History of Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland) in Timeline
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is the largest school district in Maryland, serving approximately 159,671 students in 211 schools. The district employs roughly 13,994 teachers, a large percentage of whom hold master's degrees or equivalent qualifications. MCPS is heavily funded, receiving nearly half of Montgomery County’s budget; this reflects its significant role in the county's infrastructure and community.
2 hours ago : Montgomery County Schools reverses electric bus plan; considers snow day calendar changes.
Montgomery County Public Schools is facing challenges with its electric bus fleet and is ordering more diesel buses. A bill aims to prevent extending the school calendar due to snow days.
1904: Gaithersburg High School Established
In 1904, Gaithersburg High School was established as the second high school in Montgomery County.
1908: School Budget and Enrollment in 1908
In 1908, Montgomery County Public Schools had 6,483 students and a budget of $76,000.
1912: "Non-Resident" Law Affects School Enrollment in 1912
In 1912, the United States Congress passed a "non-resident" law that excluded Montgomery County school children from enrolling in Washington, D.C. schools.
1916: Edwin W. Broome Becomes Superintendent in 1916
Edwin W. Broome became superintendent in 1916 and served until 1953.
1917: First Board of Education Named in 1917
In 1917, the county's first Board of Education, consisting of nine men, was named by legislative enactments.
1920: First Woman Appointed to Board of Education in 1920
In 1920, Mrs. A. Dawson Trumble was appointed as the first woman to the Montgomery County Board of Education, serving a five-year term.
1921: School Budget Growth in 1921
By 1921, the Montgomery County Public Schools budget had grown to more than $316,000.
1927: Rockville Colored High School Opens
In 1927, Rockville Colored High School opened. The original Rockville High School then changed its name to Richard Montgomery High School.
1936: Equalization of Teacher Pay in 1936
In 1936, Superintendent Broome and the board agreed to equalize teacher pay regardless of race, following a lawsuit brought by William B. Gibbs Jr. and the NAACP.
1949: School Consolidation Under Broome by 1949
By 1949, Edwin W. Broome had reduced the number of schools from 108 to 66 through consolidation of one-room schoolhouses into multi-room operations; school enrollment was over 22,000 at that time.
1953: Edwin W. Broome's Tenure Ends in 1953
Edwin W. Broome's tenure as superintendent ended in 1953. During his tenure, he oversaw significant expansion of high schools in the county.
September 1955: Desegregation Begins in September 1955
In September 1955, Montgomery County began desegregating its public schools, following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
1960: Integration Completed by 1960-1961
Montgomery County completed the integration of its schools in 1960–1961.
1961: School System Size and Budget in 1961
In 1961, Montgomery County Public Schools had 85,000 students and a $70 million budget. George Washington Carver High School students were rezoned to previously all-white schools.
1961: Integration Completed by 1961
Montgomery County completed the integration of its schools by 1961.
1972: Peak Enrollment in 1972
In 1972, Montgomery County Public Schools enrollment peaked at 127,912 students.
1977: Student Board Member Seat Created in 1977
In 1977, the Maryland General Assembly amended the Education Article to create a seat for a student on the board of education.
1978: First Student Board Member Selected in 1978
From 1978 until 1982, a small representative assembly of students selected the student member. David Naimon became the first student board member, serving during the 1978–1979 school year.
1979: David Naimon serves during the 1978-1979 school year
From 1978 until 1982, a small representative assembly of students selected the student member. David Naimon became the first student board member, serving during the 1978–1979 school year.
1980: First African American Student Board Member in 1980
Traci Williams, who served during the 1980–1981 school year, was the first African American to serve as a student member.
1981: Traci Williams serves during the 1980-1981 school year
Traci Williams, who served during the 1980–1981 school year, was the first African American to serve as a student member.
1982: Student Board Member Selection Process Changed in 1982
From 1978 until 1982, a small representative assembly of students selected the student member. David Naimon became the first student board member, serving during the 1978–1979 school year.
1982: Odessa Shannon Elected to School Board in 1982
In 1982, Odessa Shannon became the first elected black woman to serve on the Montgomery County School Board.
1982: Direct Election of Student Board Member Begins in 1982
Since 1982, the student board member has been directly elected by vote of all MCPS secondary students.
1983: Low Enrollment in 1983
In 1983, Montgomery County Public Schools enrollment hit a low of 91,030, leading to the closure of 60 schools.
1983: Kurt Hirsch Serves as First Directly Elected Student Member in 1983
Kurt Hirsch, the first student member directly elected by secondary students, served during the 1982–1983 school year.
1986: School System Size in 1986
In 1986, Montgomery County Public Schools had more than 96,000 students and 13,000 staff members in 155 schools.
1989: Student Member Vote Established in 1989
During the 1989 session of the Maryland General Assembly, Section 3-901 was amended and established a limited vote for the student member.
1990: Enrollment Over 100,000 by 1990
By 1990, enrollment in Montgomery County Public Schools was over 100,000.
1991: Paul L. Vance Becomes Superintendent in 1991
In 1991, Paul L. Vance became the county's first black superintendent; there were 107,000 students in 174 schools.
