As Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) leadership conducts its elementary school closure and consolidation study, a group of dedicated parents from College Gardens Elementary School has created this space to keep our community informed, engaged, and proactive.

Decisions about school boundaries and consolidations impact our families and neighborhoods. Our goal is to ensure the Board of Education recognizes that College Gardens is an indispensable asset to the entire district. Together, we can advocate for our students and protect the specialized programming that makes our school community thrive.

Our Unique Value: The Only PYP IB World School in MCPS

College Gardens holds a distinct and vital position within Montgomery County Public Schools. We are the only Primary Years Programme (PYP) IB World School in the entire county.

• The Foundation of the K-12 Pathway: Because we host the county's only PYP, College Gardens provides the only available foundational pathway in the district for students to partake in the full, continuous K-12 International Baccalaureate (IB) experience.
• A Model for the District: Our rigorous, inquiry-based curriculum prepares students to seamlessly transition into Middle Years and Diploma IB programming, fostering global citizenship and academic excellence from kindergarten through graduation.

Aligning with MCPS Goals: A Case for Expansion, Not Reduction

MCPS leadership and the Board of Education have clearly stated that a primary goal of this system-wide study is increasing equitable access to high-quality programming.

Rather than viewing enrollment shifts as a challenge, we see this as an incredible opportunity for the district to fulfill its equity mission. Protecting special programs like our PYP—and expanding access by consolidating other schools’ students into the remaining seats available at College Gardens—directly aligns with MCPS goals.

By filling available seats at College Gardens, the district can:

• Give more students direct access to a world-class IB education.
• Maximize the use of an already established, highly successful specialized facility.
• Strengthen the pipeline to regional middle and high school IB programs.

What We Know So Far (The Facts)

• Has College Gardens been targeted? No. MCPS leadership has explicitly stated that no specific schools have been identified or recommended for closure or consolidation yet.
• What is the current status? The Board of Education is currently gathering data and hosting community engagement sessions to collect feedback before building formal recommendations.
• Why are we acting now? Proactive advocacy ensures that decision-makers understand the structural importance of the K-12 IB pipeline before any initial boundary maps or consolidation lists are drafted.

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