Gaithersburg High School

Three of my children attended GHS since 2000. All of them excelled in academics with the help of their teachers. Each was able to pursue interests in sports, art, music, and business. Each took advantage of the AP and Montgomery College courses offered on campus. While the facilities were lacking in the past, a new building is under construction.
--Submitted by a parent

I will be entering the 10th grade this year at Gaithersburg High. What I hate the most is not the school itself, but it's reputation. Before kids even know the school, they're always saying that it's the "ghetto" school with a bad education; I, myself, used to think that, but I have experienced otherwise. I emplore you to visit the school website and see all that this school has to offer; there are many AP classes (amount fluctuates yearly) and the teachers are great [meaning: for the most part, they're pretty fun, but they know when to "lay down the law"]. The only bad part is how we [students] will have to adjust to the new construction that is currently going on. Other than that, it's a great school with many academic opportunities at hand. As well as supporting counselors that encourage students to try out for scholarships and things like that. If someone tells you that the school is bad, maybe they're only reffering to a student they know or heard of that isn't very...reputable I suppose.
--Submitted by a student

I am currently a Junior at GHS. I had recently written a whole essay, accidentally, on why you shouldn't send your child here however I was unable to send it in so I just want to give a the gist of it. Education is lacking. While temporarily in a on-level class this is what I have heard: "You only need to write a sentence and you will pass the class, so it is important that you are here to copy down this sentence." At first i thought he was joking but never once did a smile crack his serious facade. The rest of the week we did remedial things like coloring and putting the presented answer in a blank. Now you say that this simply may be one bad class however during my extended period in the library before and after school. The only solution for classes like this is taking all AP courses. In addition, drugs, pregnant teens, fighting and stealing are not rare occurrences at this school, pretty frequent actually. Not surprisingly, I am in the middle of trying to get a transfer to another school and would strongly suggest that you do not send your child here.
--Submitted by a student

Gaithersburg High provides a wholesome education for my ninth grade daughter. The staff is pleasant and committed. There are many positive things going on at this school.
--Submitted by a parent

As an alumni from GHS over 30 years ago, I now have two children attending GHS. My oldest is a senior has enjoyed her academic classes tremendously. Being involved in the Academy of Finance has helped develop her decision on what to study in college. The honors classes have pushed her harder than if she had taken on level classes. My youngest is a sophmore and is pushing himself by sticking with the honors classes as well. Yes, they have both had a couple of bad teachers, but overall I don't hear either of them complaining about not being taught well. Most of the teachers are available for extra help during lunch and after school. GHS gets an unfair bad reputation. There are definitely worse schools in this county. All GHS needs is a facelift!!
--Submitted by a parent

Good school academically. If you are a student willing amd eager to learn, there is a wide-range of opportunities and activities to pursure.
--Submitted by a parent

I'm currently a junior at GHS, soon to be a senior. GHS is a great school, but you ought to join activities and take AP classes in order to get the best experience. I do not give a hoot about the building. It's just fine. I assure all potential GHS parents that your child will receive a valuable education here, but they must want to learn. Avoid taking on-level courses if possible. Those classes have the students that mostly overshadow our school's relatively successful student body. Many of the aforementioned troublemakers are few in number. I dislike that GHS is sometimes looked down upon because of them. We truly have highly intellectual people here. Your child just needs to find these bright students. Then I guarantee that they will have success.
--Submitted by a student

Since graduating from GHS, I can honestly say that I miss it. Yes, the building is old and needs a renovation- but everything else is wonderful. From the students to the staff, everyone is friendly. At Gaithersburg, everyone gets along. The extracurricular activities are definitely a highlight and the bond among the students here is incredible. One thing I miss most is sitting at the football games, surrounded by all the screaming Trojans; peers and parents alike. At Gaithersburg, I was able to meet people I would not normally have met. We are all friends- no one is made fun of because they are different. This doesn't happen anywhere else. I love GHS, and miss it more than I thought. I am sure everyone who graduated from there will agree, we will ALWAYS be proud to have been a GHS Trojan.
--Submitted by a former student

Our son graduated from this school and overall it was unpleasant and difficult for him. Other than a few exceptionally gifted teachers who inspired him his four years there were just passing time until college. In fact, if we as his parents did not know the Grading & Reporting Policy for the School System he would have suffered blatant errors in grading and teacher grading abuse. He took all Honors and AP classes and they were sometimes challenging but did not prepare him for county and national exams as students were in other county schools. The building has always been considered a stepchild by the system for renovation and is hideous to walk through. We live one mile from a newer county high school but because of county attempts to 'spread the wealth' he was bussed seven miles to this high school and this school is in Newsweek's top 100 HSs!
--Submitted by a teacher

Poor leadership. Gang issues! Warning, stay away from the bridge program. The special education services are very poor. A huge amount of behavior issues.
--Submitted by a parent