Downcounty Consortium
The Downcounty Consortium includes five high schools and their feeder middle and elementary schools—Blair, Einstein, Kennedy, Northwood, and Wheaton. Each DCC high school offers distinctive academy programs designed to capture students’ interest, incorporate rigorous academic course work, explore possible career pathways, and bring real-world relevance to students’ education. More about the DCC
All Grade 8 students living within the boundaries of the Downcounty Consortium (DCC) can rank, in order of preference, the five high schools in the consortium. Every effort will be made to assign students, based on the lottery factors, to their first choice. However, it is possible, that students may be assigned to a subsequent choice and that space availability nor student preference for a school are not the sole factors in the process.
Each fall parents and Grade 8 students are invited to attend any of the Choice informational meetings, held at each middle school, to learn about Choice and the academy program opportunities at the five high schools. Grade 8 students rank their choice each fall.
BLAIR
Entrepreneurship & Business Management
Human Service Professions
International Studies & Law
Media, Music, and The Arts
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math
Communication Arts Program (CAP - Blair HS)
Science, Math, and Computer Science Magnet
EINSTEIN
International Baccalaureate Academy & Diploma Program
Academy of Finance, Careers & Technology
Renaissance Academy for College Readiness
Visual and Performing Arts
Teacher Academy of Maryland
KENNEDY
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
Broadcast Journalism and Communications Academy
Health Care Professions Academy
Business Administration and Management Academy
Teacher Academy of Maryland
Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)
Leadership Training Institute (LTI - Kennedy HS)
Regional International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Kennedy HS)
NORTHWOOD
Technological, Environmental, and System Sciences (TESS)
Humanities, Arts, and Media (HAM)
Politics, Advocacy, and Law (PAL)
Music, Theatre and Dance (AMTAD)
Montgomery College Middle College
For additional information, please visit the dual enrollment website.
FAQs for Montgomery College Middle College MC2 Program Information Video (2021)
Finance, Accounting, Marketing, and Education (FAME)
Montgomery College Middle College (Northwood HS)
WHEATON
Bioscience Academy (PLTW)
Engineering Academy (PLTW)
Information Technology (AOIT)
Global Studies (GSA)
Biomedical Magnet Program (Wheaton HS)
Engineering Magnet Program (Wheaton HS)
Special Programs Open to ALL MCPS Students
Choice Process Timeline
The Choice process has TWO ROUNDS.
ROUND ONE: For any Grade 8 students who reside in the DCC attendance area regardless if they currently attend an MCPS middle school.
EARLY NOVEMBER: Round 1 Choice forms are due.
LATE JANUARY: High School assignment letters are mailed home.
ROUND 2 is for students who did not get their first choice in Round 1, new students to the DCC, and students on transfer into a DCC middle school.
DUE BY MID-FEBRUARY: Round 2 Choice forms.
LATE MARCH: Round 2 High School assignment letters are mailed home
Round 2 RESUBMISSION LINK for DCC student residents
Round 2 RESUBMISSION LINK for students who live outside of the DCC:
Click the booklet to learn more.
Haga clic en el folleto para obtener más información.
Northeast Consortium
The Northeast Consortium serves students in the "base areas" of Blake, Paint Branch, and Springbrook high schools. Each campus offers a comprehensive high school curriculum plus a distinctive 'Signature Program.' More about the NEC
Students at SSIMS who reside in the Northeast Consortium (NEC) residency area may participate in the NEC lottery choice process during Round 1 and then may participate in the DCC lottery choice process during Round 2.
7th Graders will receive information about the High School Choice process in the Spring.
NEC Academies & Application-Only Programs
BLAKE
Arts and Communication
Humanities and Public Service
PAINT BRANCH
Academy of Science
Academy of Media
SPRINGBROOK
Academy of Information Technology
Academy of Engineering (PLTW)
International Baccalaureate Middle Years PRogramme (IBMYP)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
Application Programs Open to NEC Students
Regional International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Springbrook HS)
Montgomery College Middle College (Northwood HS)
For additional information please visit the dual enrollment website.
FAQs for Montgomery College Middle College
MC2 Program Information Video (2021)
Science, Math, and Computer Science Magnet (Blair HS)
International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programs (IB/CP) at Rockville HS
Special Programs Open to ALL MCPS Students
Global Ecology House (Poolesville HS)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (Richard Montgomery HS)
Visual Arts Center (VAC) (Einstein HS)
Choice Process Timeline
The Choice process has TWO ROUNDS.
ROUND ONE: For any Grade 8 students who reside in the NEC attendance area regardless if they currently attend an MCPS middle school.
EARLY NOVEMBER: Round 1 Choice forms are due.
LATE JANUARY: High School assignment letters are mailed home.
ROUND 2 is for students who did not get their first choice in Round 1, new students to the NEC, and students on transfer into a NEC middle school.
DUE BY MID-FEBRUARY: Round 2 Choice forms.
LATE MARCH: Round 2 High School assignment letters are mailed home
Round 2 RESUBMISSION LINK for NEC student residents
Round 2 RESUBMISSION LINK for students who live outside of the DCC:
Click the booklet to learn more.
Haga clic en el folleto para obtener más información.