𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐/𝟕/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will dismiss two (2) hours early today, Friday, February 6, 2026. Central Office Facilities will close at 3:00 p.m. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled for today.
All activities scheduled before noon on Saturday, February 7, 2026, are canceled. Conditions will be reassessed on Saturday morning and a notice will be shared if additional cancellations are necessary.
During the January 27, 2026, Maryland State Board of Education meeting, Dr. Jeffrey Lawson, Superintendent of Cecil County Public Schools, shared how the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) measures more than correct answers. Students are asked to analyze, write, and demonstrate deep understanding. Parents are encouraged to watch the full 12-minute presentation to learn more about how MCAP reflects today’s classroom learning via https://youtu.be/JUMc7_lEg5M.
In partnership with the Maryland State Advisory Council on Gifted and Talented (GTAC), MSDE is inviting 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 & 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 (𝐆𝐓) 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 to share their feedback through an 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲. The survey focuses on experiences with GT programming, including scheduling, instruction, policy implementation, and family engagement.
🕒 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝟏𝟎–𝟐𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞
🗓️ 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲–𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡
There are no right or wrong answers—your honest perspectives are valued. Responses will be kept confidential and reported only in summary form. Survey results will inform statewide decision-making, including an official report to the State Superintendent.
All GT stakeholders are encouraged to participate. Thank you for helping strengthen Gifted & Talented programs across Maryland!
Parent Survey: https://msde.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5vhIkhzEOJ8BzfM
🎨✨ 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫!!🎶🖌️
Garrett County Public Schools invites you to celebrate the incredible talents of our student artists at the Student Arts Fair on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College!
Enjoy a day filled with visual art displays, theatre and dance showcases, and honor chorus and band performances from students across the county. This is a wonderful opportunity to support the arts and the amazing young people who bring them to life!
🎭 Free admission
🖼️ Open to the public
🎼 All ages are welcome
Mark your calendars now! Come be inspired by the future of the arts in Garrett County.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑷𝑲𝟒!
As we approach the opening of the Pre-K and Kindergarten application period for the 2026-27 school year, we continue our closer look at each program. Today, we are focusing on the Pre-K 4-Year-Old program (PK4).
GCPS offers a full-day PK4 program for children designed to support school readiness and a successful transition to kindergarten. The program provides a safe, nurturing environment where children learn through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions with peers and adults.
Our PK4 program focuses on developing the social, emotional, academic, and physical skills children need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
To be eligible for this 2026-27 program, a child must be four (4) years old by September 1, 2026. PK4 is a universal program, meaning that every applicant who meets the age requirement is offered a seat. Priority for these seats is given to families with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and students with special educational needs, English as a second language, and/or children who are experiencing homelessness, regardless of income.
Applications for the Pre-Kindergarten Program for 4-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year will begin on Monday, February 9, 2026. Learn more about the PK4 program at https://www.gcps.net/page/pre-kindergarten-4-year-olds.
𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑳𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑩𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏 𝑩𝒊𝒈 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚𝒔!
As we approach the opening of the Pre-K and Kindergarten application period for the 2026-27 school year, we are taking a closer look at each program. Today, we are focusing on the Pre-K 3-Year-Old program (PK3).
PK3 offers a nurturing, play-based learning environment specifically designed for young learners beginning their educational journey. This program focuses on helping children develop essential social, emotional, and early learning skills that build a strong foundation for future success in school and in life.
To be eligible for the 2026-27 program, a child must be three (3) years old by September 1, 2026. Seats are available to families with incomes up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, and students with special educational needs, English as a second language, children who are experiencing homelessness, and/or a child in foster care, regardless of income. Full income guidelines are available on our website, referenced below. As an example, a family of four may make up to $8,250 monthly, or $99,000 annually.
Applications for the Pre-Kindergarten Program for 3-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year will begin on Monday, February 9, 2026. Learn more about the PK3 program at https://www.gcps.net/page/pre-kindergarten-3-year-olds.
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at Dennett Road Education Complex in the Community Room. The meeting is open to the public and will be live-streamed for public review.
Public comment for the February 10, 2026, Board Meeting will begin at 4:00 p.m., after which time the Board will go into executive session in the Maintenance Conference Room until 5:30 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and a negotiations topic. The Board of Education will reconvene for the public session from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the cafeteria. Time is set aside during the public session for the hearing of constituents at approximately 7:00 p.m. Please note, this time is approximate and public comment may be adjusted based on the timing of the presentations.
Topics excluded from Public Comment include:
• Individual personnel issues
• Comments identifying individual students or staff members
• Matters that are on appeal or may be appealed or have been appealed.
• Topics for which the Board schedules formal public hearings
• Advertising or solicitation for products and/or services
The agenda for the Public Session can be accessed at BoardDocs - https://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/garrett/Board.nsf/Public. The agenda is not considered final until the Board takes action to accept it at the start of each meeting.
Part or all of the meeting may be closed pursuant to the General Provision §3-305 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
This week, we celebrate our incredible school counselors who support students’ academic success, social-emotional growth, and future goals every single day. Thank you for being trusted listeners, dedicated advocates, and champions for our students and families. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟐/𝟐/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late today, Monday, February 2, 2026.
