Boundary changes are intended to be as supportive as possible for students, families, staff, and the greater community. Board of Education Policy 1280 and Superintendent’s Rule 1280 guide boundary changes.
Below are links to information on active and completed processes and some frequently asked questions about boundary changes in BCPS that we hope will increase community understanding and support of this important function.
Active Boundary Changes:
Completed Boundary Changes:
When does BCPS consider boundary changes?
- To establish a boundary for a new school or provide capacity relief following a school construction project to other schools in the area.
- To establish new boundaries in anticipation of a school closing (See Superintendent's Rule 7610).
- To provide capacity relief.
- To address programmatic changes or needs.
What processes are used to change school boundaries?
The boundary change process can follow one of two processes:
1. Boundary Study processes are used to make boundary changes that may impact many students and use a study committee to develop boundary change options and make recommendations to the Board of Education.
2. Administrative Reviews processes are used where a school boundary change is limited in scope, with minimal impact to students, and does not use a study committee.
What is the Boundary Study process?
The Boundary Study process has four phases and takes approximately one year to complete. BCPS Boundary Studies may be conducted in either the spring or fall and are typically completed at least four months prior to going into effect:
| Phase |
Duration |
Description |
| Planning |
2-3 months |
A planning committee comprised of principals, staff specialists, and administrators carefully assess the conditions that have triggered the need for a boundary change and identify key outcomes, timelines, and participating schools. |
| Study |
3-5 months |
A boundary study committee with representatives from each participating school meets regularly, reviews detailed maps, examines student enrollment data and other information, and presents a range of options to the greater community for consideration and feedback. |
| Decision |
2-3 months |
The superintendent presents the committee's recommendation to the Board of Education. The Board holds a board hearing to gather feedback and then votes to adopt a new boundary. BCPS school boundaries cannot change without Board approval. |
| Implementation |
3-5 months |
After the adoption of a new boundary by the Board, the planning committee communicates with student families and makes all changes to school assignments and staffing to implement the new boundary. |
How will I know if my school is involved in a boundary change study?
Principals will notify parents of students attending participating schools about three to five months prior to the convening of the boundary study committee.
Who serves on the boundary study committee and what is their role?
A boundary study committee is appointed by the Superintendent with input and recommendations from participating school principals and Executive Directors of Schools. The committee consists of equal representation from all involved schools and includes:
- a teacher from each of the participating schools
- two (2) parents from each of the participating schools
- a representative of the Board's Area Education Advisory Council that serves the schools included in the boundary study. Note that a study may include more than one Area Education Advisory Council.
- At the discretion of the Superintendent, the composition may be adjusted to better reflect the participating schools' communities
- Principals serve as nonvoting members and provide information to support the process
Committee members are asked to resist representing their personal interests and instead focus on the interests of all children that will be affected by the boundary process. Members commit to attend typically between four and seven meetings and spend time both in and outside of meetings carefully considering information and providing relevant insight into neighborhood considerations. They also attend community public information session/s to help explain the committee’s work and engage in study-related conversations with members of the public.
How can I get involved in the boundary study process?
BCPS offers many ways to get information and engage in the process:
- Persons interested in volunteering as a committee member should complete the Committee Member Interest Form established for each study or contact their school's principal. Volunteers should be available to attend all committee meetings and the public information session(s), and be open to serving the interests of students from all participating schools. Applicants will be reviewed and selected by participating principals and Executive Directors, and approved by the Superintendent of Schools per Superintendent's Rule 1280.
- Visit the boundary study Web site regularly to view all information that is provided to the committee and other updates regarding the process.
- Watch boundary study committee meetings live online – as they happen or recorded for later viewing.
- Attend boundary study committee meetings – meetings are open to the public; however, participation is limited to committee members.
- Attend public information session/s to review in detail the committee’s draft recommendations and engage in conversation with staff and committee members about boundary change considerations.
- Participate in an online survey to provide input and comments on the committee’s draft recommendations.
- Submit comments and suggestions to the boundary study committee. A comment submission form can be found on the boundary study Web site. All comments received are public record and are periodically logged and posted to the Web site, including a name, date, and time of submission. Please avoid including personal information (e.g., phone numbers, student names, etc.) The comment period is open for the duration of committee meetings.
- Attend Board meetings and participate in general public comment and/or write to the Board.
- Attend the Board’s public hearing specific to the boundary change decision under consideration.
What do members of the boundary study committee consider as they develop recommendations?
Considerations for the study committee include but are not limited to:
- Efficient use of capacity in participating schools;
- Student body diversity that reflects regional and school system diversity;
- Neighborhood continuity;
- Student transportation and pedestrian patterns;
- The number of times a student has experienced school reassignment because of school boundary changes;
- Long-term enrollment and capacity trends;
- Future capital plans; and
- Feeder school boundaries.
Is there any provision that would allow my child to stay at our current school after a new boundary goes into effect?
During the first year of a boundary change, students entering Grades 4-5, 7-8, or 11-12 of the school affected by a change in attendance area (including currently enrolled siblings) may submit a Special Permission Transfer to their current school to remain at that school through their terminal grade.
Applications are accepted annually between April 1st and June 1st.
Please note that transportation is not provided. (See Board of Education Policy 5140/ Superintendent's Rule 5140).
How are the boundaries for elementary, middle, and high schools related?
Boundaries at each level – elementary, middle, and high – are independent from each other. However, when possible, BCPS attempts to align boundaries so that either an entire school zone or neighborhoods of families within the zone can stay together as they progress to the next level school in their community. This said, boundary changes at each level are independent of the others. Changes in elementary boundaries, for instance, do not result in a change to middle school boundaries.