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Montgomery County Public Schools

Walter Johnson High School

#6 in Best Public High Schools in Maryland
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • Public
  • 9-12
  • Bethesda, MD
  • 410 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A+
    2. Diversity
      A
    3. Teachers
      A
    4. College Prep
      A+
    5. Clubs & Activities
      A
    6. Health & Safety
      A
    7. Administration
      A+
    8. Sports
      A
    9. Food
      A-
    10. Resources & Facilities
      B+
    View Full Report Card
    Walter Johnson High School is a top rated, public school located in Bethesda, MD. It has 2,345 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1. According to state test scores, 94% of students are at least proficient in math and 66% in reading.
    Address
    6400 Rock Spring Dr
    Bethesda, MD 20814
    Telephone
    (301) 803-7100
    Website
    montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/wjhs

    Walter Johnson High School Rankings

    Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

    Academics

    Percent Proficient - Reading
    66%
    Percent Proficient - Math
    94%
    Average Graduation Rate
    96%
    Average SAT
    1290
    647 responses
    Average ACT
    30
    229 responses
    AP Enrollment
    57%
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    Living in the Area
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Cost of Living
      C
    2. Good for Families
      A+
    3. Housing
      B-
    Median Household Income
    $103,194
    National
    $55,322
    Median Rent
    $1,868
    National
    $949
    Median Home Value
    $550,900
    National
    $184,700

    Culture & Safety

    Health & Safety
    A
    Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
    Poll
    100%
    of students agree that they feel safe at their school.37 responses
    Poll
    86%
    of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.37 responses
    Poll
    What are your favorite school events or traditions?
    Based on 158 responses
    Report
    • Pennies for Patients Month
      16%
    • Homecoming Hallways
      15%
    • Football Games
      14%
    • School plays and musicals
      14%
    • Culture Assemblies
      12%
    • Musical concerts
      8%
    • Spirit Weeks
      6%

    Students

    Diversity
    A
    Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
    Students
    2,345
    Free or Reduced Lunch
    7%
    98%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.41 responses
    80%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.41 responses
    80%
    of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.41 responses

    Teachers

    Student-Teacher Ratio
    18:1
    National
    17:1
    Average Teacher Salary
    $81,840
    Teachers in First/Second Year
    5.2%
    73%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.59 responses
    80%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.59 responses
    83%
    of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.59 responses

    Clubs & Activities

    Clubs & Activities
    A
    Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
    Girls Athletic Participation
    Average
    Boys Athletic Participation
    Average
    Expenses Per Student
    $17,192/ year
    National
    $12,239
    93%
    of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.60 responses
    62%
    of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.60 responses
    83%
    of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.60 responses
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    Walter Johnson High School Reviews

    410 reviews
    All Categories
    Over the last 10 years, diversity has decreased to become a majority white and black. Personally, the administration does not address student issues, rather trying to hide the issues. Although they have removed final exams, it does not provide adequate college preparation with that type of mentality. AP courses are the only ones that provide college rediness. The county and federal exams should be reduced, not the exams within the courses provided in Walter Johnson. A majority of teacher and sports coaches are amazing, kind, and caring of their students however there are the few who are degrading and biased against certain students and races. Parents are encouraged and usually is good at volunteering events.
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    Having spent 3 years in this high school, and beginning my final year in just a couple of weeks, I can thoroughly say that WJ is a competent high school. While it certainly isn't academic heaven, WJ has many resources to aid its students in pursuing a studious path of what they are interested in. The faculty is, for the most part, well informed in their field and are generally respected among the students. Clubs and after-school activities are well organized and are led by promising students and/or caring adults. However, WJ does have its downsides. The largest downside is that it doesn't really help its students with getting ready for college. WJ offers classes that can teach its students life skills ("Food Trends" teaches cooking skills, "Quantitative Literacy" teaches how to do taxes, etc), but it would be much better if these life skills were integrated into the mandatory classes so that they would be better prepared for the real world.
    Walter Johnson is a good school overall. It's well constructed, clean, and has a lot of different opportunities for different education. The other students are kind and the environment is spirited. Unfortunately, where the school was lacking was in teachers. Many were either ineffective at teaching the material, easily distracted, or incredibly harsh and lacking in compassion. Some made no effort to help kids understand materials and would demand that they should already understand it. While these teachers aren't the majority of them, they are present, and they are damaging to a teenagers education.