📣 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐬! 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐊 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 📣
Applications for Kindergarten and Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) for the 2026–27 school year open on February 9, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.* Learn more about each program by visiting https://www.gcps.net/o/gcps/page/student-enrollment and selecting your desired program. 🌐
*𝑰𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒏 𝑭𝒆𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝟐- 𝒐𝒓 𝟑-𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒚, 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕 𝟏𝟎:𝟎𝟎 𝒂.𝒎. 𝒐𝒓 𝟏𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝒂.𝒎., 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚.
Follow along over the next week, and we will take a closer look at each program. If you have questions about a program or desire school-specific questions, please reach out to your local school's office or the Office of Elementary Education at 301-334-8927. 📲
Your child’s learning journey starts here, in GCPS! 📖
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝟏/𝟑𝟎/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will open two (2) hours late on Friday, January 30, 2026.
𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐚𝐲 – 𝟏/𝟑𝟎/𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is preparing for the possibility of a Virtual Learning Day on Friday, January 30, 2026. All necessary learning materials will be sent home with students today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026. No decision has been made at this time. A message will be sent through our regular media outlets and school system alerts no later than 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, regarding whether a virtual learning day will be implemented.
In reviewing the extended forecast, students may be sent home prepared for the possibility of virtual learning daily.
Full details of the 2025-26 GCPS Virtual Learning Plan are available on the homepage of our website, www.gcps.net.
𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-𝟐𝟔 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐮𝐩 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝
The Maryland State Board of Education approved the Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) request to use Monday, February 16th, Presidents’ Day, and Monday, April 6th, Easter Monday, as make-up days. Additionally, as pre-approved on the GCPS 2025-26 Calendar, Friday, June 5th, will be used as a make-up day.
Should any additional traditional inclement weather days occur, those make-up days will be added to the end of the school year. For up-to-date information on the GCPS calendar, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
𝐆𝐂𝐏𝐒 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has released the 2025 statewide cohort high school graduation rates, reporting a four-year cohort graduation rate of 86.4%. While the statewide rate remains strong, it reflects a slight decrease from 87.6% in 2024.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) continues to exceed the state average, reporting a 2025 four-year cohort graduation rate of 93.4%. This represents a small decline from GCPS’s 95% rate last year, but it remains well above the statewide figure and reflects the school system’s continued commitment to student success.
Statewide, MSDE reported gains in students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which saw an increase to 83%, compared to 81.6% the previous year. The largest statewide decline occurred among multilingual learners. The 2025 cohort included 72,702 students statewide, with 62,842 earning a high school diploma within four years.
MSDE also released the five-year cohort graduation rate, which measures the percentage of students who graduate within five years of entering ninth grade. Of the 67,376 students who began ninth grade in the 2020–2021 school year, 89.2% graduated by the 2024–2025 school year, an increase from 87.4% the prior year.
Maryland’s graduation rates are calculated by following a cohort of students from their freshman year through graduation, in accordance with federal reporting requirements. Since the 2020–2021 school year, the state’s four-year cohort graduation rates have ranged from 85.8% to 87.6%.
“This graduation rate reflects the determination of our students and the unwavering commitment of educators, families, and community partners who support their success," said Dr. Nicole Miller, Chief Academic Officer. “We are incredibly proud of our students for reaching this milestone and remain committed to providing the opportunities they need to succeed both in high school and beyond.”
Statewide and local graduation and dropout data, including four-year and five-year cohort rates, are available on the Maryland Report Card website, www.mdreportcard.org.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 – 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕-𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools' afternoon and evening activities are canceled for today, January 27, 2026.
𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐰𝐨 (𝟐) 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.
As a friendly reminder, Thursday, January 29, 2026, is Parent-Teacher Conference Day. Schools will be closed for students. Conferences will take place from 11:00 am to 6:30 pm.
𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
The Garrett County Board of Education will hold a special Executive Session on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. to discuss a personnel topic, Superintendent Search. The Board will meet in open session only for the purpose of voting to close its meeting to discuss matters that the Open Meetings Act permits it to discuss in closed session.
The meeting will be conducted virtually via Zoom and is not open to the public except for the open session to vote to close the meeting.
Thereafter, all of the meeting may be closed pursuant to the General Provision §3-305 of the State Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will conduct a Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction) on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Schools will be closed for in-person learning.
A decision about Tuesday’s afternoon and evening activities will be made by midday on January 27, 2026.
Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) would like to share the following calendar reminders for upcoming dates of interest:
• 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟕 – End of the Second Grading Period
• 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟗 – Parent-Teacher Conferences, 11:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟗 – Elementary Report Cards Released
• 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟑 – Secondary Report Cards Released (date may float due to inclement weather days)
For the most up-to-date calendar information, please visit www.gcps.net/calendars.
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Garrett County Public Schools will conduct a Virtual Learning Day (with live instruction for the morning) on Monday, January 26, 2026. Since this day was scheduled as a 3-hour early student dismissal, students will only be involved in morning instruction. Teachers will complete their scheduled professional development for the afternoon. All afternoon and evening activities are canceled. Liberal leave is in effect for employees.
All Garrett County Public Schools’ activities for Saturday, January 24th, must conclude by 4:00 pm. All activities scheduled for Sunday, January 25th, are canceled. All GCPS facilities will close at 4 pm on Saturday and remain closed on Sunday.