1995: First African American Directly Elected in 1995
In 1995, Charles McCullough was the first African American to be directly elected as a student member of the board, serving during the 1995–1996 school year.
1996: Charles McCullough Serves during 1995-1996
In 1995, Charles McCullough was the first African American to be directly elected as a student member of the board, serving during the 1995–1996 school year.
1999: Paul L. Vance Leaves Superintendent Role in 1999
When Paul L. Vance left the superintendent role in 1999, MCPS had 129,000 students in 185 schools.
December 2008: MCPS Board Recognizes Traci Williams in December 2008
In December 2008, after Traci Williams' death, the MCPS board released a declaration recognizing her effect on the county.
2010: MCPS Awarded Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award
In 2010, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) was awarded a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
2014: School Calendar Modified in 2014
In 2014, the Montgomery County Board of Education modified the school calendar to remove all references to Christian and Jewish religious holidays, following a campaign by "Equality for Eid".
2016: College Board and Project Lead the Way Awards in 2016
In April 2018, the College Board and Project Lead the Way awarded more than 3,000 students in the U.S. for their accomplishments in the 2016–17 school year. MCPS had the most students earning AP + PLTW Student Achievements.
2016: Full Voting Rights for Student Member in 2016
Since 2016, the student member of the Montgomery County Board of Education has had full voting rights, except for votes to punish people.
2017: Data Dashboards Launched in 2017-18 School Year
During the 2017–18 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools launched data dashboards to focus on learning, accountability, and results.
2017: AP Exam Performance in 2017
In 2017, Montgomery County Public Schools graduates outperformed their peers in the state of Maryland and the nation on Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
April 2018: College Board and Project Lead the Way Awards in April 2018
In April 2018, the College Board and Project Lead the Way awarded more than 3,000 students in the U.S. for their accomplishments in the 2016–17 school year. MCPS had the most students earning AP + PLTW Student Achievements.
May 2018: First Graduates with Two-Year Degree in May 2018
In May 2018, students from Northwest High School were the first in the district to graduate with a two-year degree in general engineering from Montgomery College, and students from Northwood High School earned an associate degree from Montgomery College.
2018: Aviation Program at Magruder High School in 2018-19
During the 2018–19 school year, a program implemented at Magruder High School allowed students to get a head start on careers in aviation.
2018: Extended School Year Pilot Program in 2018-2019
During the 2018–2019 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools piloted an extended school year at Arcola and Roscoe Nix elementary schools.
2018: College Scholarships Earned in 2018
Graduates from the class of 2018 earned $364 million in college scholarships, an increase of more than $14 million over the previous year.
2019: Extended School Year Pilot Program in 2018-2019
During the 2018–2019 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools piloted an extended school year at Arcola and Roscoe Nix elementary schools.
2019: AP Tests Numbers in 2019
In 2019, the total number of AP tests taken was 41,048, with passing scores at 71.5%.
2020: AP Tests Numbers in 2020
In 2020, passing scores increased from 71.5% in 2019 to 75.1%.
2021: AP Tests Numbers in 2021
In 2021, the total number of AP tests taken was 31,750, with passing scores at 68.1%.
2022: Extended School Year Program Still in Effect as of 2022
As of 2022, the extended school year program is still in effect at Arcola and Roscoe Nix elementary schools.
2022: District School and Enrollment Data in 2022
For the 2022–2023 school year, the district has 210 schools and an enrollment of 160,554 students.
2022: Record Enrollment in 2022-23 School Year
Montgomery County Public Schools saw a record enrollment of 160,564 students at the start of the 2022–23 school year.
2023: District School and Enrollment Data in 2023
For the 2022–2023 school year, the district has 210 schools and an enrollment of 160,554 students.
2023: Extended School Year Program in 2022-2023
For the 2022–2023 school year, the extended school year began July 6, giving students an additional 30 days of school at Arcola and Roscoe Nix elementary schools.
February 2, 2024: Monifa McKnight Resigns as Superintendent on February 2, 2024
On February 2, 2024, Monifa McKnight, the first black woman to serve as superintendent of Montgomery County schools, resigned under pressure from the school board.
2024: District Enrollment and Teacher Data for 2024-25 School Year
For the 2024-25 school year, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) had about 159,671 students taught by about 13,994 teachers.
2024: Graduation Rate in 2024
The class of 2024 saw a 91.8% four-year graduation rate, an increase of 2.2% from the previous year.
July 1, 2025: Anuva Maloo Sworn in on July 1, 2025
Anuva Maloo was sworn in as the student member for the 2025–2026 school year on July 1, 2025.
July 2025: Thomas W. Taylor Appointed Superintendent
As of July 2025, Thomas W. Taylor is the superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools.
2025: Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2025
Montgomery County Public Schools has established certain criteria for students to graduate high school, including specific credit requirements for the class of 2025.
2026: Student Member School Year 2025-2026
Anuva Maloo was sworn in as the student member for the 2025–2026 school year on July 1, 2025.
2026: MCPS Fiscal Year 2026 Budget
In fiscal year 2026, MCPS received 47.3% of Montgomery County’s budget.
Mentioned in this timeline
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