Big Shakeup Comes For BCPS Students As District Tackles Overcrowding Snag

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Like other Maryland school districts, Baltimore County Public Schools faces serious capacity issues projected to worsen in the coming years.

Overlea High School at 5401 Kenwood Ave. currently has 18 portable classrooms, a temporary fix that lets the school serve about 1,600 students.

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The latest figures the district released at one of its first boundary committee meetings this week showed the high school was over capacity by more than 500 students as of September 2025.

Authorities say that number is projected to climb by nearly 650 students by 2035.

Now, funding complications that stalled a capital project meant to remedy the situation have the district pivoting.

A temporary solution earmarks between 200 and 250 students to be reassigned to Loch Raven and Parkville High Schools, both of which are listed as being under capacity.

The school reassignments would take effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

Jaxon Medina, an Overlea High School student, told WBAL that students are oftentimes late to class because hallways are so crowded. "It won't even be our fault," Medina said.

BCPS says the capital project intended to fix Overlea's overcrowding "is not yet in design and will not be completed for many years." Once the project moves forward, officials plan to conduct additional evaluations.

What's The Boundary Committee's Timeline?

The Overlea High School Capacity Relief Boundary Committee held its first of several meetings Wednesday.

Committee members will hold a second meeting Oct. 21 at Nottingham Middle School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to review the boundary plans in more depth, with similar meetings continuing through January 2027.

Boundary Meeting Schedule

The following sessions will take place at Nottingham Middle School:

• Boundary Committee Meeting #2
  Oct. 21, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Boundary Committee Meeting #3
  Nov. 4, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Public Information Session
  Nov. 18, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Boundary Committee Meeting #4
  Jan. 6, 2027, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  *Snow date set for Jan. 7
• Boundary Committee Meeting #5 (if needed)
  Jan. 13, 2027, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  *Snow date set for Jan. 14

A survey will be made available to residents Nov. 18 for feedback following the public meetings. Officials say it will remain available until midnight on Dec. 16.

BCPS Superintendent William Heiser is scheduled to present boundary recommendations Feb. 23, 2027, with a public hearing booked for March 3, 2027.

The district expects a final decision on the boundary issue on March 16, 2027, and it will officially take effect on July 1, 2027.