Under the FY 2027 CIP Prioritization Framework, Eastern Middle School (MS) has been identified as the highest-ranked candidate for a Major Capital Project. As part of the FY 2027 Capital Budget and the FY 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP), MCPS had proposed the closure of Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS) in July 2030 and the conversion of the facility into a holding school. Under that proposal, Eastern MS would have absorbed a portion of the SSIMS student enrollment and the project scope included additional capacity enhancements to accommodate the projected enrollment increase.

While the proposed closure of SSIMS is not advancing at this time, the Board continues to support a replacement project for Eastern MS independent of the SSIMS proposal, with planning to begin in FY 2027 and an anticipated completion date of August 2030.