Families who were approved for free or reduced-price meal benefits during the 2025-2026 school year need to apply for benefits for the new school year before Tuesday, October 13, 2026, to avoid a lapse in benefits. Families must reapply each school year. Click here to apply online. Click here to download a paper application. If you have any questions, please contact the Food and Nutrition Office at 410-638-4078.

Students who took the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) assessments in spring 2026 will receive their individual score reports the week of September 28, 2026. Each student’s school will send home hard copies of the reports. The reports summarize student performance overall and by subject area. For information on how to interpret the results, click here. Families with questions about their student’s scores should contact their school directly.

Nominations are now open for the Harford County Education Foundation's Everyday Hero Award and the 2027 Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year!

We invite all families to nominate a teacher who exemplifies innovative instruction, inspires students, and gives tirelessly to the children in our community. Each school's official nominee will be invited to attend the Everyday Hero Awards dinner in November and to participate in the Teacher of the Year process, with the 2027 Harford County Public Schools Teacher of the Year named in April.

Nominations close Sunday, October 4. Click here for more information and submit a nomination.

Parent Academy Lunch & Learn Webinar

Grab your lunch and join HCPS Parent Academy online each month to hear from licensed therapists on a variety of topics designed to support your parenting journey and promote your student’s well-being. Be sure to register today and save the dates to your calendar so you don’t miss these valuable opportunities! Registration, attendance, and participation are completely anonymous. Can’t attend a session live? No problem! Register anyway, and a recording will be sent directly to your inbox so you can watch at a time that works for you.

Next session: Milestones to Progress in Early Childhood - Wednesday, October 14, 12:00 p.m. Register here: https://cookcenter.info/Oct14Harford

Harford County Public Schools invites parents of 7th and 8th grade students to attend one of our Magnet and Technical Programs Information Nights. The events begin at 6:00 p.m. and each presentation is identical, regardless of location. 

Dates and locations of presentations: 

• Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at Havre de Grace Middle School 

• Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Magnolia Middle School 

• Thursday, September 24, 2026, at North Harford Middle School 

• Monday, September 28, 2026, at Edgewood Middle School 

• Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Aberdeen Middle School 

Staff will discuss the following programs at each event: 

1. Global Studies Program/International Baccalaureate 

2. Career Programs at Harford Technical High School 

3. Information Technology Oracle Academy 

4. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps 

5.  Natural Resources and Agricultural Science 

6. Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) 

7. Science and Mathematics Academy 

8. Teacher Academy of Maryland 

Prior to the Information Night scheduled for your school, your student will be able to take part in a magnet fair during their school day to learn more about the programs offered. 

Applications for all HCPS Magnet and Technical Programs are open from October 1 until December 1, 2026. 

For more information about all magnet programs, please visit the Magnet and Technical Programs page on hcps.org. 

Monday is Labor Day!

HCPS schools and offices are closed Monday in observance of the holiday. Enjoy you're long weekend and we will see everyone back in class Tuesdady!

Harford County Public Schools will be live streaming all 2026 graduation ceremonies held at APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College. Thanks to our partners at Harford Community College and the APGFCU Arena, families and friends can watch every moment live at youtube.com/@HCPSchools. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Nearly 4,000 Harford County Public Schools third grade students connected virtually with author and speaker Ty Allan Jackson this spring for an unforgettable experience centered around entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and dreaming big. Thanks to Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, every third grade student also received a copy of Make Your Own Money to keep the learning going at home.

💚💙Join us for Spirit Night at Chick‑fil‑A
in Aberdeen on Tuesday, May 19th from 5:00–8:00 PM!

Come enjoy dinner before or after the Art Show at Swan Creek with friends and family while supporting Swan Creek School.
10% of the evening’s sales will be donated back to our school!

How to participate:
• Mention “Swan Creek Spirit Night” at the register
• OR use code SWANCREEK when placing a mobile order

We hope to see our school community there for a fun night out! 🐔🎉

Wednesday, May 6 is National School Nurse Day. Harford County Public Schools is proud to recognize our school nurses for their dedication, expertise, and compassionate care for our students each and every day. Thank you!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Harford County Public Schools is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of our students, staff, and families. Throughout May, we will be sharing resources and information to help our community thrive inside and outside the classroom.

The Harford County Board of Education has approved an adjustment to the 2026-2027 calendar involving built-in inclement weather days. Schools and offices will now be closed on March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027, and those days will be used as makeup days, in the order listed, only if needed due to inclement weather cancellations. 

The adjustment reflects guidance from the Maryland State Board of Education, which has expressed a preference for makeup days to be distributed throughout the school year, and the use of virtual instruction, rather than adding days to the end of the school year. 

The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español. 

Join Harford County Public Schools, the Office on Mental Health, UM Upper Chesapeake Health, and the Cook Center for Human Connection on May 8, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Ripken Stadium for Your Mind Matters. This free family wellness event will include activities for the entire family including crafts, a bounce house, rock climbing, football, and a light race.

The event is free to attend, but registration is required. Visit harfordmentalhealth.org for more information and to register.

Congratulations to Vibha Nanduri from Bel Air High School for being named the 2026-2027 Student Member of the Board!

Vibha was elected during the HCRASC General Assembly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Her term will run from July 1, 2026 and run through June 30, 2027.

She is currently a junior in the Biomedical Sciences program at Bel Air High School. She serves as 1st Vice President of HCRASC and the Environmental Affairs Coordinator for the Maryland Association of Student Councils.

Congratulations Vibha!

U.S. Service Academy Virtual Information Event -- April 21

Families of students interested in attending a United States Service Academy are invited to a free virtual information event hosted by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Representatives from the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Army ROTC will be on hand to discuss what each academy offers, their admissions processes, and how the Congressional nomination process works.

Click here to register. If you have any questions, contact Senator Van Hollen's office at academynominations@vanhollen.senate.gov or (301) 545-1500.