Walter Johnson HS vs. Quince Orchard HS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your son will do great in either school. He'll find academically-inclined kids in both schools and kids who care about sports. I do have a slight preference for QO because I think their school spirit and sense of community are amazing.

Yep, it's just splitting hairs here both schools provide comparable opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These responses have been so amazing and helpful. Thank you.

My son does travel soccer. I'm OK with him not being on "high radar" sports recruiting high school. I figure we can strategize recruiting on our own outside of school, and instead for school prioritize strong academics and college oriented-ness over sports recruiting.

I have another Q if not too much. As I stated earlier, my son doesn't like doing schoolwork and studying, but understands it's important - we've had lots of conversations. So I want him to go to a strong academic school so that it's not just me, but the whole culture, administration, organization cultivating those values, and through friends and teachers he gains ideas for study skills, and a love of academic learning, etc.

What I wonder though... by being in such a strong academic large school like WJ, is his GPA likely to be lower than being in an academically weaker school. I know I may not be saying things in the nicest most appropriate nice way, but since GPA is so important for colleges, ... I can't help but wonder. -- Thank you.

You can view the grade distribution sections in both schools' profiles to get a sense of this. This is the document the counselors send to colleges the students are applying to, to explain the academic context at their school.

WJ: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/wjhs/uploadedfiles/counseling/wj-profile-2022--2023.pdf

QO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B-IOAqiAxZHBUL6UsC2xRk3cBZodn4NP/view

Could you tell me where you obtained the school profiles listed above? I'd like to find one from another MCPS high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These responses have been so amazing and helpful. Thank you.

My son does travel soccer. I'm OK with him not being on "high radar" sports recruiting high school. I figure we can strategize recruiting on our own outside of school, and instead for school prioritize strong academics and college oriented-ness over sports recruiting.

I have another Q if not too much. As I stated earlier, my son doesn't like doing schoolwork and studying, but understands it's important - we've had lots of conversations. So I want him to go to a strong academic school so that it's not just me, but the whole culture, administration, organization cultivating those values, and through friends and teachers he gains ideas for study skills, and a love of academic learning, etc.

What I wonder though... by being in such a strong academic large school like WJ, is his GPA likely to be lower than being in an academically weaker school. I know I may not be saying things in the nicest most appropriate nice way, but since GPA is so important for colleges, ... I can't help but wonder. -- Thank you.

You can view the grade distribution sections in both schools' profiles to get a sense of this. This is the document the counselors send to colleges the students are applying to, to explain the academic context at their school.

WJ: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/wjhs/uploadedfiles/counseling/wj-profile-2022--2023.pdf

QO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B-IOAqiAxZHBUL6UsC2xRk3cBZodn4NP/view

Could you tell me where you obtained the school profiles listed above? I'd like to find one from another MCPS high school.

It is usually linked from the Counseling page on the school website. Or sometimes from the About Us page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These responses have been so amazing and helpful. Thank you.

My son does travel soccer. I'm OK with him not being on "high radar" sports recruiting high school. I figure we can strategize recruiting on our own outside of school, and instead for school prioritize strong academics and college oriented-ness over sports recruiting.

I have another Q if not too much. As I stated earlier, my son doesn't like doing schoolwork and studying, but understands it's important - we've had lots of conversations. So I want him to go to a strong academic school so that it's not just me, but the whole culture, administration, organization cultivating those values, and through friends and teachers he gains ideas for study skills, and a love of academic learning, etc.

What I wonder though... by being in such a strong academic large school like WJ, is his GPA likely to be lower than being in an academically weaker school. I know I may not be saying things in the nicest most appropriate nice way, but since GPA is so important for colleges, ... I can't help but wonder. -- Thank you.

You can view the grade distribution sections in both schools' profiles to get a sense of this. This is the document the counselors send to colleges the students are applying to, to explain the academic context at their school.

