Wootton, RM, WJ, Whitman or Churchill

[Anonymous]

Trying to decide which high school we want our kids to attend. They are still in ES, so we have time. I went to Wooton about 25 years ago, so I am biased and think we should move to neighborhoods that feed into Wootton. However, I know that schools change. I want a solid education for my kids (one kid with a SN and the other is NT). We are not considering Quince Orchard b/c my DH does not want to move further out to Gaithersburg. I remember kids from Churchill when I was a teenager. I remember whitman was a pressure cooker (I had friends who went there). I also remember that ppl used to say not to move to RM neighborhoods. So, please, tell me honestly what each school is like now.

[Anonymous]

Wootton is a pressure cooker with tons of very bright, driven kids. If your child isn't, there are fewer ways to feel as if you belong to the school. The kids I know who are more "average" have gotten into some
trouble like drinking and smoking pot, and generally just not involved in high school life (in a positive way). Two went on to college at MC and flunked out.

Quince Orchard has a much more diverse student population than Wootton, in terms of groups a kid could belong to and fit in. Just my opinion of course. I'm in the Wootton cluster and would prefer QO right now. It just seems more well rounded. So not knowing what an elementary school kid is going to be like when reaching high school, I like the idea of a school with more social options, so it's easier to find their niche. Because all the schools are fine educationally. A good student will get a great education at any of these schools. But social culture is heavily influential at the age, whether we like it or not.

I have no idea how special needs are treated. The Sn forum on here is probably worth looking at.

I work with a lovely young woman who graduated from the non-IB portion of RM. she enjoyed high school a lot. People on here make the distinction between the IB program and the "rest" of the school. I can't speak for it other than my experience with my coworker, but she's wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work with a lovely young woman who graduated from the non-IB portion of RM. she enjoyed high school a lot. People on here make the distinction between the IB program and the "rest" of the school. I can't speak for it other than my experience with my coworker, but she's wonderful.

My daughter is at RM and not in the IB program, and I do think she's getting a good education. In addition to the IB program, RM has a strong AP program, so I'm not worried about rigor for her.

I can't really speak to the other schools except that they were all on the list of clusters to consider when we were looking for houses, and I think they are all good schools.

[Anonymous]

I live in an RM neighborhood with plenty of happy non-IBers. My kids are not there yet so don't have details but I guess is will soon enough. I have heard the IB program is extremely competitive with a huge work load. Perfect for some but not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

If you want your kid to compete with the cool kids then Churchill is for you. If you want your kid to be judged by what his/her GPA is and what college they strive for then go to Whitman.

If you want a good education surrounded by great kids and a school with classic diversity then Quince Orchard is the place for you. Best school spirit in the county, most kids participate in either athletics or clubs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want your kid to compete with the cool kids then Churchill is for you. If you want your kid to be judged by what his/her GPA is and what college they strive for then go to Whitman.

If you want a good education surrounded by great kids and a school with classic diversity then Quince Orchard is the place for you. Best school spirit in the county, most kids participate in either athletics or clubs.

I thought WJ had the best school spirit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want your kid to compete with the cool kids then Churchill is for you. If you want your kid to be judged by what his/her GPA is and what college they strive for then go to Whitman.

If you want a good education surrounded by great kids and a school with classic diversity then Quince Orchard is the place for you. Best school spirit in the county, most kids participate in either athletics or clubs.

I thought WJ had the best school spirit?

WJ is good but compared to Quince Orchard they don't measure up. This is how you judge school spirit. At an away football game Quince Orchard will routinely travel with 500-1000 fans. WJ might bring 15 or 20.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you want your kid to compete with the cool kids then Churchill is for you. If you want your kid to be judged by what his/her GPA is and what college they strive for then go to Whitman.

If you want a good education surrounded by great kids and a school with classic diversity then Quince Orchard is the place for you. Best school spirit in the county, most kids participate in either athletics or clubs.

I thought WJ had the best school spirit?

WJ is good but compared to Quince Orchard they don't measure up. This is how you judge school spirit. At an away football game Quince Orchard will routinely travel with 500-1000 fans. WJ might bring 15 or 20.

Maybe the WJ kids are busy studying?

[Anonymous]

They're at theatre practise, or the nearby Chipotle.

[Anonymous]

See the stats? WJ kids preparing for AP exams and college!