Maurice J. McDonough High School

With better leadership, McDonough High School has the potential to be a great school. My daughter had been in private school all of her life before coming there in 9th grade so we really didn't know what to expect from the public school system. However, we found a great counselor there, honors and advanced placement classes, and many sports and clubs available. On the other hand, it is what you make it. You have to be an advocate for your child and make sure that you familiarize yourself with all that the school has to offer. When teachers and the administration see that you are interested in your child's success, they will work with you. The facility is old and is in desperate need of updating. The bathrooms are horrible and overcrowding makes it difficult for students to move freely through the hallways in order to get to class on time.
--Submitted by a parent

I will be a junior this fall at this school. I have LOVED my freshman and sophomore year. I looked forward to coming to school each day. Its very diverse and the students are well behaved for the most part. The teachers and staff are wonderful. They know how to deal with kids and offer support. They teach the curriculum well and keep it up to date. There are different levels of classes for the different learning styles of each student. All curriculum challenges the students. It will prepare your child for college. The only bad things about this school are the few students that are not motivated, yet the teachers do encourage them. Another thing is the appearance of the building. It was built in the 1970s and has not been renovated. But don't judge a book by its cover because this school is absolutely wonderful.
--Submitted by a student

I agree with some of the reviewers who have commented that diversity is not appreciated at this school. There is discrimination on the part of the faculty and administration, mostly subtle, but otherwise present. Students are not motivated to learn nor are they prepared adequately for college or the workforce. The principal seems to lack good common sense and doesn't have the skills necessary to handle most situations. She masks this by talking excessively. Administration always blame the parents and "home life" as the cause of poor performance. Never mind the teachers who show up only to collect a paycheck or those who don't show up at all. A certain counselor in particular looks down on my child and laughs at the idea of him going to college. I sat in a meeting where she not once spoke to me and directed every question to my child. I would suggest that if you live in a neighborhood zoned for this school, that you do your homework first. I just moved into the county and didn't know then what I know now. As for parents seeking help from the school board, you may be out of luck. One of the board members not only has children attending this school, but has an office here as well.
--Submitted by a parent

I agree with the postings. This was a great school a few years ago. However, the teachers are more concerned with keeping their jobs than with helping students with disabilities succeed. If you are a student or a family which has diverse needs and does not fit the 2 parent norm, then you are subject to discrimination by the administration and by teachers who believe they are to teach only the elite. When a complaint is made, a member of the ccboe threatens the family. They school district seems to have no accountability to anyone, and "the good ole boy" mentalilty thrives. My children have been the victims of harassment, bullying, failure to meet individidual needs, and communicate to parents. I do not fit the norm, so therefore I am treated like a pariah & my children are bullied and I am threatened. I lose either way.
--Submitted by a parent

Excellent school, My daughter loves going to school everyday, makes great grades, and haves amazing friends and does alot of sports. Love this school
--Submitted by a parent

Very satisified with the teaching staff...........alot of extra curricular activities but only money goes into football program. Parent involvement is a joke. Same parents running everything.
--Submitted by a parent

The technology that is set up in the should have been updated about 10 years ago. I transfered from another school system near Charles County and I feel, along with some other students who are not Charles County natives, that the Educational System is about 20 steps behind the one I left. I feel as though I learned little to nothing my Junior and Senior year, which are pivital years. I felt that the Principal of the school needed more training as a principal. My senior year, the entire year, the only thing the lunch room served was pizza everyday. I had to threaten the principal with the possiblility of my parents calling the Board of Edu. to get dried mixed vegetables. Clearly the budget cuts to schools went too far this time. The quality of education is not that good. Some of the Teachers in this school should be fired.

This high school was a great school where the teachers really care about the students. The discipline on the students' parts is the only problem. A lot of the students don't know how to handle themselves in a public setting, which i believe to be the parents' fault.
--Submitted by a student

Very good academic school only problem is the unacceptance of diversity on the campus. You can see the level of unfairness especially in the athletic program but yet nothing is being done to enforce the guidelines.

I have 3 children attending, 2 juniors and a freshman. The teachers are unresponsive for children who have learning disabilities. The guidance counselors are superb.
--Submitted by a parent