Owings Mills High School

OMHS is a hidden gem! So many people hear negative things about our school without ever stepping into the building. If they did walk through the door they would find an inviting foyer, a diverse population of well mannered students, and a group of teachers that want to make a difference. The front office has only been polite and helpful when I have been there. The guidance office is fabulous, offering support to students and families and administration a professional group that is always open to listening to parents and students to help when needed. Has the school changed in the last several years? YES, the student body is more diverse, so our students learn to work and get along with people that are different from themselves. Things are changing for the better at OMHS... Students are showing their EAGLE PRIDE and parents are becoming more involved! The school offers many opportunities to shine--academics, arts, music, a variety of clubs, and an outstanding athletic program. OMHS is something to be proud of!
—Submitted by a parent

OMHS is an excellent school. My two children graduated and did very well in college. I found the faculty, staff and administration inviting and very accessible. Students constantly get awards and recognitions for academics, fine arts and athletic accomplishments. The school has been ranked in the top 7% of public high schools in the nation for students that take AP courses. My family totally enjoyed the high school experience provided by Owings Mills High School.
—Submitted by a parent

As an English teacher at OMHS, I can debunk most of the comments in the post below. I have been working at OM for 5 years, and the only teachers who have "left" went out on maternity leave to return a few months later. Our long term subs are professional and follow all county curricula. In fact, three teachers in the English department wrote Baltimore County sanctioned curricula for 9th and 10th grades. Furthermore, our department has had very little turn over in the last five years. Two teachers retired; one position was not replaced due to staff cuts, but the other position was filled with an excellent teacher. We have 5 teachers certified to teach AP level courses, teachers who have attended the Governor's Academy, and a National Board Certified teacher. Our teachers are also very involved in after school activities-- directing the school play, coaching multiple aports, advising classes, and running other various clubs (such as AAO, JSU, and Knitting for the Needy, to name a few). We work hard every single day to ensure that students are receiving an excellent education (and we are making sure that students know they have principles, and can talk to their principals ).
—Submitted by a teacher

I have put 3 children through OMHS and regret everyday of it. My son's Honors English teacher left 2 months into the school year and was replaced with a substitute. The class did not read any of the novels that were assigned by the county. When we went to the office they did nothing about it. Another time the Spanish teacher left in the beginning of the year and was replaced with a substitute who did not know Spanish. The administration's solution was to have another teacher come in once a week and teach the kids. There are a handful of teachers who really do care about the students and try to help the students reach their full potential. Unfortunately they are few and far between. The lack of caring from the administration is evident from every angle. The people in the front office are cold and one of the Vice Principle's doesn't speak proper English.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher, have only taught at OMHS and have no desire to leave. Each and every day I am continually amazing at the hard work and dedication of the teachers to reach all students in order to develop their maximum potential. Academically, OMHS scores among the leaders in the county and the extracurricular activites are wide and varied, offering something for all students. I would bring my own children to attend OMHS. Go Eagles!
—Submitted by a teacher

Owings Mills High School is an excellent school. My son and daughter both had good experiences. Their teachers were always willing to give extra help after school, counselors guided students on applying to colleges and preparing for a life after high school. The front office staff greeted all visitors to the Main Office with a smile. This is a good school. We are especially proud that this school has the distinction of being named in the top 5% of public high schools in the nation for students taking AP courses and AP exams.
—Submitted by a parent

As a staff member of Owings Mills High School I can easily state that this is a school that works for all students--from the high achievers to those that need accommodations. Students are held to expectations to succeed in and outside the classroom. The school offers many extracurricular activities to give students options for positive growth. This includes those that are athletic to those that like competing in another arena, such as the Mock Trial team which places every year in the Third Judicial Circuit Court competition. If students want a good high school experience, they will definitely receive it at OMHS.
—Submitted by a teacher

Despite a facility that was built as more of a middle school than high school, the students excel in art, drama, & try very hard at sports. The PTSA is very active as are the Sports, Music, Drama, & Arts Boosters. Each class works very hard for 4 years to fund not only their prom but a parting gift for the school. The after prom party held after the senior prom has for many years kept kids from engaging in risky behavior and saved countless lives!
—Submitted by a parent

caring and enthusiastic staff
—Submitted by a parent

The teachers are only concerned with themselves & not the welfare of the students.
—Submitted by a parent

Contrary to the other comments I am very happy with the quality of education my child is getting at OMHS. We transferred after a miserable freshman year at Pikesville High school. That school was chaotic, with fights every day, and so much tension. In contrast OMHS is calm, well ordered. I have found administrators responsive, and student body polite and respectful. I pulled my kid back to some honors level courses as I found his GT workload at Pikesville excessive only to find he is more challenged in honors courses at OMHS than ever at Pikesville GT. Hard to know what the experience of the first negative parent was but having experienced two schools, with one ( Pikesville) overrated as one of the best high schools in America ( based on one extremely narrow criteria of AP classes offered divided by number of graduates) OMHS is tops!
—Submitted by a parent

Owings mills high school is one of the worst learning establishments in the area. The lack of respect demonstrated by the majority of the student body is mind boggling. One would think that the administration would control such behavior, but they do quite the contrary. Few teachers are fun and engaging, but the administration is composed of the most incompetent people employed by bcps. Do not send your child there!
—Submitted by a student

OMHS was a decent school. It needed more extra-curricular activites and trips. I wish that we had ROTC. It was not a bad learning environment. It was orderly and things usually ran smoothly. Administration did its job well. More funding is needed for activities and sports.
—Submitted by S. J. Davis, a former student