Montgomery County's 2027 school boundary changes explained

On March 26, 2026, the Montgomery County Board of Education voted 7–1 to redraw high school boundaries, reopen Woodward High School, move Wootton High School into a new building, and replace the county's school consortiums with six program regions. The changes begin in the 2027–28 school year. A second study, of possible elementary and middle school closures, is now underway. Together they make up the biggest shift in county school assignments in years, and they are already shaping when and where people decide to move.

The four big changes

Woodward High School reopens. Charles W. Woodward High School reopens at 11211 Old Georgetown Road in fall 2027. Most of its students come from the part of North Bethesda now served by Walter Johnson High School. MCPS has confirmed that the Wheaton Woods Elementary area will feed Woodward instead of Wheaton High School. Northwood High School is also being expanded.

Wootton High School moves. Thomas S. Wootton High School moves permanently to a new building at 9410 Fields Road in Gaithersburg, on the Crown Farm site. The move to the new building begins in 2027–28, and MCPS sets how it applies to individual students. The old building on Wootton Parkway will become a holding school for other schools under construction. A group of parents has appealed the decision to the Maryland State Board of Education, and hearings are scheduled for December 2026. No ruling has been issued, and the move has not been paused.

Other attendance areas shift. Part of Four Corners moves from Northwood to Montgomery Blair High School. Northwood and Bethesda-Chevy Chase each gain part of the Forest Glen area. Kennedy High School's zone shifts south, and the Poolesville and Seneca Valley zones expand. Damascus High School is being expanded, and its zone is set to grow by 2031.

Six regions replace the consortiums. The Downcounty and Northeast consortiums are replaced by six regions, each with four or five high schools. Students can apply to specialized programs anywhere in their region. MCPS lists five program themes: Medical Science; IB, Humanities and Languages; STEM; Leadership and Public Service; and Visual and Performing Arts.

The six regions

MCPS notes that program locations are subject to change.

How the changes phase in

Under the plan, students entering grades 9 and 10 move to their new high school in 2027–28, while rising juniors and seniors stay where they are. All high school grades follow by 2029–30. Middle schools follow a similar pattern, with grades 6 and 7 moving first. Elementary school assignments do not change under this decision. Some students, including those already in consortium or magnet programs, may follow different timelines.

What's next: the closure and consolidation study

With elementary enrollment down from its 2019 peak, MCPS is now studying whether to close or combine some elementary and middle schools. The superintendent's recommendation is expected on February 4, 2027, with public hearings that winter and a final Board decision targeted for April 15, 2027. A follow-up boundary study is planned to run through spring 2028, with changes taking effect in 2029–30. MCPS says no schools have been selected. Silver Spring International Middle School, whose closure decision was paused in December 2025, is expected to be considered in this study.

What this means if you're selling

Buyers will ask about these changes, and it helps to have clear answers ready. No one can predict how a boundary change will affect any particular home's price, and buyers weigh many other things, including location, condition, transit and price. What helps is knowing exactly which schools are assigned to your address now and in 2027, and pointing buyers to MCPS's own tool so they can confirm it themselves.

Some owners are deciding to sell before the changes take effect; others are choosing to wait. We can show you recent sales near you and help you choose the timing that fits your plans.

Check your address

Use the MCPS School Assignment Tool, which MCPS says reflects the 2027–28 boundaries, or call the MCPS boundaries line at 240-740-7725. Our guide on how to verify school zoning walks through it step by step. Buyers must verify school assignment for any address directly with MCPS.

How we help

Real Estate Search and Sale, LLC is based in Rockville and has more than 20 years of experience selling homes across Montgomery County. Broker Carolyn Thompson holds the CRS, ABR, SRES, SFR and CDPE designations. We prepare a broker opinion of value for your home with a suggested price range based on recent sales of the homes closest to yours in location, style, size, age and condition. We can also provide contact information for stagers, painters, contractors and movers from our network of service providers; you are free to use any provider you like, and every provider should be licensed. Most of our business comes from referrals.

Frequently asked questions

Is my home affected? Check your address in the MCPS School Assignment Tool and confirm with MCPS.

Is the Wootton move final? The Board approved it, and an appeal is pending before the state. Hearings are scheduled for December 2026. We will update this post as the case moves forward.

Which schools might close? MCPS has not named any. The superintendent's recommendation is expected in February 2027.

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

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