Advanced Placement Test Registration
The following message was sent to parents and guardians of students in grades 9 - 12 on Thursday, October 8, 2026, via email and text message:
The registration window for AP exams is open from Monday, October 5, 2026, until Friday, November 6, 2026. The cost of the exam during this window is $104 per test for students in grades 9 and 10. Students in grades 11 and 12, and those who qualify for free and reduced meals, can register for free.
Students who register after November 6, 2026, will be charged a late fee. No registrations are permitted after March 5, 2027.
You can register your student, and make payments, through Total Registration.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your school’s AP coordinator.
10/8/2026 5:30 PM
Inclement Weather Season Reminders
The following message was sent to all contacts on Wednesday, October 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via email, phone call, and text message:
Here are a few important things to remember for the inclement weather season! HCPS utilizes the following schedule changes when needed.
CLOSURES:
Please note: Closures need to be made up. HCPS will utilize inclement weather days that are already built into the school year. The first 3 inclement weather days that require a closure will be made up on March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027 (in that order). If we do not use these make up days, schools and offices will be closed.
After the first 3 inclement weather days, HCPS may have Virtual Instruction on any additional closures due to inclement weather. The Inclement Weather Learning Plan for Systemwide Closures 2026-2027 includes more information about what students will do on Virtual Instruction days. Depending on the severity and timing of the event, HCPS may determine that a traditional closure, delayed opening, or early dismissal is more appropriate.
DELAYS:
Please note: 2- and 3-hour delays do not need to be made up; when schools are open, it counts towards the state mandated 180-day school year.
With a delay, take your students' normal schedule, and add the delay time to adjust your schedule. For example, if you normally arrive at the bus stop at 6:30 a.m., on a 2-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 8:30 a.m. and on a 3-hour delay, arrive at the bus stop at 9:30 a.m.
*Early Learner and Learning Together preschool programs do NOT meet when schools are delayed 2- or 3-hours for inclement weather.*
When schools are delayed, every effort will be made to make a reassessment by 6:45 a.m. for a 2-Hour Delay, and by 7:45 a.m. for a 3-Hour Delay. Following the reassessment, communication will ONLY be made if there is another change to the operating schedule.
The decision to dismiss early for inclement weather will be made as close to 9:30 a.m. as possible for any variation of time for an early dismissal, whether 1-, 2-, or 3-hours early.
*If schools have an unexpected early dismissal, ALL contacts, including emergency contacts listed for each student, will be contacted to ensure an adult is aware that the student will be home early that day.
Where will this information be posted?
As soon as the Communications Office is made aware of operational changes due to inclement weather, written messages will be posted, followed by direct messages. Order of posts:
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HCPS website
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HCPS App push notification
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Phone, email, and text message (these can occur as early as 5:00 a.m.; please set your ringers accordingly!)
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Social media
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Local media outlets
10/8/2026 5:00 PM
FY28 Budget Survey
The following item was included in the Wednesday Wire on Wednesday, October 8, 2026:
Please complete the FY28 Budget Survey by October 23, 2026. Survey results will be considered by Superintendent Dr. Mack as she develops her recommendations for the FY28 Budget.
You can complete the survey by clicking here.
10/8/2026 11:00 AM
2027-2028 FAFSA Now Open: Free Help Available for Harford County Families
The 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Completing the FAFSA is the first step for students to apply for federal financial aid for college, including grants, work-study, and student loans.
Whether your family is completing the FAFSA for the first time or just needs a refresher, free help is available this school year.
Fall Information Sessions
Harford Community College (HCC) will host four financial aid and FAFSA information sessions this fall. These sessions are a great opportunity for students and families to get their questions answered and learn more about paying for college.
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Wednesday, October 14, 6 to 8 p.m. Financial Aid Information Session, Harford Community College, CWC 198. Register here
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Monday, November 2, 6 to 8 p.m. FAFSA Information Session, North Harford High School. Register here
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Thursday, November 5, 6 to 8 p.m. FAFSA Information Session, Aberdeen High School. Register here
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Thursday, November 5, 6 to 8 p.m. FAFSA Information Session, Joppatowne High School. Register here
January FAFSA Completion Days
In January, staff versed in financial aid will visit several high schools during the school day to help students complete the FAFSA one on one. Evening sessions will follow to help parents and families complete the FAFSA and answer any questions.
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Date
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Time
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Location
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Session
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January 12, 2027
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8 to 10 a.m.
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Joppatowne High School
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Student FAFSA Completion
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January 13, 2027
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8 to 10 a.m.
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Aberdeen High School
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Student FAFSA Completion
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January 14, 2027
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8 to 10 a.m.
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Aberdeen High School
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Student FAFSA Completion
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January 19, 2027
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8 to 10 a.m.
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Havre de Grace High School
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Student FAFSA Completion
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January 19, 2027
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6 to 8 p.m.
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Havre de Grace High School
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Evening Family FAFSA Assistance
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January 21, 2027
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6 to 8 p.m.
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Aberdeen High School
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Evening Family FAFSA Assistance
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January 25, 2027
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8 to 10 a.m.
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North Harford High School
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Student FAFSA Completion
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January 25, 2027
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6 to 8 p.m.
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North Harford High School
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Evening Family FAFSA Assistance
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January 26, 2027
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6 to 8 p.m.
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Joppatowne High School
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Evening Family FAFSA Assistance
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Students and families can complete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov. For more information, contact your student's school counselor.