WJ: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/wjhs/uploadedfiles/counseling/wj-profile-2022--2023.pdf

QO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B-IOAqiAxZHBUL6UsC2xRk3cBZodn4NP/view

Yes, there's a well-known correlation between SES and these statistics. If this appeals to you, you might find a heatmap of the Moco HHI and you'll find the right school.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for the links. I didn't know these type of data existed. However, they are not comparable, and different, in a way that I suspect reflects the school. Here are my observations, in case helpful to others:

GPA:
-- QO: If I read the table on top of p.2 to the left correctly - and I can't tell if I am -- 49% of the class of 2023 has a GPA between 3.51 - 4.00.
-- WJ: doesn't give average or range of GPAs. Instead it focuses on giving average and range of APs.

SATs and ACTs.
-- QO's gives average SATs, for both math and verbal. For ACTs, gives average for composite.
-- WJ's: for SAT gives average for math, verbal and composite; for ACT, gives average by subjects and the composite. WJ's SAT for math and verbal are ever so slightly higher; but same as QO for ACT composite.

APs:
-- WJ really shines here, listing various AP honors (eg: Scholar, with Distinction, etc.) and listing out each AP with scores and number of students that achieved each score.
-- QO only gives total students tested, total number of tests, and %age that scored 3 or higher is 66% (but can't tell if this means %age of students or %age of tests taken.)

QO notes:
-- only 70% go onto 4 year college, and the remainder to 2 yr. colleges. Although, with college costs as they are, and QO area not being as wealthy, perhaps families are strategizing by sending their kids to community colleges. I'm considering the same.
-- WJ has no data on %age going to 4yr vs. 2yr.


So if a kid scores "above average" in QO in terms of AP -- it'll be easier to -- and it'll stand out more.

But, ... despite assurances provided by some posters (and I appreciate it) I don't think my son would do the same at either school. I think he'll need a strong culture of academics, or else will easily slide into not caring too much.

I went to one of the infamous NYC magnet schools. Some teachers were good; some were bad; there weren't enough college counselors. So, with parents who didn't know anything about the college landscape (except recognizing the name of Ivies), I relied on my peers, and the older students to guide me. We amongst ourselves just shared a lot of information and tips.

[Anonymous]

OP, you're overthinking it. Find a neighborhood you like, that's convenient to things you want it to be convenient to, with a housing unit you like and can afford. All the data in the world can't tell you whether your son will do better at Quince Orchard HS or Walter Johnson HS.

[Anonymous]

I have a big life move. And can't / won't base it on just neighborhood and housing. School is an important factor. For me, I am not overthinking it. Yes, data cannot predict his future. But for now, I can use the information I am aware of to make my best assessment - esp. since I like both of the neighborhoods and houses I can afford in each district. Thank you though for offering your perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
GPA:
-- QO: If I read the table on top of p.2 to the left correctly - and I can't tell if I am -- 49% of the class of 2023 has a GPA between 3.51 - 4.00.
-- WJ: doesn't give average or range of GPAs. Instead it focuses on giving average and range of APs.

WJ does list GPAs on the right side of the page. 56% of the class of 2023 has a an unweighted GPA of 3.5-4.0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for the links. I didn't know these type of data existed. However, they are not comparable, and different, in a way that I suspect reflects the school. Here are my observations, in case helpful to others:

GPA:
-- QO: If I read the table on top of p.2 to the left correctly - and I can't tell if I am -- 49% of the class of 2023 has a GPA between 3.51 - 4.00.
-- WJ: doesn't give average or range of GPAs. Instead it focuses on giving average and range of APs.

SATs and ACTs.
-- QO's gives average SATs, for both math and verbal. For ACTs, gives average for composite.
-- WJ's: for SAT gives average for math, verbal and composite; for ACT, gives average by subjects and the composite. WJ's SAT for math and verbal are ever so slightly higher; but same as QO for ACT composite.

APs:
-- WJ really shines here, listing various AP honors (eg: Scholar, with Distinction, etc.) and listing out each AP with scores and number of students that achieved each score.
-- QO only gives total students tested, total number of tests, and %age that scored 3 or higher is 66% (but can't tell if this means %age of students or %age of tests taken.)

QO notes:
-- only 70% go onto 4 year college, and the remainder to 2 yr. colleges. Although, with college costs as they are, and QO area not being as wealthy, perhaps families are strategizing by sending their kids to community colleges. I'm considering the same.
-- WJ has no data on %age going to 4yr vs. 2yr.


