Grade 8 Students attending a Downcounty

Consortium (DCC) middle school or residing

in the DCC 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.

There are five great high schools in the DCC:

◦ Montgomery Blair High School

◦ Albert Einstein High School

◦ John F. Kennedy High School

◦ Northwood High School

◦ Wheaton High School

Do your research and explore them all

Keep an open mind and consider your interests

Learn about the academies at all five high schools

Talk with your family about your choices. Attend one of the Options Fairs in September

and speak with the Academy Coordinators from each high school. September 21 at Kennedy HS September 28 at Paint Branch HS

Visit the high school open houses in October. Consider how your interests, strengths, favorite

subjects and future plans relate to careers and academies.

Attend a game, play or school event at one of the high schools

All five DCC high schools offer:

◦ Academies

◦ Advanced classes (AP and Honors)

◦ College preparedness

◦ Music opportunities

◦ Varsity sports

◦ Clubs

◦ More freedom and independence

Academies are specialty programs that you choose based on your

interests.

A sequence of courses designed around a central career theme

A way to connect the courses you take with your interests

Field trips, guest speakers and possible internship opportunities

related to academy theme

Every high school has something for you!

Academies

◦ Each high school has 4 to 5 different academy offerings based

on career themes

◦ Think about your career interests as we explore the academies

at each high school

◦ Use your Cornell notes page to write down 1 academy at each

high school that you wish to learn more about

ACADEMIES:

International Baccalaureate Program Challenging and exciting courses with a focus on writing, thinking,

communicating and experimenting – no application needed Program stresses a global focus and prepares you for college Earn an internationally recognized diploma

Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) Academy Relates to careers in the creative and performing arts Dance, Theatre, Art, Music

Academy of Finance, Business Management, and Marketing Relates to careers in the financial services industry Accounting, banking, entrepreneurship, financial planning,

marketing

Renaissance Academy Math, reading, writing and public speaking in the arts and sciences Prepares you for college

ACADEMIES:Health Careers Academy◦ Relates to careers in physical therapy, medical careers, wellness◦ Medical careers pathway – learn CPR, receive certification as a CNA, direct

patient care◦ Health careers – focus on science, math and healthcare

Broadcast Journalism & Communications Academy◦ Relates to careers in broadcasting, TV production, radio production, pod

casting and journalism◦ Work at Kennedy’s TV station, take courses in journalism and media

production

International Baccalaureate Program◦ Challenging and exciting courses with a focus on writing, thinking,

communicating and experimenting – no application needed◦ Program stresses a global focus and prepares you for college◦ Earn an internationally recognized diploma

Business Management Academy• Relates to careers as a small business owner, marketing, management,

economics, stock market• Take courses in accounting, business management, software applications

Special Programs: Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) Leadership, military history, military law, drill team

ACADEMIES:

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math◦ Relates to careers in engineering, computer science, robotics, medicine, science

math and research◦ Take courses in computer programming, advanced math and science, engineering

Media, Music and the Arts◦ Relates to careers in film, radio, video, television, theater, literature, journalism,

photography ◦ Take courses in media arts, theatre, dance, music, photography, fashion design,

journalism

Entrepreneurship & Business Management◦ Relates to careers as a business owner and in the financial world◦ Take courses in marketing and advertising, finance and accounting, economics,

law, human resources

Human Service Professions◦ Relates to careers in physical therapy, fitness, emergency medical technician,

nursing, athletic training, teaching, social work, psychology◦ Take courses in child development, psychology, human development, anatomy

and physiology

International Studies & Law • Relates to careers in politics, law, international business, government• Take courses in global issues, justice, law and society, comparative governments

and religions

ACADEMIES:

Academy of Musical Theatre and Dance:

◦ Relates to careers in musical theater, dance, vocal music, and instrumental

music

◦ Take courses in vocal music, dance, drama, instrumental music

Montgomery College Middle College Program @ Northwood (MC2@N)

• Students are afforded the necessary opportunities to complete BOTH high

school graduation and an AS degree from Montgomery College

• Take classes on both the Northwood and Montgomery College campus

Academy of Politics, Advocacy, and Law

• Relates to careers in government, law enforcement, criminal justice, public

safety, law

• Take courses in justice, law and society and administration of justice

Academy of Humanities, Arts, and Media

◦ Relates to careers in film production, culture and languages, architecture, art

history, literary analysis, childcare

◦ Take courses in child development, video production, world languages, art,

music, theatre

Academy of Technology, Environmental and Systems Sciences

take courses in environmental science, computers, engineering

ACADEMIES:

