Education is at the Core of Successful Innovation
Forward-thinking regions like Montgomery County build their future on a strong educational system. Coming from top-ranking public and private schools, our impressive pool of talented students is ready to be part of tomorrow’s workforce.
Women Fill Montgomery County’s School Board Seats
Though the specific composition is still unknown, this November’s election will establish that Montgomery County’s School Board is going to be led entirely by women for the first time in its history.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to make a little history here. Having women involved in public service and holding elected office is a very positive thing.” – Jeanette Dixon, Board Member
The school board, which oversees spending that makes up about half the operating budget in Maryland’s largest jurisdiction, will face many important decisions.
The county’s first board of education, named by legislative enactments in 1817, consisted of nine men.
Bethesda High School Responds To A Growing Population
With the highest percentage of graduates attending two- or four-year colleges, the Bethesda-Chevy Chase high school is near completion of its massive expansion that will accommodate the area’s fast-growing student population.
Sitting on a 16.4-acre campus, current student capacity is 1,683. Construction is finishing up on the 88,000 square foot addition, and will allow for a capacity of 2,400 students—which the school is slated to hit in just five years.
The $30 million addition includes 34 new teaching areas and collaborative workspaces. It also includes flexible furniture and soft-seating options.
“Students really learn when they are able to have choices. Everyone is going to want to sit out here.” – Principal Donna Redmond Jones
The new addition also has offices for the school’s International Baccalaureate program, new biology labs that have been outfitted with ovens for possible culinary arts courses, and a large meeting room.
Discover Montgomery County’s Top Private Schools Of 2019
Four of the state’s ten top private schools are located in Montgomery County, according to Niche 2019 Rankings. They are the Holton-Arms, Landon, and Georgetown Preparatory schools in Bethesda, as well as the Bullis school in Potomac.
The 2019 Best Private High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of data from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of student and parent reviews. Additional data is also collected from schools directly.
Niche.com provides users with data on additional educational topics—including the best charter schools, most-diverse school districts, best places to teach, and more.
Montgomery County Public Schools Lead The Way In STEM
The vision of Montgomery County Public Schools is that all students achieve full STEM literacy. Ranked first in the state for college preparedness and STEM, the College Board and Project Lead The Way have awarded students for their science and technology academics.
With programs that promote college and career pathways, the County recognizes students who pursue career-focused opportunities. The goal is increasing student interest in STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) degrees.
Compared to other school districts, MCPS has had the most students who’d earned these AP + PLTW Student Achievements. Wheaton High School, which focuses on project-based learning, had the second-most students with the achievement.
Other schools have received their own STEM recognition. According to Niche.com 2019 Best Public High Schools for STEM in Montgomery County, Poolesville high school ranks #1, followed by Winston Churchill and Walt Whitman.
“Poolesville students are highly focused on their academics. The teachers are generally the best in the county.” – Poolesville High School Alumni
Free Community College Comes to Montgomery County
By 2020, 69% of Maryland jobs will require a postsecondary education according to the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. Governor Larry Hogan has signed the milestone Near Completers and Maryland Community College Promise Scholarships bill (HB 16), which allocates $15 million per year in need-based tuition aid for eligible community college students.
The program requires students access all other eligible financial aid before Maryland’s College Promise scholarship funds, up to $5,000 per year, are awarded. Recipients must work in Maryland one year for each year of scholarship awarded, or the scholarships convert to loans and must be repaid.
Maryland is fortunate to have a number of well-educated people as its citizens, but much of that talent has moved into the area.
“Here is an opportunity for us to ensure that every resident of this state has access to the education that we need for the economy of the future that we’re all dependent on.” – DeRionne Pollard, president of Montgomery College
The legislation also provides $2 million over five years to students who are close to finishing degrees at community colleges and four-year institutions. These alternative students can receive up to one-third of tuition due.