A Message of Gratitude and Congratulations from Board of Education President and Superintendent

As the final bell rings on the 2025-2026 school year, our most important job is to celebrate. We made it!

To our students, and especially the remarkable Class of 2026: congratulations on reaching this milestone. This graduating class leaves behind a legacy of achievement that will be the example for those who follow. This class has excelled in academics, athletics, the arts, service and leadership, raising the bar for future generations of MCPS students. The stories and successes of the Class of 2026 include: 

• 12,937 graduates (as of June 17, 2026).
• $437,554,301 in scholarships were earned for post-secondary education, saving families money.
• 2,628 students earned a Maryland Seal of Biliteracy.
• 2,058,335 community service hours earned by all graduates.
• 2,452 students participated in a dual-enrollment program.
• 399 students graduated with an Associate Degree.
• 49,869 Advanced Placement (AP) exams taken.
• 5,014 International Baccalaureate (IB) exams taken.
• 1,058 average SAT score.
• 8,899 students attending college (either for a four-year or two-year degree program).
• 239 students entering into an apprenticeship program.
• 279 students entering the workforce.
• 159 students entering military service.
• 648,000 hours worked by work-based learning students in the community, earning high school credit.
• 15 MCPS apprentices graduated with full-time jobs in their apprenticeship field.

These accomplishments and so much more will become part of the story we tell about what is possible when students are challenged, supported, inspired and the focus of our investments as a community for whatever the future holds. 

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These successes are the result of the team of educators, support staff, families and community members who made them possible. Your commitment and partnership helped make this a successful school year and allowed us to take important steps in bringing the MCPS Future Ready vision to life. Thank you for choosing MCPS!

This year proved that when this community works together, our students succeed. This is the strength we will need to tackle the 2026-2027 school year so that our students continue to succeed. 

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We’ll see many of you at High School Summer School or our inaugural Ignite Middle School Academy. Also, if you need a meal over the summer you can visit over 100 locations across the district.

In the meantime, rest up. Recharge. Enjoy time with family and friends this summer and we will see you back in August. 

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Grace Rivera-Oven
President, Montgomery County Board of Education

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D., M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools