Need info on best schools around Bethesda, Gaithersberg, SS, or Chevy Chase area? (Silver Spring: neighborhood)

[DocBC]

Moving to the area next year for training with the Navy and need to keep my kids in good schools especially my son for football. I would like to stay close to the Naval hospital if possible or atleast not too far due to traffic. Any suggestions?

[Bagira]

bethesda-cc, walter johnson, richard montgomery, the first 2 are in bethesda, and north bethesda, other rockville widely considered one of the best in the area. There seems to be considerable drop off after these 3.

[khelawanj]

I am an educator in the county and chevy chase and bethesda have some of the best schools in the county....Churchill, BCC, Whitman, Walter Johnson...Anywhere in that area you will be fine. Are you searching for high schools? In Silver Spring, Blair is a good school, they have a magnet program there. Richard Montgomery in Rockville is also a good school.

[sundaze]

The best schools for students who go to school in their neighborhood, as opposed to those in magnet progams, are Walt Whitman (Bethesda), Churchill (Potomac), and Wooten ("North Potomac"). The magnet programs at Richard Montgomery and Montgomery Blair are very competitive and to my knowledge do not have all that much to offer non-magnet students. My daughter graduated from Blair when the magnet program was beginning. That program had its own wing and no classes with the "regular" students. It brought up test score averages for the school, but that was by bringing in superior students from elsewhere and did nothing for local students. I am not that familiar with the upcounty schools, but would go for Whitman or Churchill first, then Wooten. BCC and Walter Johnson are other choices but not as good as those I mention. Beyond that -- I don't know. My son graduated from Churchill and had a terrific educational experience compared to my daughter at Blair.

[koofie]

I enjoyed my Blair experience (graduated in 1996, non magnet). Their football team was... ??? I don't know because no one went to the games.

I taught in Bethesda and our kids went to Walter Johnson, and it is a good high school. Most in the county are good, but I know nothing about their football teams.

[sundaze]

Originally Posted by koofie

I enjoyed my Blair experience (graduated in 1996, non magnet). Their football team was... ??? I don't know because no one went to the games.

I taught in Bethesda and our kids went to Walter Johnson, and it is a good high school. Most in the county are good, but I know nothing about their football teams.

Koofie, I think my daughter enjoyed her Blair experience also. Lots of great parties. However I think my son got a much better education at Churchill. I don't know anything about football.