This summer, while WCHS students and staff went on break, the MCPS Board of Education (BOE) unveiled a plan that could change how students pick high schools. Regional theme programs, which would assign each high school in a region to focus on a specific number of subjects within the school, have been proposed as a way to let students choose a school based on their interests. This would allow incoming high schoolers to choose which school they would like to attend based on their interests and the region in which they live.
Although some schools across the United States specialize in specific subjects such as technology, MCPS would be one of the first counties in the United States to adapt this model of regional theme programs to all of its public high schools. The plan has been proposed to start in the 2027-2028 school year as a measure to create more opportunities for MCPS students.
“Schools should always be supportive of students developing their interests and [should] help all students prepare for college and career by offering programs based on [said interests],” WCHS Principal John Taylor said. “The big benefit of this new plan will be the decreased transportation lengths and the increased number of seats in these types of programs, opening up opportunities to more students across the district and right here at WCHS.”
Currently, the proposed plan suggests that WCHS would become a school specializing in Visual Arts, Design, Communication, Languages and Education. Other high schools in the same region (region four) as WCHS that would implement different subject areas of focus include Richard Montgomery, Rockville and Thomas S. Wootton. MCPS BOE members and central staff are currently working with high school principals to discuss what their schools will look like in the future in conjunction with their new regional programs.
“The themes that were discussed for WCHS were an initial proposal to help start the conversation,” Taylor said. “While I think these are worthy programs, I am also working closely with the administration at the schools within our proposed region to make sure the overall programs make sense for each school. I know our staff is very excited about building up our communications program, maintaining our Chinese language options, and developing a Visual Arts and Design program. These are all great fits with our current programs and would help us grow as a school.”
Lots of planning will have to be done within the span of the next two years to make this proposal a possibility. Similar to the school district boundary changes that were discussed last year to adjust to the addition of the new and reopening high schools to MCPS, parent and community feedback will be considered in this decision. Yet, even at the present moment, not all parents are not aware of this plan and, similarly to the boundary study, parent input can have a limited effect on the actual plan.
“I think many of our WCHS parents are unclear about this big change and the long-term implications for our school,” Taylor said. “However, the [few] parents I have discussed it with are excited about the increased opportunities and seats in all the programs, but want to make sure the specific programs identified for [WCHS] are a good fit for our students’ needs and interests. I think our parents will embrace the new programs, especially if they believe they will bring new opportunities and benefits to our students and school.”
According to MCPS’ plan, programs would offer 120 to 260 seats, giving more students access to specialized courses, though preferences would be given to students who wish to attend their home school. Additionally, though the opinions of the parents are important in the decision-making process for the schools, the students will ultimately be the ones engaging with the new programs.
“I understand where MCPS is coming from by developing regional theme programs to cater to students’ career aspirations,” WCHS senior Charlotte Liu said. “Yet, I think that being a student who has a good basis in core subjects is more important than excelling in only certain subject areas. High school should be a time for students to learn about multiple subjects and develop a strong understanding of them, which they can take into college.”
Currently, most MCPS high school students are required to complete both their core subject courses (Math, English, Social Studies and Science) and foreign language and elective courses. Students can choose which foreign language and elective courses they take as long as they meet the credits necessary for graduation. These classes are currently required not only because the state of Maryland requires them for all public high school students, but also because many colleges have classes that they expect high school students to take.
“It will be harder for MCPS students to succeed in college if they do not understand the basics of each subject,” Liu said. “Even though students declare a major in college, they still have to take some introductory courses in their first year, which do not directly relate to their major. So, if colleges still require their students to take fundamental classes, then MCPS should also continue to do the same. If the regional theme programs only make the students take classes that relate to that program, it could easily hinder a student’s ability to succeed in college.”
