Century High School

Century is a very good high school. It is young, but it already has excelled in multiple areas. Century has a great, supportive staff, whether it's teachers, counselors, or lunch ladies, and there are many great programs to help students of all types. Teachers are all wonderful. I was a student, and I honestly never had a teacher that I "hated". They all mean really well and they definitely all want what's best for the students. The current principal, Mr. Cockley, is fantastic. He was the most supportive and trustworthy principal I had ever heard of. Great AP scores, lots of course options. All around good school. Lots of fun times and I miss it a lot.
—Submitted by a student

Our school is a fairly new one that works to help students achieve, both low level and high level. The dedicated staff works hard to identify best practices to help students achieve. 98% of our students passed the Biology HSA last year and we have one of the highest AP test turnouts in Maryland.
—Submitted by a teacher

I am a former student of CHS. My experience with the school is that students will get out of it what they put into it. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Unfortunately the administration tends to put their own agenda over the needs of the students. To them the need for the school to appear in good standing is more important than the quality of the education of current students. For example, in an effort to increase the number of students in AP classes, honors classes were eliminated. This forced honors level students into AP classes that they were not ready for. As a result the AP classes were 'dumbed down' so entire classes did not fail and AP test scores plumeted. Century is a good school for the average student, however, it is not the kind of education that leads to IV league colleges.

Outstanding facilities! Fantastic teachers who truly CARE for the students and interact with them in a professional manner fostering growth and intellectual development. Only wish they had a stronger College Prep...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter attend Century and she was a new student first year and new to area. The staff and students seem to be very friendly and structured something that we are as parent I hope she continues to do well with the classes. I think Century is a wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent

As a recent graduate of Century, I found the administration and faculty to be excellent. The administration is always available to students and parents. The administration wants to hold students to a high standard and some parents and students find this as a negative. The faculty's main goal is to help students succeed. Faculty members are available to students before and after school and are always eager to help. Many teachers are available to students at night through email. Century could not have better prepared me for college.
—Submitted by a student

As a student, I find century very helpful, both in its teachers, and its facilities. As an artist, im very happy to find that there are many opportunities to improve on my technique while being integrated into the world of art. The teachers are supportive and give lots of oppurtunities to come and get help. Any parent that thinks otherwise obviously isnt looking hard enough. Advisory days could be done away with, and sometimes the administration manages to contradict themselves, but overall, the school is a very good one.
—Submitted by a student

I have two teenagers at Century that academicly at opposite ends of the scale. My older girl is gifted, outgoing, and mature. My younger son has ADD, is less outgoing, struggles, and is less mature. I find it amazing that both of my kids feel totally disconnected from the school, but my experience is consistant with their feelings. I have tried to get someone to take an interest in my son's growth to no avail. The staff is totally legalistic, adherring to the letter, but not the intent of school system policy. Unfortunately, the coldness of the staff carries over to the social life of the students at the school. Both of my children have encouraged me to move to another district.
—Submitted by a parent

I'm a student at Century. It's a good school and the academies really help you with your career. Every teacher I have had is helpful and informative. The only staff members that ever are unpleasant are the secretaries. I don't see why the work there if they hate kids? The school lets students get away with just about anything. This year they're were tons of fights and its just going to get worse. I think that century is a great school it could just work on a couple things....like advisory days.
—Submitted by a student

My daughter just graduated from Century High this year, 2007. I have found the school to be outstanding. The staff goes out of their way to help the students exceed. They can receive help in the morning before school and after school in all subjects. In my daughters senior year I found support in the administration when we were having some minor issues with her grades and some trouble she brought to herself. I also had no problem meeting with any staff member when I needed to speak to someone. I always found my daughter was treated fairly. I felt that the school always provide a safe environment for learning. I will miss the support that I received as a parent of a child that attended Century and look forward to sending my youngest daughter there in four years.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter transfered into Century this year. I can only compare Century to her old high school and my own high school experience. Century is outstanding. School spirit is high. Extra curricular activites are plentiful. The teachers and administration I have encountered have been nothing but responsive, helpful and enthusiastic. The prinicipal sets high expectations from the kids and is enthusiastic about keeping Century top notch. The principal makes sure that the administration keeps on top of newly innovative educating teaching ideals (advisory day, academies, etc). I think it is really important! I agree about the comment about sports seeming to be a priority over the arts, but I think that is typical of high schools since there are so many more of the HSpopulation are interested in sports.
—Submitted by a parent

