Big Shakeup Comes For BCPS Students As District Tackles Overcrowding Snag

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — Similar to other Maryland school districts, Baltimore County Public Schools is experiencing serious capacity issues that are projected to worsen in the coming years.

Overlea High School at 5401 Kenwood Ave. is currently fitted with 18 portable classrooms, a temporary fix that allows the school to cater to about 1,600 students.

The latest figures released by the district at one of its first boundary committee meetings this week revealed 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 currently earmarks between 200 and 250 students who will 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 that was intended to fix Overlea's overcrowding issue "is not yet in design and will not be completed for many years." Once the project comes to fruition, officials plan to make any additional evaluations.

What's The Boundary Committee's Timeline?

The first of several meetings held by the Overlea High School Capacity Relief Boundary Committee took place Wednesday.

Committee members will hold a second meeting Oct. 21 at Nottingham Middle School from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to dive deeper into the boundary plans, with similar meetings taking place 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. It will remain available until midnight on Dec. 16, according to officials.

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

A final decision on the boundary issue is expected March 16, 2027, and will officially take effect July 1, 2027.