Despite continued low enrollment growth in the last few years, compared to pre-pandemic student levels, half of Howard County’s public schools are projected to be above 100% capacity for next school year, according to an annual feasibility study presented to the Board of Education.
Half of Howard County’s public elementary schools and three of its middle schools were designated as “constrained” by the school board last week, meaning they are projected to be over capacity for enrollment in the 2026-2027 school year and residential development in the surrounding areas will be limited. No high schools made the list.
Howard County parents and students gathered Wednesday in Ellicott City ahead of a joint County Council-school board meeting to protest the loss of service and longer walks for students next school year.