their analysis, they explained that the process remains largely manual, using GIS software to adjust maps and evaluate different boundary characteristics iteratively.

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What’s Next

• Submit your feedback on the four boundary options: MCPS Boundary Study Feedback Form
• Stay updated on the Capital Improvements Program (CIP): CIP Meeting Information
• Follow the ongoing Programs Analysis updates: Academic Programs Analysis

Next year will also be a pivotal local election year, with most major county positions, including the Board of Education, on the ballot. Make sure you are registered and ready to vote in the primary elections, where many local races are decided:
Register to Vote in Maryland

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