FCPS Community Bulletin Board
The past few weeks have been filled with wonderful opportunities to celebrate the talents, passions, and achievements of our students across Frederick County Public Schools. From exploring future career pathways to representing our district on a national stage, our students are excelling in spotlight opportunities.
The FCPS Career & Technology Center welcomed prospective students and their families to its annual open house, where current students served as ambassadors, sharing their experiences and highlighting the many career and technical education pathways available. At Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, the FCPS Academy for the Fine Arts also opened its doors to potential future students, offering a closer look at its five focus areas: 2D/3D visual art, dance, musical theatre, music, and theatre.
We are also proud of our FCPS students who attended the 99th National FFA Convention & Expo, held October 21–24 in Indianapolis. Joining more than 70,000 members, advisors, and supporters from across the country, our students had the opportunity to connect with others who share their passion for agriculture, leadership, and service.
We are delighted to celebrate Urbana Middle School for earning Maryland Blue Ribbon School recognition! This prestigious honor reflects the dedication of its students, staff, families, and school community and is a wonderful example of the excellence happening throughout our district.
Last but not least, I’m excited to share that 73 percent of FCPS schools earned four or five stars on the 2025–26 Maryland Report Cards released today by the Maryland State Department of Education. Statewide, 50 percent of schools earned four or five stars. Seven FCPS schools earned the highest possible rating of five stars, and 15 FCPS schools ranked among the top 15 percent of schools across Maryland.
These results reflect the dedication of our teachers and staff and the work taking place in classrooms across FCPS every day. While we are encouraged by our schools’ performance, we know there is always more work to do to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.
Together, we are proud to celebrate the many ways our FCPS students and schools continue to shine!
Thank you,
Dr. Dyson
The Frederick County Bar Association, in partnership with FCPS, will be sponsoring the annual Civics & Law Academy on Saturday, November 14, 2026 from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM at Frederick High School. This important partnership provides students with learning experiences with local professionals in the legal field. This is the first year that registration is open to grade 8 students. Please share this opportunity through school communication channels and encourage students to participate. More information can be found here. Registration closes October 30, 2026.
The Conference will take place on Saturday, January 9, 2027, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Frederick High School (snow date: January 23, 2027).
This annual event provides students with an exciting opportunity to engage in collaborative problem-solving, develop leadership and public speaking skills, and explore global issues. Please share this opportunity through school communication channels and encourage students to participate. More information can be found here.
Registration opens October 10, and the regular registration window runs from October 12 – November 20, 2026.
Frederick County Public Schools Office of World Languages is excited to announce testing for the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy, a recognition for students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language. This test will be administered to students in grades 9-12 in December at each high school.
The Seal of Biliteracy celebrates the invaluable skill of being multilingual and provides students with tangible benefits as they transition into college, careers, and global opportunities. This prestigious distinction is awarded upon high school graduation and appears on the student’s diploma and transcript, showcasing their achievement to colleges and future employers.
Who should pursue the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy?
Students in grades 9-12 who are:
Fluent in Two or More Languages:
Those who are proficient in English and another language, including students who speak a language other than English at home.
Students who have taken formal language courses in school or through community programs.
Heritage Language Learners:
Students who have grown up speaking another language at home and are looking to formalize and showcase their bilingual abilities.
World Language Students:
Students who have studied a second language and have successfully completed level 3 or above.
Students Planning for College and Careers:
Those who want to enhance their college applications and stand out to future employers with certified multilingual skills.
Students Interested in Cultural Recognition:
Those who value the cultural and personal importance of multilingualism and want to celebrate their heritage or language-learning accomplishments.
Eligibility Requirements
To earn the Maryland Seal of Biliteracy, students must meet the following criteria:
Proficiency in English: Demonstrated through a passing score on the English Language Arts portion of the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) or an equivalent standardized assessment. Qualifying English assessments can be found here.
Proficiency in a Second Language: Achieved through a qualifying score on an approved language proficiency assessment. FCPS will utilize Avant Stamp 4s to test students. You can find more information about this assessment at : https://www.avantassessment.com/tests/stamp/4s
Why Pursue the Seal of Biliteracy?
College Readiness: Stand out in college applications by showcasing advanced language skills.
Career Advantages: Gain a competitive edge in the job market, where bilingual skills are increasingly in demand.
Cultural Appreciation: Celebrate your child’s dedication to cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Any students in grade 9-12 who are interested in qualifying for the world language component through the Avant Assessment should complete this Mach Form by November 15th. Assessments will be administered at each of the respective high schools in December. There will be no cost to test in the 2026-2027 school year. If your child is enrolled in a World Language course in FCPS level 4 or higher, students will take this assessment in the language of study as a part of their coursework and do not need to sign up to test in that language using this form.
If you are a student or a parent who is interested in having their child take part in testing for the Seal of Biliteracy, please fill out this form.
We will have more information about payment and the testing closer to the date.
Local Superintendents are encouraged to inform parents as they complete Emergency Contact Forms to also consider completing Standby Guardianship forms. Standby Guardianship offers a parent or guardian the ability to nominate another person, called a standby guardian, to take care of their children in the event of mental incapacitation, physical debilitation, or an adverse immigration action. Completing the Parental Designation and Consent to the Beginning of Standby Guardianship is a first step for parents in taking actions to protect their children.
Information on Immigration can be found on the MSDE website at here. However, Standby Guardianship is an important, protective option for all parents to consider.
For further assistance, please contact Mary Gable, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Student Support and Federal Programs, by email at mary.gable@maryland.gov.
