Magruder News

Magruder's Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday, October 10 from 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

• You can purchase your ticket NOW at School Cash Online, cash, or check. The deadline for purchasing a ticket is October 7.
• If you would like to bring a non-Magruder guest, pick up a permission slip from the main office and return it by October 2. If you would like to pay for another Magruder student using School Cash Online, complete this Google Form.
• We are looking for donations & volunteers for the Homecoming Dance! If you are able to help, please sign up using this link.

Magruder's College Career Navigator is hosting a Financial Aid Information Night Tuesday, October 6th at 6:00 p.m.

• This event is geared for seniors and their parents, but other grades are also welcome if they would like to get a head start thinking about what to expect during fall and winter of senior year in terms of maximizing financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
• Click here to join the meeting: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/85922493440?pwd=UnrJTkUzFOqU8NY5NTpmkz6xHqsYcj.1.

If you have a senior who is even considering going to college, MC or trade school, your family needs to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)!

• The FAFSA application opens October 1st and Maryland's priority deadline to submit FAFSA (and the final-no-exceptions-allowed deadline for MDCAPS) is March 1st. Maryland offers financial aid to students without social security numbers.
• Magruder supports your FAFSA application and the Maryland state financial aid platform, MDCAPS, through in-person evening monthly sessions and ongoing virtual events.
• Check out Ms. Lyons' financial aid resources in the Money for College section of the CCIC website (Spanish section!!) or email Jennifer_Lyons@mcpsmd.org with questions and set up a time to meet in her online scheduler.
  

Magruder's Dual Enrollment Program Assistant (DEPA), Mrs. Hansen, will be holding information sessions during the month of October.

• A virtual information session for families will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, October 13th at 6:30 at this link: https://mcpsmd.zoom.us/j/88582781147?pwd=p6VG2KeE1P8dBvNpYCTEzViX0FlXrg.1.
• In-person information sessions will be available for students in the Media Center during lunch on October 20th, 21st, and 22nd.
• For more information on Dual Enrollment, email Ms. Hansen, visit the Magruder Dual Enrollment website, and see the flyers linked here: Meet the DEPA and Dual Enrollment Interest.

All Class of 2028 Grade 11 students will take the PSAT at Magruder HS on Wednesday, October 14th as part of the MCPS PSAT School Day initiative.

• Students and parents do not need to do anything to register for the test and there is no cost to families.
• Please read the PSAT Community Letter letter from MCPS for more information on the PSAT and the Student Survey Consent Form.

The Achieving Collegiate Excellence & Success (ACES) program at Magruder High School is now accepting applications from current 10th-grade students.

• ACES is a free college and career pathway program offered in partnership with MCPS, Montgomery College, and the Univ. at Shady Grove. The program provides students with tailored academic coaching, SAT/ACT test preparation, college visits, scholarship guidance, and financial aid support.
• 100% of the ACES Class of 2026 graduates were accepted into college, earning a combined total of $2.1 million in scholarship funding.
• Space is limited, as the program only accepts 75–80 new students each year. Priority is given to future first-generation college students, single-parent or low-income households, or participation in special education, 504 plans, or multilingual learning programs.
• The application window is open from August 31st through January 8th.
• To learn more or submit an application, visit the ACES Application Link: ACES Application Link or have your student visit the ACES Office, in Office 7 (located in the B-Wing across from B234).

Join Montgomery County's Annual Speak Up, Save a Life Video Contest!

• The video contest is open to all 6th - 12th-grade students living in, or attending school in, Montgomery County.
• Top prize is $5,000; second place is $3,000; third place and fan favorite winners will receive $1,000; $5,000 will be split among all honorable mention winners.
• Submit your video by November 30, 2026 at the Video Contest Registration Page . Make your voice count!
• MCPS students earn 10 SSL hours just for submitting a video.

The October 2026 edition of the MCPS Student Post is HERE.

• Check it out for updates on many upcoming SSL opportunities (virtual and in-person), fall and winter athletics updates, college planning, the Speak Up, Save a Life Video Contest, and more!

Are you interesting in volunteering at a school event to earn SSL hours? We need student ambassadors and translators to help out at our Fall Showcase on October 5th from 5:30-8:00PM.

• Jobs will include passing out maps, showing families around, translating, and more.
• If you are interested in the October event, please reach out to counselor Jodie_M_Ackerman@mcpsmd.org or see her in the Counseling Office by September 25th.
• Students will earn SSL hours for the time they serve!
• Students may also submit the Student Translation Interest form linked here to serve as language interpreters for other events at Magruder and Magruder cluster schools.

Bilingual students are encouraged to serve as election workers.

