School Closings

As a general rule, MSD-Frederick follows Frederick County Public Schools and MSD-Columbia follows Howard County Public Schools. Exceptions to the rule do happen.

 

If Frederick County Public Schools open 2 hours late, only MSD-Frederick Campus will open 2 hours late. If Howard County Public Schools open 2 hours late, only MSD-Columbia Campus will open 2 hours late.

 

Although we tend to follow the county's lead, there are circumstances when we make an independent decision.

 

Every once in a while Frederick County Public Schools or Howard County Public Schools will close while the other remains open. In that rare situation, as MSD is a single school, both campuses will be closed. In the case of delayed openings, one campus can open late while the other opens on time.

Student safety is paramount. Parents reserve the right to keep their child home on days when weather makes travel hazardous. The absence will be treated as an excused absence.

 

If a significant storm is predicted, MSD will send home all day students and the residential students who have daily transportation available to them to ensure that they are being transported in safe conditions and are home with their families rather than snowbound at school.

 

Please know that anytime school is closed due to inclement weather, all school activities including athletic events, practices, and rehearsals are cancelled as well.

If schools in specific counties are closed, those county buses will not run to MSD even if we are open. This will be counted as an excused absence for any student without bus transportation. This can be complex; here is a chart to address possible scenarios.