9/28/2026 10:22 AM
Xello Family Accounts
The following emails were sent to Middle and High School families on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
Middle School:
Harford County Public Schools is excited to share that Xello, our college and career readiness platform, is now available to families of students in grades 6-8. Xello replaces Naviance and was used in a limited pilot during the 2025-2026 school year.
Parents and guardians are granted access to Xello to allow them to support their students' future plans. Parents and guardians have full access to their students' profile, where they can see student goals, interests, career exploration activities and future plans. Students in grades 6-8 work with their counselor to explore their interests, discover career pathways, and learn about a variety of future opportunities.
Earlier today, you should have received an email from noreply@Xello.world titled Welcome to the Xello Family with information on how to activate your account. You have 17 days after receiving the email to activate the account. If you can’t find the email, please check your SPAM folder.
Click here for more information about logging in and navigating Xello.
Click here to learn more about Xello, and how it benefits your student.
High School:
Harford County Public Schools is excited to share that Xello, our college and career readiness platform, is now available to families of students in grades 9-12. Xello replaced Naviance and was used in a limited pilot during the 2025-2026 school year.
Parents and guardians are given access to Xello to allow them to support their students' academic, career, and post-secondary planning throughout high school. Parents and guardians have full access to their students' profile where they can learn about their students' goals, interests, career exploration activities and course planning. Students in grades 9-12 work with their school counselors to revisit and refine their goals each year, exploring college, career, military, apprenticeship and workforce pathways as they develop a personalized plan for life after graduation.
Earlier today, you should have received an email from noreply@Xello.world titled Welcome to the Xello Family with information on how to activate your account. You have 17 days after receiving the email to activate the account. If you can’t find the email, please check your SPAM folder.
Click here for more information about logging in and navigating Xello.
Click here to learn more about Xello, and how it benefits your student.
9/22/2026 12:00 PM
Harford Glen Open House for 5th Grade Families
The following message was sent to all 5th grade families on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. via email and text message:
This year, your student will participate in the Fifth-Grade Residential Outdoor Education Program at Harford Glen Environmental Education Center. This program is an integral part of their Environmental Stewardship Unit in Science.
Before your child's experience, you are invited to attend an Open House at Harford Glen. These sessions are self-guided and last approximately 30 minutes. Harford Glen staff will be available to answer questions.
The first Open House is on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Click here to see a full listing of all open house dates and times.
If Harford County Public Schools closes schools for any of the scheduled dates, the Open House will be canceled.
For more information about Harford Glen, click here.
9/3/2026 5:00 PM
Board of Education of Harford County Signs Superintendent Contract with Dr. Dyann R. Mack
On June 22, 2026 the Board of education of Harford County Board formally approved and signed the contract for Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) with Dr. Dyann R. Mack, marking a significant milestone for the school system and the community it serves.
During the Board’s meeting, members also presented Dr. Mack with a special proclamation recognizing her historic achievements and deep-rooted connection to Harford County. Dr. Mack is the first graduate of Harford County Public Schools to return as Superintendent, the first graduate of Joppatowne High School to serve in the role, and the first Black Superintendent in HCPS history.
“Dr. Mack’s journey from HCPS student to Superintendent is both inspiring and historic,” said Board of Education President Lauren Paige. “Her leadership reflects a deep understanding of our schools, our students, and our community. We are proud to welcome her into this role and confident in her vision for the future of Harford County Public Schools.”
Dr. Mack’s appointment underscores HCPS’s commitment to fostering leadership from within and celebrating excellence across the district. In accepting the proclamation, Dr. Mack expressed gratitude and a strong commitment to continuing the work of strengthening HCPS for all students.
“It is an incredible honor to serve as Superintendent of the school system that helped shape me,” said Dr. Mack. “I am deeply grateful to the Board for their trust and to this community for its support. Together, we will continue to build on our successes and ensure every student is Ready by Design.”
The Board’s proclamation highlights not only Dr. Mack’s professional accomplishments but also the significance of representation and the powerful message her leadership sends to current and future students across Harford County.
Dr. Mack will begin her tenure July 1, 2026, as Superintendent under the newly signed contract, working in partnership with the Board of Education, HCPS staff, students, families, and the broader community, to advance the district’s mission and goals.
6/24/2026 6:50 AM
2026-2027 School Year Calendar UPDATE
The following message will be shared in the Wednesday Wire on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, with all families:
On April 27, 2026, the Board of Education of Harford County approved updates to the 2026–2027 school calendar to better plan for inclement weather days.
Three days during the school year—March 1, June 1, and April 12, 2027—have been set aside as potential inclement weather makeup days (in that order). These replace the previous plan of adding makeup days to the end of the school year. *If no weather-related school closures occur before these dates, schools and offices will be closed on those days.
This change follows a resolution from the Maryland State Board of Education, which requires school systems to build inclement weather makeup days into the school year rather than placing them at the end. The state also allows up to three additional inclement weather days to be handled through virtual instruction, for a total of six possible makeup days (three in-person and three virtual).
Making these changes allows HCPS to remain eligible to request a calendar waiver from the state, if needed, and ensures the school system is able to consider virtual instruction as an option for inclement weather. As soon as details regarding potential use of virtual instruction for inclement weather become available, the details will be shared with the HCPS community.
As a result of this update, the last day of school for students in kindergarten through grade 11 will be an early dismissal on Thursday, June 17, 2027.
The full, updated 2026–2027 school calendar is available here. En Español.
4/28/2026 1:16 PM
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