Poolesville High School

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 3, 2023

Posted: October 3, 2023

I love this school. PHS is a great place to feel comfortable, prepare for college, and recieve useful knowledge. Every program is unique and interactive. Personally, I am a Global Ecology student, and I absolutely LOVE the program. It's so inclusive and the field trips provide so much experience. My first field trip was a camping/hiking trip to Harper's Ferry in the first 3 WEEKS of school. The teachers are amazing and I can guarantee you, most students like almost all of their teachers on the first day. There is absolutely no bullying or safety concerns, as most students are very education-focused. Although the work load can be stressful, there is no useless/busy work assigned as homework. I feel incredibly immersed in what I learn, and honestly, it is so worth the bus ride. There are so many extra curricular activities at PHS, and the clubs and sports are diverse. Mental health matters a lot to the administration, and they listen to their students. For example, only certain classes can test on certain days, like math classes only test on Wednesdays or Fridays. The staff listens to the students. Families are welcome and they are definitely shown as partners in their children's learning, and this is shown on the school website. Activities and community events are always showing up, and it's really inclusive.
Overall, great school, I love it here, and it's only my first month of starting PHS.

Posted: January 12, 2020

This is a primarily a magnet school. Many students with disabilities are often twice-gifted (GTLD) and are usually doing very well with the rigorous academic environment. MCPS also runs programs for students with disabilities that do not fall in this category.

Posted: January 12, 2020

Homework is to further understanding of content taught in school. There is very little "busy work" given, as the course load and curriculum is already intense for all magnet students.

Posted: January 12, 2020

There is very little discipline and under-achievement issues. The teachers get stellar students who are focused on education. Majority of these students have gone through a rigerous application based selection process and also have involved parents. This in turn makes the teachers effective because it is a true partnership between the student, teacher and parent.

Posted: January 12, 2020

These are good students focused on education. Yet, it is not a pressure cooker school. Students are respectful and have a full plate.

Posted: January 12, 2020

The school functions well under the various magnet head of the houses and has motivated teachers and students. It does not have other issues that are more prevalent in other schools - bullying, drugs, absenteeism, lack of discipline etc. Teachers are also happy because they are not pressurized to improve scores as most students are doing well. Thus, the leadership only has to focus on effective communication which the new principal is already doing. Can he do more to improve more academic and scholastic opportunities for students? Sure. That has not happened yet.

Posted: January 12, 2020

There is very little bullying to begin with due to the type of students are coming to the school.

Posted: January 12, 2020

The best school in MCPS and Maryland for academically talented students. A very low pressure environment and the rural isolation of the school prevents bad elements from being present around the students. My magnet student is very happy and even with the hour long commute daily loves going to school.

Posted: December 17, 2019

a solid 4/10. the peple here are cool or whatever but like... this school focuses more on turning in assignments than the students' mental health.

Posted: December 17, 2019

Posted: December 17, 2019

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Posted: September 9, 2018

This is not a school for kids with learning disabilities if that is what is meant by this question. Teachers DO personalize their instruction, though, and do it very effectively, if that is what this question means.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Not a factor. Again, this is a top rated, whole-school magnet. The type of high-achievement student who goes here has no time for bullying.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Does not over-prescribe homework. Focuses on learning, no make-work.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Every one of them hand-picked to be effective, quality TEACHERS not just homework distributors. Excellent High School in every way.

Posted: September 9, 2018

I think that with this type of competitive, high-performance student, respect is almost a natural thing. School does not have to spend undue time on rules and discipline; most kids follow the rules, are polite, and focused on achievement. Many extracurricular activities focused on the community too.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Top notch administration. On top of EVERYTHING. Great communication systems in place for parent-school interaction.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Very, very good. It's greatest asset is its superior teaching staff. Any student lucky enough to get through the highly selective admission process to go to Poolesville is lucky indeed.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Bullying is not a factor in this all-magnet school. Zero. Anybody who says it is, is not being truthful or is overly sensitive because Poolesville and a very competitive performance high school, where those who succeed are lauded and respected for their competitive success, but those who do not succeed are not assumed to be "inferior" or worthy to be bullied. The type of people who bully are not present at this school, by and large.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Excellent teachers who have been handpicked as the best of the best. Homework is just the right amount; in class instruction is the most important thing here.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Some of the best teachers in the country can be found here. Knowledgable, high-IQ, but approachable and entertaining too. Understandable why Poolesville is again ranked number 1 in Maryland, and number 30 in the United States out of 26,700 high schools. Superior educational experience easily. No comparison with any other high school in the state.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Naturally does so. Many, many opportunities, no classroom disruptions, highly motivated students. Character comes naturally for these students.

Posted: September 9, 2018

The entire student body at this All-Magnet school is intelligent and motivated -- loaded with leaders and all of the students' natural abilities are full nurtured. Nobody is forced into a role, but full support in any role for whom the student is inclined is always a part of their school experience. Always.

Posted: September 9, 2018

Not sure if this is a politically correct way of saying "learning disabled" but there are no such students at this highly competitive high school, so it is not a factor. This is not a school for those with learning disabilities. There are other high schools for that function.

Posted: September 9, 2018

The best academic experience I have ever seen for my daughter. Nurturing, with its absolutely stellar teaching staff as their greatest merit. We can easily see from day one why this school has repeatedly been ranked number 1 in Maryland, 30 out of 26,750 in the entire US, for very good reason.

Posted: April 23, 2015

I believe PHS is a model public school. Although its facilities do need updating, the faculty is quite impressive and is preparing both of my kids (one in Global and one in Independent Studies) for their next stage in life.

Posted: March 25, 2015

We lived in several parts of Montgomery County and in NoVA, Poolesville is a hidden gem that truly shines above most other schools communities, even in more affluent areas.

Posted: September 2, 2014

PHS offers challenging academic programs for many different areas of study. The sports program is well funded and well coached. It's a great place to go to high school!

Posted: May 12, 2011

This school is so amazing and fun. No matter what program you are in, you will meet tons of fun and interesting people that you love to be around. ALL the programs work equaly hard and deserve praise. It's worht the 30 minute bus ride. :)