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Some Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) students will move to new schools during the 2026-2027 school year, though they might be different schools than families expected.
AACPS is in the middle of a redistricting process. Phase II — which includes the Severna Park, Broadneck, Annapolis, Arundel, Crofton, South River and Southern clusters — ramped up in January when AACPS shared three redistricting proposals created by private consultant WXY. The school system then gathered public comments, and this July, AACPS officials outlined Superintendent Mark Bedell’s two recommendations.
The two newest options are a win for one group of families and a disappointment for others.
Previously, one redistricting option included moving Jones Elementary graduates to Severn River Middle School instead of Severna Park Middle School. The Jones community is safe from changes in Bedell’s proposals.
Board of Education of Anne Arundel County member Dana Schallheim explained that not every area is exempt from changes, though.
“The first involves the Cypress Creek neighborhood of Severna Park that may move from Folger McKinsey Elementary to Severna Park Elementary to alleviate overcrowding in Folger,” she wrote in her column in this month’s Severna Park Voice. “Also, some neighborhoods in the current Belvedere Elementary School catchment area are being moved to Arnold Elementary School to alleviate overcrowding in Belvedere.”
Bedell’s suggestions are not final. The Board of Education will hold an August workshop, select an option and hold a public briefing in September, and finalize the decision in November.
Anne Arundel County is a growing school district. The current enrollment of over 85,000 students is expected to hit over 92,000 students within six or seven years.
“When we build new schools and we open up schools, we have a policy that requires us to balance,” Bedell said, “but we also know when you have overcrowding, you have no choice but to balance.”
That enrollment balance is one part of the equation, along with programmatic changes mandated by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation. Also, state and county governments are less likely to fund renovations or new buildings when there are empty seats available in the district.
During the initial public comment period, AACPS considered all feedback provided by Anne Arundel County residents, yet Bedell emphasized that not everyone will be happy with the results.
“Now, I get this as a parent,” he said. “People move into a community and they do their research based on a particular school. And so, when you move in that community, you’re moving in that community because you want stability for your child. And what I said to folks was that in every case possible, we will try to do everything in our power to minimize the impact of redistricting, but understanding there are going to be some areas where we do not have a choice. We have to balance.”
Another feedback period is open now through September 5. Anyone can share input at www.aacpsredistricting.org/webmap.
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