DCC high schools- thoughts? Experiences?

[Anonymous]

We’re in a DCC MS but don’t live in the DCC area. We’re just starting to look at the DCC high schools (Blair, Einstein, northwood, Wheaton and Kennedy) but are not sure where to start. Any thoughts/experiences/recommendations? It’s a little daunting with all the various programs at each school trying to figure out if it’s a fit and how to apply to the specific program….

[Anonymous]

I only have direct experience with Einstein, but we've been very pleased with it. It's a welcoming community, and a lot of the teachers have been great. It's nice that they offer individual IB classes, as well as AP, so you can take some of each even if you don't choose to be in the diploma programme. Einstein has a strong performing and visual arts department, and that is the most popular "academy" students sign up for. The academies are just like themed elective tracks, which is a good way to focus on something you like, but overall I'd say the academies are less significant than the DCC open houses make them out to be. I wouldn't necessarily choose a HS based on which academies are there.

Another thing to think about is that Northwood will be getting a new and much larger building in 2025, and it will be located off-site during construction starting Fall 2023, at the Woodward site on Old Georgetown Road. All students will be bussed over there for two years. This timeline could be delayed a year due to funding.

[Anonymous]

Our Einstein experience: friendly community, lots of school spirit, extraordinary visual arts and performing arts, all the standard APs and IB classes (IB diploma a possibility but not why my kid’s doing). For us it’s been a great, traditional high school experience with a splash of arts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We’re in a DCC MS but don’t live in the DCC area. We’re just starting to look at the DCC high schools (Blair, Einstein, northwood, Wheaton and Kennedy) but are not sure where to start. Any thoughts/experiences/recommendations? It’s a little daunting with all the various programs at each school trying to figure out if it’s a fit and how to apply to the specific program….

For the most part, they're exactly the same as any MCPS high school. They have the same teachers and curriculum! I'd mostly consider applying to special programs that your child might be interested in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our Einstein experience: friendly community, lots of school spirit, extraordinary visual arts and performing arts, all the standard APs and IB classes (IB diploma a possibility but not why my kid’s doing). For us it’s been a great, traditional high school experience with a splash of arts.

My kid is there primarily for the IB program, but has loved just being surrounded by the arts and artsy kids. Sports at Einstein can be a big part of student life, but there’s definitely a place for non-sporty kids who aren’t the rah-rah, school-spirit types. It seems like a pretty good balance to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I only have direct experience with Einstein, but we've been very pleased with it. It's a welcoming community, and a lot of the teachers have been great. It's nice that they offer individual IB classes, as well as AP, so you can take some of each even if you don't choose to be in the diploma programme. Einstein has a strong performing and visual arts department, and that is the most popular "academy" students sign up for. The academies are just like themed elective tracks, which is a good way to focus on something you like, but overall I'd say the academies are less significant than the DCC open houses make them out to be. I wouldn't necessarily choose a HS based on which academies are there.

Another thing to think about is that Northwood will be getting a new and much larger building in 2025, and it will be located off-site during construction starting Fall 2023, at the Woodward site on Old Georgetown Road. All students will be bussed over there for two years. This timeline could be delayed a year due to funding.

OP here- ah very helpful!! Is it that a student needs to state which “academy” or track they’re going to take and then follow it for a 4 years? Just curious. Also wasn’t aware of the Northwood constitution- good to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I only have direct experience with Einstein, but we've been very pleased with it. It's a welcoming community, and a lot of the teachers have been great. It's nice that they offer individual IB classes, as well as AP, so you can take some of each even if you don't choose to be in the diploma programme. Einstein has a strong performing and visual arts department, and that is the most popular "academy" students sign up for. The academies are just like themed elective tracks, which is a good way to focus on something you like, but overall I'd say the academies are less significant than the DCC open houses make them out to be. I wouldn't necessarily choose a HS based on which academies are there.

Another thing to think about is that Northwood will be getting a new and much larger building in 2025, and it will be located off-site during construction starting Fall 2023, at the Woodward site on Old Georgetown Road. All students will be bussed over there for two years. This timeline could be delayed a year due to funding.

OP here- ah very helpful!! Is it that a student needs to state which “academy” or track they’re going to take and then follow it for a 4 years? Just curious. Also wasn’t aware of the Northwood constitution- good to know.

At Einstein, when you register for the following year's classes, there's a place on the form to indicate which academy you want to join. I don't think you're required to stick with that same choice all 4 years, although if you switch academies, you may not have time to fit in the whole pathway. At graduation, you get a certificate and maybe some other recognition depending on how involved you are with it.

[Anonymous]

I noticed Blair had a bunch of academies. Do you have to join these?

[Anonymous]

My son is in 8th grade and it seems like most kids go to our home school, except those who are accepted to an application-based magnet program. There are good STEM magnets at Blair and Wheaton and a communication arts magnet also at Blair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I noticed Blair had a bunch of academies. Do you have to join these?

No, they are an alternate program. FWIW I hear they are very good.

[Anonymous]

Kennedy has really nice facilities.

[Anonymous]

Northwood has an early college program that's popular. Do they offer this at other schools too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I noticed Blair had a bunch of academies. Do you have to join these?

No, they are an alternate program. FWIW I hear they are very good.

Novice here- what does that mean? Do you need to apply to Blair and then apply to that alternate program?

[Anonymous]

The academy programs are open to anyone enrolled at a DCC school.

[Anonymous]

At Blair, They put 9th graders in a Ninth Grade Academy, and then rising 10th graders choose one of the themed academies. The other 4 DCC schools allow rising 9th graders to select an academy of interest when they register. Note that this may not be the same for students in the magnets or application programs.