• Students earn up to $750 or receive 75 SSL hours by working during Early Voting weekend (October 24–25) and on Election Day (November 3).
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years old and registered to vote. Individuals under 18 must obtain parental consent.
• For more information, text the word SERVE followed by a non-MCPS student email address to 77788 (for example: SERVE email@email.com).

The Montgomery County Forensics League is looking for judges on Saturday, October 24, December 5, and January 16.

• This paid opportunity allows you to see some of the best public-speaking talent across MCPS's high schools.
• Competitions are at Richard Montgomery HS and typically run from 8 AM to 4 PM.
• For more information, email katie.l.sconce@mcpsmd.net.

Magruder JROTC is having a fundraiser! Your support is crucial in helping our program achieve its goals.

• This fundraiser will help raise money for JROTC competitions, the military ball, field trips and end of year BBQ.
• Please share our online fundraiser linked here with your friends via email and social media. We appreciate your help and couldn't do it without you!

Senior Class of 2027, there is still time to take your senior photos!

• The third and FINAL round of senior photos will be held on October 28-30. If you have not signed up for attended a previous session, please sign up now!
• Photos are by appointment only at this link: https://www.vosphoto.com/magruder
• Click here to view the letter from our photo vendor, Victor O'Neill, for additional information.
• Please email seniors@vosphoto.com with any questions.

The MCPS application window is open Wednesday, Oct. 7 - Friday, Nov. 6 for students in grades 9-11 who are interested in Career & Technology Education (CTE) programs, Apprenticeships & Early College.

• The MCPS High School Regional/Countywide Application Programs At-A-Glance provides more details about each program and Open House information.
• Check out the CTE Information Handout for information specific to Magruder HS & MCPS CTE programs, including locations and open house details. Students should apply during Round 1 for the best chance of acceptance (lottery system). Contact Ms. Jen Miehle for more information.
• The MCPS & Montgomery College (MC) Early College program is offered at each MC campus and provides the opportunity of earning an associates degree. Students complete 11th & 12th grade while simultaneously completing their first two years of college as a full time MC student. Register for upcoming info sessions at MC Rockville 10/7 & MC Germantown 10/13 and contact your school counselor with questions.
• The Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP) is a CTE Program of Study that allows students to work during the school day and summer to earn high school credit and earn industry recognized credentials. Contact Ms. Lesley Stroot with questions.

The Magruder Athletics Booster Club is excited for another year of supporting student-athletes, coaches, and athletic programs.

• Concession stand volunteers may sign up for a shift at this link.
• Join Boosters today at this link to help fund athletic equipment, facility improvements, recognition programs, & events.
• Local businesses may become a corporate sponsor and support athletes while gaining visibility in the community on banner at boostersmhsathletics@gmail.com.

Thank you to everyone that was able to join the recent PTSA meeting.

• Click here for the slides and resources shared during the meeting.
• Please join principal Ascienzo and PTSA President Shivaun Wilkinson in welcoming the new school year. Click here to join the PTSA!

Magruder is also looking for members of our NAACP Parents' Council.

• The NAACP Parents’ Council empowers African American and other minority parents to take a more proactive role in school.
• Click here for more information and contact Irene Johnson, Magruder NAACP Parents Council Representative, with questions and interest.

• Students are not permitted to utilize personal mobile devices from 7:45am-2:30pm. This includes during lunch and in the hallways as students transition to class and use the restroom.

• MCPS has updated the Grading & Reporting policy. Students who intentionally skip a class or school without authorization WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE eligible to make up missed work once the absence is determined to be skipping by an administrator.

• Students must wear their ID visibly upon entry and at all times in school. Students that are chronically tardy, absent, and/or in violation of the Code of Conduct may lose their privileges to participate in and attend athletics & extracurricular activities.
• A new Free Meal Application must be submitted online at www.Myschoolapps.com. Families may add funds for lunch purchases at www.myschoolbucks.com or by check payable to ‘Magruder Cafeteria’. Breakfast is free to all students at Magruder!

• All MCPS families should register for a ParentVUE account and update contact information using these links: English, Spanish, French,

MHS Administrative Roles/Responsibilities

Follow Mr. Ascienzo for updates and links to the weekly newsletters at X (Twitter): @MHS_principal and Instagram: magruderhs_principal.

Administrator Email Contact Information:

Chris Ascienzo, Principal

Karla Barrow, Assistant Principal

Nicole Kimball, School Business Administrator

Brian Gertzen, Assistant Principal

Marie Koch, Assistant Principal

Kristi Ricca, Assistant Principal

Scott Zanni, Athletic Director

Website: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/magruderhs/
Location: Col. Zadok Magruder High School, 5939 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD 20855, USA
Phone: (240)740-5550
X (Twitter): @MHS_principal & @Magruder_HS

Instagram: MagruderHS_Principal & MagruderColonels