Home Trending Celebrity Drama 2

The Folly Quarter Middle School Advantage: 5 Critical Updates For The 2025-2026 School Year

• minute read
Contents

Folly Quarter Middle School (FQMS), a cornerstone of academic excellence in Ellicott City, Maryland, is currently gearing up for a highly dynamic and important 2025-2026 school year. As of December 22, 2025, the school is not only celebrating its continued status as a top-performing institution in Howard County but is also implementing new, innovative programs and navigating significant facilities and boundary discussions that will shape its future. This in-depth report compiles the most recent and critical updates for students, parents, and the broader community, focusing on leadership, academic prowess, new student engagement initiatives, and the ongoing redistricting process.

The latest news from the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) highlights FQMS's commitment to a holistic educational experience, from its high-achieving state assessment scores to the launch of its first-ever career exploration event. Understanding these key developments is essential for anyone connected to the Folly Quarter community, ensuring families are fully prepared for the upcoming academic and administrative changes.

FQMS Leadership Profile: Principal Michael Babe and Administration

A school’s success is often a direct reflection of its leadership, and Folly Quarter Middle School is guided by a stable and experienced administrative team. This team is responsible for maintaining the positive school climate, managing the 683 enrolled students, and overseeing the dedicated staff and educators.

Principal Michael Babe

  • Role: Principal
  • Affiliation: Howard County Public School System (HCPSS)
  • Focus: Principal Michael Babe is the central figure in the FQMS community, setting the tone for academic rigor and student engagement. His leadership is frequently communicated through the school’s official newsletter, the Falcon Flyer.
  • Contact: Michael_Babe@hcpss.org

Assistant Principal Michele Hewitt

  • Role: Assistant Principal
  • Focus: Ms. Hewitt works closely with the Principal to manage daily school operations, student services, and staff development, ensuring the smooth functioning of all grade levels.

The administrative team, supported by Principal’s Secretary Alexis Adame, is crucial in managing key school events like the Parent/Teacher Conferences, which are scheduled for November 24-26, 2025, offering both in-person and virtual options to accommodate families.

Academic Excellence and Top 10 State Assessment Highlights

Folly Quarter Middle School consistently ranks among the top middle schools in the state of Maryland, a status confirmed by the most recent state assessment data. The school’s academic performance is a major draw for families in the Ellicott City and Columbia areas.

Top-Tier Performance Metrics

In a recent ranking of Howard County schools, Folly Quarter Middle School secured a position in the top 10 for combined performance on state English and math assessments, achieving an impressive 70.4% proficiency rating.

  • English Language Arts (ELA) Proficiency: Approximately 77% of FQMS students are proficient in reading and ELA.
  • Mathematics Proficiency: Approximately 62% of FQMS students are proficient in math.
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14:1, which is conducive to personalized learning and individual student success.

This high level of performance is a testament to the school’s robust curriculum, the dedication of its teaching staff, and strong parental support, often channeled through the active PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association). The curriculum initiatives are often discussed through Academic Advisory Committees, ensuring district-wide alignment and academic rigor.

The 2025-2026 School Year: Key Events and New Programs

The 2025-2026 academic calendar is packed with significant events and new initiatives designed to enhance student life, career readiness, and community engagement. These programs are vital for the development of the 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students.

Folly’s First Future Fest (October 31, 2025)

One of the most exciting new developments is the launch of "Folly’s First Future Fest," a "mini" career fair scheduled for Halloween Friday, October 31, 2025.

  • Goal: To provide middle school students with an early introduction to various career paths and professional possibilities.
  • Format: The event will take place during the second half of a three-hour early dismissal day and will be combined with team-building activities to make the day both educational and engaging.
  • Impact: This initiative demonstrates the school’s focus on college and career readiness, a critical component of modern middle school education.

Intramural Sports and Student Life

The FQMS Intramurals 2025-2026 program is a central part of student life, offering athletic opportunities outside of competitive school teams.

  • Program Details: The intramural program offers various fall programs and is designed to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and school spirit. While the specific list of sports changes seasonally, programs often include popular middle school activities such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track.
  • Student Services: Beyond sports, the school provides extensive student services, including New Student and Family Orientation (held on August 21, 2025) and regular Health Room News updates for the 2025/26 school year, ensuring a supportive environment for all students.

Navigating the 2026-2027 Boundary Review and Facilities Update

A major administrative topic for the Folly Quarter community is the ongoing redistricting process initiated by the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) for the 2026-2027 school year.

The 2025 Boundary Review Process

The 2025 boundary review is a comprehensive process impacting 11 schools in the Columbia and Ellicott City areas, with the primary goal of relieving overcapacity issues in certain schools.

  • Timeline: The public engagement phase of the process is ongoing, with various opportunities for community input and testimony to the Board of Education. A final decision on any boundary adjustments is anticipated in November 2025.
  • Impact on FQMS: While the specific proposed boundary changes affecting Folly Quarter are part of the larger Boundary Review Report, the community is encouraged to follow the process closely as it will determine which residential areas are zoned for FQMS starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Relevant Entities: The review process involves the Office of School Planning and will impact feeder elementary schools such as Bryant Woods, Running Brook, Swansfield, Longfellow, Clemens Crossing, and Centennial Lane.

Facilities and Capacity Updates

In a separate but related development, Folly Quarter Middle School is addressing its immediate capacity needs. The school is currently slated to receive one portable classroom, a measure approved under zoning plan WP-25-135, to manage current enrollment while the long-term redistricting plans are finalized.

The combination of top-tier academics, innovative student programs like the Future Fest, and active engagement in the critical boundary review process solidifies Folly Quarter Middle School's position as a vibrant and evolving educational community in Howard County. Families should stay connected through the Falcon Flyer and the HCPSS website for the latest updates on the November 2025 boundary decision and the exciting 2025-2026 school year.

The Folly Quarter Middle School Advantage: 5 Critical Updates for the 2025-2026 School Year
folly quarter middle school
folly quarter middle school

Detail Author:

  • Name : Yolanda Schinner
  • Username : malika.durgan
  • Email : victoria.prosacco@grady.com
  • Birthdate : 1975-02-04
  • Address : 108 Bernard Extensions Apt. 309 Ericastad, HI 96696-7609
  • Phone : +1 (859) 420-9973
  • Company : Lowe-Mayert
  • Job : Extraction Worker
  • Bio : Illo ea suscipit est impedit ut illum. Eius minima possimus suscipit harum quis.

Socials

facebook:

instagram:

tiktok:

Random Posts