MCPS Redistricting, And How It Will Hurt Einstein And The D.C.C.

By Jocelyn Kay

The new redistricting plan that MCPS is attempting to implement in the coming years will significantly harm Einstein. The programs and new lines being discussed will affect Einstein's community and the student body as we know it. Through changing the boundary lines, adding different programs to different schools, and changing how the Down County Consortium (DCC) operates, it will negatively impact Einstein.

The new boundary lines determine which students attend which school. Currently, Einstein boundaries are notoriously judged due to neighborhoods within walking distance of Einstein being zoned for Walter Johnson High School. These boundaries are changed in the new presentation, and people are not happy about many of the changes made. Personally, I agree that these changes are unfair, especially towards Einstein students. As a school, Einstein loses a large amount of its population to Northwood and BCC. These changes, along with the addition of regional programs like a performing arts-specific program at Northwood and an IB program at BCC, will reduce the number of students who attend Einstein. The reduction of the student body and the addition of more programs to other schools that were previously the main draws of students to Einstein will hurt the school and the programs offered.

Einstein benefits in some ways from this new regional system, gaining a medical science and healthcare program. But, this program will not subsidize the number of students lost to a regional IB program or regional Performing Arts programs. 

Currently, Einstein is known as the arts school in the area, containing the strongest instrumental and visual arts programs. This is often a driving factor in students selecting their high schools. By making Northwood a new performing arts-specific school, it will detract from the current thriving programs at Einstein, as many of the students who contribute to these programs will likely choose Northwood instead.

Overall, the changes made by the new boundary lines and region system will cause harm to Einstein and the student body present currently, but it leaves many other schools untouched. Only time will tell what the true results of this implementation will be, but we can hope that the Einstein spirit will continue to draw in new students.