McDonogh School

This school is great. It offers varied curriculum to challenge each and every student. It's academics, athletics and overall school community are great!
--Submitted by a parent

McDonogh is a rare find in independent schools. It offers both challenging academics and athletics, with plenty of other opportunities for children who aren't into athletics. My child spent many years at another independent school that promised a lot, but didn't deliver. McDonogh delivers!
--Submitted by a parent

The academics at McDonogh are top-tier, and along with this comes a very high workload. The avg. amount of homework for me is 4 hours a night (though I take an honors/AP course load). I feel academically challenged and stimulated, though often stressed. Athletics. They're big here. Though there are other outlet to get involved in, I feel the majority of the emphasis is placed on the athletic world of McD. I loved the experiences athletic involvement gave me, but I also love the arts and am disappointed by their lack of emphasis here. Socially: It's hit or miss here. It varies, but many describe this school as a 'social bubble', meaning that the students rarely socialize outside of McD. Also, people tend to form circles of friends early on and stick together, rarely making new friends after freshman year. This is perhaps the worst aspect of McD.
--Submitted by a student

The academic part is definitely sound and they have excellent staff, but the social scene is not nearly as good. 4/5 stars.
--Submitted by a student

The school is amazing. There is nothing bad about it. The courses are demanding but 100% worth it. The atmosphere at which I conduct my day at school is extraordinary. The best part about Mcdonogh School, learning extends beyond just book smart. They force upon character, leadership, respect, and literally giving every student the lessons needed for the 'real world'
--Submitted by a student

I could not recommend a school more highly. Caring faculty and staff, with a premium on academics without sacrificing the activities that can be difficult to find in all independent schools. I don't know about the 'busing from bad neighborhood' comment. Those so called bused in children are among the brightest and most talented from those neighborhoods and give McDonogh School a rare diversity among its peer school institutions.
--Submitted by a parent

As a McDonogh parent since 1991, with a child still in the school, I would say that the years spent at McDonogh were the best thing that could ever have happened to my children. They were/are fantastically prepared for college!
--Submitted by a parent

On the whole the school does very well despite being the one school that has the most problem neighborhoods being bused in. There are several stand out teachers especially in Chemistry and Physics that have inspired our Son to seek out learning on his own.
--Submitted by a parent

You will never find, anywhere, anytime, a better school, community, faculty, staff and academic experience for your children than the McDonogh School.
--Submitted by a parent