Winston Churchill High School

Top notch school in every respect. Many Churchill graduates go on to top tier coleges. The wealth of the surrounding neighborhoods is certainly reflected in the student body, but I have found the kids here to be generally respectful and intelligent. In addition to outstanding academics, the school offers many opportunities for enrichment (a phenomenal orchestra, drama, sports--even a great crew team). Truly one of the best high schools in the area (if not the nation). Also, I disagree aout the helpfulness of the administration, since our experience has been very positive.
—Submitted by a parent

Everything about this school is terrible. Most teachers are rude, the kids are stuck up, and the administration and office people are idiots. The one star is for a few teachers who actually care about the kids and truly want to help them with their education. If you're a parent considering sending their child to Churchill, I strongly recommend that you reconsider.
—Submitted by a parent

Located in one of Maryland's safest neighborhoods, Winston Churchill High School proves to be of the top tier in educational institutions. Each department makes sure that parents are in the loop when it comes to their children's progress by keeping an electronic record that is easily accessible with a password or sending progress reports midway each quarter. Moreover, the staff is open to new ideas of possible interests and extracurricular activities that the school may provide. This enables students to be comfortable in pursuing their interests by creating new after-school clubs or addressing them to their teachers for more resources. Athletics are highly recommended and the celebration of games are a school-wide effort. Music and performance arts are equally praised and recognized. This is a school that cares about providing all opportunities to its students.

As a parent of two kids in Churchill I couldn't be happier. Academically this school is amazing. The teachers work hard to make sure the kids understand what is being tought. The Churchill Spirit is fantastic. My kids have never been this involved before and they feel a great pride in their school. They have outstanding friends that I'm sure will last a lifetime.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of two children at Churchill I feel fortunate to have a public school that provides a great education and opportunity for my children. Overall the seasoned teachers are well suited to provide a top notch experience. This is a very competitive environment that is placing students in many of the best colleges in the Country. If students are taught the proper values at home this is a fine place for them to succeed.
—Submitted by a parent

My stepdaughter's mother sent her to Churchill. While the academics seem to be good, I would never choose to send a child to this school. The social/academic values of the students and many parents is to win and succeed at all costs - that may mean cheating, bullying, and buying your way to success. Unless your child is "the best" at something, they very well may slip through the cracks due to the size of the school and attitudes toward competition. My stepdaughter's friends - while some were very nice - were undeniably spoiled. Although the student population is diverse racially, the economic class is not diverse. One reviewer says the parents are accomplished and bring that "energy" to the school - I find that energy to mostly be living vicariously through their children, not allowing their children to experience consequences of poor decisions and often, giving their children various anxiety & drug problems due to pressure to get in the "right" colleges, look the "right" way and hang out with the "right" crowd. I'm very middle class and don't have a "chip on my shoulder" regarding money, but no matter how much money I had I would not want to have my kid learn these values.
—Submitted by a parent

The two stars are for the teachers, who are overall friendly and good people. However, Churchill has an extreme bullying problem that needs to be handled. Kids will gang up on other kids, and pick a target and turn the entire school against them. Churchill has one of the highest rates of children transferring schools because someone decided to turn everyone against them. Class of 2011, 2012, and 2013 are the worst and the children try to emulate the rude actions of those older than them. People are excluded unless they grew up with the kids meaning new kids are not welcomed. Stay away from this school unless you are rich, blonde, and Jewish. I'm not being racist or rude, but it's the truth that anyone who went to Churchill knows.

Winston Churchill High School has a very friendly atmosphere. My child is in the Bridge program, which is children that need extra support with transitions and social situations (lots of high-functioning autistic children and the like). He is incredibly happy at school for the first time in his life, and the administration has gone out of its way to make sure he can be included in activities with the non-Bridge children.
—Submitted by a parent

My step-son is having a great time and getting a great education there.

I am a student there and I love my school!
—Submitted by a student

I loved Churchill! I graduated last year and coming from Churchill helped me greatly with getting into college. I am very prepared with all my college work because of what I had to do at Churchill. It can be hard at some times, but that only helps you later in life. Some departments (foreign language) did not seem to be as good as some of the others (math and science) but most of the teachers are very good. I really enjoyed my 4 years at this school and believe I got a very good education.
—Submitted by a student

I'm so proud of the work my daughter's doing in Churchill!! This is a great school and affords the kids so many opportunities - the student base is diverse, the programs are world-class, the teachers are among the best and very dedicated and having gone to this school is undoubtedly going to help my kid get into a great college. Highly recommend it for ambitious students.
—Submitted by a parent

teachers are terrible, work is hard, kids are self centered
—Submitted by a parent

I really liked the school, great teachers, especially if you're in the sciences. You know what I mean if you've ever had Boppana. And for the person who rated this as a two, I think it's safe to say that you aren't a parent, because how would you know that?
—Submitted by a student

As a former student, I could not have asked for a better high school experience! The teachers were very knowledgeable in their subjects and extremely available in offering extra help. The majority are very friendly and seem interested in really getting to know the individual student. The classes are challenging but teachers find ways to incorporate different teaching techniques and make the content as fun as they can. There are countless clubs & sports & activities available; there's almost no reason a student could feel left out - literally something for just about everyone (from the clubs to to student-run pulications (I personally was on 2 of the 3) to competitive varsity sports). The only downside is the student population; there's an attitude of spoiled children who know how to work hard but often look for the easy out. Students are diverse in interests, but not usually really otherwise. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!
—Submitted by a student

Awesome academics, terrible group of kids. It's a completely overrated school. A lot of the students are extremely snobby and stuck up. I know people say that you'll find this in any school, but in WCHS, there is a much higher percentage of it.

There are many things I like abut this school. The academics are great with some outstanding teachers and fanastic test score. There is also a wide variety of electives, many extracurricular activities, and a lot of great sports programs. Being a former student at Churchill, I noticed that socially, this school can have problems, especially since there is a large student body. It seems that it is hard to fit in if you are not in the 'popular' crowd. Dr. Joan Benz has done a fantastic job trying to improve this with her long work of experience being a principal.
—Submitted by a parent

Churchill high is a truly great school. It is really challenging for teh academics, while also placing a equally high value on extra curricular. Overall i believe this school is one of the best in America!
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great public high school. It is large and both benifits and suffers. There is a great diversity of special options (e.g. AP Music) but it is a bit daunting. My children had very different needs and managed to find their nitch and get considerable individual attention. I wish they had gotten more interested in science, but probably can't blame the school for this. The parents tend to be very accomplished in their own professional life and bring some of this energy to the school.
—Submitted by a parent

Although academics at Churchill are excellent it is hard to fit in socially if you are not in the 'popular' group. Unfortunately, kids who are not popular tend to get swallowed up in the large size of the school. Some teachers and administration tend to favor popular kids. I am glad to be out!
—Submitted by a former student