Chopticon High School

i must say that I was a bit skeptical of Chopticon when we entered the school system, however considering it is the best in St. Mary's County, this is the school district we chose to move into. Our sons really love it here and I am very impressed with the teachers and their dedication. Unfortunately, they aren't given much of a budget for textbooks and the majority of the textbooks they are left to teach from are over 10 years old. While that might not be a concern for some, I find it a bit disturbing. If more money would be spent on teaching materials instead of SmartBoards, I think the school would earn 5 stars from me. Also, some of the science teachers are lacking in science degrees. Several have degrees in other areas and just summer science courses under their belts. Granted, school have a hard time wooing physicists and biologists into the teaching fields, so this is understandable. Parental involvement is non-existent. Out of the 1200+ parents, only 40 volunteer regularly. The rest cannot be bothered, either with their time or money. Chopticon could be better if given a chance, bu t with what it has to work with, I am very pleased.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great school. My daughter went to private school until she was a teen and this school is wonderful.
—Submitted by a parent

After looking at this school for the past three years I can agree that the teachers are the best, the students have the best to work from, but one problem is the sports program needs some attention.

This a top quilaty H/S and needs to review its self and its goals and how they are meeting these goals on a monthly bases
—Submitted by a parent

I am a senior at chopticon this year '08 and personally i think that it is an excellent school. My teachers have all been great there have been a couple i didnt get along with but that didnt mean that i didnt learn anything. I personally wouldnt choose any other school if i had the chance.
—Submitted by a student

I was reading over a lot of what the students have put recently about Chopticon. I would have to agree with them that the teachers there are excellent in that they really go out of their way at times to assist students in whatever is needed. Often times, I remember many teachers staying and helping out wherever needed. That to me is commitment. Overall though, the school's backbone for education, its teachers, are still there.
—Submitted by a former student

If you want an honest opinion on a school, don't ask the parent, big mistake. I've been in Chopticon two years, and have had amazing teachers. There was ONE teacher who I didn't really like, but thats nothing. Ms. Ensminger has to be one of the best teachers i've ever come across. I, personally am horrible at math but I got through it with her. and Mrs. Gronert really makes everything interesting. Our Art section is amazing. Any student in this area looking to go into theater should really think about CHS as a choice. The teachers are amazing. Our rival school has NOTHING on us. I've never heard of a teacher in one of the main subjects that wasnt great. We are also one of the most spirited schools one could imagine. When spirit week comes around you KNOW it's going to be a blast.
—Submitted by a student

I am a 1995 graduate of CHS and must say, that while there were a handful of lackadasical teachers, the vast majority were excellent instructors that strove for well-rounded students, whether they were preparing for college or entering the work force. For those parents that blame the instructors, I believe the ultimate responsibility in your child's education does not lay with the teacher, but with your ability to instill pride and sense of an education's importance in your child. Even a great teacher has a difficult time getting through to a child with no support from home. I had several of the teachers that are still there (Santee, Lisanti, Adair, Kuzmick, Young) that are excellent; not only at the curriculum but at working with students so they truly understand the material.Their work set me on the path to the where I am today and I cannot thank them enough. Mike Marcus-'95
—Submitted by Mike Marcus, a parent

Chopticon High School is pretty good. The teaching is ok, I think that some teachers are weird becasue alls they do is make you take notes form the bored and expect you to know it. There are alot of fights here. I also like hte tech center option.
—Submitted by a student

I'm a class of 2006 junior. I've taken CM, Honors, and AP classes. It seems the best teachers are selected for honors or AP. Our principal, as another student said, acts like all he cares about is wrestling. I'm involved in the Chopticon Peace Pipers, and I've had a favorable experience with them. As for parent involvement, the choral boosters really demonstrate parents working together. The choral boosters actually have an excess of several thousand dollars! One thing I have noticed is several fights at the school. But it's not like a good student would get involved in one. Overall, I rate Chopticon 4 out of 5 stars.
—Submitted by Daniel Lucas, a student

I am a sophomore at Chopticon. The School is nice and there are some great teachers, but there are also really bad teachers. If you think that kids are immature these days then you should meet some of the teachers there. The administration is great. This year I am choosing as many teachers as I can. Their AFJROTC unit is a fantastic unit, but they do not use harsh punishment(i.e.pushups). Again there are many bad teachers here and you need to get the right ones.
—Submitted by Dale Thomas, a student

I am an upcoming senior (Class of 05) at Chopticon High School. Responding to what the parent said, yes there is an I dont care attitude. Even I have it but that has to do with me not the school. They do not control the way I feel. They give us homework and expect us to do it, it is not their responsibility to follow us home and make sure we do it. Their job is to teach us and that is exactly what they do. It is the students choice whether or not they listen so dont try to blame it on the staff. They do what they can for us but there are only so many things we can do. The students control their own destiny there. If they slack off and fail its their own fault.
—Submitted by a student

I've read the other reviews, and as a student want to put in my own 2 cents, so to speak. I dont have any huge problems with my school. I've had several brilliant teachers (Santee, Dell, Lisanti, Gallant-Wall, and more). I know that my guidance counselor is pretty great, though I havent met the others. As for the principal, I havent really heard much from him. His favorite thing seems to be our champion wrestling team. I wish he'd show interest in some areas other than sports.
—Submitted by a student

I am a Class of 2004 graduate from Chopticon. I was fourth in the graduating class; two hundred eighty six graduates walked across the stage with me. The parent who responded earlier must have been a parent of someone I never knew, because most everyone I knew at Chopticon was wonderful. There was an attitude of 'pride inside' and the school was a community where all students were welcome. The teachers truly care about the students, and I maintain relationships with a lot of my teachers even now. The current principal knows many students by name, and not just the ones with disciplinary issues. There are many opportunities to get involved in sports, clubs, and activities, and I can honestly say the best four years of my life were spent there at Chopticon High School.
—Submitted by Emily Clifton, a student

Most students at Chopticon do not take learning seriously, and find school as a social event. Due to a lack of responsibility, a minimal amout of students in the class of 2004 are graduating this year. Shocking? Not really if one could see the minimal amout of work ethic of an average Chopticon student. Chopticon has a great principal, but lacks on good teachers and administrators. There are a large amount of fights, and the students are flat out cocky and rude. The 'I don't care' attitude is one in the majority at this school.
—Submitted by a parent