Northwood High School (Silver Spring, Maryland)

Northwood High School
Established	1956
Type	Public Secondary
Principal	Dr. Henry R. Johnson
Students	1420 (2009)
Grades	9-12
Location	919 University Blvd W, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
District	Montgomery County Public Schools
Campus	Suburban
Colors	Red and white
Mascot	Gladiators
Website	Home Page

Northwood High School is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is part of Montgomery County Public Schools. Northwood originally opened in 1956. In 1985 it was closed in a contested decision by the Montgomery County School Board in an effort to alleviate the concentration of minorities enrolling at Montgomery Blair High school. From 1985 to 2004, Northwood was used to hold students from other high schools which were being renovated, but reopened in 2004 due to increasing population in the area. During its original run, the schools mascot was the Indians. However, since reopening, the school board has eliminated the use of Indians as a mascot. Students in the first class chose the Gladiators as the new mascot. The current principal is Henry Johnson, and the school serves grades 9-12.

Reopening

Since reopening in 2004 under construction with a single grade, the school has consistently failed more students each year who choose to go there rather than Watkins Mill High School. 2008 was the first year since the school reopened in which there were all four classes. The school has approximately 1,400 students. This size has moved it from a division 2A school in Maryland High School athletics, to a division 3A school for the 2009-10 school year.

Sports

The school's sports program is only in their second season of having varsity teams. The varsity football squad earned a record of 5-5 and the varsity basketball team reached the regional playoffs. The boys soccer team has won the 3A/2A division championship for two consecutive years (2008, 2009). The boys Cross country running team has won the Montgomery County Public Schools division IV championship two consecutive years (2008, 2009). The boys cross-country team qualified to run in the state championships out of the 3A West region in 2009. In 2009 the girls Cross-Country team won the Montgomery County Public Schools division IV championship. In 2008 Northwood had three division 2A state champions in indoor track and one champion and runner-up in outdoor track. The varsity cheerleading squad placed second in their division in the December 2008 Montgomery County Public Schools competition. The varsity cheerleading squad placed first in their division and won spirit award in the November 2009 Montgomery County Public Schools competition

Prior to closing in 1985 Northwood had a number of division, county, regional, and state championships in a variety of sports. Don Greenberg was an all county member of the football and baseball teams during the 1973 and 1974 seasons which are often referred to as the "glory years" of Northwood athletics.

School facilities

The schools location is at the corner of University Boulevard West and Arcola Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland. Northwood has a recently remodeled multipurpose stadium where their football, soccer, track and lacrosse teams play, named after former Northwood teacher David Kaplan who became an activist lobbying to keep the school open in 1985. The athletic area of Northwood also includes two baseball fields, a track, and a concessions area to the left of the main stands of Kaplan Stadium. The school has a Media Center that mainly serves as a library. There is also a band room, alternate music room, a full wellness center, and a film room that is the location of Northwood's television and radio station, WNHS.

WNHS

WNHS is the television and radio station at Northwood high school.^[1] During the first 20 minutes of each school day, WNHS holds a news-like announcement segment complete with current events, weather forecasts, and school news.

References

1. ^ "Live from Northwood, it’s WNHS". Live from Northwood, it’s WNHS. http://www.gazette.net/stories/031407/wheanew223926_32333.shtml/. Retrieved 2008-10-01. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• Northwood High School official site