John Matthews
WMAL.com
ROCKVILLE — (WMAL) Maryland’s largest school system opened its doors for a new school year Tuesday with more than 161,000 students expected – a growth of more than 2,000 students over last year, and the largest in the county’s history.
Those students are squeezing into Montgomery County’s 205 schools, along with some 1,100 new employees, including 950 new teachers.
To fit all those bodies, the county has added a new facility – Silver Creek Middle School in Kensington – and expanded or made renovations to four existing schools, including Brown Station, Wayside and Wheaton Woods elementary schools, and an addition at Diamond Elementary School.
“I am so excited to welcome all of our students and staff to the 2017-2018 school year and get back to the business of learning,” said Dr. Jack Smith, Superintendent of Schools in a press release. “Student learning is our essential purpose. Our teachers, staff and school leaders are committed to meeting the needs of every student and ensuring all of our students have access to learning at the highest levels.”
The growing school population reflects the continuing growth in diversity in the county. Two of the elementary schools are joining the county’s elementary immersion program, which offers education in both Spanish and English, with the aim of making students literate in both languages.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Montgomery County Public Schools)
