Do I need to register my student for bus service?
For the 2025-26 school year, bus registration is not required. All bus-eligible students (per Board of Education Policy 5200 - Student Transportation) will be routed.
Where do home and hospital teaching services take place?
All Home and Hospital instruction sessions are delivered virtually. Only in extenuating circumstances will in-person sessions be arranged.
If my child has an IEP, will he or she still get the support services in his or her IEP at home?
Please direct all questions about students with disabilities to your child's IEP Team. The IEP Team, along with your input, will determine what support services may need to be provided given your child's medical condition that is precluding them from attending school for a short period of time.
Is my child eligible for home teaching?
Students enrolled in the Howard County Public School system are eligible for interim Home and Hospital instructional sessions when it is determined by an appropriate medical provider per COMAR (13A.03.05.04) that a student’s medical diagnosis is serious enough to preclude school attendance (20 schools days - 60 calendar days) or a chronic health impairment that causes the student to be absent at least 20% of the time.
How do I register my child for bus transportation service?
For the 2025-26 school year, bus registration is not required. All bus-eligible students (per Board of Education Policy 5200 - Student Transportation) will be routed.
What is Synergy?
Synergy is the Student Management System (SIS) used by HCPSS. Synergy is the primary system for recording quarterly and/or final grades. Grades will appear in Synergy as they appear on quarterly report cards at the end of each marking period.
If my child is approved for reassignment, can that decision be rescinded? Can a student who has been reassigned be returned to their designated school?
Yes, if the student has not enrolled/transferred to the approved school within 30 calendar days from the date of approval, the reassignment approval will be considered declined and will be rescinded by HCPSS.
Staff at my child’s school are willing to write a letter supporting our reassignment request. Is that okay?
Letters from school staff should not be requested by the parent/guardian or submitted with the reassignment request form. If appropriate, the Office of Pupil Personnel Services will reach out to your child’s school to receive feedback about your child. The school will be asked if they are aware of the issues you've presented on the request form. In addition, the school will be asked to provide information, if any, about the supports in place to help your child be successful as well as whether there are disciplinary or attendance concerns.
What kind of supporting documentation do I need to submit for reassignment under the hardship category?
Under the HARDSHIP category, documentation and information that supports a family’s claim of unique hardship must be submitted with the request form. Please scan and email all documentation to residency@hcpss.org. Examples of supporting documentation include, but are not limited to: