Bowie High School

Posted: January 13, 2026

There are so many disturbing things to cite about this school, starting with the incredulous population of 2600+ kids. That’s over 600 students per grade level, and there’s simply not enough space or resources to support a community of this size.

In the highest tax paying city in the county, this school leave so much to the imagination. The facilities are outdated and worn down. The hallways are dark and dingy. The teachers are lackluster; they don’t even assign homework. I assume bc they don’t want the responsibility of grading 600+ assignments several times per week. There’s no homeroom classes. There’s not enough lockers to accommodate students and assignments come a month into the school year. Students walk around in their coats and carrying all their belongings all day long. Good luck catching the IT staffer who manages the schools’ devices, WiFi, etc. He’s unresponsive and unavailable always. The multipurpose/lunch room overflows. I couldn’t even witness my daughter’s first high school honors experience bc they don’t have space to accommodate parents. All of this is the perfect pressure cooker, and it’s no wonder that there’s a fight at least twice a week.

It’s so disappointing and embarrassing that this is the neighborhood school. We all, especially the students, deserve better and for our tax dollars.

Posted: January 13, 2026

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Posted: October 26, 2025

My opinion of Bowie high is the safety I wouldn’t not recommend this school for one for two it needs to be a uniform school every child needs to be in sync with each other the dress code, the students do not follow and the staff don’t enforce the rules of the school the security of the the building is not fully guaranteed for the students, cause every time you turn around it’s always something different happening at Bowie high school or maybe it’s not (enough security) officers in the building . The security of the school needs to be more hands on and alert when it comes to their kids The education the teachers don’t communicate with the parents enough in my opinion I wish there’s more communication open for parents with teachers when it comes to their grades education needs of the students

Posted: October 26, 2025

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Posted: September 2, 2025

If you love your kids, you wouldn't send them to this school. You can't walk up to the school without walking through clouds of weed smoke. If you want your kids to succeed, find another place.

Posted: September 2, 2025

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Posted: March 9, 2024

My child is a current student here and the experience has been great. The teachers, administrators, coaches, and resource officers are all supportive. My child is in the homeland security/criminal justice program and is planning to take college courses at Bowie State University through the dual enrollment program. The marching band is the best in the County, if not the State. The athletic department is well managed and well coached with several of the sports teams competing in playoffs/championships.

Posted: March 9, 2024

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Posted: February 7, 2024

Great School it is very safe and your child is in good hands at this school. The education was top teir and your child will really learn and thrive at this school.

Posted: February 7, 2024

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Posted: February 1, 2024

In my 3+ yrs as a student at BHS, I have had many great teachers. Overall, they have been very caring and supportive. Because of them, I am getting into the college of my choice! My biggest complaint about the school is the building itself. The school building is old. It needs new bathrooms and stuff like that. But when I compare my stories to my friends at other schools, I am very happy with my experience at Bowie.

Posted: February 1, 2024

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Posted: January 24, 2024

We came to this school from another nearby district, and I have been very impressed. The teachers have high expectations for the students, and the principal / administrators have been very responsive & communicative. The athletics programs are well-organized and well-supported, and their are many creative and performing arts options for students as well. My child and I are very happy at Bowie High School.

Posted: January 24, 2024

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Posted: November 18, 2023

While no school is perfect, overall both of my kids have found their niches academically and socially at Bowie High School. The Marching Band is excellent and has a very strong support for the kids and the Summit Program provides a challenging and academically enriching learning environment. While we have had some frustration with slow response from teachers and administrators, the principal has been very responsive.

Posted: November 18, 2023

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Posted: February 15, 2023

This school is not managed effectively. The special education program does not function as intended and the program leadership lacks follow-through.. For a student transitioning into/ back into the public setting the appropriate supports are not in place. It is too easy for kids to be able to come and go from the main building as there is very limited to no security provided outside of the building. With this school my suggestion is to not believe the hype of its location. While not the worst school in PG County it is also certainly not the best. And the principal is of no support and does not seem to understand the majorty demographic of the students that attend his school.

Posted: February 15, 2023

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Posted: May 11, 2021

I can’t give more than 2 stars because my child’s academic advisor was absolutely awful. No words can express my level of disappoint in her apathy, unprofessionalism and rudeness. My child missed so many opportunities, especially scholarships, because this advisor refused to do her job. The school has not done anything about this person the last I checked. Thank goodness my child graduated and can move on with her life.

Posted: May 11, 2021

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Posted: January 8, 2019

Posted: January 8, 2019

They need to revamp over 50% of the teachers. Students seem to have more control.

Posted: January 8, 2019

Spoken to atleast 5 parents, three had kids in AP classes who stated that is the only way to stray away from classroom fights and rudeness that is going on in the class rooms. For those kids that weren't in the AP classes said the same thing. The teachers should not be afraid of the disruptive students, send them home every time to the point, their mothers (most likely single mothers with no father figure in their life) get tired of them being at home and may actually try to straighten their kid out.

Posted: January 8, 2019

Get the right person at the head then everything should follow. Need to have control over the students that they are busing from the lower end schools from the county, like Seat Pleasant and etc.

Posted: January 8, 2019

the kids i did ask who go there said teachers pretty much keep it moving to stay on schedule.

Posted: January 8, 2019

There wouldn't be as many fights and bullying in the hallway if they took action like they are suppose to. Once again, it starts at the top.

Posted: January 8, 2019

It wasn't great when my daughter attended back 2012 and now have a middle child getting ready to enter this fall, totally considering moving out the county just because of the school system. The community is great, it's the kids at the school, surprised that it is even scoring a 5 out of 10.

Posted: August 17, 2018

Depends on the teacher and class overall

Posted: August 17, 2018

There are a few really good teachers, but most of them are pretty meh, even some of the AP teachers aren’t that great (AP World and AP Art History in particular).

Posted: August 17, 2018

Most of the kids are jerks who don’t care about school and ruin the experience for those who do. Even to so called “Smart” kids regularly use their phones during class and then whine about how the teacher doesn’t teach. I’ve had MANY classes with decent teachers ruined by an awful class. They’re generally obnoxious know-it-alls who think they’re too good for school and are smarter than the teacher, but can’t show up to a class on time or listen to basic instructions. Or just dumb stuff like getting into fights or BRINGING FREAKING FIREWORKS TO SCHOOL. And they wonder why we can’t have nice things like open lunch, they simply wouldn’t be able to handle it.

Posted: August 17, 2018

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Posted: August 17, 2018

(Remember, this review is from the perscpeitve of a Summit student, Bowie’s program for those who are generally considered their best students coming in)
Overall my experience at Bowie so far (I’m going to be a senior in September) hasn’t been stellar. Setting aside personal stuff, it’s just not that great of a school. The Teachers in generally are pretty meh. There are some really good one (like the Summit English 10 teacher), but most of them are just ok. The bad teachers are REALLY bad. Even some of the AP teachers are pretty bad (AP World and AP Art History). From my experience, the French teacher, Algebra II teacher, and chemistry teachers are all quite bad. (If you’re thinking about going here, PLEASE get as many language credits as possible in Middle school). The Technology department is a complete joke, there whole weeks in Tech Design class where we did precisely nothing at all. The building isn’t great, and the bathrooms often lack basics like soap and paper towels.
However, in my opinion the WORST part of Bowie is the students. Most of them are obnoxious jerks who don’t take the opportunity they were given seriously at all. Even the so called “smart” kid use their phones in class and regularly fail to do basic instructions. I’ve had so many classes with decent teachers made terrible by an awful class. They just do not care, and it unfortunately holds back the kids who really do. And the teachers usually just let it slide. They show up late to class with a chick fil a bag in hand and face no consequences. Or turn in assignments three months late and it’s still accepted. They can’t even get quiet at a freakin assembly for god sakes. Yet they still complain and whine about how they can’t to this and this teacher sucks (even though they don’t even try to listen during their class) and blah blah blah. Hey, maybe we don’t have open lunch because you guys clearly wouldn’t be able to handle it. The dumbest incident I’ve ever seen in school was when some geniuses decided to bring FIREWORKS and SMOKE BOMBS to our school and had the entire school sitting outside for over a hour, wasting time. Not to mention the fights. They honestly take what is an average, meh school and make it worse.
So yeah, overall not a great school. (Also, the Summit program is essentially meaningless after 9th grade, just adds more graduation requirements

Posted: February 22, 2018

Bowie High School is not the worst school in the area, that’s true. Doesn’t change the fact that it’s an overcrowded, underfunded mess. There are no resources, the heat doesn’t work, most teachers are downright awful and the students are out of control.

Posted: February 22, 2018

Teachers either assign far too much homework or none at all, depending on the level of the class

Posted: February 22, 2018

There are a few teachers that are AMAZING; these are restricted to AP or Summit classes, however. Most are happy with their tenure and provide subpar education. The math department is particularly bad; more students fail algebra than any other class.

Posted: February 22, 2018

There are CONSTANT problems with violence, drug deals, bullying and vandalism. It is far too easy for students to skip class and wander the halls. Students are more concerned with either keeping their head down or causing trouble to develop a strong sense of responsibility. Good role models are few and far between as most adults have simply given up.

Posted: February 22, 2018

The principal and administration sit in the office all day chatting and have no idea what happens during the day. They could not be more disconnected if they tried.

Posted: February 22, 2018

The support staff for students with disabilities are downright awful. They harshly parade the students around the hallls, yelling at them or simply ignoring their needs.

Posted: February 22, 2018

The school policy on bullying is one of the worst i have even seen. There are no resources. There is no discipline. Reports of bullying to guidance result in a “peer conference” where the bully and bullied are placed in a room and equal blame is given to both parties.

Posted: January 29, 2018

The administration is more concerned with updating the school Twitter than anything else And takes no responsibility for any of the many serious issues, includidnh teacher neglect, fighting, drug use, and the poor shape of the building

Posted: January 29, 2018

Special ed teachers are often seen yelling at or straight up ignoring the special needs students

Posted: January 29, 2018

Any and al reports of bullying are either ignored or referred to a “peer mediation,” essentially sticking the bully and the bullied in a room together and hoping for the best.

Posted: January 29, 2018

My experience as a student at Bowie High has been awful. The building is disgusting, full of roaches and rats, and crumbling in some places. There are never enough resources like soap, paper, tissues, etc. Security does little to nothing to control rowdy students and fights are a constant. The cafeteria is disgusting and not kids eat out of the vending machines. Administration spends all the funds on sports- like a brand new football field- and ignores academics entirely, despite the fact that the football team hasn’t won a homecoming game in over a decade. There are a few amazing teachers but most others have either given up or contribute to the chaos actively. The school is HUGELY overcrowded, despite there being an entire separate building for the freshmen, and there is never enough to go around. Attempts at school spirit are openly mocked and every student counts down until graduation, when they can get the hell out of here.

Posted: January 29, 2018

Students are given little to no homework help, and are piled on with assignment after assignment whether it is managable or not; mainly to make up for lost classroom time

Posted: January 29, 2018

There are a few teachers who are great, but the vast majority either don’t care or have been worn out by rioutos students

Posted: January 29, 2018

There are more fights at Bowie High than in most prisons, and there is a MASSIVE bullying problem that goes unaddressed.

Posted: May 17, 2017

My child has homework everyday. The new Principal is great. They are moving in the right direction. May God bless the students and staff!

Posted: May 17, 2017

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One of the kids with a learning difference was allowed to play on the basketball team. Parents/Students/Staff all support him.

Posted: May 17, 2017

Posted: May 3, 2017

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Posted: May 3, 2017

In all honestly i hate Bowie, little is done toward education( no homework or reviews) half of the students can barely pass in my class. The admins suspend children for no reason when there are bigger problems in the school . From jumping kids, lighting fires in the bathroom, and many teachers only teach from the book which many kids can not follow. Bowie is more concerned with looking good then helping students understanding the work. Please do not send your kids here unless you want them to sit around for 8 hours and learn nothing. Another thing teachers at Bowie do a terrible job at teaching so after school there is tutoring for upwards of $40 dollars a hour for learning that should be taught in class and free.

Posted: May 3, 2017

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Posted: February 3, 2017

Summit Scholars program is amazing and very recommended. Overall a solid school with a lot to offer to all demographics. Good teachers and a great new principle moving the school forward.

Posted: January 23, 2015

If you are nervous about sending you r child to Bowie here's everything you need to know. Urge your child to try for the SUMMIT program, this is program gives your child higher classes from the very first day of 9th grade. Also there are at the max 65 kids in the program for your grade. These are the kids that your child will be around for the next 4 years. To get into the program you have to have at-least a 3.0 all throughout their 7th grade year and the 1st quarter of their 8th year, with no behavior problems. If they don't make SUMMIT then try to get them into honors classes.But make sure that they are involved in extracurricular activities, they definitely help seperate the people that you should steer away from and the people you should start getting close to and be around with. This will keep your child out of trouble AND have good high school years . ~CLASS OF 2015 WE OUT!!!!!!!!!!

Posted: November 28, 2014

excellent teachers, cooperative administration, great resources for parents to participate and contributing to the school.

Posted: June 26, 2014

The Honors and AP classes are great and most of those students work hard. I have heard that it is different in many of the regular classes.

