Schools with strong STEM programs in MD/DC?

[Anonymous]

DC (middle school aged) is interested in STEM. Are there any private schools in the area with strong STEM programs? Or should we focus on public schools instead? TIA

[Anonymous]

Depends on what you mean by strong in STEM. If you want to accelerate your kid into calculus as a freshman and take all the AP sciences the college board offers, you want public or Basis McLean (but Basis only if you don’t want anything except STEM and don’t care about having a typical HS experience).

Many if not most private schools have excellent science and math departments, however.

[Anonymous]

The best ones are in public (magnets).

[Anonymous]

Go public if you want any kind of advanced math

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC (middle school aged) is interested in STEM. Are there any private schools in the area with strong STEM programs? Or should we focus on public schools instead? TIA

NYSMITH and BASIS McLean come to mind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on what you mean by strong in STEM. If you want to accelerate your kid into calculus as a freshman and take all the AP sciences the college board offers, you want public or Basis McLean (but Basis only if you don’t want anything except STEM and don’t care about having a typical HS experience).

Many if not most private schools have excellent science and math departments, however.

No means strong science and engineering programs and building solid foundations for future learners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depends on what you mean by strong in STEM. If you want to accelerate your kid into calculus as a freshman and take all the AP sciences the college board offers, you want public or Basis McLean (but Basis only if you don’t want anything except STEM and don’t care about having a typical HS experience).

Many if not most private schools have excellent science and math departments, however.

No means strong science and engineering programs and building solid foundations for future learners.

Most private schools are not going to have anything that could really be called an engineering program. They might have a robotics team or a class or two as electives, but that’s about it.

[Anonymous]

Good Counsel in Olney has a strong STEM program through Project Lead the Way. Lots of discussion on the program in past threads. You apply for entry to the program as part of your application. You can’t enter later.

If you’re looking for a daughter, Holy Cross has PLTW classes that I believe you can take as electives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best ones are in public (magnets).

Was coming on to say this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best ones are in public (magnets).

Was coming on to say this.

Was going to say same. Depends on child’s interest.

My DC attended MCPS public, UMD (BS) and now in grad school doing scientific medical research. DC feels quite well prepared. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Public by far

[Anonymous]

TJ’s is one of the strongest in the country—but it’s a public school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TJ’s is one of the strongest in the country—but it’s a public school.

And also not in Maryland or DC.

[Anonymous]

DeMatha has an extensive engineering, computer science and robotics program, and a new building that's just opened dedicated to Engineering and Arts programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best ones are in public (magnets).

+1 Blair and poolesville in Montgomery County and Thomas Jefferson in VA. You don’t see Regeneron scholars coming from DC area private schools.