What's to like about Walter Johnson HS?

[Anonymous]

Anything that makes it stand out among the others? Or is it just always in the shadow of Whitman and Churchill, etc.?
Would love to hear any positive experiences with this school. (We are considering buying a home in this district, but have some hesitation.)
Think it's as good academically as the other top ones, with less pressure and competition?

[Anonymous]

WJ has come a long way, it used to be bad but has changed a ton and I would have no problem sending my kids there. Whitman has been a great school for along time, I went there and a lot of the other schools didn't do so well but now Whitman is in the same position it has been in for 30+ years while the other schools are gaining on them very quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Think it's as good academically as the other top ones, with less pressure and competition?

This is what we've heard. We're in the cluster with younger kids so we hear WJ news. To us it sounds like a vibrant, interesting place: jazz ensemble and choir got superior ratings a recent competition, WJ students won an art museum competition with their kinetic sculptures, it's a top 25 source school for UMD's school of engineering, etc.

It gets high marks from students on surveys of school environment (http://sharedaccountability.mcpsmd.org/SurveyResults/content.php?sch=424, and you can compare to its history or to the whole district). We also appreciate its relative diversity (60.1% white, versus 63.7% white at Churchill, 75.5% white at Whitman.)

[Anonymous]

We are in this district, but our kids are very young. However, we have heard nothing but good things from empty nester neighbors who sent their kids there and neighborhood babysitters who are there now.

[Anonymous]

WJ is amazing. Best in the area if you are looking for academics without the snob factor. Go Wildcats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WJ has come a long way, it used to be bad but has changed a ton and I would have no problem sending my kids there. Whitman has been a great school for along time, I went there and a lot of the other schools didn't do so well but now Whitman is in the same position it has been in for 30+ years while the other schools are gaining on them very quickly.

when was this? I've never heard anything bad about WJ.