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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.  Review the DCC process frequently asked questions.

More about the DCC

DCC Timeline

  • September 19, 2024- DCC Virtual High School Information Video Recordings in English and Español.
  • September 26, 2024- Wheaton Open House* @ 6:30 p.m.slides
  • September 30, 2024- Blair Open House* @ 6:00 p.m.  slides
  • October 9, 2024- Kennedy Open House* @ 6:30 p.m slides application programs slides
  • October 14, 2024- Einstein Open House* @ 6:30 p.m. slides academy program slides
  • October 30, 2024- Northwood @ Woodward Open House* @ 7:00 p.m. 
  • November 1, 2024- DCC Choice Form Deadline - Round 1
  • 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
  • April 11, 2025- Deadline appeal school assignment

* For information about application program open houses hosted at these schools please visit Programs at a Glance Document,  if you have additional questions, please review the the DCC process frequently asked questions

Downcounty Consortium Highlights

Round 2 of the DCC Choice Process is now underway for students in Grade 8!   The deadline to submit Round 2 choices is February 7, 2025.  See below for information about who is eligible for Round 2 and the link to submit Round 2 high school choices, please be sure to use the correct link for your situation:

  • Grade 8 students who currently attend a DCC middle school but do not live in the DCC attendance area should use this link: bit.ly/choiceDCC
  • Grade 8 students from the DCC area who enrolled in MCPS after November 1, 2025  and have not previously submitted choices should use this link:  bit.ly/choiceDCC
  • Grade 8 students who participated in the Round 1 Choice Process and did not receive their 1st choice assignment may resubmit their original choices using this link: bit.ly/resubmitDCC

Please note:  A valid MCPS student ID number is required to access these forms. If your ID number is not accepted, please confirm you are accessing the correct form. If you are still unable to access, please contact your student's counselor or email DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org.

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

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. 

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.   The 2025 deadline for appeals is April 11, 2025.

Optional Appeal Form  

Appeal FAQ's  

Information for students attending private school or are home schooled

  •  Private and home schooled families should contact DCCAPS to access the Choice Form 
    • 240-740-7800 or DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org

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: 1/23/2025

 

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

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.