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Academies & Pathways

SMCPS Educational Pathways Application Process

Please read the following terms and conditions regarding the 2026-2027 SMCPS Pathways Application process.

  • All online applications must be completed and submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026.  No applications will be accepted after that date.  Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. There will be no exceptions. Please be certain to submit your completed application.

  • Applicants will be notified on or before Friday, May 22, 2026 regarding acceptance status via the parent contact email address provided on this application. Please make sure your email address is valid and can accept messages from an SMCPS address.

  • Please direct any questions regarding this application process to your school counselor. You may also email questions to AcademyPrograms@smcps.org or call 301-475-5511 ext. 32104.

Questions?

Please direct questions to your school counselor.
You may also email AcademyPrograms@smcps.org
or call 301-475-5511 ext. 32104.

NOTICE ABOUT TEACHER INPUT 

Upon submission of this application, you will be emailed a copy of the Academy Programs Request For Teacher Input form. Politely ask one of your current teachers (as directed below) to provide input to the academy staff regarding your abilities as a student. Please complete the form and give it to the teacher once they agree to provide input on your behalf. The teacher will need the information on the form to complete your recommendation. 

All applicants* must have input from ONE teacher on file with their application. Academy staff is looking for input from one of your classroom teachers; however, if you do not have access to a classroom teacher, a specialist related to your desired academy can submit input on your behalf.

  • AVPA Applicants must have a Music, Fine Arts, or Theatre/Language Arts teacher complete the input form.

  • STEM Applicants not currently in STEM 8* must have a Math or Science teacher complete the input form.  

 *Special Notice for Current 8 students:

  • Students currently in STEM 8 who are applying to continue in STEM do not need to submit a teacher input form. STEM 8 teachers will submit one on your behalf.

  • STEM 8 students applying for AVPA must submit a teacher input form according to the directions above.         

Teachers will submit their input directly, and securely, to the online application system. Applicants are responsible for providing the teacher selected with a completed Academy Programs Request for Teacher Input form containing the link to the Teacher Input Form.

Applicants are responsible for following-up with teachers to ensure their input form has been submitted. An application is not complete until the teacher input is received. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

More Information

NOTICE ABOUT PRIVATE SCHOOL, HOME SCHOOL, OR OUT OF DISTRICT APPLICANTS

Applicants not currently enrolled in SMCPS or who were not enrolled for the entire 25-26 school year may be required to complete the assessments utilized on each academy score matrix. After the application period closes, non-SMCPS applicants will be emailed information regarding assessment dates and locations. Please note that additional data may also be requested and you may be asked to submit additional information in the form of official transcripts, nationally-normed assessments, and samples of student work. 

NOTICE ABOUT ACADEMY OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS (AVPA)

Applicants for AVPA will present an audition/ portfolio of work and attend a live interview and workshop to take place at Chopticon High School by appointment during the first two weeks of May. Once your AVPA application has been submitted audition/portfolio instructions and interview dates will be emailed to the parent address you list in this application. Any additional questions regarding AVPA interviews can be directed to AcademyPrograms@smcps.org.

NOTICE ABOUT STEM 9 APPLICATIONS 

Students are expected to have completed Algebra 1 prior to beginning STEM 9. Students accepted into to STEM 9 who were not enrolled in STEM 8 will be required to complete a Geometry class concurrently with Algebra II during their 9th grade year. Please contact your school’s guidance counselor for additional information on this or email AcademyPrograms@smcps.org with questions.

NOTICE REGARDING APPLICANT GRADE LEVEL 

Due to programming requirements, rising 10-12 students are not eligible to apply to AVPA and STEM. If you are a rising 10th, 11th, or 12th grader, please speak with your school counselor about course programming in the Arts, Humanities, and STEM fields.

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Teachers!

Student may approach you asking you to complete a Teacher Input Form. Use this form to submit it.

Teacher Input Form