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How to verify school zoning in Montgomery County, MD

Picture of Carolyn Thompson, Broker

For many buyers, the school assigned to a home is part of the decision. In Montgomery County, school boundaries are changing in 2027, and a countywide study could change more of them by 2029. Listing descriptions, websites and neighbors can all be out of date. The only reliable answer comes from Montgomery County Public Schools.

Here is how buyers and sellers can check.

Step 1: Use the MCPS School Assignment Tool

MCPS publishes an official online tool that shows the elementary, middle and high school assigned to an address. MCPS says it has been updated with the boundary changes for the 2027–28 school year.

  1. Go to the MCPS School Assignment Tool.
  2. Under "Find Your School," read the disclaimer and click "Accept."
  3. Type the full property address.
  4. Read the assigned elementary, middle and high schools for that address.

The tool carries its own disclaimer: its data comes from several sources and may contain errors. Treat the result as a starting point, not a guarantee.

Step 2: Confirm with MCPS directly

If a school assignment matters to your decision, confirm it with MCPS before you sign a contract. MCPS lists these contacts:

  • Boundaries line: 240-740-7725
  • AskMCPS: 240-740-3000 or AskMCPS@mcpsmd.org
  • Change of school assignment and transfers: 240-740-5620

Ask which schools are assigned to the address now, and which will be assigned in the school year you care about.

Step 3: Check the timing

Boundary changes phase in. Under the plan approved in March 2026, high school students entering grades 9 and 10 move first in 2027–28, and older students generally finish where they started. Middle schools follow a similar schedule. Ask MCPS how the change applies to the grade and year you are planning for.

Why we tell every buyer to verify

Real estate agents are not the authority on school assignments, and assignments can change after you buy. Our agents share the same school information with every client, and we always point buyers to MCPS's own sources. Buyers must verify school assignment for any address directly with MCPS.

For sellers

If you are selling, buyers will ask which schools serve your home. We can include a note in your listing directing buyers to the MCPS School Assignment Tool, so the answer comes from the official source. If your area is affected by the 2027 changes, we will help you explain the facts clearly. Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC has more than 20 years of experience selling homes across Montgomery County, and broker Carolyn Thompson holds the CRS, ABR and SRES designations. Read our guide to the 2027 school boundary changes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rely on the school listed in a home listing? No. Listings can be wrong or out of date. Always verify with MCPS.

Does the tool show next year's schools? MCPS says it has been updated for the 2027–28 boundaries. Confirm with MCPS for the year that matters to you.

What if the address is near a boundary line? Call the MCPS boundaries line at 240-740-7725.

References are available on request. Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC · 24-Hour Appointment Desk: 202-630-5070 · Open 24 hours. Equal Housing Opportunity.