Rockville Leaders Reject Proposal to Move Wootton High School

MCPS superintendent recommended relocating Wootton to Crown High School, but Rockville mayor and council oppose the plan

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After weeks of backlash from the Wootton cluster over a proposal to move the school body to the new Crown High School, Superintendent Thomas Taylor has recommended that Rockville's Wootton High School should relocate to Gaithersburg's Crown High School. However, Rockville's mayor and city council have unequivocally opposed the proposal, calling for Wootton to remain at its current campus on Wootton Parkway in Rockville.

Why it matters

The relocation of Wootton High School has become a contentious issue, with Rockville leaders adamantly opposing the move and citing concerns over equity, long-term capacity, transportation, stability, and planning risks for the school community. The decision will have significant implications for students, families, and the broader Rockville community.

The details

MCPS insists this is not a closure of Wootton High School, but rather a move of the school to a new building. The current Wootton building would then be used as a holding school for other campuses under construction. However, Rockville's mayor and city council have firmly rejected this proposal, stating they unequivocally support a fully renovated Wootton High School remaining on the Wootton Parkway campus in Rockville. Rockville Councilmember Adam Van Grack cited statements from the Wootton and Magruder High School PTSAs opposing the relocation, calling it a 'serious system-level warning' that the school board should not dismiss.

  • On February 9, 2026, MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor recommended relocating Wootton High School to Crown High School in Gaithersburg.
  • In March 2026, the school board will hold work sessions and public hearings on boundary recommendations, with a final decision expected on March 26.
  • The 'phased implementation' of any changes is slated to begin in the 2027-2028 school year.

The players

Thomas Taylor, Ed.D

The superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

Monique Ashton

The mayor of Rockville, Maryland, who has unequivocally opposed the proposal to relocate Wootton High School.

Adam Van Grack

A Rockville city councilmember who has spoken out against the relocation of Wootton High School, citing concerns from the Wootton and Magruder High School PTSAs.

Yamil Hernández

A Gaithersburg city councilmember who has expressed support for opening Crown High School as a permanent high school.

Wootton High School PTSA

The Parent Teacher Student Association of Wootton High School, which has called for the school board to reject the proposal to relocate the school.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The Rockville Mayor and Council unequivocally supported a fully renovated Wootton High School on the Wootton Parkway campus that remains in Rockville. I am against any option that permanently shuts down Wootton High School and shifts the community of students and teachers miles outside of Rockville, removing a walkable and vibrant school community from Rockville.”

— Monique Ashton, Mayor of Rockville (mymcmedia.org)

“When PTSA leaders from multiple clusters independently identify equity, long-term capacity, transportation, stability, and planning risks, it is a serious system-level warning — one the Board of Education should not dismiss or minimize.”

— Adam Van Grack, Rockville Councilmember (mymcmedia.org)

“I think we, in the city, we're committed behind any option that opens Crown High School as a permanent high school.”

— Yamil Hernández, Gaithersburg Councilmember (mymcmedia.org)

What’s next

The school board will hold work sessions and public hearings on boundary recommendations in March 2026, with a final decision expected on March 26. Any changes would then be implemented in a 'phased' approach starting in the 2027-2028 school year.

The takeaway

The proposed relocation of Wootton High School has become a contentious issue, with Rockville's leadership firmly opposing the move and citing concerns over the impact on the school community. The decision will have significant implications for students, families, and the broader Rockville area, and the school board will need to carefully weigh the concerns raised by local leaders and stakeholders before making a final determination.