School redistricting for 2026
This article is from the Howard County School Website. Since our students attend both Burleigh Manor Middle and Centennial High parents need to attend the meetings and watch the progress of this review carefully.
Boundary Review Process for the 2026-2027 School Year
April 10th, 2025
On Feb. 13, 2025, the Board of Education directed that HCPSS initiate the boundary review process outlined in Policy 6010 School Attendance Areas to consider redistricting selected schools that are outside the capacity utilization range of 90-110%.
The boundary review process will include Bryant Woods, Running Brook, Swansfield, Longfellow, Clemens Crossing and Centennial Lane elementary schools. Wilde Lake, Harper’s Choice and Burleigh Manor middle schools, as well as Centennial and Wilde Lake high schools also will be included to allow adjustments to feeds. Details and information on the boundary review process, including a survey open through April 30, can be found online.Changes in school attendance areas as a result of this process will take effect beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
Community members will have multiple opportunities and ways to provide input, beginning with spring information sessions facilitated by HCPSS staff.
The information sessions will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn about the scope, timeline and boundary review process. There also will be an opportunity to ask general questions about the process and provide input via online survey to inform HCPSS staff. Boundary scenarios will not be presented at the information sessions. Registration is encouraged. All information sessions are open for any community member to attend.
Tuesday, April 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Wilde Lake Middle School Cafeteria, 10481 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia
Thursday, April 24, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Burleigh Manor Middle School Media Center, 4200 Centennial Lane, Ellicott City
Monday, April 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Swansfield Elementary School Cafeteria, 5610 Cedar Lane, Columbia
Interpretation services at information sessions will be available in Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. To request interpretation in another language, please email interpretingservices@hcpss.org.
For those who are unable to attend an information session, meeting materials will be postedonline the week of April 21.
The boundary review process will run through November 2025, with various opportunities for input to HCPSS staff and testimony to the Board of Education. A final decision on any changes in school boundaries will be made by the Board in November 2025, for the 2026-2027 school year.
The 2025 Feasiblity Report was scheduled to be presented on June 26th, but on BoardDocs, there is a strike-thru on that agenda item. The report will provide preliminary thinking on redistricting. Parents of students should be following the process closely. Thanks.