Does anyone's kid actually go to Northwood HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are considering a move to DCC and I have been browsing this forum to get an idea of which schools and neighborhoods would fit our family. I see people talk about Blair and Einstein, and Wheaton with it's Engineering program, but I haven't seen a single "My kid goes to Northwood and...." comment. We will be coming from a neighborhood that has a strong community and kids always outside playing in the street, etc. and would like to find something similar along with a strong elementary school.

We are interested in Blair because we are a STEM oriented household, but would like to consider cheaper neighborhood options since we don't have a huge budget.

I've seen some positive comments about Forest Knolls elementary and it looks like some of the neighborhoods zoned for Northwood are really cute. Does anyone have actual children that go to Northwood that could provide some experiences/feedback?

I have responded to and even started a few posts about Northwood. My DD is there in the MC2 program. We’re very happy with both that program specifically and the school in general except DD and DH wish the football team was better

If it helps any, as parents DH and I have multiple advanced degrees and every adult in the family (immediate and extended) except me is a STEM person. Her grandfather was a pediatrician and researcher. Her grandmother was a psych researcher and educator. DD is STEM-oriented and currently in the college lab science BIO course.

[Anonymous]

OP here. thank you for the responses from Northwood parents! I don't know why half the people on this forum are so quick to start a fight, but I wasn't asking the question in a condescending way like there is something wrong with Northwood. I was honestly just looking for feedback (good or bad) from those who's children have attended or are currently attending Northwood.

My oldest will be starting middle school when/if we make the move to the DCC, and while I'd love for all my kids to get into the best magnets and do all the best things, I am not banking on it and would like to move to an area where they can make neighborhood friends and their home school would be a good experience for them if they decide to not switch schools or do the magnets or whatever. Most of the stuff I read on here is about Blair or Einstein, so I appreciate the feedback about Northwood and also the neighborhoods!

[Anonymous]

If your kids are in elementary school, asking a current Northwood parent about their experience is useless. By the time your child arrives, there will be many changes. If you are worried about investing in a home in the area, you will need to pay attention to rankings. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Northwood has a lot to offer. It has strong theater, music and dance programs.
Most teachers range from decent to pretty great.
Not a lot of school spirit. Kids range from highly academic to no interest in school.
Last year felt chaotic and out of control but this year seems a lot better.
New building is desperately needed.

[Anonymous]

Another Northwood parent here. We’re only a few weeks in, but like a PP, we were very impressed with the teachers at BTSN. My DC is glad to be at a smaller school, and the classes aren’t huge. So far we’re very happy and have heard great feedback from parents of older Northwood students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If your kids are in elementary school, asking a current Northwood parent about their experience is useless. By the time your child arrives, there will be many changes. If you are worried about investing in a home in the area, you will need to pay attention to rankings. Sorry.

I think Northwood has been on the rise over the last ten years or so and headed in a good direction. If the super involved parents from elemtabry school remain super involved at Northwood that could be good. Even if not I think the new building will make it a desirable school. Wheaton’s reputation has increased dramatically with the new building and their magnet program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your kids are in elementary school, asking a current Northwood parent about their experience is useless. By the time your child arrives, there will be many changes. If you are worried about investing in a home in the area, you will need to pay attention to rankings. Sorry.

I think Northwood has been on the rise over the last ten years or so and headed in a good direction. If the super involved parents from elemtabry school remain super involved at Northwood that could be good. Even if not I think the new building will make it a desirable school. Wheaton’s reputation has increased dramatically with the new building and their magnet program.

Sadly, there are adults who are economically invested in making the DCC look unattractive or downright dangerous to DCUM parents. Some of them are real estate agents who need to sell you a house in Potomac, Chevy Chase, or Bethesda. Some are soon to be empty nesters in over-priced houses zoned to W schools.

[Anonymous]

I heard it's a real ghost town there. Teachers spend the day talking to empty classrooms because there are 0 students.

[Anonymous]

It's so popular that no one goes there anymore.

[Anonymous]

The principal last year was new.
My kid said last year was a bit off the rails with student behavior coming back from Covid and a new principal.
This year is much more orderly and back to normal. My kid is so much happier this year. Most of his teachers are strong especially the AP teachers.
Principal is doing a good job. The new campus can only help.

[Anonymous]

I live in the cluster and while my kid is in middle school I would be thrilled for him to go to Northwood. The MC2 program is good from what I hear from parents whose kids are in it or recently graduated. The new campus will be lovely. I hear really good things about the principal and have found him responsive the few times I've contacted him with questions. Plus, the Northwood students I've met in the neighborhood or working at the mall or whatever have been nice kids. And some really very impressive kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The principal last year was new.
My kid said last year was a bit off the rails with student behavior coming back from Covid and a new principal.
This year is much more orderly and back to normal. My kid is so much happier this year. Most of his teachers are strong especially the AP teachers.
Principal is doing a good job. The new campus can only help.

Last year was his se one year. I know because they old principal left the first week of DD’s 9th grade year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The principal last year was new.
My kid said last year was a bit off the rails with student behavior coming back from Covid and a new principal.
This year is much more orderly and back to normal. My kid is so much happier this year. Most of his teachers are strong especially the AP teachers.
Principal is doing a good job. The new campus can only help.

Last year was his se one year. I know because they old principal left the first week of DD’s 9th grade year.

First year in person I guess. He seems more in control this year.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Thanks to all those with kids who attend Northwood who gave feedback. Are there any other Northwood zoned neighborhood recommendations besides Forest Knolls?

We've been looking at Einstein and Blair mainly, but TP/Blair neighborhoods are either too expensive or don't seem to have a lot of kids around (we have very limited experience with the area though). Our kids seem to be leaning towards STEM like they're parents, so the arts programs at Einstein don't excite us much.

Wheaton seems like it has a nice building and the engineering program peaks our interest, but we haven't really liked any of the neihborhoods we've looked at.

We also have no real interest in the Bethesda /Chevy Chase area, mainly because we are too poor, but also because we both went to majority white high schools and both experienced a lot of racism and privilege/lack of accountability with our peers. Not trying to offend anyone, that was just our experience and we're hoping to give our kids something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here again. Thanks to all those with kids who attend Northwood who gave feedback. Are there any other Northwood zoned neighborhood recommendations besides Forest Knolls?

We've been looking at Einstein and Blair mainly, but TP/Blair neighborhoods are either too expensive or don't seem to have a lot of kids around (we have very limited experience with the area though). Our kids seem to be leaning towards STEM like they're parents, so the arts programs at Einstein don't excite us much.

Wheaton seems like it has a nice building and the engineering program peaks our interest, but we haven't really liked any of the neihborhoods we've looked at.

We also have no real interest in the Bethesda /Chevy Chase area, mainly because we are too poor, but also because we both went to majority white high schools and both experienced a lot of racism and privilege/lack of accountability with our peers. Not trying to offend anyone, that was just our experience and we're hoping to give our kids something else.

If it were me I’d buy in an Einstein-zoned neighborhood (aim for Oakland Terrace or Flora Singer elementary schools) and then figure my kids could easily get Northwood through the Down County Consortium process (I know it’s tough for kids to get Blair or even Einstein if it’s not their home school but I’ve never heard of anyone not getting Northwood who wanted it). Maybe I’m missing something?