Is Magruder HS that bad?

[Anonymous]

We're looking to buy a new house and we one that we just love but it is zoned to Magruder HS. I have never heard anything bad about the school but when I reviewed the student and teacher surveys on the montgomery county website, the results are kind of shocking. In particular, on the student survey 45% of the kids said that they disagree or strongly disagree with the statement "I feel safe at school." On the last staff survey, 33% disagreed or strongly disagreed that "This school is a safe place to work."

I don't know that I could send my child to a school where almost half of the kids don't feel safe.

Am I misinterpreting these survey results? What is going on at this school? Were there some particular events/issues in the 2009/2010 school year?

[Anonymous]

I am not that familiar with the school..but keep in mind that maybe the people that bother to answer the survey are those that are not satisfied. Does the data state how many people answered the question?

[Anonymous]

The student survey had a 69% response rate but the staff survey only had 32%. So, with the staff survey I would agree that it is probably somewhat skewed.

[Anonymous]

The student survey results are notably lower than the MCPS average across the board. It would be worth looking into.

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that it's a HUGE school, much bigger than most high schools in the County. I think you would see higher frequency of problems because of that. And it's probably worth noting that they have a large number of kids killed in car accidents for some reason. The one that just occurred with the alumnus driving, which killed 3 other kids -- all those kids were from Magruder.

Having said that, I have several friends whose kids went there, and they have nothing but good things to say about it. I think it's one of those schools that if you find your niche, like athletics or AP track classes, you'll be just fine.

Depending on how old your kids are, many things could change over the years as well -- for better or for worse -- it's always hard to know about any high school. But there's also the Poolesville Math and Science magnet program that mirrors the Blair one down county. Poolesville is for the kids who attend up county schools, of which Magruder is one. And kids can also apply for the IB program at Montgomery, regardless of location in the County. There are always options.

[Anonymous]

And it's probably worth noting that they have a large number of kids killed in car accidents for some reason. The one that just occurred with the alumnus driving, which killed 3 other kids -- all those kids were from Magruder.

yes, because it's a huge school population, and is more suburban than downcounty schools. Students driving around the suburbs of MoCo encounter more two-lane roads with less traffic, and have more opportunities to drive fast and/or like idiots. Students in more urban environments are more likely to use public transportation than suburban kids, and those students would also be driving on "city" streets with lower speed limits and more traffic. I don't think you can judge a school based on a recent tragic car accident. I went to Damascus HS and we lost a student to a car accident every year I was there--because that's what country kids did for fun... get in their cars and drive fast on country roads, unfortunately.

Staff surveys are notoriously inaccurate, mostly because the survey is huge and there is no real payoff for completing it. So, like most things, only people who are pissed off and have something to complain about will take advantage. I'm sure there are some legitimate gripes (as in every work environment) but if only 33% "feel safe" that could mean 3 people bothered to answered that question and two of them had been shoved by a student in a crowded hallway.

I don't have any experience with Magruder, other than living near the school and driving by it every day, so I can't say it's really a great school (or that it's a bad school), but it has a good reputation, and I wouldn't go out of my way to find alternatives. I'm sure Poolesville ain't perfect either.

[Anonymous]

I'm a graduate from Magruder (pretty recent, within the last 5 years) and I loved it! My brother is a current student there as well. I have no idea where the results from the survey came from... I think MHS is a great mix, as it feeds from so many different areas: Gaithersburg, Derwood, Olney, etc.) The diversity definitely allows students to have a wide variety of activities and groups of friends to chose from. I appreciate that now because I see how materialistic some other parts of the county can be, although there are a few Derwood neighborhoods that can have materialistic "tendencies" (don't worry, I live in one of them so people can turn out okay). I never felt unsafe at Magrder...maybe the results were skewed, or maybe it's because of what a previous poster mentioned (one of the highest populations out of the county schools but still combined with a suburban= an awkward mix?), not sure. Every school has issues, but I can only speak for myself and I think it was a great school. The academics were great (I took plenty of AP classes and got into the colleges I wanted to go to), there's a lot of school spirit (especially Homecoming), overall good athletic programs, and a supportive community environment. Go Colonels!

[Anonymous]

I'm a Magruder parent and I can tell you that my kids never feel scared at Magruder. As with any school, there are a handful of serious troublemakers but the principal and assistant principals keep them in check -- and work to put them back on track. But more than 99% of the students are there to learn, and Magruder offers the support that is needed to every student.

If you have time, go to a Magruder football game or other event. You'll see nearly a thousand enthusiastic students who are polite and respectful. Or ask to sit in on a class or at least peer into the door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that it's a HUGE school, much bigger than most high schools in the County. I think you would see higher frequency of problems because of that. And it's probably worth noting that they have a large number of kids killed in car accidents for some reason. The one that just occurred with the alumnus driving, which killed 3 other kids -- all those kids were from Magruder.

Magruder has about 1,950 students, which is about average for a Montgomery County high school. It has no portable classrooms (trailers) and is not overcrowded.