Emergency Information → MCPS Operating Status & Color Codes

MCPS Operating Status & Color Codes

Translations: español  /  中文  /  français /  Português /  한국어 /  tiếng Việt /  አማርኛ

Weather and Emergency Closures, Delayed Openings, and Early Dismissals:

How do we make weather-related operating status decisions?

We consider:

• the safety of students, staff, and families
• Current and extended weather forecast
• Road and traffic conditions

Closures and Delayed Opening:

• National Weather Service forecast
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Evening Decision - made and announced by 7 pm
• If necessary, updates and forecast from National Weather Service by 4:30 am
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Morning Decision - made and announced by 5 am (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)

Early Release

• National Weather Service forecast
• Coordination of School System and County Response
• Early Release Decision - made and announced by 10:30 am if weather is expected to impact afternoon transportation (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)
• If weather is not expected to impact afternoon transportation, but may impact evening activities, a decision and announcement will be made as early as possible in the afternoon. (Unless there is an emergency that necessitates a later notification time.)

Note: The decision to close schools because of weather (or other widespread situation impacting safety) is always for the entire system. A uniform procedure to close all schools is maintained so that the school system can respond quickly to emergency conditions and protect the safety and well being of students and staff who attend both public and non-public schools and receive transportation services from Montgomery County.

How will I know if we will have "make-up" days for emergency closures?

The 2024-2025 MCPS traditional school year calendar has two days already built in for emergency closures.

• Emergency Closure #1: no make-up day required for schools
• Emergency Closure #2: no make-up day required for schools
• Emergency Closure #3 and beyond: MCPS will identify the "in person" make-up days for schools based on those designated in our 2024-2025 school year calendar if necessary.

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) issued new guidelines for the 2024-2025 school year that school systems can shift to virtual learning for severe weather conditions only if they have utilized all of their "in person" make-up days designated in the school year calendar. The 2024-2025 school year calendar has 10 "in person" make-up days identified throughout the year, including 5 at the end of the school year.

Note: MCPS opted not to include "Code Purple/Virtual Instruction" as an operating status color code for 2024-2025 because it is very unlikely that we would shift to virtual instruction based on these updated MSDE guidelines.

NOTE: When all schools and central offices are closed because of inclement weather or other emergency reasons, 12-month unit members designated as emergency personnel are expected to report or remain on duty, unless directed not to do so by the superintendent or designee

MCPS employees can access more information about delayed openings, early dismissals, and emergency closures for offices and/or schools in the documents linked below.

• MCEA Contract FY2023-2027
• SEIU Local 500/MCPS Agreement 2023-2026
• MCAAP/MCBOA Agreement 2023-2025