MCPS Board of Education Proposes Changes to School Transfer Policy

change of school assignment mcps

The Board released changes earlier in the year to allow the public to comment, and after receiving public response, have made changes to the proposal.

Major changes include requiring students to re-apply for change of school transfers for high school, as well as more concrete definitions and examples on approved reasons for change of school applications, including a documented unique hardship, a recent family move within Montgomery County, and a transfer to be at the same school as a sibling.

One of the proposal’s most serious changes includes requiring students to re-apply for transfer approval after middle school.The old policy automatically approved students to attend the feeder high school of the middle school they were granted a transfer to.

The changes require students to submit a change of school application demonstrating significant hardship for any high school other than their assigned home school.

The amendments define “documented unique hardship.” Under the proposal, students may apply for a change of school transfer if their current school places them in a situation that is detrimental to their physical, mental or emotional well-being and would be mitigated by a change of school environment.

These situations include an inability to access necessary and appropriate before or after-school childcare at the location of the child’s assigned school, ongoing and long-term medical treatment that is a significant distant away from the child’s assigned school, or any situation that creates a documented need from treatment from a health care provider.

The proposal also clarifies the guidelines for approving change of school transfers for students’ whose family moves within Montgomery County. Previous language failed to address the timeline of approval for such transfers. Families who move within Montgomery County during the school year may apply to request a transfer without needing to prove that moving school would create a significant hardship.

However, these requests must be submitted immediately. The request for transfer will last until the end of the school year, and students will need to re-apply to stay at the school location. If students would like to attend their old school in the next school year, they must apply and demonstrate documented unique hardship.

The proposed changes clarify the policy regarding sibling placement, and extends the definition of siblings to include step-brothers and sisters, and half-brothers and sisters.

Finally, policy specifies that applications for change of school transfers must be submitted within the first school day in February and the first school day in April.

The Board is still accepting comments on the proposed changes. You can submit comments here: https://mcpsweb.wufoo.com/forms/syvnabc0h3fd6c/

Write a Comment

Related articles.

change of school assignment mcps

MCPS Holding Second Girls’ Summit

change of school assignment mcps

School Board to Extend Virtual Academy, Change Calendar For Roscoe Nix Elementary

  • Sign Up for Our Newsletter
  • Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel
  • Available Homes
  • Upcoming Open Houses
  • MoCo Directory
  • MoCo Apparel

change of school assignment mcps

Everything You Need To Know About MCPS “Transfer Season” (Submitting Request For Child To Transfer Out of Home School)

change of school assignment mcps

New for the 2024-2025 COSA transfer process:

  • COSA request applications now can be submitted online instead of the traditional paper form. When an application is submitted online, a “receipt” email notification will be sent to the parent/guardian submitting the request shortly after the administrative team of the student’s assigned home school receives the application. If the request is successfully completed online, a paper form submission is not necessary. The link to the online COSA request form can be found on the Student Transfers website .

MCPS students are expected to attend the school within the established attendance area in which they reside (home school) or according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Students may apply for a COSA from the home school or the school of assignment through the IEP process based on the following criteria:

  • Unique Hardship :  When an extenuating circumstance(s) related to a student’s specific physical, mental or emotional well-being or their family’s individual or personal situation could be mitigated by a change of school assignment.
  • Family Move: When a family moves within Montgomery County and wishes to continue attending their current school, they may request a COSA without demonstrating a unique hardship. Such requests may be considered for the remainder of the current school year only, with the exception that students in Grade 11 or 12 may be granted a COSA to stay through high school graduation.
  • Siblings: When a student seeks to attend the school where a sibling will be enrolled in the regular/general school program, or a special education program, during the year the student wants to enroll.
  • When a sibling attends a magnet, language immersion or other application program at the elementary level, a COSA may be approved to the regular school program for other siblings on a case-by-case basis. Such approval requires consideration of available classroom space, grade-level enrollment, staffing allocations or other factors that impact the schools involved.

The sibling exemption does not apply if the sibling is in Pre-K or if a boundary change has occurred.

The transfer process begins in the assigned home school. Applications can be found online or in the Change of School Assignment (COSA) Information Booklet , which also  provides useful information on the COSA process. Exempt countywide programs that do not fall under the transfer guidelines are listed in the booklet.Booklets can be obtained from the student’s home school.

For information about assignments for students residing in the Northeast, Downcounty or Middle School Magnet Consortium areas, please contact the Division of Consortia Choice and Application Program Services (DCCAPS) at 240-740-2540 or visit the Student Transfers website .

For more information about the transfer process, parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the principal at their home school. Non-English speaking students and parents/guardians who require assistance can call ASK MCPS at 240-740-3000.

