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Summer 2025 Class of the Community Planning Academy

A diverse group of people pose for a group photo indoors, standing in front of a projected screen showing additional participants joining remotely.

Planning together: Highlights from the Summer 2025 Community Planning Academy

The Summer 2025 Class of Montgomery Planning’s Community Planning Academy delivered on their promise. From June through September, 50 residents devoted their time to review eight modules and provide feedback on how to improve the curriculum.

The class was selected from over 640 Montgomery County residents and included participants from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on welcoming those who had limited prior experience with the planning process. Each participant received a $150 gift card in recognition of their work to help refine the content in the curriculum.

What the Summer 2025 Class experienced

Eight self-paced modules on planning fundamentals, each 30–45 minutes long

Downloadable summaries and interactive learning checks

Multilingual access in English, Spanish, and Mandarin

Mobile-friendly platform for flexible learning

In-person opportunities including:

  • Kickoff meeting at Wheaton HQ
  • Field trip to Atwell on Spring (former Montgomery Planning HQ site)
  • “Meet a Planner” office hours

Field trip highlight

In July, participants visited Atwell on Spring, a mixed-use development with retail and 375 residential rental units in Silver Spring. Led by Montgomery Planning alum Matt Folden and Bozzuto staff, the tour showcased the full lifecycle of a planning project—from concept to construction.

A group of people stands around a long wooden table in a modern, brightly decorated room, listening to a woman speaking. Some hold papers or pamphlets.
Two people stand on a walkway outside a modern apartment building, engaged in conversation, with greenery and bushes around them.
Five people stand in a modern indoor setting, engaged in conversation. One man gestures as he speaks, while others listen. Papers and a water bottle are on the table.
Four adults are gathered outdoors, holding papers and talking, with greenery in the background.
Three women are having a conversation indoors; one woman in the center is gesturing with her hands while speaking to the others.
A group of people have a conversation outdoors near green shrubs; one man holds papers and gestures while talking to a woman in a blue shirt.
A group of people stands and talks in a modern glass hallway with large windows overlooking an apartment building.
A group of people stands indoors, reading printed documents or maps, with shelves and books visible in the background.

Graduation + next steps

The class graduated in October 2025 (photos below). Participants who completed all modules and the post-course survey received certificates of completion. Their feedback was used to better refine the course for the December 2025 public launch, which is open to all residents.

Stacked blue notebooks with the "Community Planning Academy" logo and pens placed beside plastic-wrapped items on a table.
Two men stand and smile at a tall table with food, drinks, and name tags in a well-lit room with large windows and people in the background.
A man speaks at a podium to an audience, with a large screen behind him displaying a photo of two people working together at a table.
Four people stand together smiling at a social event with food on a table in front of them. They are wearing name tags and casual clothing in a bright indoor setting.
A woman stands at a podium giving a presentation to an audience in a conference room, with a screen displaying slides behind her.
Two women stand side by side indoors, smiling at the camera. One wears glasses and a light sweater; the other wears a plaid blazer and holds a red bag.
A man in a tan suit speaks at a podium to an audience, with his image projected on a screen behind him.
Four people stand in a conference room having a conversation; one woman gestures while others listen. A photo of people kayaking hangs on the wall behind them.

What we heard

I used to think planning was something done behind closed doors. Now I know I have a seat at the table—and I know how to use it.

I was surprised by how much community input actually shapes the master planning process. I didn’t realize we had that many ways to be involved, from surveys to public hearings. It made me feel like our voices really do have power if we use them.

I was struck by how much thought goes into developing master plans and how long-term the vision is. Thrive Montgomery 2050 really opened my eyes to how planning shapes the future for decades, not just for the short term.

What stood out to me was how long-term master plans really are. Knowing that they can guide development for 20 to 30 years made me realize how important it is to get them right and to include voices that represent the future of the community, not just the present.

About the Community Planning Academy

Montgomery Planning’s Community Planning Academy is a free, interactive online course designed to provide residents with a deeper understanding of how land use decisions in Montgomery County are made. Through 10 engaging modules—covering topics like zoning, master plans, development review, and permitting—participants learn how to navigate the planning process and effectively advocate for their communities.

The Academy was developed in partnership with county agencies including the Department of Permitting Services, Department of Transportation, and the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice. It is part of Montgomery Planning’s commitment to making planning more accessible, inclusive, and transparent.