High School ChoiceExplore your options
I See Me In ALL Three!
Three Great Schools, Three Great Choices!
What is High School Choice?
Grade 8 Students attending a Northeast
Consortium (NEC) middle school or
residing in the NEC attendance area
rank in order of preference the high
school they would like to attend on a
lottery Choice form during the fall of their
Grade 8 year.
Learn…
There are THREE GREAT NEC high
schools to choose from:




James Hubert Blake
Paint Branch
Springbrook
Do your research and explore them all
 Keep an open mind and consider your
interests.
How do I become informed?
Attend one of the Options Fairs and talk to the HS
Signature Coordinators to learn about their
programs:


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Sept. 21 – Kennedy HS @ 7 pm
Sept. 28 – Paint Branch HS @ 7 pm
Consider each High School’s Specialty Signature
Program and how it matches up to your career
interests, strengths, favorite subjects and future
plans.
Become Informed…
•
Visit ALL of the high school open houses:
 October 8 – Springbrook HS
 October 22 – James Hubert Blake HS
 October 29 – Paint Branch HS
• After each open house, ask yourself:
 How does the Signature appeal to me?
 Do I feel that this school is a good fit for me?
 Do I think I could make connections with the staff and
students here?
 Are there courses offered that interest me?
• Attend a game, play or school event at the high
schools
• Explore the 3 high schools’ web pages which can be
linked to from the NEC website http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/nec/
All 3 High Schools have a lot in common…
All three NEC high schools offer:
 A unique Signature program
 Advanced classes (AP and Honors)
 College preparedness
 Music opportunities
 Varsity sports
 Clubs
 More freedom and independence
How are they different?

Each HS has a different Signature
 What is a Signature?


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Program designed around specific career
themes
Variety of course offerings in the thematic
area
Appeals to students’ interests
Guest speakers, field trips, business
partnerships related to the theme
Opportunities for capstone projects
(independent study projects) and possible
internships
Consider…
What interests you about EACH of the
Signatures?


Write down the Signatures available at each
high school.
Write down how each Signature and special
program interests you on your Cornell notes
page.
James Hubert Blake
SIGNATURE SCHOOL FOR
FINE ARTS & HUMANITIES
Signature Programs:

Fine Arts & Media
• 3 different course pathways in the performing arts (dance, theatre,
music), visual arts (art, photography, fashion) and media (video
production, digital art, journalism)

Humanities and Public Service
• Humanities course pathway includes English, cultural and world studies,
and foreign languages
• Public service pathways include child studies, teacher education and
social science

Business and Consumer Science
• Accounting, economics, business management, finance and marketing
as well as information technology

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy
• Environmental science, geophysics, engineering,
construction technology, math, medical science
Paint Branch High School
SIGNATURE : SCIENCE AND MEDIA
Signature Programs:



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Media Arts
• Broadcast journalism, digital art, radio, drama, theatre
Science, Medical Careers and Pharmacy
• Medical sciences and professions, pharmaceutical profession
Academy of Finance
• Learn about banking, money management, stock market
Academy of Engineering Technology
• All fields of engineering
Restaurant Management
• Food service, culinary arts, in-school managed restaurant
NJROTC
• Leadership, national security, military careers
Child Development and Teaching Academy
• Explore working with children
Springbrook High School
SIGNATURE: IB WORLD AND
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Signatures:
•
MYP – Middle Years Program
•
•
•
•
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

•
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Law enforcement, forensics, justice system, Homeland Security
Hospitality Management Program
•
•
Web design, computer science or computer network strand
Programming for Xbox and Zune
Women in Technology Group
Justice, Law and Society

•
College prep, rigor, global perspective – earn an internationally recognized diploma
Academy of Information Technology

•
9th & 10th grade focus on intercultural sensitivity, global awareness and critical thinking
Foreign Language options – Arabic, French, Spanish, German, & Italian
Personal project in 10th grade
Food service, culinary arts, restaurant industry approved curriculum
Child Development Pathway
How else are they different?

Location

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Distance from your home
Explore your bus route and consider how it will fit into
your day:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/busroutes/
Blake
Paint Branch
Springbrook
James Hubert Blake:
Norwood Road
Silver Spring
Location
Blake HS
Paint Branch :
Old Columbia Pike
Burtonsville
Springbrook:
Valley Brook Drive
Silver Spring
Springbrook HS
Paint Branch
Application Programs
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
1.
•
•
Global Ecology House
2.
•
•
Poolesville HS
Info Night - Oct. 5
Science, Math, and Computer Science Magnet –
3.
•
•
Blair HS in Silver Spring
Info Night – Oct. 22
Visual Art Center (VAC)
4.
•
•
5.
Richard Montgomery HS in Rockville
Info Night – Oct. 27
Einstein HS in Kensington
Meet with Coordinators and share your art portfolio
Thomas Edison HS of Technology – grades 10 - 12
Application Programs
•
Highly competitive , limited number of seats
• Application packets available on-line (by end of Sept.) and in
counseling office
• Applications due on November 6
• Teacher recommendations needed
• Testing – December 5
• Notified in early February
Reconsider

Review the Signature Programs on your notes
pages.
 Explore how each Signature interests you.
 Think about how each school fits you best based
on your interests.
 Consider whether you want to apply to a special
program
Talk



Discuss what is important
in choosing a high school
(future goals, skills,
location, Signature, etc.).
Share what you’ve
learned about each
Signature.
Ask questions about
anything you need more
information about.
Do more research on your Options…

Visit high school websites to do additional
research on the Signatures:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/
nec/
 Visit mcps website to learn more about
application programs:
http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curricul
um/specialprograms/admissions/applications.a
spx
Complete
 Complete
your Choice Form by ranking
your choices (3 different choices) in order
of preference
 Be assured that ALL 3 high schools will
provide you an excellent education and
that your varied interests can be met at all
3 schools
Your Choice Form
Every 8th grade student that
lives in the NEC must
complete and return a signed
choice form.
 You will receive your choice
form in the mail towards the
end of Oct. -- check your
mailbox.
 Turn in your choice form to
your counselor on or before
November 6.
 Your base school is
guaranteed if it is indicated
as your first choice on your
Choice form.
 Choices may not be changed
once they are submitted into
the Round 1 lottery.

Questions?