Wilde Lake High School

My daughter is finishing up her first year at WLHS and we have become true Wilde Cat fans! She is getting a solid academic (GT) background, has teachers who are engaged, creative and communicative, and she is THRIVING in the music program. She has made several good friends who are truly fine human beings. I'm grateful that they found each other. The school is beautifully diverse. As a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, I see kids from many of the county's schools. The WLHS are much better adjusted with fewer of the scarier problems than in many of the higher regarded high schools.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a student about to graduate from Wilde Lake High School. I have been extremely pleased with the administrations efforts to provide the highest standards of education to my son these past 4 years. He has been excepted to three colleges and is awaiting to hear from several others he has applied to. With that said, high school is not a baby-sitting facility but a two way street of communication and support between the parents and the teachers. I am an advocate for higher education and would recommend this school to any parent who is intending on moving into this area.
--Submitted by a parent

Howard County Public Schools are some of the best in the State. This High School is a strong school with good teachers and motivated students that want to excel. A realtor recently mentioned to us that this school has had more students move on and attend ivy league colleges and universities in the last two years than any other high school in the district. I would strongly recommend that if you like the area and are considering buying a home that you go by the school and take a tour and talk with the administration.

Would not recommend this school to anyone that has a choice to go elsewhere. I came from a private middle school and liked the freedom of public school but soon saw how anyone could fall into the wrong crowd. You need to have strong morals and know what your willing to do and what your not. I have been accepted to prestigious colleges but other kids from my middle school went the other way and have no plan for next year in january of their senior year. You can come from wilde lake with a great transcript and do great things but the easy path leads to another type of institution.
--Submitted by a student

I'm a parent of several Wilde Lake grads and say the experience is a decidedly mixed one. Some teachers had little or no interest in teaching students, whereas at the other end several were excellent. The guidance counselors also varied from exceptional to 'mailing it in.' Unfortunately we often were paired with 'mailing it in' counselors and weren't permitted to switch. There is a wide range of sporting activities with an equally wide range of coaching competencies (a couple of coaches were terrific; a couple...not-terrific). 'Big Time' pervades in the athletic approach -as it does at most large public schools - and I'm not sure there's much room or interest in a lower to mid-pack athlete trying to simply experience sports. In a nutshell, it's a big school in the very commercially-based, transient city of Columbia in Howard County - a county as well-known for excellent schools as it is for a parental/communal spirit that revels in self-celebration of the rigid band of political/social concepts which it accepts. This is reflected in its school system. Wilde Lake has its great moments, but if you have a choice in schools, choose elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

I love Wilde Lake. The fine arts programs here are excellent! The sport teams may not win more then they loose but the level of fun, teamwork and learning on the field makes up for it. The diversity is outstanding, I am very lucky to be in this environment of peers from almost all imaginable backgrounds . I am almost a straight A student and most of the teachers are phenomenal! My ninth grade year, ending soon, was been a memorable and wonderful learning experience.
--Submitted by a student

5 star this school is the best school i wouldnt rather go to any school but wilde lake im a freshman here quarterback for jv yes i start and wilde lake keep roaring go cats
--Submitted by a student

The students of various ethnic and religious backgrounds get along so well and work so hard to achieve in education, sports and community activities. They treat the physical plant well ...not like some destructive teenagers. They are proud of their school and its activities.
--Submitted by a parent

WLHS is the best school in the county for many reasons: it's diversity, it's spirit, it's academics, it's athletics, it's extracurricular activities, it's teachers, it's administrators, it's staff and it's building. My daughter graduated from the 'lake' in May, 2008. WLHS has prepared her well for college. I am proud that she is a 'wildecat'
--Submitted by a parent

I am currently a sophmore at WLHS, and I have to say that the school is amazing. It is clean, organized, the teachers care and always do things to make teaching better. The principal Mr.Whitacker is ok, he is somewhat strict but its good because it keeps us in line. I lived in Baltimore up untill freshman year (06-07) and I was amazed how excellent the staff is,the athletic department is great. Coach Shoemaker is the best track coack and has trained me so well. The parents are very involved and help out constantly at athletic events. Its is really a great school. I recommend it for any parents looking at high schools in howard county. This school has had such a possitive impact on me, because of how diverse it is. Jesse Jackson even came to Wilde Lake High as a guest because of the diversity and ethnic differcences.
--Submitted by a student