Walt Whitman High School

I just graduated from Whitman, and I can say that I know I'm going to really miss it. The administration is beyond phenomenal, and I can say that this school has some great teachers (and some bad ones, like every school) that I know I will visit on my college breaks. The extracurricular activities at this is school are abundant and worth it, so make sure your child gets involved since they're all amazing. However, Whitman is notorious for its elitist students, which is only true to an extent, but every school is going to have some kids that feels they're above everyone else. In all, I would like to applaud Whitman's great staff and administration for giving an extremely rewarding and memorable high school experience.
--Submitted by a student

I a former student and now have a daughter that goes there she says she has loads of friends but sometimes she wishes that more people would feed to that school. I love their school.
--Submitted by a parent

As a former Whitman student , currently studying at Princeton, I can confirm that this school prepares you for the top U.S colleges. I find myself better prepared than most of my current class mates. I would like to express my thanks to Walt Whitman teacher's and students! Whitman for me will mean more than Princeton ever will.
--Submitted by a student

Don't let this school's reputation fool you. Whitman only cares about its 'smart kids', that is, the kids who take AP and honors classes and who score well on standardized tests. I am an American white male with lawyers for parents, and even I have struggle being part of the ethnic and social majority in the school. Though very similar to private school, switching to Whitman was a tough transition for me, and the school did little to help. My guidance counselor tried to 'help' me by pulling me out of honors classes and holding bureaucratic meetings various school officials, giving me suggestions like 'underlining key words and phrases in class' and granting me 'preferential seating', though I made it clear I was having trouble adjusting socially rather than academically. The truth is, the school doesn't know what to do with you unless you test well and get good grades.
--Submitted by a student

One of the finest if not the finest public school in montgomery county. My 2 daughters graduated from Walt Whitman and moved on to Under Grad + Gradschool. A wonderful community and great support.
--Submitted by a parent

One of the finest if not the finest public school in montgomery county.

Whitman truly is a great school. As a former student who is now attending a top college, I credit Whitman for making me well-prepared for the college atmosphere. I think the statistics speak for themselves: Whitman has been rated a top 100 public high school for the past several years, and sends boatloads of students to top universities. There are obvious drawbacks to the Whitman education. As has been mentioned previously, the Bethesda environment can put an emphasis on grades rather than actually enjoying school. Cheating is also a significant problem. That being said, I think this is a side effect of many 'competitive' high schools around the nation. Dr. Goodwin also deserves credit for his job as principal. He is a very down-to-earth guy and has chosen a very competent assistant principal in Mrs. Webster. The administration at Whitman truly runs like a well-oiled machine.
--Submitted by a student

As a whole, Whitman is a great school. I am currently a student and I love it. The academics are rigorous and demanding and most of the teachers are sweet, and push you to your best. There are many sports to choose from, as well as clubs. Although some students might be a little too arrogant and uninteresting, this proves to be the case at any school. If you find the right group of friends, join the right teams or clubs, and take the right classes, you will have a fabulous experience here.
--Submitted by a student

Whitman is an extremely impersonal and arrogant school as a whole. I know. I go there. Yeah it has competitive academics and athletics. But in most of my classes, if i wanted to, i could just sit through four years of high school and never be noticed by anyone. Unfortunately, the surrounding area is too invested in their own egos to realize their children's school is this way. They think that because they live in bethesda, there school must be 'The Best'. The fact is, while other schools may not have as great test scores, chances are that students will have a more fulfilling experience. Another thing. The students. Oh my gosh. While there are many perfectly down to earth students that go there, a good percentage of them are just people you would never want to know. They are just arrogant, materialistic, and very boring.
--Submitted by a student

As a parent I feel that it is my duty to provide my children with the best education possible. If this means paying a high premium to live in the Whitman district, then so be it. Attending Whitman is on of the greatest experiences my children have ever had. There are few problems with misbehaving students and the teachers are extremely well qualified. The principal, Dr. Goodwin, deserves to be mentioned too because as the father of a high schooler himself he can relate to the students' needs. Whitman is a great school and I would not send my kids anywhere else.
--Submitted by a parent