Thoughts on Northwood HS (present and future)?

[Anonymous]

The latest version of the boundaries has us zoned for Northwood under most options. It has not been on my radar screen before and I don't know any families with kids there, so it's very unfamiliar to me. Would love to hear thoughts on Northwood as a school, both currently and its future trajectory!

I get the sense it has generally been the 4th-most popular school in the DCC (only above Kennedy)-- can folks share thoughts on why that is and its strengths and weaknesses? Or am I wrong on that? (Leaving aside the current construction situation that understandably leads to families trying to avoid it-- but even before that, I feel like I got the sense that Blair, Wheaton, and Einstein were generally more popular with DCC families than Northwood.)

Also does anyone have the actual address of the Northwood site, for my reference? Google Maps just keeps bringing up the holding school.

[Anonymous]

Northwood's site is at 919 University Blvd W.

[Anonymous]

Northwood is a hidden gem that will be unhidden once it’s back in a brand new building.

There are solid academic programs and classes, though there have been years where offerings were limited because it was a smaller high school. That should hopefully happen less with the added capacity.

The principal seems to be really effective. He communicates well and is friendly.

Being in the new building at Woodward has been a boost in some ways, even though it’s a hike to get there. I think when they return to 919 University, good things will happen.

My kid has had great teachers so far.

The only downside according to my child is that the football team is terrible.

[Anonymous]

They need to up the stem offerings and I would like to see an academic special program placed there and not in Whitman per the new regional model. We will probably go there too under the new boundaries.

[Anonymous]

I don't know much at all about Northwood, but I'm in the same boat. Based on this data:

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/mcpsmd/Board.nsf/files/DJVQ56678E2B/$file/Attachment%20D%20SY2025%20Student%20Enrollment%20Countywide%20Programs%20250724.pdf

it seems like a lot of current students transfer out to a program at a different high school, a major one being Blair's CAP. I don't think anyone knows whether that program will continue, or who would be eligible for. But based on proximity, better course offerings, and the holding school, it makes sense that a lot of Northwood students would try to go to a different school (often Blair) right now. But perhaps that will be different in ~5 years with the new building and new boundaries.

[Anonymous]

We are super happy at Northwood. As someone said, it is a hidden gem. The theater program is top notch and will only get better at the new school. It is controversial for some but the MC2 program is also fantastic. Principal is super responsive and always has time for parents. This school is going to thrive with a new building and more students.

The football team is historically terrible but even they are doing better this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are super happy at Northwood. As someone said, it is a hidden gem. The theater program is top notch and will only get better at the new school. It is controversial for some but the MC2 program is also fantastic. Principal is super responsive and always has time for parents. This school is going to thrive with a new building and more students.

The football team is historically terrible but even they are doing better this year.

Can you expand on the theater situation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are super happy at Northwood. As someone said, it is a hidden gem. The theater program is top notch and will only get better at the new school. It is controversial for some but the MC2 program is also fantastic. Principal is super responsive and always has time for parents. This school is going to thrive with a new building and more students.

The football team is historically terrible but even they are doing better this year.

Can you expand on the theater situation?

Mr. Harwood really pushes the program with challenging works and gets a lot of support from Dr. Garrick.

They did unedited Rent last year and it was fantastic and handled very mature. Definitely college level. That was without an auditorium and having to go to Wheaton.

[Anonymous]

The problem with the MC2 program is that they recruit heavily for it. At the end of senior year, only about 20-30 kids make it through to getting the associates degree. The majority of kids who sign up for MC2 crash and burn and end up dropping the MC part while also tanking their gpa. It also reduces class offerings at Northwood because so many students get diverted to MC. And finally the successful MC kids spend their entire senior year at MC so it reduces their interaction in school clubs and school activities. Northwood is a school with a split personality

[Anonymous]

A new building with new programming and a solid principal will mean that Northwood will be on the upswing for the next 5-10 years. Wheaton was transformed for the least desired to oversubscribed after its rebuild was done.

[Anonymous]

The push for Wheaton and Blair is the stem classes. The push for Einstein is the arts. I’ve heard good things about Northwood but it’s a newer school and less talked about. Kennedy is rougher. I’d have no issue with Northwood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new building with new programming and a solid principal will mean that Northwood will be on the upswing for the next 5-10 years. Wheaton was transformed for the least desired to oversubscribed after its rebuild was done.

Will the new building be finished or will it lack an auditorium and athletic facilities like the holding school!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A new building with new programming and a solid principal will mean that Northwood will be on the upswing for the next 5-10 years. Wheaton was transformed for the least desired to oversubscribed after its rebuild was done.

Will the new building be finished or will it lack an auditorium and athletic facilities like the holding school!?

It's scheduled to be finished by 2027.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the MC2 program is that they recruit heavily for it. At the end of senior year, only about 20-30 kids make it through to getting the associates degree. The majority of kids who sign up for MC2 crash and burn and end up dropping the MC part while also tanking their gpa. It also reduces class offerings at Northwood because so many students get diverted to MC. And finally the successful MC kids spend their entire senior year at MC so it reduces their interaction in school clubs and school activities. Northwood is a school with a split personality

Can you say more about the reduced class offerings? What kinds of classes does Northwood not offer that you think they likely would if it weren't for MC2?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem with the MC2 program is that they recruit heavily for it. At the end of senior year, only about 20-30 kids make it through to getting the associates degree. The majority of kids who sign up for MC2 crash and burn and end up dropping the MC part while also tanking their gpa. It also reduces class offerings at Northwood because so many students get diverted to MC. And finally the successful MC kids spend their entire senior year at MC so it reduces their interaction in school clubs and school activities. Northwood is a school with a split personality

This sounds horrible and why I would never want my kid to do dual enrollment. I want my kid to enjoy the high school experience fully. You'll only ever get to do it once!