James Hubert Blake High School

Blake is a wonderful high school, especially for students who want to excel academically, and are interested and proficient in the arts, whether visual arts or performing arts. There is so much being offered in the area of the arts and humanities. Additionally, the academics are very good for honors and AP students. My children chose to come to Blake after having attended private school. Not all students are good students, but achievers will find plenty of achievers to relate to.
—Submitted by a parent

Amazing music, art, media and theater!! Students are fun to work with. Strong academic program and great staff.

I think, overall, Blake is a good school. I feel it has a safte enviornment; thanks to our amazing security staff, & I never feel afraid to go to school. Most teachers possess passion for the topics they teach, & it's a healthy enviornment for my academic growth. I'm not too sure it's, 'Arts & Humanities' specialty stacks up as much as it would like to believe, but out drama program is thriving; & I greatly appreciate our Black Box Theatre, & dance studio. Not to mention our photography red room. 4 stars
—Submitted by a student

Before actually coming here, I was so siced to go here. Everybody was as a matter of fact. However, now im so happy that it's the end of the year. A lot of people got dissapointed about this school, they thought it was going to be really cool and fun like how the people who actually stay say, but of course now we realized they just did that, because they wanna rep they school. I wouldn't suggest going here. Unfortunately, i didn't transfer out so im stuck here another year, but my friends that are going th springbrook and paint branch are happy. The school has nice facilities, and the teachers are okay. People get excited for nothing though. Though the school looks nice, think really hard before coming here.
—Submitted by a student

I am a sophomore at this school, and I recommend you think things through before going here. The facilities are one of the nicest, yet this is pretty much the only upside of this school. In this school, the students aren't really open and welcoming to each other, and they usually just stick with the group they came in with. And plus, the school is really boring. To be honest, most of the students here don't like it, and every year a whole bunch of people leave to go to other schools (springbrook mostly) and they say they like it much better there.So i myself and a bunch of other people are transfering to Springbrook.The students here aren't as social as you'd think, and I know the teachers try very hard,it's just that the school is boring,has drama over little things, and people get excited to go here for nothing.
—Submitted by a student

i went to blake for a year. then transferred to Springbrook (which I believe is the better of the three NEC High Schools in Montgomery County). At Blake, (please excuse my 'french') I noticed a drastic change in my friends. They went to regular teenagers, to party hoppers and very sexual with other people. I feel like once you step through the doors at Blake, you lose yourself in the mix. (not the good kind, as you can see). There are a lot of fake people there, and they need to grow up and need a reality check. Although the Pep Rallies are amazing, it seems Blake is only good for partying and having a good time socially, not as an educational environment. If your child wishes to go to this school, I as a former student recomend you think this through,as it may change your lifestyle just as much theirs.
—Submitted by a student

I had a child that graduated from Blake and we were not satisfied with the school. Blake did not perpare my child for college academics and he took honor and AP classes while at Blake. My other child transfered from Blake to another school in the NEC and we are more than pleased with the transfer. While we were at Blake, my children were not challenged academically and we found their athletic programs to be very biased and unfair. That facilities are great, but the academics and social environments need great improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

Blake is a wonderful school with many offerings for almost any student. Students from other public and private schools, alike, will usually find Blake very appealing. The arts are amazing. The academics are very good, and the drama/art/music/tv production/journalism are the best. Blake has many wonderful teachers, and a few that aren't the best. Overall experience for my children has been great. Blake offers 21 AP classes. Students can also take college level math classes at the school (or nearby school), taught by a college instructor. Students can earn college credit while in high school. The honors and AP classes are the best classes, besides the arts. The principal is a very talented administrator. Most of the students are great, but some are not. They school is best for the involved student and involved parents.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a student at this school, and to me the main reason a lot of people want to go here is because its new. That's practically tha only reason most of my friends went here, but if you are looking for a fun school I wouldn't suggest going here. I am a freshmen, and my experience has been absolutely boring. School is suppose to be exciting, this one is not. But i must admit the teachers truly do a good job, its just that its boring.
—Submitted by a student

