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Downcounty 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 240-740-2540, or via e-mail.  

Si desea información en español favor llamar al (240) 740-2540.

 

 

DCC logo

Downcounty Consortium Highlights

Information for the 2023-2024 school year

The timelines for the 2023-2024 school year are currently being finalized.  Please check back in early September 2023 for updated information.

Information from the 2022-2023 school year

The information provided below is from last school year and is provided as a reference. 

DCC Timeline

Round 1 Choice forms were due on November 4, 2022.  Round 1 school assignment letters were mailed home in mid-January 2023.  For students who did not receive their first Choice, you may resubmit original choices into round 2 of the lottery process.  Please see the school assignment letter for directions.  Round 2 resubmit forms are due by February 10, 2023.

Newly Enrolled 8th grade students or students who attend a DCC middle school and live outside the boundary area can participate in round 2 of the Choice lottery process. Instructions were mailed home the week of January 17, 2023.  The Choice form will be available at bit.ly/choiceDCC.  Forms are due by February 10, 2023.  

Change of Choice

Students in Grade 9, 10 and 11 who would like to request a different DCC high school for the 2023-2024 school year may submit a Change of Choice request form using the link below. 
bit.ly/MCPSchangeDCC

Change of Choice requests are due by February 10, 2023.  Notifications will be mailed home in mid-March 2023. 
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 240-740-2540 to begin the process.  Please allow 36 hours (or less) for a response. 

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 240-740-2540 or email DCCAPS@mcpsmd.org.  

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 is now closed.  The appeals process opens in March of each school year.  
Optional Appeal Form  

Appeal FAQ's  

Last Update: 7/28/2023 

Blair High School

Academy Programs

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

More about academy programs at Blair HS  
MBHS Open House Video (2021)
Blair Open House Presentation (2021)

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  
AEHS Open House Video & Presentation - (Interactive Slide Deck)  (Links to Recordings)

 

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 
Open House Recording - October 2021 (Recording) (Resources) 
  

Signature Application-Only Programs

Regional Application-Only Programs

 

 

Northwood High School

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 Open House Recording - (Open House Recording)
Northwood Academy Webpage

Application Program (interest based)

 

Wheaton High School

Academy Programs

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

More about academy programs at Wheaton HS

Wheaton Open House Recording  (October 2021)

Application-Only Programs

Application Programs Open to DCC Students

A Sneak Peak of Special Programs Available to Gr 8 students attending a DCC MS: Click Here

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.