General Info for Parents
1 to 1 Chromebooks - FCPS-Issued Devices
The use of technology in education is a tool to enhance the learning experience. Access will be provided for instructional use and school-related activities only.
Electronic Device Usage Agreement
The FCPS regulations in this agreement apply while using any device including but not limited to school issued Chromebooks, Personal Mobile Devices (PMD), or any other electronic device used at school. See the Electronic Device Usage Agreement (Acuerdo de Uso de Dispositivos Electrónicos) for complete details. This agreement must be reviewed, read and signed by all students and their parent/guardian each school year.
School-Issued Chromebooks
FCPS does not charge a Technology Fee for student use of an FCPS issued Chromebook. When students are assigned a Chromebook, charger, and case, the use of a school issued device, during the school day or at home, is a privilege that comes with responsibilities. Secondary students will receive a Chromebook and accessories to use at school and at home. Elementary students will leave devices at school at the end of each day, except for special circumstances. If repair for a damaged device incurs a charge, a financial obligation will be issued.
Attendance
FCPS students have a 180-day school year in keeping with Maryland law. Generally, high schools have a 7:30 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. schedule, and most middle school students attend 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. With a few exceptions, elementary schools start at 9 a.m. and dismiss around 3:30 p.m. Check with your school for exact times.
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 30 minutes before instruction begins and leave the grounds within 30 minutes after instruction ends, except when participating in school-sponsored activities.
Regular daily attendance is expected and critical to a child's academic success. Parents' support of regular daily attendance is essential. Parents are encouraged to notify the school on the day their child is absent. A note stating the reason for absence or lateness is required upon students' return, or the absence is automatically classified as unlawful until an approved note is provided. Students who were absent from school have the responsibility to request make-up work within two days of their return. For details, please see Regulation 400-98.
Attendance Areas
Find out where your child will attend school.
Bad Weather and Emergencies
Occasionally, inclement weather or other safety or health conditions require us to close or delay all or some schools. FCPS posts details about procedures here.
Classroom Observations
An overview of the process, requirements, and procedures for classroom observations by parents, service providers, and others.
Community Agency School Services (CASS)
An FCPS Student Services Department program, CASS promotes school success by providing support services to middle school students experiencing social, emotional or behavioral challenges. Licensed certified social workers provide clinical case management to assist students and their families. Please see the CASS Webpage for additional information.
County-Wide High School College and Career Programs
See information on county-wide high school college and career programs
Digital Tools
Find information about the Digital Tools used in FCPS here.
Discipline
The FCPS discipline philosophy is based on the goals of fostering, teaching and acknowledging positive behavior. For details, please see Regulation 403-01.
Distance Learning
See all information pertaining to Schoology and distance learning here.
Enrolling a New Student
Parents can find enrollment information, including links to our online registration portal, here.
Foreign Exchange Students
Frederick County Public Schools value the benefits of welcoming foreign exchange students through the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel (CSIET), as these experiences contribute to the diversity of our classrooms and schools. However, given the current global pandemic, the safety and well-being of our students, teachers, and staff must remain our priority at this time. Further, providing FCPS resident students with the best educational supports must also be a priority as we enter the 2021-2022 school year. As a result, we will not be accepting foreign exchange students for the 2021- 2022 school year.
Forms
Find athletics, transportation, medication, bullying, and other commonly used forms here.
Get School News
FCPS uses FindOutFirst to send important email from the district and your child's school. You may add a phone number for text messages, sent only when a school is unexpectedly closing. Be sure your school, grade level and news options are updated for the school year: www.fcps.org/fof.
Graduation Requirements
Find information on graduation requirements and graduation dates here.
Grades & Report Cards
Information about grades, report cards and student promotion is located here.
Home Instruction (Home Schooling)
Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
- Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Award
- National Seal of Biliteracy
- What is the Seal of Biliteracy? Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Purpose and Eligibility
- The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy Frequently Asked Questions
- Maryland Senate Bill
- COMAR Seal of Biliteracy Regulation
- What assessments are available? What are the minimum qualifying scores? How much does an assessment cost? MSDE Approved Assessments
- How do FCPS High School Students apply for a Seal of Biliteracy? FCPS Student Application for The Maryland Seal of Biliteracy
- MD Seal of Biliteracy Brochure (English) (French) (Spanish)
Medications/Treatments
Students are encouraged not to take medication during the school day. If it is necessary for a student to do so, the parent/guardian must provide a written order from the student's healthcare provider for all prescription and over-the-counter medications. Medications must be transported by an adult and provided to the school in the pharmacy bottle, correctly and completely labeled. Over-the-counter medication must be in the original, unopened container. Find out more.
Out of District Enrollment - K-12th Grades ONLY
(For Pre-K contact 240-586-7735)
Parents or guardians who want their child to attend a school outside their assigned attendance area should review the 2024-25 Closed Schools List and Regulation 400-15, Out of District.
