MCPS proposed an initiative earlier this month to restructure its specialized studies high school programs into six regional models, with four to five high schools in each region for the 2027-2028 school year. The plan will introduce two of five themed programs, including STEM, medical science and the arts, to each school.

Current magnet programs in the county include the Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science Program at Montgomery Blair High School and the International Baccalaureate Program at Richard Montgomery High School.

MCPS Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor explained in an interview with Bethesda Today that many of these programs have been successful in their respective schools, and expanding them will unlock new opportunities for students to flourish.

“[The programs are] just not available to every student,” Taylor said. “By replicating programs in each region, we can capture the learning from other places and put it into play.” 

Students will have to apply to their desired specialized program online through ParentVue and submit their application through a Google form linked in the site’s document section. The first admissions process will offer 120 to 260 seats at new high school programs, starting in the 2027-2028 school year. Interest-based programs, such as the Engineering Program at Wheaton High School and the Communication Arts Program at Montgomery Blair, will select students through a lottery system, requiring them to submit portfolios or written applications for consideration.

With the choice to apply to many different schools and their programs, students can learn more deeply about topics like graphic design and biomedicine. Poolesville High School’s program, The Humanities House, is a course that specializes in human experiences. Over the program’s four years, students learn argumentation, critical thinking and communication skills.

Albert Einstein High School has a visual arts program that provides students with pre-college art portfolio development courses. The program immerses the students into different mediums of art, such as digital, painting and drawing. Students have classes consisting of demonstrations, visual presentations and assigned research, helping them understand the material through comprehensive methods.

Junior Grace McGee says the opportunity could help her discover her path after high school.

“This initiative is super exciting,” McGee said. “I’ll be able to find courses that I’m genuinely passionate about and will set me up for my future career.”

According to 2025 data, 48 states and D.C. employed an estimated 365,967 teachers who weren’t fully certified for the classes they taught.

David Steintold, the President of the Montgomery County Education Association, explained the initiative’s challenges in an interview with Bethesda Today.

“You have to make sure that you’re actually teaching it with fidelity,” Steintold said. “That means having the staff who can do it.” 

Whitman offers the Leadership Academy for Social Justice (LASJ) program, where students outside of Whitman can apply to participate. The program offers classes like Women’s Studies and AP African American Studies, as well as leadership opportunities across the school. These courses engage students in discussions regarding social justice and personal identities to inspire actions and create a more cooperative and accepting community.

LASJ Teacher Omari James teaches Media in Society and Culture in Literature. He said these courses allow students to explore new ideas in a genuine, high-achieving academic environment.

“There’s always been a cultural emphasis on core classes and college readiness more than anything else,” James said, “so courses like the LASJ really seek to emphasize that there is a lot of texture and depth to each individual.”

If the initiative continues through the 2027-2028 school year, MCPS will need to establish 96 additional bus routes. With the average cost of operating a traditional bus being $100,000, MCPS estimates that transportation to new programs will cost $9.6 million. The total estimated cost for the initiative is $13.9 million, which includes transportation and staffing costs.

Junior Riley Chi said she values the impact of these programs, since her sister attends Richard Montgomery for their International Baccalaureate Program.

“The financial costs are significant,” Chi said, “but the courses can give students unique experiences and specialized knowledge that isn’t conventionally taught in schools.”