Thomas S. Wootton High School

Since Dr. Doran has been at this school it has dropped in rankings. The students are getting short changed. Staff is not as good as it was years ago. Time for new leadership. It is a decent school not a great school.
—Submitted by a parent

Thomas S. Wootton High School is a great school where provides many regular classes, honor classes, AP classes and many after school activities. The students are good there. The teachers and consolers are very professional and responsible. The wootton parents are really involved into the school activities. My son spent four years great time there without parents' worries; and he has transferred over 30 college credits from Wootton into his college, which is one of the top universities. Many thanks to Wootton High school.
—Submitted by a parent

I am currently a junior at Wootton. I'm taking 4 AP classes but one of them is a double period science. Most teachers are usually available before and after school and during one or two lunch periods. They and the administration definitely pressure you to take AP classes, which is great, but they also pressure you to go to at least a couple of after school activities. Many of the people on sports teams practice until 4:30, then go home and do seven hours of homework. If you can handle that type of workload, go for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't get behind on your homework. I've read several reviews on here that complain about the students not being welcoming or friendly. The problem isn't that we're mean but that many of us are excruciatingly awkward. What you may conceive as being "unwelcoming" is probably our attempt at a friendly conversation. Don't take it personally :D
—Submitted by a student

I went to Wootton and just graduated~I LOVE this school !!!! Students here work hard and have fun at the same time~ The teachers here are all very patient and nice. They'll even stay after school to help students with tests and homework. The principal is also very humorous. Most students here have no problem getting into top in-state schools.
—Submitted by a student

Yes, you can argue that Wootton has superb academic standing. And you may even argue that the athletic stance of the school is great. But if you're not a super genius or have pressuring parents, I don't see how any student can be satisfied. I entered the school system late into my 8th grade year, and was automatically placed into Wootton. My parents have always seen me as really smart, and I've always gotten good grades. But the curriculum here moves so much faster than I'm prepared for that I moved out of Honors Matter & Energy after failing the unit test. But the regular Matter & Energy was even worse. While I could keep up with the curriculum, I was getting straight A's. So at Wootton, all you're getting is immense pressure and speed to be a super genius or you feel stupid for not keeping up. In addition, the sports also play a huge roll in the school. If you don't play a sport or excell at any particular subject, you're kind of left behind. And by the way, for all those out there who doubt me, if you're getting B's, you're getting good grades. C's are mediocre, D's are bad, and failing is an actual F. Or, as it is here, an E.
—Submitted by a student

READ THIS REVIEW!! Okay, Wootton has academic superiority. Awesome. But from my understanding, that is the only thing they care about. If you are an A+ student you'll do great. But if you're anywhere under that, you'll have trouble keeping up. I am currently a sophomore at Wootton and this is my first year here. I had the worst first impression and it never got better. No one made me feel welcomed. Good luck being a high school student with no freinds and average grades. I would never think that there is a high school in this country with as little school spirit. I would bet you anything that half the kids don't even know what the mascot is, because I forget too. No one cares about their school. It's so trashy. It just makes you stressed out when you think you have to get perfect grades to live up to the teachers' expectations. As a student, take my advice. The only reason these parents are rating it 5 stars is because their kid is getting perfect grades. My Honors Chemistry teacher told me to check into Regular Chem after having a solid C. As a student with a love for music, the sad excuss of a music department was sickening. I honestly hope Dr. Doran sees this. Thanks for reading
—Submitted by a parent

Wooton High School has done a terrific job preparing both of my kids for their college education. The workloads that they experienced (particularly in their Junior years) were very intense and simulated worloads experienced in college. As Seniors, the school offers a variety of learning options such as internships for credit and College Institutes. Combined with the emphasis on AP classes, many students enter their college career with a semester or more of credits. Student activities are plentiful ranging from sports to clubs to music. Spirit is encouraged and evident at various competitive events.The principal does an outstanding job of communicating with a weekly recorded phone call out to the parents, informing them of various issues of a timely nature. Culturely the school is diverse, with almost 1/3 of the student population being of Asian decent. Parent involvement is mixed.

