Urbana H.S. vs. Gov. Thomas Johnson H.S. (Frederick: high schools, college)

[donnamp]

Hello,

We are new to the school system in Frederick Maryland and we are considering both Urbana H.S. and Gov. Thomas Johnson H.S. Would love some honest feedback on both schools. Potentially we're interested in the Academy of Fine Arts at TJ or the IB program at Urbana.

Again, would love to hear your honest reviews about both schools. I know what the published stats say about test scores, socioeconomic make up of the student body - but what about things like drugs, bullying, cliques, quality of teachers, sense of community, inclusiveness etc.

thanks so much -

Donna

[westsideboy]

Urbana is best considered Montgomery County north, it is a mostly commuter suburban community. The Gov'na is a school that draws kids from Frederick city limits; a more mixed bag in terms of race, income level, economic class, etc.

I don't know enough to recommend one over the other, but my BILs went to Urbana and had zero problems there and were well prepared for college.

[HoCoMom]

My granddaughter graduated from Urbana - the IB program. Also played sports there. Never heard a complaint from her or her parents. She had a full tuition academic scholarship for college.

[MidValleyDad]

Originally Posted by donnamp

Hello,

We are new to the school system in Frederick Maryland and we are considering both Urbana H.S. and Gov. Thomas Johnson H.S. Would love some honest feedback on both schools. Potentially we're interested in the Academy of Fine Arts at TJ or the IB program at Urbana.

Again, would love to hear your honest reviews about both schools. I know what the published stats say about test scores, socioeconomic make up of the student body - but what about things like drugs, bullying, cliques, quality of teachers, sense of community, inclusiveness etc.

thanks so much -

Donna

When you say you are considering one over the other do you mean you are considering living in the attendance area for one or the other. I ask because some people think they can choose which school they go to no matter which district they live in. It used to be fairly easy to get an 'out of district waiver' in Frederick county but it has tightened up in the last 5 years or so.

Both schools have some of the widest range of courses of any Frederick County high schools. As I have said many times before the big differences in the education your child gets is the amount of parental involvement. The kids who have concerned and involved parents will do very well in either school.

[HoCoMom]

You don't have to live in Urbana district for your child to attend their IB program. But he/she has to qualify and be admitted to the program. If that does happen I believe the parents are responsible for transportation to and from school daily. I know my daughter was in a carpool with other parents.

I would imagine the Fine Arts Academy at TJ would work the same way as they are programs not offered at every school.