Damascus High School

• Damascus High School was built in 1950. Right now, Damascus High School is more than 75 years old. As expected from any building of this age, there are leaking pipes, outdated Fire Safety Systems that frequently malfunction causing false alarms and unnecessary evacuations, narrow stairwells and low ceilings, and just this year, the county officially documented mold inside the school’s walls and classrooms. 

• MCPS Superintendent Dr. Taylor has recommended DHS for a replacement school to be completed by 2031. 

• Damascus High School could see an increase of up to 700 students, raising enrollment to 2,500 students.

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A new build provides:

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Capacity Relief and Overcrowding Solutions
• The expansion and rebuild of Damascus High School will alleviate severe overcrowding at Clarksburg High School, a major ongoing issue.
• The proposed attendance boundaries are designed so that both Clarksburg and Damascus remain within optimal utilization rates (typically 80–100% capacity), preventing both schools from being significantly over- or under-enrolled.
• This shift creates more manageable class sizes and improves overall instructional quality and student experience.
 
Access to Modernized Facilities
• Students rezoned from Clarksburg to Damascus will attend a newly rebuilt high school, benefiting from improved facilities, technology, and learning environments that meet current educational standards.
• Modern buildings provide safer, healthier spaces and can include upgraded athletic, arts, and extracurricular amenities.
 
Enhanced Educational Opportunities
• Rebuilding and expanding Damascus High School helps create more equitable access to resources and a broader peer community for Clarksburg students.
• A rebuilt Damascus High can introduce new or expanded academic, arts, and career-oriented programs, providing Clarksburg-area students with new educational options unavailable in overcrowded schools.
• Investments in school infrastructure often coincide with increased attention to course variety, extracurriculars, and support services, benefiting rezoned students.

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Key Takeaways from Feb 5 Meeting:

1) Wootton will move to the new Crown HS and Wootton will become a secondary holding school

2) The NEW Damascus HS will be populated by students from Hallie Wells and Baker MS

3) Woodfield, Cedar Grove, Laytonsville, and Snowden Farm ES will attend Hallie Wells. Boundary changes are set to take effect 27/28 school year, with some exceptions noted in the presentation.

4) The current plan is to keep students at Damascus HS while the new school is built onsite

5) The Board will vote on this recommendation March 26