Schools

Churchill Ranks Best School In Maryland

A report released by the U.S. News and World Report lists Winston Churchill High School as the best school in Maryland. Seven other Montgomery County schools rounded out the top 10.

in Potomac tops Maryland high schools, according to the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings.

The school placed first out of 232 public, charter and magnet schools in the state of Maryland, also coming in at No. 57 in the national rankings. 

"We at Churchill are thrilled that we have been identified by U.S. News and World Report as the number one school in Maryland,” said Churchill Principal Dr. Joan Benz. “Our number one rank is a tribute to the daily hard work of Churchill students and their dedicated teachers. We are also immensely fortunate to have parents and a community that is highly supportive of rigor in education.”  

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Walt Whitman High School and Thomas S. Wootton High School followed Churchill in state rankings, holding the second and third places respectively. In total Montgomery County schools made up seven of the top 10 high schools in Maryland.

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"The Best High Schools list, released Tuesday, ranks schools on academic performance and how schools are preparing students for college-level work," MCPS said in a press release. "The magazine evaluated nearly 22,000 high schools from 49 states and the District of Columbia in developing its report."

The rankings were announced on National Teacher Day, giving students and teachers an extra reason to celebrate.

“Our kids work so hard, and we have an incredible staff here,” Scott Selman, Churchill Student Government Association coordinator said of the ranking. “It’s nice to see everyone get recognized for that hard work.”

Benz pointed out that Churchill’s success begins with its contributing schools, and a community that encourages education.

“Since we do not have a magnet nor IB program that draws students from other geographical areas, teachers and administrators at all schools within the Churchill cluster – elementary and middle – contribute to the foundation of success of Churchill High School students,” Benz said.  

This isn’t the first time Churchill has been listed as a top-tier school in the state and the nation. In 2006, Churchill was also named a Maryland Blue Ribbon School and in 2007 went on to be named a National Blue Ribbon School. This year the school was recognized as a leader in AP Exam performance. It also of top schools for math and science in the country. 

How did the publication come to these rankings? Check out the methodology here, and tell us what you think. Is Churchill Number One?


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