We have two children who currently attend Blake. We are very happy with the excellent teachers and staff. The principle is very involved and supportive. She seems to know most of the children by name as she greets them in the halls. Blake offers a quality, well rounded education. There are plenty of extracurricular activities such as clubs and sports to appeal to everyone. They are encouraged and most students seem to be very involved and interested in exploring all the school has to offer. Many Honors and AP classes are offered and encouraged. We are very happy with our experiences so far at Blake. The school's staff, coaches, parents and students are all supportive and interested in the success of each student here at Blake.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the best school my son has ever attended. By far better than any other school in teh area
—Submitted by a parent

I think Blake is a good school, only in my freshmen year. The teachers don't want you to fail and hold study groups at lunch and after school, they will specifically call you in if you are failing their class. The school helps you get prepared for college and expect all of their students to graduate and attend college. Blake is a well organized and social school.
—Submitted by a student

My son is a freshman at Blake this year and I am extremely pleased with his adjustment to high school. He's performing very well academically and receives regular encouragement and support from his teachers. Parent involvement at the school is high and the students benefit from the diverse student body. I believe we made the best choice with Blake High School!
—Submitted by a parent

I have had two children attend Blake. This school has strong positives: a highly capable and enthusiastic principal (Carole Goodman); a terrific physical facility (building new in '98 and expansive athletic fields); strong emphasis on honors/ AP courses (makes Newsweek's top schools list). Faculty overall is good, but spotty. Popularity of the school led to overcrowdng that impairs student-faculty interaction. Guidance and other services are impersonal and could improve. Blake has lost some top teachers in recent few years, which raises questions about whether retention of top performers is a high priority. In 2007-08, the school moved to an 'academy' structure, creating student cohorts within classes along core interests, from the arts and humanities to business, science and technology. It is too early to tell whether this new themed structure will benefit students. Student social life overall seems healthy, peaceable.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Blake is an OK school. Everything about it is amazing except the students.
—Submitted by a student

I am a current student of blake high school. I am very happy with this school, the drama dept. Is amazing, if your kid is interested in drama, chorus, or band i highly recommend this school. Blake also has wonderful t.V media classes. I love blake and always will be a bengal!
—Submitted by Graham Flessas, a student

Principal Goodman has single-handedly led Blake to become one of the top high schools in a very distinguished school district. The school is a beautiful modern complex (opened '98) and offers a special arts and humanities curriculum. If your child aspires to dance, act or perform, many choices exist here. The athletic facilities, with sport-specific fields, are unlike any other public school. Teacher quality is good but spotty. School's popularity has recently led to some overcrowding. Major complaint is that Blake's heavy emphasis on Honors and AP courses tends to leave struggling students behind. Students who need extra help, in my experience, are generally ignored, while talented achievers are given much attention. If your student is strong academically, Blake can be a solid choice. But a student dealing with mild learning disabilities or organizational immaturity could easily become lost, overwhlemed and forgotten.
—Submitted by a parent

James Hubert Blake High School is an amazing school and I would not have chosen any other school in the NEC. I am currently entering 11th grade at Blake and I could not be happier. I love all the clubs and champion sports at the school. I love the diversity and the fact that all the kids like being around those who are different. I love the staff and the Principal. I have never seen nor heard of a more involved principal than Mrs. Goodman. Blake is awsome. BENGAL PRIDE!
—Submitted by a student

Blake is a good public school, not great, but not bad. Wonderful facilty (bacause it is new), and OK programs; my kid did ok there.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is currently a junior at Blake and we couldn't be happier with her decision to attend this school. I don't know what the other parents are talking about but my child came from a private school with a very rigorous academic program and has found it to be just as challenging at Blake in the honors and AP programs. Additionally, we have been thrilled with the parent involvement and have made many new friends through the school activities. Add to all this that the facility itself is beautiful and you have a great school. Only drawbacks are not enough parking and school is rapidly becoming overcrowded as others in the NEC recognize the strengths of this wonderful school.
—Submitted by a parent