Montgomery County Public Schools will soon be adding a new middle school to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area. But the question is: where will the middle school be located?

What Are The Issues?

The Site Selection Advisory Committee has been reviewing possible sites for the future school since November 2011. In earlier meetings, it was determined that 10 acres is the minimum amount of land needed to build the school. However, 20 acres is preferred.

The school’s ideal location would be in the central part of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster. It should not be too close to Westland Middle School, which is located in the western part of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase cluster.

Which Locations Are Under Review?

So far, the list of 25 possible public sites has been narrowed down to 11 locations. These include the following:

• Rock Creek Hills LP
• North Chevy Chase LP
• Lynnbrook LP/ES
• Rosemary Hills / Lyttonsville LP
• WSSC Lyttonsville
• Grace Episcopal School
• Norwood LP
• Westland MS
• Meadowbrook LP
• Mongtomery County Bus Lot
• SHA Property / I-495 Intersection

Other Montgomery County Concerns

The Meadowbrook Park location, currently under review, is located in a floodplain.The Rock Creek Hills Local Park site was developed using funds from the State of Maryland’s Program Open Space. Program Open Space places restrictions on land usage for a twenty-year period. However, this expires February 5, 2012 for the Rock Creek Hills LP.

Find Out More

These sites will be reviewed again on the February 8 meeting at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School at 7 p.m. This meeting is open to the public. To find out more information, visit the Montgomery County Public Schools website.

Do you have any thoughts on where the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Middle School #2 should go? Please feel free to share your opinions with us.