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Local School Signature Programs

Program Description Students will have the opportunity to:

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 engaged students through a small learning community approach.

  • Develop interests and expertise
  • Make connections between school and possible college and career pathss
  • Learn new skills

What schools offer signature programs?

School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Winston Churchill High School

Contact school for more information
301-469-1200

The Academies at Winston Churchill High School

Students are offered unique opportunities in the academies . Students develop their interests and expertise through challenging and rigorous coursework. They make connections with the future and are prepared for lifelong learning. They may participate in summer enrichment activities, develop portfolios or attend master classes. Many students will develop an enhanced appreciation for the global community. Partnership programs with the business community ensure continuing dialogue and experiential opportunities for students.

The academies at Churchill are:
  • Mathematics, Technology, and Science
  • Creative and Performing Arts
  • International Studies
  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Clarksburg High School

Contact school for more information
301-444-3000

The Capstone Project Signature Program

This whole-school integrated technology program is designed to enhance and extend the comprehensive high school curriculum in a technological environment, as well as provide students with unique project-based learning experiences. Capstone Project provides the opportunity for students to create and exhibit projects. This results from students exploring possible career pathways, investigating an area of interest and exploring real world problems.

Career pathways include:
  • Arts, Humanities and Media Communication
  • Business Finance and Information Systems
  • Law, History and Public Policy
  • Math, Engineering and Architecture
  • Science, Health and Environmental Issues
  • Human and Consumer Services and Community Service
  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Damascus High School

Contact school for more information
301-253-7030

The Damascus Signature Program

This 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.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Gaithersburg High School

Contact school for more information
301-840-4700

The Signature Academies

The 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:
  • Ninth Grade Academy
  • Academy of Arts and Communication
  • Academy of Business Studies
  • Academy of Leadership and Education
  • Academy of Science and Technology
  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Walter Johnson High School

Contact school for more information
301-571-6900

Apex Scholars

The Apex Scholars program is a four-year course of study through which a select group of students follow a comprehensive curriculum combining honors level and Advanced Placement course work. The course of study provides students with a broad general background in many academic areas at levels appropriate to highly academically gifted learners.

This program is open to Walter Johnson students, by application. Contact the school for more information.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Northwest High School

Contact school for more information
301-601-4660

The Ulysses Signature Program

This four-year signature program encourages student-initiated explorations in areas of strong interest among the Ulysses Project themes: (1) Arts and Humanities; (2) Public Policy and Public Service; and/or (3) Math, Science and Technology. Through independent research and technology-infused presentations, students experience various modes of inquiry while learning to use their minds well. Ulysses students study, create, and achieve in an intellectual and nurturing community of learners. All course offerings are at the honors or AP level.

Admission is open to Northwest students as rising freshmen. Contact the school for more information.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Quince Orchard High School

Contact school for more information
301-840-4686

Advanced Studies in Arts and Academics

This signature program is designed to provide all students an opportunity to maximize their multiple intelligences and creativity, as well as to value their uniqueness. This is done by allowing students to participate in a wide variety of advanced level and Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Quince Orchard offers 23 AP courses across all departments.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Rockville High School

Contact school for more information
301-517-8105

The Journalism Academy at Rockville High School

This 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.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Seneca Valley High School

Contact school for more information
301-353-8000

The Signature Career Academies at Seneca Valley High School

Today’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 challenging courses and activities in small learning communities related to post-secondary education and career interests. There are five career academies. In addition, Seneca Valley is a site for the National Academy Foundation’s Academy of Information Technology (AOIT).

The career academies at Seneca Valley are:
  • Academy of Arts and Media
  • Academy of Business and Finance
  • Academy of Human Services
  • Academy of Science
  • Academy of Technology
  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Sherwood High School

Contact school for more information
301-924-3200

The International Studies Program

In an effort to promote respect for human dignity, appreciation of cultural diversity, and responsibility for our interconnected world, the International Studies Program was created. Students are provided experiences and opportunities needed to be a global citizen. Included among these are cultural exchange programs, celebrating cultural diversity and studying a curriculum through which international perspectives have been weaved. Students also complete dedicated research in an area of interest and participate in activities such as Model United Nations.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Thomas S. Wootton

Contact school for more information
301-279-8550

The Humanities and Arts Signature Program

This program embraces the branches of learning that allow students to understand their own culture and that of others. The arts component provides for creative student accomplishments in the visual arts and theater. Students complete rigorous courses and specialty electives. There are numerous experiential opportunities for students away from school including trips abroad.

This program is open to Wootton students, by application. Contact the school for more information.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation
School The Program at this School Admission Region Transportation

Thomas S. Wootton

Contact school for more information
301-279-8550

Science, Technology and Research Signature Program (STARS)

STARS is a comprehensive, rigorous series of courses, experiences and structured events that culminate in advanced, independent scientific research reflecting the student's academic and career goals. Students participate in smaller learning communities focused on their individual paths of study in science, technology, research, engineering, and math.

This program is open to Wootton students, by application. Contact the school for more information.

  • Local School Neighborhood Stops
  • Consortia Neighborhood Stops
  • Central Location Stops (limited geographic area)
  • Central Location Stops (countywide)
  • More about transportation

Updated August 29, 2008 | Maintained by Web Services