Best HoCo HS for STEM?

[Anonymous]

We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

[Anonymous]

Howard County doesn't have magnet programs.

This article says these schools are the best:

Centennial
River Hill
Marriotts Ridge

Not Columbia area.

https://patch.com/maryland/ellicottcity/9-maryland-stem-schools-best-nation-u-s-news

But they are the highest achieving schools overall, in the County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Howard County doesn't have magnet programs.

This article says these schools are the best:

Centennial
River Hill
Marriotts Ridge

Not Columbia area.

https://patch.com/maryland/ellicottcity/9-maryland-stem-schools-best-nation-u-s-news

But they are the highest achieving schools overall, in the County.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

[Anonymous]

I went to high school in HoCo and thought river hill kids were snobs. Fuck 'em!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

[Anonymous]

DC met a a very bright yet fun overachiever from Marriott Ridge at a summer camp. DC was impressed.

[Anonymous]

I graduated from Centennial and my sister graduated from River Hill (due to a family move). Both are great schools for STEM and overall academics. There is pressure, as you would expect in any high-achieving area, but neither one of us found it overly stressful or overwhelming. I would love to move back to HoCo for my kids to go through the school system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

In that case, I recommend Lime Kiln Middle School area that feeds into River hill HS. 20% of the students in Lime Kiln identify as black or biracial.

https://www.greatschools.org/maryland/fulton/2005-Lime-Kiln-Middle-School/

They have the absolute top GT teacher Miss Lane whom we know from Veterans Elementary. The entire pyramid is excellent. Best wishes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

Hammond Village. Atholton High School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

I would choose Atholton High School because your daughter would feel more comfortable there. It's more diverse and a good area for a commute to Montgomery County. Also, if you are not affluent, then I will avoid River Hill High School because quite frankly a non affluent, black/white biracial student will not feel comfortable there. A biracial student from an affluent household will do okay at River Hill because they grew up in that environment, but I would caution placing a non affluent child of any race in that type of environment. However, I would recommend Howard, Centennial, and Marriott's Ridge High Schools, but they may be too far out for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

I would choose Atholton High School because your daughter would feel more comfortable there. It's more diverse and a good area for a commute to Montgomery County. Also, if you are not affluent, then I will avoid River Hill High School because quite frankly a non affluent, black/white biracial student will not feel comfortable there. A biracial student from an affluent household will do okay at River Hill because they grew up in that environment, but I would caution placing a non affluent child of any race in that type of environment. However, I would recommend Howard, Centennial, and Marriott's Ridge High Schools, but they may be too far out for you.

It's true that there are more AA / biracial children at Atholton, but they are doing disproportionately poorly. The achievement gap in that school is staggering. On the other hand, in River Hill AA children score well on state exams. Achievement gap is small. Also, the school is on the radar for admissions by strong private colleges. A biracial student from a non-affluent background, with strong grades, would have excellent college options upon graduation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

I would choose Atholton High School because your daughter would feel more comfortable there. It's more diverse and a good area for a commute to Montgomery County. Also, if you are not affluent, then I will avoid River Hill High School because quite frankly a non affluent, black/white biracial student will not feel comfortable there. A biracial student from an affluent household will do okay at River Hill because they grew up in that environment, but I would caution placing a non affluent child of any race in that type of environment. However, I would recommend Howard, Centennial, and Marriott's Ridge High Schools, but they may be too far out for you.

It's true that there are more AA / biracial children at Atholton, but they are doing disproportionately poorly. The achievement gap in that school is staggering. On the other hand, in River Hill AA children score well on state exams. Achievement gap is small. Also, the school is on the radar for admissions by strong private colleges. A biracial student from a non-affluent background, with strong grades, would have excellent college options upon graduation.

I appreciate the clarification. DD is a strong student with lots of STEM extracurriculars under her belt. While we are not affluent, we are well-educated —even for this area. If the school is very insular that would be a turn off, but she would thrive if the focus is on being academically competitive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

I would choose Atholton High School because your daughter would feel more comfortable there. It's more diverse and a good area for a commute to Montgomery County. Also, if you are not affluent, then I will avoid River Hill High School because quite frankly a non affluent, black/white biracial student will not feel comfortable there. A biracial student from an affluent household will do okay at River Hill because they grew up in that environment, but I would caution placing a non affluent child of any race in that type of environment. However, I would recommend Howard, Centennial, and Marriott's Ridge High Schools, but they may be too far out for you.

It's true that there are more AA / biracial children at Atholton, but they are doing disproportionately poorly. The achievement gap in that school is staggering. On the other hand, in River Hill AA children score well on state exams. Achievement gap is small. Also, the school is on the radar for admissions by strong private colleges. A biracial student from a non-affluent background, with strong grades, would have excellent college options upon graduation.

I appreciate the clarification. DD is a strong student with lots of STEM extracurriculars under her belt. While we are not affluent, we are well-educated —even for this area. If the school is very insular that would be a turn off, but she would thrive if the focus is on being academically competitive.

Lime Kiln MS sent a science experiment to the International Space Station every year for a while, and possibly still does. As for fitting in... in all honesty, your child will be around many affluent children and later peers, given her academic record. There is no reason to shy away from that environment because your child will need to learn to navigate it. We do not attend that school. Otherwise, I would invite you for lunch. Best wishes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re thinking about Columbia area, but could be somewhat flexible. DD is currently zoned to Blair in MCPS, but open to programs beyond the Magnet.

Centennial is similar to Wootton - many parents are immigrant, scientists or other quantitative occupationa, Asian.
River Hill / Marriott Ridge is more like Churchill or Whitman - second generation or more, some old money.

This is very helpful. DD is AA/white biracial and we are not affluent. A W school is out of our reach here. Would the same be true in HoCo? We were thinking a townhouse with an easy commute to eastern MoCo where our jobs are.

I would choose Atholton High School because your daughter would feel more comfortable there. It's more diverse and a good area for a commute to Montgomery County. Also, if you are not affluent, then I will avoid River Hill High School because quite frankly a non affluent, black/white biracial student will not feel comfortable there. A biracial student from an affluent household will do okay at River Hill because they grew up in that environment, but I would caution placing a non affluent child of any race in that type of environment. However, I would recommend Howard, Centennial, and Marriott's Ridge High Schools, but they may be too far out for you.

It's true that there are more AA / biracial children at Atholton, but they are doing disproportionately poorly. The achievement gap in that school is staggering. On the other hand, in River Hill AA children score well on state exams. Achievement gap is small. Also, the school is on the radar for admissions by strong private colleges. A biracial student from a non-affluent background, with strong grades, would have excellent college options upon graduation.

I appreciate the clarification. DD is a strong student with lots of STEM extracurriculars under her belt. While we are not affluent, we are well-educated —even for this area. If the school is very insular that would be a turn off, but she would thrive if the focus is on being academically competitive.

Lime Kiln MS sent a science experiment to the International Space Station every year for a while, and possibly still does. As for fitting in... in all honesty, your child will be around many affluent children and later peers, given her academic record. There is no reason to shy away from that environment because your child will need to learn to navigate it. We do not attend that school. Otherwise, I would invite you for lunch. Best wishes!

Thank you.