Courtesy of MCPS

Recent Stories

Walgreens has closed its white oak location.

change of school assignment mcps

Last month we let you know that Walgreens, located at 11215 New Hampshire Ave. Suite A in the White Oak Shopping Center, would be closing this month. The store is…

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

Outback Steakhouse Has Closed its Germantown Location After 30+ Years

change of school assignment mcps

As Outback Steakhouse prepares to open its new location in Downtown Silver Spring, the chain has closed its Germantown restaurant at 12609 Wisteria Dr. in the Germantown Square shopping center…

Temperatures in the 60s and Sunset at 6pm Coming This Week

change of school assignment mcps

While there are yeah technically another four weeks of winter left, this upcoming week will give us a taste of spring with temperatures expected to reach the mid 60s on…

County Executive Marc Elrich’s Weekly Message: Reflecting on Black History Month with Former County Executive Ike Leggett

change of school assignment mcps

County Executive Marc Elrich has sent his weekly message to the community and it includes speaking with former County Executive Ike Leggett to talk about his journey to become the…

AC Milan Soccer Camp at Maryland Soccerplex

change of school assignment mcps

AC Milan Academy is hosting a soccer camp at Maryland Soccerplex from March 1st through March 3rd for girls and boys aged 5 to 16 from any club who want to develop their soccer skills and learn the unique methodology of AC Milan directly from AC Milan coaches.

March 1st (Friday) 6pm-7:30pm

March 2nd (Saturday) 6pm-7:30pm

March 3rd (Sunday) 10:30am -12pm and 3:30pm-5pm

Location:18031 Central Park Cir, Boyds, MD 20841

Price: $349 + AC Milan Junior Camp Kit

Subscribe to our mailing list

Law Offices of David R. Bach, P.C.

Change of school assignment (cosa) in maryland.

A transfer request is made by filing a COSA request at the student’s home school. A COSA request must be made between February 1 and April 1for the following school year. COSA requests submitted after April 1 will not be accepted unless the student is a new resident of Montgomery County, or there is a bona fide emergency or event that could not have been foreseen prior to April 1. Documentation of supporting facts must be furnished to the home school with the COSA request. The student making the request is must be enrolled in their home school while the COSA is being processed.

The principal at the home school will sign the COSA request and forward it to the COSA office. The principal’s signature on the COSA simply verifies the student’s residency and the principal’s knowledge of the request. It does not mean that the principal supports the request. Schools typically notify parents about the COSA decision in May. COSA requests submitted for students who receive 15 or more hours of special education services are decided after July 1. Parents should not expect that just because they filed a COSA that their request for a school transfer will be granted.

Although the primary requirement for requesting a change of school transfer is a documented and unique hardship, there are exceptions:

Sibling: Older sibling attends requested school in the regular program absent a boundary change.

Continuation: Elementary school students return to their home middle schools unless a COSA form is submitted and approved based on unique hardship or one of the stated exemptions. Middle school students on an approved COSA may continue to that school’s feeder pattern high school, except when affected by boundary change, application program acceptance, or consortium choice guidelines, but a new COSA form must be submitted.

Exempt Programs: Student selected for an exempt program.

Family Relocation: When a family moves within Montgomery County, preference to remain in the original school will be considered to complete the current school year only.

The school system can also base their decision on factors outside specific documented reasons such as: the number of students who attend the school, language immersion programs, the size of the attendance area, or by lottery when there are more requests than available spaces.

If a COSA is approved, the parents become personally responsible to transport the student to and from school. Montgomery County will not provide transportation for a child to attend a school outside their home school cluster.

In the event the COSA is denied, an appeal of that decision can be made to the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 149, Rockville, MD 20850. The appeal has to be made in writing and received in the chief operating officer’s office within 15 calendar days from the date of the decision. The appeal must explain all the reason(s) why an appeal of the decision is being made. It is not necessary to provide additional information in order to appeal. However, a parent can submit additional information with the appeal to be considered in that process if the parent wishes to do so. Appeals are reviewed on the basis of the documents submitted and telephone conferences. As explained above, the student must continue to attend their home school while they wait for a decision to be made on the COSA appeal.

If the chief operating officer denies the COSA appeal a second appeal can be made directly to the Board of Education, 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, so long as it is made no more than 30 calendar days from the date of the chief operating officer’s decision letter. However, appeals to the Board of Education should be made right away. The Board of Appeals hears these second appeals at their regularly scheduled Board meetings. No appeals are heard in August when the Board is not in session.

Alimony and Spousal Support in Maryland

Domestic Protective Orders Issues and Ramifications.

