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Getting Ready for 2026-2027: New This Year

August 19th, 2026

The following are selected new or updated items for the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) 2026-2027 school year. The information on this page is not an exhaustive list and instead is some of the top items students and families should be aware of. Additional changes or new items will be communicated to families by teachers, schools or the district.

Academic Calendar
The 2026-2027 calendar was updated in June, following the Howard County Board of Education’s (BOE) approved adjustments to the calendar that aligned makeup inclement weather days with Maryland State Department of Education requirements and accounted for the removal of mid-term exams for middle and high school students. The HCPSS academic calendar was updated in June and is available online.

Adjusted School Hours for Bushy Park, Clarksville, Dayton Oaks Elementary Schools
Effective Aug. 24, 2026, school hours for Bushy Park, Clarksville and Dayton Oaks elementary schools will be 9:25 a.m. – 3:55 p.m. This is a 10-minute shift from their previous time of 9:15 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

School Meal Prices
Daily meal prices apply for students whose families do not qualify for free or reduced meals, and have increased by $0.20 per meal this school year. The 2026-2027 student meal prices are:

Free and Reduced Meals Program Enrollment
Changes to federal law may have impacted students’ Free and Reduced Meals Program (FARMs) eligibility for the 2026-2027 school year, and families that previously received direct certification this year may not be automatically enrolled. HCPSS urges all eligible families to complete a FARMs application, available online or via paper form.

Name Changes
The HCPSS Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL) was renamed the Howard County Career & Technical Education Center (CTEC), which better reflects the intention of preparing students for careers in a variety of specialties. The program offers students an opportunity to meet and work with professionals from career fields while building an academic foundation and skill base to be college and career ready. Students from all high schools and Homewood School can enroll in programs at the CTEC, and have the opportunity to earn industry certifications and college credits while attending the CTEC.

Additionally, the HCPSS Gifted and Talented (G/T) Education Program was renamed the Advanced Academic Programs (AAP). Adopting the AAP name reflects a purposeful shift toward a more inclusive, growth-oriented terminology that recognizes learner potential and more accurately reflects the talent development opportunities and advanced instructional services provided through the HCPSS program. The name change does not affect the services and opportunities provided to students.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports Implementation
The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a proactive, data-informed framework that helps ensure every student receives the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support they need to succeed. In HCPSS, MTSS is not an add-on. It is how we strengthen learning for every student by providing high-quality instruction for all and timely, targeted support when needed.

Student Reading Improvement Plans
Aligning with the State’s Comprehensive PreK-3 Literacy Policy, HCPSS students in Kindergarten through Grade 3 who demonstrate difficulties in reading will receive a Student Reading Improvement Plan (SRIP), a personalized plan that includes assessment information, reading goals, targeted instruction, and progress monitoring to support a student’s continued literacy growth. If an SRIP is implemented for a student, school staff will provide details to parents/guardians.

State Readiness Testing
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is transitioning to a new testing program this year. In the spring of 2027, the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) tests will be replaced with the new Maryland System of Testing Academic Readiness (MSTAR) for students in grades 3-8. High school MCAP, Science and Social Studies assessments remain unchanged for one more year. HCPSS is working closely with MSDE to prepare for the transition and will provide additional information throughout the year.

Parent Lunch Visits
Parent lunch visits are no longer permitted at any HCPSS school. Limiting access during the school day ensures safe and secure school communities by removing unnecessary access to students and school buildings, reduces disruptions, supports student routines, and minimizes non-essential traffic in student areas. Parents are encouraged to communicate with school staff to stay engaged in their child’s learning and seek opportunities to volunteer in an official capacity at the school.

Board of Education Policies
Families are reminded of the following policies with updates effective this year:

All policies are available online.

Board of Education Website
General information for the Howard County Board of Education can be found on the HCPSS website. The BoardDocs website, housing Board reports, presentations and related documents, has transitioned to Community. Questions may be directed to the Board office at 410-313-7194 or boardoffice@hcpss.org.