COSA request applications now can be submitted online instead of the traditional paper form. When an application is submitted online, a “receipt” email notification will be sent to the parent/guardian submitting the request shortly after the administrative team of the student’s assigned home school receives the application. If the request is successfully completed online, a paper form submission is not necessary. The link to the online COSA request form can be found on the Student Transfers website. 

MCPS students are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students may apply for a COSA from the home school or the school of assignment through the IEP process based on the following criteria:

• Unique Hardship:  When an extenuating circumstance(s) related to a student’s specific physical, mental or emotional well-being or their family’s individual or personal situation could be mitigated by a change of school assignment.

• Family Move: When a family moves within Montgomery County and wishes to continue attending their current school, they may request a COSA without demonstrating a unique hardship. Such requests may be considered for the remainder of the current school year only, with the exception that students in Grade 11 or 12 may be granted a COSA to stay through high school graduation.

• Siblings: When a student seeks to attend the school where a sibling will be enrolled in the regular/general school program, or a special education program, during the year the student wants to enroll.

• When a sibling attends a magnet, language immersion or other application program at the elementary level, a COSA may be approved to the regular school program for other siblings on a case-by-case basis. Such approval requires consideration of available classroom space, grade-level enrollment, staffing allocations or other factors that impact the schools involved. 

The sibling exemption does not apply if the sibling is in Pre-K or if a boundary change has occurred.

The transfer process begins in the assigned home school. Applications can be found online or in the Change of School Assignment (COSA) Information Booklet, which also provides useful information on the COSA process. Exempt countywide programs that do not fall under the transfer guidelines are listed in the booklet. Booklets can be obtained from the student’s home school. Visit the student transfers website to learn more.

For information about assignments for students residing in the Northeast, Downcounty or Middle School Magnet Consortium areas, please contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) at 240-740-2540 or visit the DCCAPS website. 

For questions, call the Division of Pupil Personnel and Attendance Services at 240-740-5620.

As you may know, Maryland is faced with five recent drownings of nonverbal autistic children who eloped from home and/or under the supervision of an adult. Together, we believe the information attached in this correspondence is critical to share with parents, family members, school staff, support staff, and community members who engage with children and students with disabilities.

• Flyer to obtain a Safety Kit

• 911 flyer in English

• 911 flyer in Amharic

• 911 flyer in Korean

• 911 flyer in Mandarin/Chinese

• 911 flyer in Spanish

With winter weather just around the corner, updates to school schedules and operations may sometimes need to be made. To receive the latest information on delays, closures and operational changes, Stay Connected, subscribe to Alert MCPS, and monitor our color-coded status system.

Keep Your Contact Information Current

To ensure you receive timely notifications, please update your contact details via the ParentVUE link on the MCPS Community Tech Support website.

Learn more about the color codes.

MCPS Operating Status Inclement Weather, 2024-2025

MCPS is continuing its partnership with the Parent Encouragement Program (PEP), a local nonprofit that provides resources and support to parents and caregivers. The PEP Family Resiliency Program is a free, online eight-week program which helps parents and caregivers learn tools to strengthen family connections, support children’s mental health and encourage success.

• VISIT the MCPS homepage.

• CALL 240-740-3000. Staff take calls from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, in English and Spanish (240-740-2845)

• READ news and information sent via email and text message and on the MCPS News page.

• FOLLOW the MCPS social media pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram in English and Spanish.

• http://twitter.com/mcps
  https://www.facebook.com/mcpsmd
  https://www.instagram.com/mcps_md

• https://www.facebook.com/mcpsespanol
  https://twitter.com/MCPSEspanol
  https://www.instagram.com/mcpsenespanol/

• SIGN UP for emails and text alerts and make sure your ParentVue information is up to date.

• WATCH the MCPS cable channels Comcast 34 (1071 HD), Verizon 36 or RCN 89

Kids ride free with the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card on MCDOT Ride On buses and most Metro buses in the County. Get your card now at any MCPS middle or high school location or any Montgomery County Public library. 

Flyer English

Flyer Spanish 

Learn more at http://ow.ly/sagl50JOBsh 

Are you interested in a one-on-one meeting with Mr. Kamie to talk about Career Coaching? Complete this Google Form to Sign-up!

You don’t always get all the time you’d like with your child’s teachers. And there’s a lot to get through! We can help you learn how to prepare a solid game plan so you can leave feeling accomplished.

Parent-teacher conferences: Toolkit for families

How to have a successful parent-teacher conference

We are pleased to announce the launch of new walk-in hours for mental health and substance abuse screenings ACCESS to Behavioral Health Services. Our goal is to provide easy access to resources and support for those in need. Effective September 30th, 2024.

Walk-In Hours:

• Mondays thru Friday:

• Please arrive by 8:30am for a morning appointment and by 12:30 an afternoon appointment

Services Provided:

• Confidential mental health screenings

• Substance abuse assessments

• Referrals to treatment programs and additional resources

• One-on-one consultations with trained professionals.

Location: 27 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Rockville, MD. We are located in the Grey Courthouse Office Building on the bottom level.

Free parking is available at the Council Office Building Garage (COB) corner of East Jefferson Street (Route 28) & Monroe Street (accessible from both streets). We will validate after your appointment

Bus Routes* Ride-On 46 S. Washington St. & Courthouse Sq. 1 block

Ride-On 46, 54, 63 E. Jefferson St. & Maryland Ave. 1 block

Ride-On 301, Metrobus T2 W. Montgomery Ave. & Washington St. 2 blocks

Ride-On 46, 55 E. Middle Ln. & N. Washington St. 2 blocks

Ride-On 45, 55, 301, Metrobus T2 E. Middle Ln. & Maryland Ave. 2.5 blocks

Ride-On 44, 46, 47, 54, 56, 63 Monroe St. & Monroe Pl. 3 blocks

For more information, please contact us at 240-777-1770