Child Support Amendment Issues

Violations of Protective Orders

How to Handle a Divorce Logically

Statutory Guidelines of Child Support in Maryland

IMAGES

  1. Fillable Online mcps k12 md 1418.08L Change of School Assign Info

    change of school assignment mcps

  2. Board of Education Receives Presentation From MCPS Staff Highlighting

    change of school assignment mcps

  3. Petition · Ending homework in MCPS · Change.org

    change of school assignment mcps

  4. Breaking down new MCPS grading guidelines

    change of school assignment mcps

  5. Fillable Online Change of School Assignment (COSA)

    change of school assignment mcps

  6. MCPS approves phase-in for students in March

    change of school assignment mcps

COMMENTS

  1. Transfers

    (Change of School Assignment) 2023-2024 School Year How are Students Assigned to Their Home School? Why is a Student Allowed to Transfer to Another School? How do I Apply for a School Transfer? When do I Apply ? Downcounty, Northeast, And Middle School Magnet Consortia Students 2024-2025 School Year

  2. COSA

    The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 2024-2025 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season opens on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school. All COSA request applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

  3. Forms

    Request for Change of School Assignment (COSA) 279 K: 335-45: Request for Health Information from Authorized Health Care Provider: 449 K: 567-2: Request for Transportation Services: 447 K: ... Montgomery County Public Schools. Call: 240-740-3000 | Spanish Hotline: 240-740-2845 E-mail: [email protected] (General Information Line)

  4. 5 Things to Know

    The 2024-2025 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season is now open . The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school. All COSA request applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, April 2. Read full details. 4. Upcoming Events, Reminders and Resources

  5. School Transfer Applications Available Feb. 2-April 1

    Parents who want to request a Change of School Assignment (COSA) for their child from their home school may begin the process on Monday, Feb. 2. The transfer process begins in the home school, where parents and guardians may pick up an information booklet that contains the COSA form, describes the process and provides useful information.

  6. Parent Guide: Enrolling Your Child in School

    Transfers/Change of School Assignment Determining Eligibility for Enrollment All children living in Montgomery County have the right to attend the public schools. A child is eligible for enrollment if he or she is 5 years old by September 1 and not age 21 on the first day of school.

  7. PDF Request for Change of School Assignment (COSA)

    Request for Change of School Assignment (COSA) MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS MCPS Form 335-45 Rockville, Maryland 20850 December 2016 INSTRUCTIONS: The parent/guardian is to complete Part I and submit the form to the principal of the home school from which the student wants to transfer no later than the first school day in April.

  8. Appeals

    Contact your school's assigned PPW to discuss your reasons for wanting a Change of School Assignment (COSA) and possible solutions. PPW contact information can be found, here. ... Montgomery County Public Schools. Call: 240-740-3000 | Spanish Hotline: 240-740-2845. Email: [email protected]. Employee & Retiree Service Center.

  9. Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD

    School Assignment Tool. Disclaimer/Agreement: The information and maps this application provides use a combination of data from several sources, including Montgomery County DTS-GIS, Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, and Montgomery County Public Schools. While MCPS makes substantial efforts to ensure the accuracy of the ...

  10. MCPS Public Announcements

    The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 2024-2025 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season opens on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their

  11. Transfer Requests

    The student must continue to meet all attendance and behavioral expectations of the school. Questions regarding transfers for secondary students may be directed to: Adam Simpson. Director of Secondary Education. 750 Imperial Street SE. Christiansburg, VA 24073. 540-382-5100, ext. 1043. Transfer Requests - Montgomery County Public Schools.

  12. Change of School Assignment

    The COSA process will begin in Late Fall 2023, and conclude on January 9, 2024, for Phase 1 on-time applications for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. Parents/Guardians can access the online application through It's Your Choice. If a student does not enroll in the new assigned school by the specified deadline, the COSA will be revoked and ...

  13. Transfers

    Students may apply for Change of School Assignment (COSA) from the home school, or the school of assignment through the IEP process, based on the following criteria. To determine what the local school is for a specific address, call the School Boundary Information Line at 240-314-4710 between 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. weekdays. School Boundary ...

  14. MCPS Board of Education Proposes Changes to School Transfer Policy

    The Montgomery County Board of Education proposed amendments to the student transfer policy that allows students to apply for change of school assignments. The Board released changes earlier in ...

  15. Everything You Need To Know About MCPS "Transfer Season" (Submitting

    The Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) 2024-2025 Change of School Assignment (COSA) transfer season opens on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. The COSA process allows families to submit a request for their children to transfer out of their assigned home school. All COSA request applications must be submitted no later than Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

  16. Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, MD

    School Assignment Tool. Enter a Street Address. Instructions; Email Boundary Info; Call (240) 740-7725 for assistance. Contact Montgomery County Public Schools. Call: 240-740-3000 | Spanish Hotline: 240-740-2845 E-mail: [email protected] (General Information Line) Contact

  17. Change of School Assignment (COSA) in Maryland

    In order to qualify for a Change of School Assignment (COSA), the parent or guardian must show that there is a documented and unique hardship. Examples are short ­term school suspensions, medical issues, conflict with a peer where the students cannot co­exist in the same school, emotional difficulties, etc.

  18. PDF Change of Student Assignments (COSA)

    Change of student assignments or COSAs are defined as situations when a student requests to attend a school within MCPS that is not the school to which the student is assigned based on established attendance areas or in accordance with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

  19. SMOB Finalists

    Montgomery County Public Schools. Call: 240-740-3000 | Spanish Hotline: 240-740-2845. Email: [email protected]