Northwood At A Glance | Course Bulletin | Graduation Requirements | Enrollment in MCPS | Enrollment in the Downcounty Consortium| FAQ About the DCC

Northwood At A Glance

As part of the Montgomery County Public Schools' Downcounty Consortium, Northwood High School boasts a diverse population of 1470 students. The school collaborates with Montgomery College to provide students with opportunities to pursue higher education and personal growth.

Northwood's mission is to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in a rigorous curriculum, including the completion of a learning experience in a college-level environment.

Under the leadership of principal Dr. Henry R. Johnson, Northwood hosts several smaller learning programs, known as academies. The four main academies at Northwood are the Academy of Technology, Environmental and Systems Sciences (TESS), the Academy of Politics, Advocacy and Law (PAL), the Academy of Humanities, Art and Media (HAM), and the Musical Theatre Academy. Students participate in a block schedule, alternating classes on A and B days.

Course Bulletin

MCPS offers a host of rigorous classes. View Northwood's course bulletin to determine which classes best meet your education needs.

Graduation Requirements

MCPS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AT A GLANCE
Subject Area	Specific Credit Requirements
English	4 credits
Fine Arts	1 credit (Selected courses in art, dance, drama/theater, and music that satisfy the fine arts requirement are marked FA)
Health Education	0.5 credit
Mathematics	4 credits** (1 credit algebra, 1 credit geometry.) Students who successfully complete a calculus course may be exempted from this 4-credit requirement.
Physical Education	1 credit
Science	3 credits (1 biology credit and 1 physical science credit must be included)
Social Studies	3 credits (1 U.S. History credit; 1 World History credit; and 1 National, State, and Local Government credit)
Technology Education	1 credit Courses in career and technology education that satisfy the new technology education requirement have changed.  Specific information is available in the appendices of this bulletin.
The additional credits required for graduation may be fulfilled by one of the following three options:
Electives	OPTION 1 2 credits in a foreign language or 2 credits in american sign language and 2.5 credits in elective courses OPTION 2 2 credits in advanced technology education and 2.5 credits in elective courses OPTION 3 4 credits in a state-approved career and technology program and 0.5 credit in electives courses
Student Service Learning (SSL)
Students must meet established service-learning requirements
GRADUATING CLASSES OF 2009 AND LATER Assessment Requirements High School Assessments Students must pass the Maryland High School Assessments for English, algebra/data analysis, biology, and government (see Assessments below for more information). For the most recent information on the requirements visit the web site http://hsaexam.org/about.html.

Enrollment in MCPS

Children age 5 by September 1 and not age 21 on the first day of school are eligible for enrollment.

If the child is not a U.S. citizen and has not attended a U.S. school continuously for the past two years, or is a U.S. citizen who has been attending a non-U.S. school overseas, contact the International Student Admissions office at 301-230-0686.

If the child does not live with a parent or legal guardian, contact the Enrollment and Attendance Compliance office at 301-315-7324

You should register at the child's local school. To determine what the local school is for a specific address, call the School Boundary Information Line at 240-314-4710 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays.

Parents registering their children for the first time in a Montgomery County public school must provide proof of age, identity, county residency and immunizations, unless homeless. Required immunizations must be completed within 20 days of registration.

Students who have previously attended school should bring their latest report card, if available. Students receiving special education services should bring a copy of the current Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Enrollment in the Downcounty Consortium

Due to staffing and other resource requirements, students enrolling after the first day of school will be assigned to their base area school at the DCCAPS office. Each spring, students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 have the opportunity to go through the Change of Choice process to request assignment to a different DCC school for the following year.

Documents Necessary for Enrollment in the Downcounty Consortium

Parents must accompany their child(ren) to complete the enrollment process. The following documents must be presented at the time of enrollment:

International Student Admissions Office (ISAO)
For international students who are new to this country or have attended school in the United States two years or less, please visit the ISAO Web site.

Residency Compliance Office
For persons who are not the parent or legal guardian (court documented), please call 301-315-7324.

Frequently Asked Questions About the DCC

Will a child be expected to choose a career in Grade 8?
The Academies are a way of teaching the traditional high school curriculum in a fresh and interesting way that connects academic learning to real-life issues and problems. Some eighth graders may think they want a career in the arts, computers, engineering, health care, international business, law, or media, and these students will be able to pursue these interests in depth. Most students will probably change their minds about their career many times. Therefore, the curriculum at each campus is designed to prepare students for further education.

What if my child wants only the regular school program?
All five schools offer the regular comprehensive high school program. At each school students develop skills for success such as problem solving, communicating ideas, and collaborating in teams to produce a product.

Will transportation be provided to each school?
All students within the Consortium attendance area who do not reside within walking distance of their assigned school—as defined by the Montgomery County Public Schools—are provided with bus transportation.

Do all five schools have multiple-level courses?
All five schools offer a variety of Honors and Advanced Placement courses, on-level classes, and programs for special education and ESOL students.

Why do they have academies?
Each school is developing different academy programs designed to help students prepare for higher education and explore possible career pathways. The academies are designed to create smaller learning communities within our large high schools to ensure that each student is part of a safe, nurturing, and successful academy or program.

Does each school offer athletics and other extracurricular activities?
All five schools offer athletic and extracurricular programs comparable to those available at all other Montgomery County high schools. In addition, each school offers extracurricular activities based on the academy programs and the special interests of students.

What is a base area?
The base area is a geographic preference area that is based on a student’s home address. It provides students with a preference to attend a high school.

Are students guaranteed their base schools?
No. Students are guaranteed their base school only if it is written as their first choice on their student Choice form, or if it is the second choice on the form AND their first choice is not available. All other student assignments are derived through a lottery process, based on student ranking of choices.

Where can I get more information?
For specific questions or comments about specific course offerings, contact the academy coordinator at the high school. (The Academy Coordinator at Northwood is Michael Sullivan.)

Will a school ever be closed to choice?
While every effort is made to assign students to their first choice, some students may be assigned to a school other than their first choice.