A Smarter, Simpler Plan to Boost Student Achievement

Students thrive when schools stay focused on what works. MCPS’ redesigned School Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2025–2026 makes sure every school is laser-focused on helping all students succeed.

What’s new:

• Student-first focus: Aligns directly with Goal 1 of the MCPS Future Ready Strategic Plan — ensuring every student shows high academic achievement and growth.
• One-page format: Clear, concise, and user-friendly.
• Stronger alignment: Tied to key state measures from the Maryland School Report Card (like math, ELA, and school climate).
• Built by schools, supported by the district: Principals led the design, with support and resources from central services.

Transparency counts:

All school improvement plans will be posted online so families and communities can see how their schools are working to improve. The Board looks forward to future updates about how the new SIP is working for schools.

What matters most:
Simpler plans, stronger support, and a shared focus on what matters most — student growth. This is how MCPS is making every school a place where all students can succeed.

Watch the Board’s discussion on the new SIP.

Students First in MCPS’ Future Plans

The Board believes students in Montgomery County deserve the best start and the strongest finish. MCPS’ 2026-2030 Strategic Plan fully aligns with The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future - a combination that is reshaping education so every child is ready for kindergarten, meets college and career goals, and learns from well-supported, highly qualified teachers.

How MCPS is stepping up:
The 2026–2030 Strategic Plan includes targeted measures to track and improve:

• Kindergarten readiness
• Teacher recruitment, diversity, and career growth
• Early achievement of college and career standards

What’s new with the Blueprint:
The Maryland State Department of Education and the Blueprint Accountability & Implementation Board are now working more closely together to ensure school systems like MCPS get clear, consistent guidance on how to deliver Blueprint goals. MCPS leaders will meet with state officials this fall to review progress, highlight challenges, and plan next steps. 

More opportunities for every student:
Better planning, smarter tracking, and strong partnerships mean more opportunities for every MCPS student. Progress will be public on the Maryland Report Card — so stay tuned.

Watch the presentation for all the details on how MCPS’ Strategic Plan and the Blueprint are putting students first.

Celebrating Patricia B. O’Neill’s Legacy of Leadership, Service, and Advocacy for Students

On July 23, the Montgomery County Board of Education formally dedicated its Board room at 15 W. Gude Drive as the Patricia O’Neill Board of Education Room, honoring the late Patricia O’Neill’s exceptional contributions to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and her enduring impact on public education.

The event brought together Board of Education members, O’Neill’s family, friends, and former colleagues, who reflected on her more than two decades of service to the school system and community. Speakers highlighted her steadfast commitment to equity, academic excellence, and opportunity for all students.

“Tonight, we dedicate this room in her name,” said Brenda Wolff, who served alongside Ms. O’Neill, “But her real legacy lives in each of us who were lucky enough to work with her, to know her, to be guided by her. It lives in every student who was lifted by a decision she helped shape. It lives in every policy that put equity and opportunity at the forefront.

O’Neill served on the Montgomery County Board of Education for 23 years—longer than any other member in the Board’s history. She was elected Board president five times and vice president six times, guiding key policies that expanded student access to rigorous coursework and championed the needs of all learners.

Speakers noted that the newly named Patricia O’Neill Board of Education Room will serve as a lasting tribute to her legacy—a space where critical decisions will continue to shape the future of education in Montgomery County, just as O’Neill helped do throughout her distinguished career.

In addition to her Board service, O’Neill served as vice-chair of the MCPS Educational Foundation and participated in numerous state and national education initiatives. Her leadership and advocacy left an indelible mark not only on Montgomery County, but on education policy across Maryland and beyond.

Board President Julie Yang, who spoke during the event, remarked, “We honor Pat’s legacy that has touched the lives of thousands. It’s hard to think of a more fitting tribute for someone who spent so much of her life shaping the future with care, conviction, and unshakable belief in the promise of public education.”

The Board thanks all attendees who joined in celebrating a woman whose life’s work continues to shape the future for thousands of students across Montgomery County.

Watch the dedication event to hear what other community leaders had to say about Ms. O’Neill.

The Montgomery County Board of Education to Hold Board Meeting September 25

The Montgomery County Board of Education will hold a Board meeting on Thursday, September 25 at 15 W Gude Drive, Rockville. Details, including the meeting agenda, are available on our website.

The meeting will be cablecast live on Comcast Channel 34 (HD 1071), Verizon Channel 36, RCN Channel 89 and the MCPS website.