Thoughts on Northwood HS (present and future)?
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Anonymous
The new Northwood does not have phases like the new Woodward. The principal told us the auditorium and gym are in the center of the building and already being built. The athletic stands were not taken down so that’s a good sign fields will be ready. The only possible problem would be construction delays overall but if you live in the neighborhood, you can even see how fast the building is going up. |
Anonymous
| Northwood parent here. We’ve been very happy with NHS and will likely have another kid there in a couple of years. The new building is on schedule and will have an auditorium and sports fields from day one. Dr. Garrick is great, and we’ve been pleased with teachers. The students seem happy and welcoming to all types. |
Anonymous
Also the DCC open house is tomorrow (10/8) if you want to visit. |
Anonymous
Visit the new building? That’s great! MS parents don't get to visit the 3 buildings before making the MSMC choices. |
Anonymous
The new building is still under construction. |
Anonymous
| My kids is a Northwood and it’s just average. She really loved one math T who is a NBCT and top- notch; says she wishes she could have her for every math class. Also enjoys the MC College classes, but that’s it. If it wasn’t for the MC2 program she would have gone to Blair with most of her MS friends (who seem to love everything about Blair). Some parents here rave about the admin, but my kid hates her grade-level admin. Says she’s rude and mean to the kids and Garrick strikes me as just average, but I guess the bar for mcps admin is very low. |
Anonymous
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Northwood senior parent here with many close friends whose kids are at Northwood. Our experience has been very positive. Unlike many DCUM posters, I see the diversity of the Northwood student body as a huge positive for all. Beyond academics, the opportunity to learn from others with different backgrounds, to consider different socioeconomic backgrounds when planning events and how to make them accessible to all is teaching the parents and students a lot about empathy and equity.
If your kids are athletic, they have the benefits of playing varsity at younger ages. Plenty of AP classes, interesting electives. Teachers have been solid to excellent - no bad apples during our tenure, nor have I heard bad experiences from other families. Counseling team is on top of college applications. Any issues I have are with how MCPS (not Northwood) handled the move and construction communication. Bottom line - your child can make the Northwood experience what they want - if they are high achievers, they can be challenged. If they are average, but college bound, they'll be fine. If they need extra support (ADHD or similar) they'll get everything they need. |
Anonymous
| Do we think that Northwood will be completed by summer 2027? Or delays possible? |
Anonymous
No one has a crystal ball but the consensus right now is yes. |
Anonymous
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Northwood parent here. To answer the question about where to find it, search for Charles W. Woodward HS on Old Georgetown Road. That's the current holding school and also where the Open House will be tonight at 7pm.
I agree with PPs who say it is a hidden gem. I'm not sure what kinds of classes people feel like their kids are missing out on (maybe some higher level math choices?) but my kids have enjoyed the selection of classes. Teachers are great and many have been there for years with no intention of going anywhere else. The staff members I know who work there really like being there. I also like the principal and he's been responsive to issues. Most kids are able to join a sport team even if they don't excel in a given sport and as someone else said, you can play varsity at a younger age given the small number of students who try out. The football team isn't great BUT they did win a game this season and seem to be improving. The Northwood Athletic Association is absolutely awesome and really encourages kids to get to games and promotes overall school spirit. The Cross Country team is doing fantastic and Indoor Track and Track and Field seem to historically have winning seasons. My kids said the poms at Northwood (or dance team?) is really good and better than other local schools. The boys soccer team is also having a great season this year. The theater program really is fantastic and improving all the time. Also don't miss the drum line! I know I missed other sports and activities but I know less about them. I think the fact that it is a smaller school for now is a good thing. It will get much bigger once the new building is open because there will be more seats. MC2 students are off campus for Senior year but some go back to campus for lunch or other reasons and they are all able to join after school clubs/sports/activities. I know there have been MC2 senior students on my kids' athletic teams. Hope this all helps. Wherever your kid goes, I hope they make the most of the experience. |
Anonymous
Visit the building they’re in now. Also a brand new building! |
Anonymous
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What is the projected capacity of the new Northwood building? I've seen 2,700 reported many places, but the Woodward boundary study data tables have it at 2,260 -- even though they note that it includes the capacity to be added in 2027.
Anyone know the reason for the discrepancy? |
Anonymous
It was 2,700 originally when the preliminary plans were approved, but it was scaled back to 2,260 at some point. |
Anonymous
Was that reported anywhere? This document from Nov 2024 still says 2,700: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/OMB/Resources/Files/omb/pdfs/fy26/ciprec/P651907.pdf |
Anonymous
| The current MCPS CIP says 2,260 for Northwood. Sorry but that number is correct. |