Compare Northwest HS and Quince Orchard HS and Clarksburg HS

[Anonymous]

We are thinking about these areas. We like that it is relatively affordable, close to the highway, diverse both racially and economically. The schools are so-so (on great schools and niche).
Obviously not W schools but seems like they have fewer issues than Spring Brook, Kennedy, Einstein. Is one obviously better/worse in terms of admin,programs, teachers, cohort, facilities?

[Anonymous]

Why not Seneca Valley HS?

[Anonymous]

I don’t about the others, but quince orchard is very sports oriented, to the point where everything else takes a back seat to it.

[Anonymous]

NWHS has the best stats of the three, and it is probably the most diverse HS in the county.

I don't live in NW cluster btw.

But keep in mind that NW and QO will be having their boundaries redrawn with Crown HS opening in 2027(?).

[Anonymous]

Just remember that the boundaries between them aren't set in stone. Northwest and Quince Orchard will be both be part of the new Crown HS boundary study, and Clarksburg is still overcrowded since the previous study, so some of their students will be rezoned to Damascus after their addition is built.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t about the others, but quince orchard is very sports oriented, to the point where everything else takes a back seat to it.

I have kids at both QO and Poolesville. Can you explain what you mean? QO is a much bigger school so there’s a lot more competition to make the roster in a sport (or get cast in a play), and QO brings home more championships, but I don’t know what you mean by “everything else takes a backseat.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t about the others, but quince orchard is very sports oriented, to the point where everything else takes a back seat to it.

I have kids at both QO and Poolesville. Can you explain what you mean? QO is a much bigger school so there’s a lot more competition to make the roster in a sport (or get cast in a play), and QO brings home more championships, but I don’t know what you mean by “everything else takes a backseat.”

DP. I heard to be cast in The play…,it’s like a pay to play system…where parents who volunteer and offer their services for ad space and etc get their kids lead roles. Is that true at qo?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t about the others, but quince orchard is very sports oriented, to the point where everything else takes a back seat to it.

I have kids at both QO and Poolesville. Can you explain what you mean? QO is a much bigger school so there’s a lot more competition to make the roster in a sport (or get cast in a play), and QO brings home more championships, but I don’t know what you mean by “everything else takes a backseat.”

DP. I heard to be cast in The play…,it’s like a pay to play system…where parents who volunteer and offer their services for ad space and etc get their kids lead roles. Is that true at qo?

I don’t know.

[Anonymous]

This topic seems to have been posted about in previous threads—you should do a keyword search.

[Anonymous]

They are all equally good (or equally bad) depending on your perspective/expectations. QO is big w/ sports - particularly football.

[Anonymous]

What issues and criteria are you most concerned about? If it's security and safety, none of MCPS's high schools are great. They're all struggling.

If it's academic rigor and quality of teaching and admin staff, yes that will vary school by school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What issues and criteria are you most concerned about? If it's security and safety, none of MCPS's high schools are great. They're all struggling.

If it's academic rigor and quality of teaching and admin staff, yes that will vary school by school.

The latter. Quality of education if my kid doesn't get into a magnet. Quality of extracurriculars (is it at a high level, or is it so competitive you can't get in). Course options. Is there a lot of flexibility, etc.?

No Seneca Valley. We know some unhappy parents there. Some are trying to move out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What issues and criteria are you most concerned about? If it's security and safety, none of MCPS's high schools are great. They're all struggling.

If it's academic rigor and quality of teaching and admin staff, yes that will vary school by school.

The latter. Quality of education if my kid doesn't get into a magnet. Quality of extracurriculars (is it at a high level, or is it so competitive you can't get in). Course options. Is there a lot of flexibility, etc.?

No Seneca Valley. We know some unhappy parents there. Some are trying to move out.

Have you looked at each schools signature programs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What issues and criteria are you most concerned about? If it's security and safety, none of MCPS's high schools are great. They're all struggling.

If it's academic rigor and quality of teaching and admin staff, yes that will vary school by school.

The latter. Quality of education if my kid doesn't get into a magnet. Quality of extracurriculars (is it at a high level, or is it so competitive you can't get in). Course options. Is there a lot of flexibility, etc.?

No Seneca Valley. We know some unhappy parents there. Some are trying to move out.

Huh. I'm a Seneca Valley parent, and I, personally, know some unhappy parents at Clarksburg, Northwest, and Quince Orchard. And Poolesville. And Wootton, to be comprehensive. Oh, and Damascus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What issues and criteria are you most concerned about? If it's security and safety, none of MCPS's high schools are great. They're all struggling.

If it's academic rigor and quality of teaching and admin staff, yes that will vary school by school.

The latter. Quality of education if my kid doesn't get into a magnet. Quality of extracurriculars (is it at a high level, or is it so competitive you can't get in). Course options. Is there a lot of flexibility, etc.?

No Seneca Valley. We know some unhappy parents there. Some are trying to move out.

You will find unhappy parents at every school. That’s not a good indicator to include/exclude your options