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Central Review and Centers for Enriched Studies

The grade 3 central review process looks at school system literacy performance data of grade 3 students in January.  Students whose data indicate a need for enriched and accelerated reading language arts instruction are centrally recommended for enriched literacy instruction at their local school and placed in the canidate pool for Centers for Enriched Studies.  It is not necessary for current MCPS students to submit an application for consideration.

The Centers for Enriched Studies provide a learning environment for Grade 4 and Grade 5 students that enriches, accelerates, and extends the MCPS reading language arts curriculum. It is designed to meet the needs of gifted and motivated learners in language arts, science, and social studies. The program focuses on critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and communication skills.  Students are invited to the program by lottery from the canidate pool established in the grade 3 central review process. 

Information for the 2024-2025 school year

The process and timeline for the  2024-2025 Grade 3 Central Review Process are currently being finalized.  This page will be updated in early December 2024 with information for the 2024-2025 school year.  The information below provides an overview and timeline of the process from the previous school year.

Information for the 2023-2024 school year*

2023-2024 Resources

Updated information for the 2024-2025 school year will be posted in early December 2024. The information below provides and overview of the timeline and process from the 2023-2024 school year. 

*This information is for familes of grade 3 students who will be in grade 4 for the 2024-2025 school year. 

2023-2024 Timeline

The updated time for the 2024-2025 school year will be posted in early December 2024. The information below provides and overview of the timeline  from the 2023-2024 school year. 

  • January 2024 - Parent Outreach
  • February 2024
    • Data collection and review.  No application necessary for current MCPS students.  
    • Deadline for private/homeschooled students to submit documents - February 26,  2024 (More Information
    • Lottery conducted
  • Week of April 8, 2024 Central Review and Lottery Results sent to families
  • April 16- April 23, 2024 Invited Family Events at CES sites
  • April 26, 2024 - Deadline to appeal Central Review results

Admission

Application (More about admissions)

Admission to the Centers for Enriched Studies is a competitive criteria based process.  The process uses multiple measures and begins with a universal review of all current MCPS Grade 3 students.   

Region

Regional (More about regions)

Regional centers serve a designated geographic area that is based on high school attendance area. Your local elementary school can identify the center to which your area is assigned.

The Center for Enriched Studies at Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School serves the following attendance areas:

  • Richard Montgomery
  • Rockville
  • Wheaton
  • MSMC Feeder Schools (Brookhaven ES, Georgian Forest ES, Harmony Hills ES, Sargent Shriver ES, Strathmore ES, Viers Mill ES, Weller Road ES, and Wheaton Woods ES) 

Transportation

Central Location Stops (limited geographic area) (More about transportation)

MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Centers for Enriched Studies, parents may need to provide transportation to the central stop.

 

Related Information

 

Admission

Application (More about admissions)

Admission to the Centers for Enriched Studies is a competitive criteria based process.  The process uses multiple measures and begins with a universal review of all current MCPS Grade 3 students. 


Region

Regional (More about regions)

Each center serves a designated geographic area that is based on high school attendance areas. Your local elementary school can identify the center to which your area is assigned.

The Center for Enriched Studies at Chevy Chase Elementary School serves the following attendance areas:

  • Walt Whitman
  • Bethesda-Chevy Chase
  • Walter Johnson

Transportation

Central Location Stops (limited geographic area) (More about transportation)

MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Elementary Center Programs for the Highly Gifted, from the areas that the programs serve.

Related Information

 

Admission

Application (More about admissions)

Admission to the Centers for Enriched Studies is a competitive criteria based process.  The process uses multiple measures and begins with a universal review of all current MCPS Grade 3 students. 


Region

Regional (More about regions)

Each center serves a designated geographic area that is based on high school attendance areas. Your local elementary school can identify the center to which your area is assigned. The Center for Enriched Studies at Clearspring Elementary School serves the following attendance areas:

  • Damascus
  • Clarksburg

Transportation

Central Location Stops (limited geographic area) (More about transportation)

MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Elementary Center Programs for the Highly Gifted, from the areas that the programs serve.

 

Related Information

 

Admission

Application (More about admissions)

Admission to the Centers for Enriched Studies is a competitive criteria based process.  The process uses multiple measures and begins with a universal review of all current MCPS Grade 3 students. 

 


Region

Regional (More about regions)

Each center serves a designated geographic area that is based on high school attendance areas. Your local elementary school can identify the center to which your area is assigned.  

The Center for Enriched Studies at Cold Spring Elementary School serves the following attendance areas:

  • Winston Churchill
  • Thomas S. Wootton

Transportation

Central Location Stops (limited geographic area) (More about transportation)

MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Elementary Center Programs for the Highly Gifted, from the areas that the programs serve.

 

Related Information

 

Admission

Application (More about admissions)

Admission to the Centers for Enriched Studies is a competitive criteria based process.  The process uses multiple measures and begins with a universal review of all current MCPS Grade 3 students. 

 


Region

Regional (More about regions)

Each center serves a designated geographic area that is based on high school attendance areas. Your local elementary school can identify the center to which your area is assigned.

The Center for Enriched Studies at Drew ES serves the following attendance areas:

  • James Hubert Blake
  • Paint Branch
  • Springbrook
  • Sherwood

Transportation

Central Location Stops (limited geographic area) (More about transportation)

MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Elementary Center Programs for the Highly Gifted, from the areas that the programs serve.

 

Related Information

 

Admission

Application (More about admissions)

Admission to the Centers for Enriched Studies is a competitive criteria based process.  The process uses multiple measures and begins with a universal review of all current MCPS Grade 3 students. 


Region

Regional (More about regions)

Each center serves a designated geographic area that is based on high school attendance areas. Your local elementary school can identify the center to which your area is assigned.

The Center for Enriched Studies at Fox Chapel ES serves the following attendance areas:

  • Northwest
  • Poolesville
  • Quince Orchard
  • Seneca Valley

Transportation

Central Location Stops (limited geographic area) (More about transportation)

MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Elementary Center Programs for the Highly Gifted, from the areas that the programs serve.

Related Information

 

Admission

Application (More about admissions)

Admission to the Centers for Enriched Studies is a competitive criteria based process.  The process uses multiple criteria and begins with a universal review of all current MCPS Grade 3 students. Families will receive information and admission information in January 2022.


Region

Regional (More about regions)

Each center serves a designated geographic area that is based on high school attendance areas. Your local elementary school can identify the center to which your area is assigned.

The Center for Enriched Studies at  Pine Crest/Oak View Elementary Schools serves the following attendance areas:

Base schools of:

  • Montgomery Blair
  • Albert Einstein
  • John F. Kennedy
  • Northwood

Elementary Schools:

  • Arcola
  • Glen Haven
  • Glenallan
  • Highland
  • Oakland Terrace
  • Pine Crest
  • Rock View
  • Kemp Mill

Transportation

Central Location Stops (limited geographic area) (More about transportation)

MCPS provides transportation from central stops for students in the Elementary Center Programs for the Highly Gifted, from the areas that the programs serve.

 

Related Information