Posted: April 28, 2014

its alright unorganized at times and underfunded but its still alright, could do better with the math teachers and their inability to speak fluent english; A lot of the other reviews are bad and bashing the teachers but its not completely their fault, We still have the highest test scores in the county so to call us stupid is asinine -current bowie high student class of 2015

Posted: April 24, 2014

This school is not up to par academically. I have met with counselors and administrators about disruptive behavior during my child's class. In September 2013 I repeatedly made them aware of my concerns because I am a parent who truly cares about my child's education. As of April 2014 nothing has improved. The teachers do not give students feedback. They fail to give tests or homework back to the students in order to allow them an opportunity to improve and enhance their performance. Teachers spend more of their time out of the classroom instead of teaching the class and insuring those students that want to learn actually can. Seriously the teachers need to stop getting paid to do nothing and get some teachers who really care about educating our children.

Posted: February 18, 2014

From the first day of registration, my experience with this school has been poor. The students are out of control. They don't listen to the teachers. The staff is unprofessional. Everything that the school secretary, Mrs. Lee told us was false. As far as their "No Bullying policy", that's a joke. There are fights there almost daily according to my child. I would definitely consider another school if you're able. I wish I had looked at the reviews before I enrolled my child, which took almost 2 weeks because they would not accept my proofs of residency. I've never had such a traumatic experience with a school. It's an awful school. This is my opinion, and I am very much into my child's education. I am sure some others may not agree, but this is my honest opinion from what I've experienced at Bowie High School. Also if you saw other reviews on this school, you would definitely see that there is definitely a cause for concern at this High School.

Posted: December 9, 2013

I was a former 2011 graduate, this school is beyond terrible, Even though I'm in college, I felt like I learned nothing. I feel like the teachers do not have discipline so of course the students Will not have any. I honestly feel like the majority of the teachers there are only there for the paychecks. Not the importance of teaching, not importance I students learning everyday. I felt like they didn't try hard enough to prepare students for the next level education. While in 11th grade, one of my worst years there, I discovered not only did the school care about teaching, they don't care about getting permanent teachers. For example, my English 11 never had a permanent teacher. The first week of school our teacher was a HSA coordinator. After a couple months she left, then we had a substitute for a couple months. Then about the February we finally received a certified teacher. In my 10th grade year, Spanish was the same runaround with the teachers. First there was a real teacher but our class was so bad that we ran her out of town, our second teacher was a substitute, but he left because he wasn't permanent, 3rd teacher was another sub. Don't go to this awful school!

Posted: November 30, 2013

I'm a student and this school is awful. These teachers do not know how to teach, all my classes is basically like free time. There is nothing great about this school. Do not recommend . I am definatley not prepared for college next year.

Posted: July 15, 2013

This is seriously the most unprofessional school I have ever dealt with. The administrative staff that is there is extremely rude and honestly I will never send anyone to this school again.

Posted: February 2, 2012

I love this school. But there is one problem it is in PG county. PG does not like Bowie because the students are not stupid like in the rest of the county. On the county website they made a 2 page article on on how they will make district heights elementary (the worst school in the county) better by painting it and buying toys rather than posting that whitehall elementary became a blue ribbon( only school in the county). I wish bowie could seperate from PG and merge with Anne Arundel

Posted: December 28, 2011

I am a mom of a 2011 Graduate and have a freshman there now. Bowie High prepared by daughter to be very competitive for college and was accepted to her first choice school George Mason. The kids that were in the Honor Classes and involved in extra activities help make the school it's very best. In sports three (3) girls from the basketball team went on to Ivey League schools, and other athletics went on to D1 schools. Parents have to be involved with their kids and help the teachers help their kids. I can truly say Mrs. Spence set a great example and was Principle of the Year for Maryland. If we help with the problems and not be a part of them then we will have great schools across America. Mr. Trustee one of the gudiance counselors that was a very inportant part of the process from freshman - senior year, making sure the kids was on track for success.

Posted: May 7, 2011

This school is horrible. I've enrolled into the school 2 years ago. i am now a junior. The students there do not care what so ever. the teachers do not know how to control them. In my freshman year i was originally planning on going to Eleanor Roosevelt but didn't make the science and tech program. I decided not to go the regular school and instead went to bowie high school, and tried to take the test there. the guidance teacher soon told me the school wasn't in the program. Take my mistake as an advice

Posted: January 27, 2011

Bowie High School is a very good school and the teachers try to reach everyone the best way they can.But, the classes are very overcrowded,and i feel the teachers can do better. Sometimes the teachers don't really like to teach and i am not very fond of that. The school is just very big and some of the students that attend the school do not live in the area. This is a very nice school but for me i don't think i would want send my kids here.