Bioscience Academy

◦ Related to careers in medicine, biomedical research, healthcare

◦ Take courses in human body systems, medical interventions, biology,

biomedical science

Academy of Information Technology

◦ Related to careers in web design, game development, graphic arts, computer

animation, programming

◦ Take courses in software applications, digital media, digital art, web design

Academy of Engineering

◦ Related to careers in all engineering fields

◦ Take courses in engineering design, digital electronics, civil engineering and

architecture

◦ Strong emphasis on critical problem solving skills

Institute for Global and Cultural Studies (IGCS)

◦ 3 pathways - digital music, digital art , global studies

◦ Related to careers in leadership roles, graphic design, music fields

◦ Take courses in music technology, digital art, photography, global issues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBr2kJoA4M0

• School Enrollment

• Location

◦ Distance from your home

◦ Explore your bus route and consider how it will fit into your

day:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/transportation/busroutes/

Kennedy

Northwood

Blair

Wheaton

Einstein

Available to all MCPS students - competitive

Applications available on-line and in counseling office towards

end of September

Applications due on November 6 (except VAC and Edison)

Testing - December 5 (except VAC & Edison)

Teacher recommendations needed - see applications for details

1. International Baccalaureate – Richard Montgomery HS

2. Global Ecology – Poolesville HS

3. Science, Math, Computer Science – Blair HS

4. Thomas Edison HS of Technology - grades 10 -12

5. Visual Art Center (VAC) - Einstein HS

◦ Contact Coordinator for a portfolio review

1. Leadership Training Institute (LTI)* @ Kennedy HS

2. Biomedical Program @ Wheaton HS

3. Engineering Program @ Wheaton HS

4. Communication Arts Program (CAP) @ Blair HS

Available to students living in the DCC or attending a DCC middle

school only

Applications due on November 6

Recommendations needed – see application packet for details

Testing - December 5 (* no testing for LTI)

Think about your career interests, skills and favorite subjects.

Think about which academies match the above. Review the academies you wrote down. Explore the academies that interest you most further

by going to the high school’s website and by asking questions at the options fair and/or open houses.

Think about what schools fit you best based on your favorite academies.

Discuss what is important in choosing a high school with your parents (location, academies, etc.).

Share what you’ve learned about academies.

Ask questions about anything you need more information about.

Visit high school websites to research academies.

Start by navigating to the DCC website –

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/downc

ounty/

Attend all high school open houses in October to

experience the school in person.

Open House Schedule:

◦ October 1 - Kennedy HS

◦ October 5 – Blair HS

◦ October 14 – Northwood HS

◦ October 19 – Einstein HS

◦ October 26 – Wheaton HS

Complete your Choice Form with as

much information as you can gather!

Be assured that ALL 5 high schools

will provide you an excellent

education and that your varied

interests can be met at all 5 schools

Every 8th grade student that lives in the DCC must complete and return a signed choice form.

You will receive your choiceform in the mail - check your mailbox!

Choice Forms are due in the counseling office 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.

High School Choice-Explore 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.

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/

How are they different?

Each HS has a different Signature

What is a Signature?

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

James Hubert Blake

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

SIGNATURE SCHOOL FOR

FINE ARTS & HUMANITIES

Paint Branch High School

Signature Programs:

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

SIGNATURE : SCIENCE AND MEDIA

Springbrook High School

Signatures:

• MYP – Middle Years Program

• 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

• International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

College prep, rigor, global perspective – earn an internationally recognized diploma

• Academy of Information Technology

Web design, computer science or computer network strand

Programming for Xbox and Zune

Women in Technology Group

• Justice, Law and Society

Law enforcement, forensics, justice system, Homeland Security

• Hospitality Management Program

• Food service, culinary arts, restaurant industry approved curriculum

• Child Development Pathway

SIGNATURE: IB WORLD AND

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Location

Blake HS Paint Branch

Springbrook HS

James Hubert Blake:

Norwood Road

Silver Spring

Paint Branch :

Old Columbia Pike

Burtonsville

Springbrook:

Valley Brook Drive

Silver Spring

Application Programs

1. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

• Richard Montgomery HS in Rockville

• Info Night – Oct. 27

2. Global Ecology House

• Poolesville HS

• Info Night - Oct. 5

3. Science, Math, and Computer Science Magnet –

• Blair HS in Silver Spring

• Info Night – Oct. 22

4. Visual Art Center (VAC)

• Einstein HS in Kensington

• Meet with Coordinators and share your art portfolio

5. 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.

• Which two academies interest you the most?

• If you had to fill out your choice form today, what high

school would your place as 1st choice? 2nd choice?