Registration for exams has closed. Only students who were already registered for exams will be able to participate in the at home exam format.

Students do not need to officially cancel exams. Students can decide the day of the exam not to sit for the exam. Before deciding not to sit, we recommend that students work with their teachers and the optional College Board online resources to determine their preparedness.

The AP exam schedule is posted on the College Board COVID-19 page. College Board will run two at-home testing windows, May 11-22 and June 1-5. Please check their website for specific content exam dates. The June window is in place to provide options for students who experience technical difficulties or have scheduling conflicts. Students should prepare to sit for the May exam.

The College Board, which oversees the Advanced Placement (AP) program, is working to develop online solutions for students impacted by COVID-19. AP exams will be modified so that students will take a 45-minute online exam at home that will be accessible using a variety of devices including computers, tablets, or smartphones. The scope of the exams also has been modified to address topics and skills that most AP teachers and students covered in class by early March.

Update: April 27, 2021

HCPSS school facilities will be available for the remaining Saturday administrations of the SAT/ACT. The schools registered for upcoming dates are as follows:

SAT:

• May 8: Centennial, Hammond, Howard, Oakland Mills, Reservoir, River Hill and Wilde Lake high schools
• June 5: Glenelg, Hammond, Howard, Oakland Mills, Reservoir, River Hill and Wilde Lake high schools

ACT:

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) received approval to waive federal 2019-2020 Assessment and Accountability Requirements. Consequently, HCPSS will not administer the MCAP English language, mathematics, science and social studies assessments, the American Government high school assessment or the Maryland School Survey for this school year.

Fourth quarter began April 27. The Board of Education on April 16 unanimously approved recommendations for fourth-quarter grading for the 2019-2020 school year.

Students will earn a grade of Pass or Incomplete for each graded subject or course.

Middle and high school students were able to, at the direction of their teacher, complete work assigned between April 14-24 to improve their third-quarter grade. Middle and high school teachers provided direction in Canvas for additional assignments. The April 14-24 assignment submissions counted toward third-quarter grades and were not used to lower a grade.

Third-quarter grading was originally scheduled to end on April 3, 2020. For all students, HCPSS based third-quarter grades on work assigned on and prior to March 13, 2020, the last day schools were in session, as the majority of the quarter had already taken place when schools were closed. Additional details are available online.

HCPSS is providing free breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and weekend meals, weekdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at locations throughout Howard County. HCPSS will continue to provide free Grab-N-Go meals to anyone age 18 and under and/or any HCPSS student, throughout state-mandated school closures, extended through the end of the school year. There is no application, enrollment, or fees to participate in this program.

We have compiled a number of tips and suggestions to help you and your family transition to a home-based learning environment. On this web page, you can find guidance on how to create a daily schedule, maintain a healthy learning environment at home, and engage in online learning.