School districts across DC region return to class
The first bells of the 2024-2025 school year are set to ring for thousands of students across Maryland and D.C. on Monday morning.
In Maryland, public schools in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Howard County and Anne Arundel County will welcome students — some for the first time. Public schools in D.C. will do the same, after making progress in last year’s standardized tests.
Here’s what you need to know.
DC
Thousands of students across all eight wards are set to head to class Monday, while pre-K students will start on Thursday.
The first day of school comes as data shows D.C. students are meeting or exceeding expectations in reading and math, according to the city’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
D.C. Public Schools is also entering the second year of the 6th grade academy initiative. The academies work to ensure a smooth transition to middle school. Last week, teachers were welcomed back with go-go music, snacks and pep talks from schools chancellor Lewis Ferebee.
Mayor Muriel Bowser will celebrate the first day of school at Miner Elementary School in Northeast.
Montgomery County
Maryland’s largest school district is sending more than 160,000 students to school.
Monday will also mark the first year that new Superintendent Thomas Taylor will run Montgomery County Public Schools. His tenure begins as Marcus Jones, the newly appointed chief of security and compliance for the school system, shared data that showed the number of “serious” safety incidents in its schools dropped overall last year.
To prepare its students for the first day of classes, the public school system held its 5th annual Back to School Fair at Westfield Wheaton Mall on Saturday.
Prince’s George’s
Just over 130,000 students return to classes in Prince George’s County, where multiple schools will be adjusting to new start and dismissal times.
Meanwhile, some parents are raising concerns that their children will not be allowed to attend class after Prince George’s County Public Schools switched to a new system for registering students, and some parents were not aware or have been experiencing issues to register before classes start.
One positive: its school bus drivers are ready for the new school year, as schedules have been streamlined, bus stop locations have been updated and families are being supplied with information on apps dedicated to helping them get ready to get to school.
Anne Arundel County
First graders through ninth graders return to class in Anne Arundel County on Monday, while the remaining grade levels return on Tuesday.
Over 57,000 students are expected to attend their first day of classes this week.
Howard County
This fall, the school system is assessing students use of cellphones. Under current policy, personal devices are supposed to be off and put away during the school day.
This is a developing story. Stay with WTOP for the latest.