this school shows academic amzingness in every sense!
—Submitted by a student

It is a great school with outstanding academics and extracurricular activities.
—Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school before we moved. Great school district but they promote bullying instead of working to prevent it. My son saw kids bullying others all the time. Thank goodness we were only there for a few months....bad influence. there were two kids in particular that always found it funny to make fun of others. they were never reprimanded. A pity.
—Submitted by a parent

Currently, I'm a junior and very excited to be a senior next year. Though the stereotypical answer from a student in school is wanting to be as far away from it as possible, but we have students who are there from when the doors open at 6:15 until it closes around 5. Students aren't at school merely for the purpose of passing school and such, but to expand their knowledge. I'm a part of numerous clubs, on sports teams, and maintain a GPA above a 3.5. I have taken classes ranging from AP and honors credited ones and I know that I wouldn't have had a chance to be a part of in another school. Go Patriots!
—Submitted by a student

A drop from 17 to 57 hardly means anything at all. As long as Wootton stays in the top 100 IN THE NATION, then we'll be fine. Dr. Doran is helping to make the school more well rounded. As far as success goes, Wootton is what you make of it. If you work hard and get help when its available and when you need it, you will succeed. Furthermore, there are all types of kids here, and unlike typical cliches of dumb jocks and supernerds, all types of students try their best here. I've met several football players with 4.0s,etc. As a rising senior, I feel very proud and fortunate to have gone to a great school like Wootton. One last piece of advice: get involved. Wootton has tons of opportunities. I've attended almost all of our football and basketball and have joined many clubs.
—Submitted by a student

Wootton has now dropped in the rankings from 17 to 57. Dr. Doran the principal is focused more on sports than academics. Average students do not do well here.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a great shool that is fortunate to have an outstanding educator as the principal. Student do extraordanarily well -- getting into the nations best colleges as well as beyond. Although demographics such as high educational attainments of parents and consequent high income may also be a factor.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a senior at Wootton High School and it is a great school. AP and higher level courses defintely make you think outside of the box and they expect you to perform at a college level. Although we are known to be one of the best public schools in the nation, our sports programs are beoming increasingly better. Both the soccer and basketball teams made it far into the playoffs, as well as Lacross becoming the State Runners-Up and Ice Hockey as the State Champs. While some can be a little close-minded and spoiled, everyone is very friendly. Their are cliques but everyone has friends
—Submitted by a student

Wootton is an amazing school! We are absolutely thrilled that are kids go to school there. The principal is the best, academics amazing (but very tough), and teachers always available for help before, during lunch and after school. We wanted a house in the Churchill district-very glad we chose Wootton instead!
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from Wootton High School and can say without a doubt that I was fully prepared for college courses as well as college life. The available options at the school are great from the classes offered to the after school clubs. From year to year the school spirit was never something to speak of but every graduate comes away with a comprehensive set of skills. In college I have found that my high school education (slightly above average at Wootton) was far better than that of my college peers. The plays and drama program at Wootton are great!
—Submitted by a former student

Wootton has been a huge disappointment to me and my child. We bought our house because of Wootton. We've had numerous problems due to their clerical errors that continue to affect my child. The students are not very receptive to new students. My child won't eat the lunches there. This school is no better than the school we left in another state. They talk to talk but they don't walk the walk. Overall, it's an average school.
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two students attend Wootton. I think the school is great for students who are self sufficient, but for those who are average they get lost in the shuffle. That said, I have always thought of it as a safe school and generally good. Parental involvement is high, they put on great shows with the drama department and the honors programs are challenging.
—Submitted by a parent

Wootton is an excellent school. Their academic program covers everything a student might need to make the best colleges. the class of '06 had 8 students who made IVy league schools, over 100 made Maryland university, and most are planning to attend college. There is a very diverse ethnic population , though. Also, there seems to be some substance abuse by students, but not on school premises
—Submitted by a student