So if a kid scores "above average" in QO in terms of AP -- it'll be easier to -- and it'll stand out more.

But, ... despite assurances provided by some posters (and I appreciate it) I don't think my son would do the same at either school. I think he'll need a strong culture of academics, or else will easily slide into not caring too much.

I went to one of the infamous NYC magnet schools. Some teachers were good; some were bad; there weren't enough college counselors. So, with parents who didn't know anything about the college landscape (except recognizing the name of Ivies), I relied on my peers, and the older students to guide me. We amongst ourselves just shared a lot of information and tips.

Honestly I don't think your son will have an issue with you as his parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These responses have been so amazing and helpful. Thank you.

My son does travel soccer. I'm OK with him not being on "high radar" sports recruiting high school. I figure we can strategize recruiting on our own outside of school, and instead for school prioritize strong academics and college oriented-ness over sports recruiting.

I have another Q if not too much. As I stated earlier, my son doesn't like doing schoolwork and studying, but understands it's important - we've had lots of conversations. So I want him to go to a strong academic school so that it's not just me, but the whole culture, administration, organization cultivating those values, and through friends and teachers he gains ideas for study skills, and a love of academic learning, etc.

What I wonder though... by being in such a strong academic large school like WJ, is his GPA likely to be lower than being in an academically weaker school. I know I may not be saying things in the nicest most appropriate nice way, but since GPA is so important for colleges, ... I can't help but wonder. -- Thank you.

Selective colleges know the individual schools and their strengths and weaknesses.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These responses have been so amazing and helpful. Thank you.

My son does travel soccer. I'm OK with him not being on "high radar" sports recruiting high school. I figure we can strategize recruiting on our own outside of school, and instead for school prioritize strong academics and college oriented-ness over sports recruiting.

I have another Q if not too much. As I stated earlier, my son doesn't like doing schoolwork and studying, but understands it's important - we've had lots of conversations. So I want him to go to a strong academic school so that it's not just me, but the whole culture, administration, organization cultivating those values, and through friends and teachers he gains ideas for study skills, and a love of academic learning, etc.

What I wonder though... by being in such a strong academic large school like WJ, is his GPA likely to be lower than being in an academically weaker school. I know I may not be saying things in the nicest most appropriate nice way, but since GPA is so important for colleges, ... I can't help but wonder. -- Thank you.

You can view the grade distribution sections in both schools' profiles to get a sense of this. This is the document the counselors send to colleges the students are applying to, to explain the academic context at their school.

WJ: https://www2.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/siteassets/schools/high-schools/r-w/wjhs/uploadedfiles/counseling/wj-profile-2022--2023.pdf

QO: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B-IOAqiAxZHBUL6UsC2xRk3cBZodn4NP/view

Could you tell me where you obtained the school profiles listed above? I'd like to find one from another MCPS high school.

It is usually linked from the Counseling page on the school website. Or sometimes from the About Us page.

NP.. I just searched for our HS profile in MCPS search page and found it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a big life move. And can't / won't base it on just neighborhood and housing. School is an important factor. For me, I am not overthinking it. Yes, data cannot predict his future. But for now, I can use the information I am aware of to make my best assessment - esp. since I like both of the neighborhoods and houses I can afford in each district. Thank you though for offering your perspective.

I think your son will fall easily into the sports culture at QO, which is *HUGE*. If you are concerned that your son will fall into that culture and not focus on academics, I'd pick WJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, your son will do great in either school. He'll find academically-inclined kids in both schools and kids who care about sports. I do have a slight preference for QO because I think their school spirit and sense of community are amazing.

because of sports, not academics. QO revolves around their sports.

[Anonymous]

QO is more diverse.

WJ has more fun things to walk to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, your son will do great in either school. He'll find academically-inclined kids in both schools and kids who care about sports. I do have a slight preference for QO because I think their school spirit and sense of community are amazing.

because of sports, not academics. QO revolves around their sports.

"School spirit and sense of community" means sports. Sports is what "school spirit and sense of community" means.