Pursuant to these regulations, the Out of District process is available for all applicants from February 1 - March 1 each year for the following school year. You can complete your request using the Out of District Request Form through March 1.
Please Note: Your Out of District Form MUST be signed, either electronically or printed, signed and scanned, prior to returning to outofdistrict@fcps.org. Please email applications in PDF Format ONLY, no photos/pictures. You can also send the application via fax to 240-586-8849 or via US mail to Department of Student Services, Orchard Grove Elementary School, 5898 Hannover Drive, Frederick, MD 21703.
Please contact MaryAnn Gomez for K-12 Out of District Enrollment only at 240-586-8817 or maryann.gomez@fcps.org if you have any questions.
Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Process
Any student, parent, guardian, staff member, or other individual can freely express concerns regarding the use of Physical Restraint and/or Exclusion Practices. The complaint procedure is intended to provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints related to Physical Restraint and/or Exclusion practices.
Complaints may be submitted orally or in writing by any student, parent, guardian, staff member, or other individual.
To make a written complaint, individuals can complete the Physical Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Form and submit the form through any of the following means:
- Hardcopy Form Submission (English Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Form, Spanish Restraint and/or Exclusion Complaint Form)
- Forms will be available at every school building in the front office.
- Once completed, the individual can insert it in a locked dropbox in the school’s front office. Dropbox completed forms will be sent to the Supervisor of Behavior Analysts.
- Digital Form Submission - Forms may be completed using the online form.
- Email Form Submission - Forms may be submitted by email to the Supervisor of Behavior Analysts at BCBA@fcps.org.
- Postal Mail Submission - Forms may be sent by U.S. Mail to:
Supervisor of Behavior Analysts, Office of Special Education
Frederick County Public Schools
191 South East Street
Frederick, MD 21701
To make an oral complaint, individuals can provide information through the following means:
- The FCPS Supervisor of Behavior Analysts may be contacted at 240-586-8680. Individuals may speak directly with the FCPS Supervisor of Behavior Analysts. This person will investigate all complaints and follow up with the individual in working to resolve the concern.
- The Ombuds for Frederick County Public Schools may be contacted at (240) 586-8906. Individuals may speak directly with the FCPS Ombuds. The Ombuds will get information on your complaint and work with the Supervisor of Behavior Analysts and you to address and resolve the concern.
The Supervisor of Behavior Analysts will complete the following steps in order to promptly respond to complaints:
- Investigate all complaints, including requesting additional information from complainants and affected parties if necessary.
- The Supervisor will provide a written determination simultaneously to all parties no later than sixty (60) days from the receipt of the complaint.
Retaliation, harassment, or negative educational consequence is strictly prohibited against any complainant (or any member of their family) for filing the complaint or otherwise participating in the complaint process.
FCPS is committed to continuous process improvement. More importantly, we are dedicated to serving the whole child; academically, socially and emotionally. FCPS will continue to work closely with our community and the United States Department of Justice to improve practice, and design programs and strategies that support the diverse needs of our student population.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
FCPS invites elementary and middle school parents to schedule a parent-teacher conference to talk with your child’s teachers, ask questions and share insights and concerns. Learn more about conference dates and other helpful information here.
SAT School Day
FCPS will offer a free administration of the SAT to all 11th grade students. Learn more about the SAT School Day.
School Cash Online
The way to pay for field trips, sports fees, spirit wear and more, School Cash Online is convenient, safe, time saving and no more costly than paying with cash or check.
Register now: https://frederickcounty.schoolcashonline.com
Sign Language Interpreting Request Process
FCPS provides Sign Language Interpreting Services for those requiring it for school-related events. Find out more about the services, and how to request an interpreter.
Special Education Parent Resources
FCPS has collected a wealth of resources for parents of children with special needs. Browse the Special Education Parent Resources.
Testing Programs
Learn about the tests and assessments FCPS uses, test dates and helpful resources.
Transportation
FCPS's 430 yellow buses cover more than 38,000 miles every school day, transporting about 31,000 students. School system responsibility for students begins when they enter the school bus and ends when they step off the bus at the end of the school day. Students may ride only their assigned bus and must provide their own transportation if they are enrolled at a school outside their attendance area. For details, please see our Transportation section.
Virtual Tutoring Services
Virtual tutoring services are available for grades 6-12.
What's on the Menu?
All schools offer breakfast, lunch and a la carte items approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To find out what's on the menu, visit www.fcps.org/menus. Prepaying for meals is timesaving and easy: www.myschoolbucks.com (opens in new window). Families with limited ability to pay may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. See more: www.fcps.org/meals.
Youth Apprentice Program
Frederick County Public Schools was selected as one of two counties in Maryland to pilot the brand new first youth apprenticeship program in the state. Apprenticeship Maryland provides high school juniors and seniors with academic and occupational skills leading to both a high school diploma and a State Skill Certificate.