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Boundary Review Process for the 2026–2027 School Year

On Feb. 13, 2025, the Board of Education directed that HCPSS initiate the boundary review process outlined in Policy 6010 School Attendance Areas to consider redistricting selected schools that are outside the capacity utilization range of 90-110%.

The boundary review process will include Bryant Woods, Running Brook, Swansfield, Longfellow, Clemens Crossing and Centennial Lane elementary schools. Wilde Lake, Harper’s Choice and Burleigh Manor middle schools, as well as Centennial and Wilde Lake high schools also will be included to allow adjustments to feeds.

Changes in school attendance areas as a result of this process will take effect beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Boundary Review Process for the 2026-2027 School Year

Superintendent’s Proposed Attendance Area Adjustment Plan

Scheduled to be presented at the Sept. 25 Board of Education Meeting.

Provide Feedback to Board of Education

All students, parents/guardians, staff, community members and additional stakeholders may provide feedback via written testimony to the Board of Education and/or testifying at a Board of Education public hearing.

PLEASE NOTE: Official testimony will be accepted following the Superintendent’s presentation of his proposed attendance area adjustments on Sept. 25 and through 48 hours prior to the meeting at which the Board is scheduled to take action.

Supporting Students

Transitions can be difficult for children and some struggle more than others. HCPSS welcomes thousands of new students to our schools annually, and school administrators and staff in every school are prepared to support students in adjusting to a new school when that reality arises. They will make every effort to ensure this transition is as easy as possible for you and your child. More information will be provided during the spring of 2026 following final boundary review decisions. Learn how your student will be supported.

Public Input

Community members will have multiple opportunities and ways to provide input and recommendations throughout the process. Input sessions, surveys and other methods may be used to inform the Superintendent’s recommendation. Following the recommendation to the Board of Education, additional input opportunities will include public hearings and testimony to the Board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Process Timeline

Please note: This is an approximate timeline that will evolve and update below throughout the redistricting process.

Jump to: Spring Information Sessions | Educational Facilities Master Plan | Boundary Review Report | Boundary Review Report Feedback Opportunities | Attendance Area Committee (AAC) Meetings | Superintendent Recommendation to the Board | Feedback to the Board | Board of Education Public Hearings | Board of Education Work Sessions | Board Decision | Information and Activities to Support Students Transitioning to a New School | New Boundaries Implemented

 

Spring Information Sessions

April 2025

The Spring Information Sessions will provide an opportunity for community members to meet with staff from the HCPSS Office of School Planning to ask questions and provide input regarding their priorities related to the boundary review process via online survey. There will not be any boundary scenarios or specific plans or details presented. The intention of these meetings is to engage early with the potentially impacted communities and encourage community members to remain informed and engaged through the summer and fall, providing input or testimony throughout.

Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Wilde Lake Middle School Cafeteria
10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
Thursday, April 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Burleigh Manor Middle School Media Center
4200 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City
Monday, April 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Swansfield Elementary School Cafeteria
5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia

Interpretation services at community input workshops will be available in Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. To request interpretation in another language, please email interpretingservices@hcpss.org.

Unable to attend an information session?

Slides: View the slides presented at the information sessions →

Survey: The survey is now closed.

 

Educational Facilities Master Plan

June 2025

The Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP) was presented at the June 12th Board of Education Meeting and Approved on June 26th. The EFMP was submitted to the Interagency Commission on School Construction on July 1st. The document includes an outline of local planning considerations, projections, capacity needs, and a capital needs-based facility prioritization list.

Download the Educational Facilities Master Plan (PDF) / English only

 

Boundary Review Report

July 2025

The Boundary Review Report was presented during the July 17 Board of Education Meeting and includes three initial scenarios, including maps and supporting data. The community will have opportunities to learn more about these scenarios during Community Engagement Meetings and may provide feedback through an online survey.

