Annual School Test assesses school capacity while directing Utilization Premium Payments for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026
WHEATON, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Board, which functions under The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), confirmed the results of the fiscal year 2027 Annual School Test and accepted the countywide component of the accompanying School Utilization Report during its meeting on June 25. This is in line with the 2024-2028 Growth and Infrastructure Policy (GIP). The Annual School Test evaluates the adequacy of capacity within the county’s K-12 public school facilities and identifies school areas projected to experience overutilization, assigning these areas to specific Utilization Premium Payment tiers for the entire fiscal year.
To access the detailed Planning Board staff report from June 25,
view the FY2027 Annual School Test results,
and the FY2027 Countywide School Utilization Report.
Certification Process for the FY2027 Annual School Test
The Annual School Test, conducted under the GIP, assesses the expected utilization of each facility within Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) four years ahead, targeting the 2030-31 school year for the FY2027 assessment. Schools projected to exceed designated utilization thresholds will have their corresponding service areas assigned to a Utilization Premium Payment (UPP) tier. When a development proposal includes residential units within a school’s UPP-tiered area, a UPP will be mandated as part of development approval to alleviate overutilization. Additionally, a surcharge will be added to the project’s school impact tax rate. The school impact tax is applicable to residential developments irrespective of current utilization levels, ensuring that contributions towards school construction are covered. UPPs are additional fees on top of the school impact tax when they are required as a condition for approval. There are three distinct UPP tiers: Tier 1 for moderate overutilization, Tier 2 for intermediate, and Tier 3 for severe overutilization, each associated with specific payment rates. The surcharge rate for UPPs is established at the time of approval, while the actual payment is calculated based on the appropriate school impact tax rate at the time the building permit is secured. View the current UPP rates.
Apart from the UPP Tier assignments, the Annual School Test further identifies the adequacy ceiling for subsequent tiers for each school service area. Should a development proposal forecast more students than the adequacy ceiling of any school, the payment factor will be proportionally adjusted upwards based on the additional student count in relation to each payment tier.
The results for the FY2027 Annual School Test were prepared by staff from the Montgomery County Planning Department, also part of The M-NCPPC. These results will take effect on July 1, 2026, as mandated by the Annual School Test Guidelines v 2.0 adopted by the Planning Board on December 19, 2024. The results will apply to the newly approved middle and high school service areas as per the Board of Education’s decision on March 26, 2026.
Overview of the FY2027 Annual School Test Results
The following schools are categorized under Tier 1 UPP placements:
- James Hubert Blake HS
- Winston Churchill HS
- Francis Scott Key MS
- Cashell ES
The schools under Tier 2 UPP placements include:
- Burning Tree ES
- Cabin Branch ES
FY2027 School Utilization Report
In compliance with the GIP, Montgomery Planning is obligated to create a School Utilization Report that complements the Annual School Test. This report generally includes a comprehensive countywide overview alongside individual school evaluations, providing additional insights into the status of MCPS facilities. Recent data from MCPS suggests that there will be over 4,900 surplus seats available at the high school level (representing 9% of the county’s total capacity), over 7,100 surplus seats at the middle school level (18% of total capacity), and more than 13,300 surplus seats at the elementary school level (17% of total capacity) by the conclusion of the six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) cycle for the 2031-2032 school year. The report will also present a snapshot of housing data from 2025, which encompasses residential sales, housing developments, and total dwelling counts by school service areas. Due to boundary change decisions approved by the Board of Education, there will be a delay in posting the individual school reports on Montgomery Planning’s Annual School Test and School Utilization Report webpage.
Understanding the Growth and Infrastructure Policy
The GIP is designed to assess the adequacy of public facilities as they relate to the development review process. It sets standards for evaluating individual development proposals to ensure that public infrastructure, including transportation systems and educational facilities, can support the demands created by new developments. Moreover, it outlines the necessary measures for addressing any shortcomings in infrastructure. The County Council approved the 2024-2028 Growth and Infrastructure Policy through a resolution on November 12, 2024.
