In addition to offering a comprehensive high school program, a number of high schools have created signature programs that integrate a specific focus or distinguishing theme with the skills, concepts, and instructional strategies of some portion of a school’s curriculum. The theme or focus becomes the vehicle for teaching the traditional high school curriculum in a fresh, interesting, and challenging way. In some cases, the school may adopt a school- wide signature focus. Some schools have also created themed academies to engage students through a small learning community approach.
Developing interests and expertise
Making connections between school and possible college and career paths
Learning new skills
Local school (More about regions)
Local School Neighborhood Stops (More about transportation)
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School (IB) |
For More InformationAdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Churchill High School |
For More InformationAdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Clarksburg High SchoolThe Advanced Placement Power Scholars Program (APPS)The APPS Program is designed as a four year course of study through which students follow a comprehensive curriculum combining honors level and advanced placement level course work. Students accepted into the program will follow a rigorous course of study designed to challenge the highly motivated learner. Students will receive structured support and skill refinement through their honors and advanced placement courses as well as through periodic lectures and seminars held at school. The program is designed to offer students flexibility in their schedules as they progress though their four years of study and allow them to pursue individual educational goals while at Clarksburg High School. |
For More Information
AdmissionApplication, Local school (More about admissions)This program is open to Clarksburg students, by application. RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Damascus High SchoolThe Damascus Signature ProgramThis signature program uses career clusters as its organizational format. Developing new curriculum as well as integrating or blending current course offerings with a focus on activity-based projects is the program mission. The National Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) is incorporated into the signature program. Through the signature program, students better understand the cross-curricular aspect of learning as it relates to real-life experiences. |
>
For More Information
AdmissionApplication, Local school (More about admissions)This program is open to Damascus students, by application. RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Gaithersburg High SchoolThe Signature AcademiesThe Signature Academies of Gaithersburg High School offer students a unique style of comprehensive secondary education. The academies foster and nurture academic success, professionalism and personal growth while preparing our students for a global tomorrow. The academies are designed to promote rigor and relevance and provide students with an opportunity to explore a variety of career paths by choosing courses related to areas of interest. In addition to the five career themed academies, Gaithersburg High School is the site of the National Academy Foundation's Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) and the nation's only student run trading room; in the Academy of Finance (AOF). The academies at Gaithersburg are:
|
For More Information
AdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Col. Zadok Magruder High SchoolPEAC Scholars at Magruder High SchoolPEAC Scholars is an inter-disciplinary, four-year college-preparatory cohort. Its focus is on independent learning and the development of sophisticated written and oral communication skills with an emphasis on critical thinking. Students who successfully complete the four year program will:
Magruder Academy ProgramsAcademies provide a connection between lessons learned in high school classrooms and future careers and/or college while promoting stronger school-business-community relationships. Academies also allow students to participate in internship programs that provide them with experience and a network of contacts in their fields of interest.
|
For More Information
AdmissionApplication, Local school (More about admissions)Each academy is open to Magruder students, by application; see website RegionLocal school (More about regions) TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops (More about transportation) |
Poolesville High School |
For More InformationAdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Quince Orchard High School |
For More InformationAdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Richard Montgomery High School (IB) |
For More InformationAdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Rockville High SchoolThe Journalism Academy at Rockville High SchoolThis signature program strives to provide a positive and challenging learning environment that contributes to the high expectations for academic excellence and life-long learning. Students are engaged through intensive journalistic writing. The value of a visual medium is a means to foster learning for every student. Academy students work in the community, workplace, and the school cluster to disseminate effective, well-researched, exciting productions across the journalism spectrum. |
For More Information
Local school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Seneca Valley High SchoolThe Signature Career Academies at Seneca Valley High SchoolToday’s students will enter a swiftly changing technological and global society. In preparation for the post-secondary challenges they will face, the Signature Career Academies teach students the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a global economy. This is accomplished through targeted courses and activities in small learning communities related to three specific career interests. In addition, In addition, Seneca Valley is a site for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. The career academies at Seneca Valley are:
|
For More Information
AdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Sherwood High SchoolThe International Studies ProgramThe Academy experience at Sherwood connects students to high school through challenging coursework, real world experiences, and preparation for college and beyond, while building relationships with staff and one another. Students enroll in one of four Academies: Academy of Arts and Humanities, Academy of Business and Hospitality, Academy of Engineering and Technology, or Academy of Science. They complete 3 credits of required and elective courses in the Pathway, delve into Capstone Experiences (such as coursework at local colleges, Advanced Placement courses; internships at local businesses as well as state or federal agencies; or a guided research class. To round out their involvement in the Academy, value added activities such as field trips, guest speakers, college visits, and other Pathway-related programs are offered. |
For More Information
AdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Walter Johnson High SchoolAPEX ScholarsThe APEX Scholars program is designed as a four year course of study through which a select group of students follows a comprehensive curriculum combining accelerated honors level and intensive advanced placement level course work. The course of study provides students with a broad, general background in many academic areas at levels appropriate to highly academically gifted and motivated learners. The program setting includes a combination of both heterogeneously and homogeneously grouped classes integrated within the whole school. After a ninth grade program designed to offer structured support and skill refinement, the course of study is specifically designed to allow individual choices for APEX Scholars, affording them the flexibility to pursue individual educational goals during their junior and senior years. APEX Scholars are an integral part of Walter Johnson High School, not members of a school within a school. |
For More Information
AdmissionApplication, Local school (More about admissions)This program is open to Walter Johnson students, by application. RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Watkins Mill High School |
For More InformationAdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Whitman High School |
For More InformationAdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school (More about regions)TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |
Thomas S. WoottonThe Humanities and Arts Signature ProgramThis challenging and innovative program is designed for students who are passionate about literature, film, history, languages, art, and/or performance. The students form a cohort in the 9th-10th grades through special enriched sections of English and Social Studies, which include special field trips, speakers, and artists-in-residence workshops. Students select a specific but flexible course of study with the Humanities or Arts Focus, and also complete an Off-Campus Experience and the Senior Independent Project. By the end of the program, students have polished oral presentation skills and are able to complete the high-level academic research and writing expected by universities. |
For More Information
AdmissionLocal school (More about admissions)RegionLocal school; Application (More about regions)Both programs are open to Wootton students, by application. TransportationLocal School Neighborhood Stops(More about transportation) |