Download the Boundary Review Report (PDF)

Data Downloads

The student data provided in these files was used to inform the boundary options included in the 2025 Boundary Review document. HCPSS follows the Maryland State Dept. of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics’ guidelines for protecting student privacy in public reporting.

 

Community Engagement Meetings and Boundary Review Report Feedback Opportunities

July – August 2025

These meetings will provide an opportunity for community members to understand the scenarios in the Boundary Review Report, ask questions and provide feedback, which will be considered during development of the Superintendent’s recommendation to the Board of Education scheduled to be presented on September 25, 2025.

Community meetings are open to the public and there is no registration. Interpretation services will be available in Spanish, Korean and Chinese. To request interpretation in another language, please email interpretingservices@hcpss.org.

  • Monday, July 21, 6–7 p.m., Wilde Lake Middle School Cafeteria, 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
  • Wednesday, July 30, 6–7 p.m., Burleigh Manor Middle School Cafeteria, 4200 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City
  • Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6-7 p.m., Wilde Lake Middle School Cafeteria, 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia

The community engagement meetings will be facilitated by Citygate GIS, a Board of Education-approved independent consultant.

View the slides presented at the Community Engagement Meetings

Online Survey

Through an online survey provided by Citygate GIS, community members are invited to provide feedback on the three scenarios included in the Boundary Review Report.

The survey is now closed.

 

Attendance Area Committee (AAC) Meetings

August 2025

An Attendance Area Committee (AAC) has been formed to provide feedback to the Superintendent regarding attendance area considerations. This focus group includes representation from the elementary schools within the scope of the current boundary review project. The role of the committee is to review the enrollment projections, scenarios already presented, and provide feedback based on Policy 6010 considerations. This committee will not make new scenarios, be responsible for collecting community input, or make decisions regarding scenarios or individual polygon moves.

The AAC meetings will be facilitated by Citygate GIS, a Board of Education-approved independent consultant. The meetings will only be available in English. Community members may attend and listen to the meetings but only AAC members are active participants. Community members may provide their feedback through the online survey, open through August 15.

AAC meetings will be held virtually at 5:30 p.m. on:

 

Superintendent Recommendation to the Board

September 2025

The Superintendent is scheduled to present his Proposed Attendance Area Adjustment Plan to the Board of Education at its meeting Thursday, Sept. 25.

 

Feedback to the Board

September—November 2025

Members of the public may submit feedback to the Board:

  • Via email to redistricting@hcpss.org
  • Via USPS mail to Howard County Board of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042

PLEASE NOTE: Official testimony will be accepted following the Superintendent’s presentation of his proposed boundary adjustments on Sept. 25 and through 48 hours prior to the meeting at which the Board is scheduled to take action.

Additionally, the public may participate in Board of Education public hearings.

 

Board of Education Public Hearings

October – November 2025

The Board of Education holds public hearings to gather feedback from the community.

Registration opens three weeks prior to a hearing and closes at 4:30 p.m. the last working day prior to a meeting.

  • Thursday, Oct. 9
  • Thursday, Nov. 6
 

Board of Education Work Sessions

October – November 2025

The Board of Education will hold public work sessions to discuss the Superintendent’s Boundary Adjustment Proposal and potential modifications or alternatives. The public may attend work sessions but may not participate.

Boundary Review work sessions are scheduled for:

  • Thursday, Oct. 9
  • Thursday, Oct. 23
  • Thursday, Nov. 13 (virtual)
 

Board Decision

November 2025

Any change to boundaries for the 2026-2027 school year are to be approved by the Board of Education.

The Board is scheduled to take action at its meeting Thursday, Nov. 20.

 

Information and Activities to Support Students Transitioning to a New School

Winter 2025 – Spring 2026

Students transitioning to a new school participate in activities (e.g. open houses) and receive information about supports and services available at their new school to welcome them into the school community.

 

New Boundaries Implemented

August 2026

Boundaries approved by the Board are implemented for the start of the 2026–2027 school year.

Please contact School Planning at schoolplanning@hcpss.org with additional questions.