High School Options

  High school students and STEM photo  Students working in the kitchen

Academies and Signature Programs

The following are available to students countywide at the high schools listed. Out-of-district students must provide their own transportation, and enrollment may be limited. For more information, contact the school guidance office. 

Academies

  • Academy for the Fine Arts -- Gov. Thomas Johnson High
  • Project Lead the Way: Biomedical Sciences -- Career & Technology Center and Tuscarora High
  • Navy Junior ROTC (NJROTC) Academy -- Gov. Thomas Johnson High
  • Teacher Academy of Maryland -- Career & Technology Center

Signature Programs

  • Environmental and Conservation Program -- Catoctin High
  • International Baccalaureate Academy (IB) -- Urbana High
  • Leadership Program: Oakdale High
  • Pre-Engineering Program -- Oakdale and Tuscarora High
  • Project Lead the Way: Pre-Engineering Academy -- Linganore (Civil) and Walkersville (Aeronautical)

Other

  • Business Education Dual Enrollment -- Gov. Thomas Johnson

Advanced Placement, Honors & International Baccalaureate Courses

Every high school offers challenging honors-level courses and college-level Advanced Placement courses. National AP exams administered by the College Board allow students to earn college credit for high scores.

Urbana High offers an International Baccalaureate Academy that is open to all FCPS high school students. The challenging two-year curriculum leads to a qualification that is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities. The program prepares students for college and encourages them to:

  • ask challenging questions
  • learn how to learn
  • develop a strong sense of their own identity and culture
  • develop the ability to communicate with and understand people from other countries and cultures.

Career & Technology Center

This specialized high school offers 25 career preparatory programs, most open to students in grades 10-12 who have demonstrated good attendance and met other program-specific criteria. 

Fast Forward

Through agreements with various post-secondary insti­tutions, the FCPS Fast Forward program is an oppor­tunity for ­students to earn college or technical school credit for designated high school ­classes in which they achieve a grade of “B” or better. The program "fast forwards" students to high level courses -- allowing them to graduate with a degree or certificate sooner and possibly save tuition costs, too.

Open Campus

Seniors participate in activities in an off-campus setting that will contribute to advanced standing, including enrollment at local educational institutions.

Student Internships

Juniors and seniors gain valuable career-related experiences for one or two semesters in the field in which they plan to major in college. Each intern is paired with an adult mentor who helps craft the internship.

Virtual High School

Virtual High School provides online learning as an alternative means of education when traditional avenues are not possible.

Work-Based Learning

This multi-faceted program includes apprenticeships, internships, work-study experiences, volunteer service and other opportunities designed to help learners make smooth transitions between education and employment. The Transition Education Coordinator in each high school supervises these programs.

Youth Apprentice Program

FCPS was selected as one of two counties in Maryland to pilot the new Maryland Youth Apprenticeship "Earn and Learn" Program. Participating students work during the summer after the junior year and during the senior year in a state-approved industry. They work with a mentor to learn valuable skills and earn industry credentials and high school credit.