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DCC logoDowncounty Consortium (DCC)

The Downcounty Consortium includes five high schools and their feeder middle and elementary schools—Blair, Einstein, Kennedy, Northwood, and Wheaton. Each DCC high school offers distinctive academy programs designed to capture students’ interest, incorporate rigorous academic course work, explore possible career pathways, and bring real world relevance to students’ education.

More about the DCC

Questions?

Review the DCC process frequently asked questions.

Contact your student's school counselor, call the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services(DCCAPS) at 240-740-7800, or via e-mail.  

Si desea información en español favor llamar al (240) 740-7800.

Downcounty Consortium Highlights

Information for the 2024-2025 school year

 

DCC Timeline

  • September 19, 2024- DCC Virtual High School Information Session @ 6:00 p.m. (English) and 7:00 p.m. (Español)
  • September 26, 2024- Wheaton Open House* @ 6:30 p.m.
  • September 30, 2024- Blair Open House* @ 6:00 p.m.
  • October 9, 2024- Kennedy Open House* @ 6:30 p.m.
  • October 14, 2024- Einstein Open House* @ 6:30 p.m.
  • October 30, 2024- Northwood @ Woodward Open House* @ 7:00 p.m.
  • November 1, 2024- DCC Choice Form Deadline  
  • Mid January  2025- Notification of Round 1 results
  • Mid January 2025 - Round 2 Choice Form instructuctions mailed to families 
  • February 7, 2025- DCC Round 2 Choice Form Deadline
  • Mid March  2025- Notification of Round 2 results

* For information on application programs open houses hosted at these schools please visit Programs at a Glance Document

DCC Parent and Open House Presentations from Fall 2023

The presentations below are from the 2023-2024 school year. Updated presentations will be posted as available.

Resources

  • Round 1 of the Choice Process is for students who reside in the DCC.  Choice form will be available in mid-October at bit.ly/choiceDCC/
  •  Private and home schooled families should contact DCCAPS to access the Choice Form 
    • 240-740-7800 or DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org

Enroll in DCC

Do you live within the DCC boundaries? Need to enroll your child in high school?

Please email DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org or call 240-740-7800 to begin the process.  Please allow 36 hours (or less) for a response. 

Change of Choice

Students currently in Grades 9, 10 and 11 who would like to request a different DCC high school for the 2025-2026 school year may submit a Change of Choice request form using the link below which will open in mid-January 2025. 
bit.ly/MCPSchangeDCC

Change of Choice requests are due by February 7, 2025.  Notifications will be mailed home in mid-March 2025. 
Change of Choice FAQ's

Appeal Information

An appeal process is in place for those who may have a unique and verifiable hardship or unforeseen circumstances that could warrant override the school assignment process.  To appeal, you must submit a letter explaining the reason for the request to the director of DCCAPS.  Please include your students name, MCPS ID number, parent/guardian signature, and phone number.  The appeals process opens in March of each school year and closes in mid-April. 

Optional Appeal Form  

Appeal FAQ's  

Questions?

For additional information about the Choice process and/or the DCC, contact your child's school counselor, or call Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services(DCCAPS) office at 240-740-7800 or email DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org.  

 

Last Update: 9/3/2024

 

Blair High School

Academy Programs

  • Entrepreneurship & Business Management
  • Human Service Professions
  • International Studies & Law
  • Media, Music, and The Arts
  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Application-Only Programs

Albert Einstein High School

Academy Programs

  • International Baccalaureate Academy & Diploma Program
  • Academy of Finance, Careers & Technology  
  • Renaissance Academy for College Readiness 
  • Visual and Performing Arts
  • Teacher Academy of Maryland 

More about the academy programs at Einstein HS  

Application-Only Programs

John F. Kennedy High School

Academy Programs

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma Program
  • Broadcast Journalism and Communications Academy
  • Health Care Professions Academy
  • Business Administration and Management Academy
  • Teacher Academy of Maryland 
  • Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)

More about academy programs at Kennedy HS 
 

Signature Application-Only Programs

Regional Application-Only Programs

 

Northwood High School 

Northwood @ Woodward Update

Academy Programs

  • Technological, Environmental, and System Sciences (TESS)
  • Humanities, Arts, and Media (HAM)
  • Politics, Advocacy, and Law (PAL)
  • Music, Theatre and Dance (AMTAD)
  • Montgomery College Middle College  
  • Finance, Accounting, Marketing and Education (FAME)

More about academy programs at Northwood HS 
Northwood Academy Webpage

Application Program (interest based)

Montgomery College Middle College

 

Wheaton High School

Academy Programs

  • Bioscience Academy (PLTW)
  • Engineering Academy (PLTW)
  • Information Technology (AOIT)
  • Global Studies (GSA) 

More about academy programs at Wheaton HS

Application-Only Programs

Application Programs Open to DCC Students

Special Programs Open to ALL MCPS Students

Regional and Countywide Programs At-A-Glance (eligibility is based on home/assigned high school)

  •  Programs At-A-Glance (this document is being updated regularly please refer back for updated information)
 

All About the Lottery Choice Process

The Downcounty Consortium (DCC) Program Booklet has general and specific information about the five high schools in the DCC.