Cooperation and direction are severly lacking. Administration consistently abuses its authority by asserting power-struggles over parents who contact them for assistance regarding scheduling, mis-placement in classes, disagreements with teachers and questions regarding policy and how it is enforced. Administration does not follow up on phone calls or emails leaving parents at a great disadvantage in trying to resolve the issues themselves while encountering resistance. Century needs help. If you are a staff member at Century, however, your child will do fine!
—Submitted by a parent

I am very disappointed in the attention factor. If your child has special needs or requirements, there is no change that you will get the help you need. Some teachers never respond to special requests or questions you have. I can't wait until I as a father and finished with the Carroll County school system.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two sons at Century. I have found the administration to be very responsive and the faculty is top notched. If I give a teacher my e-mail I am assured that they will contact me if there are any concerns with my children. The administration sets high standards for the children and discipline is a priority.
—Submitted by a parent

As a student at century high scool I know there are good and bad things about this school. For example a bad thing is the complete and utter worthlessness of advisory day. Advisory day is a day were we get to miss homeroom and do our homework in a new setting. A good thing is...oh wait, nevermind. Aside from a few, 'special' teachers the staff does a decent job. Actually there are some good things, like gym, or ummmm, yeah about the good things, that just isnt going to work out. So the school isnt all bad, even though it is slowly falling apart after only five years, oh well.
—Submitted by a student

I am a senior at Century High School, and every year that I've attended this school I've noticed more problems. The academy system is run poorly and often gets in the way of scheduling, rather than to help students plan their classes. Programs such as assemblies and speaker days are utilized in order to promote student activity, but all they really accomplish is to waste class time that is already cut short thanks to a poorly-run 'advisory day' every Wednesday. Art and music programs are mostly ignored and are often overlooked in favor of the sports programs, which seem to receive more attention than the education itself. The NHS sect is also run poorly; students are not chosen based on academic standards, but rather on involvement in the school, including sports involvement. Few efforts are made to change problems at the school, and even the recycling program is incredibly lacking.
—Submitted by a student

I have two children attending Century High School. Overall, I've found the teachers and adminsitration to be responsive and supportive when there have been issues. It is certainly not a perfect place and has some issues but in general the school is well managed and dedicated to the students. Century is an environment that promotes growth and responsibility in its students. My children and challenged and supported academically and participate in extracurricular activities. I appreciate the extra time and energy of the teachers and staff who donate their time to add quality to my children's high school experience. I think Century is an excellent school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two students at CHS. They both like the school, like most of the kids do, but they don't have a lot to say about most of their teachers. The Administration and most teachers are non-responsive, if responsive at all.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Century High school as part of the first graduating class in 2004. Century was a great school and had many oppurtunities. The equipment is nice and the teachers are very helpful. The community was great. There were very few fights. The sports programs were excellent there are many to choose from and many of the programs were successful. The soccer teams and the girls lacrosse team went to states the first couple years. The football program is up and coming. I t is making it's way to the level every one else is at. This school was a great school it prepared me in so many ways for college and life.
—Submitted by a former student

I have a 10th grader at Century. They like the school. I believe that severaal improvements need to be made in follow-up from the administration, the teachers and the advisory group. An average child will have a difficult time getting help, assistance and follow-up or mentoring. Sports, as in most schools, is political and difficult, if not impossible to break into.
—Submitted by a parent