The school first opened to grades 10-12 in 1956,[8] and was named after the baseball pitcher and politician, Walter Johnson who lived in the area and had died 10 years prior. The school's original mascot and team name was The Spartans; as the student body chose the school colors based on the colors and name of Michigan State University, Spartans. Originally, the school only educated 11th and 12th grader's.[9]
In 1963 Mighty Moo, a dairy cow named after the cows that roamed the adjacent fields of the Davis farm until the early 90s, was named the school mascot.[10][8] After a 1987 consolidation with nearby Charles W. Woodward High School, Walter Johnson maintained its school colors of white and green, but adopted Woodward's mascot, "Wild Thing" the Wildcat.[11] In 1963, a group of Seniors's painted Mighty Moo onto the school chimney where it remains to this day.[8]
In 2024 the student body expanded to over 3,000 kids, with each grade's having over 700 kids apiece.[12] To deal with the rampant overpopulation of the school, Woodward High School will be reopened in 2027.[13] The construction of Woodward High School has been problematic with up to 39 million dollars having been lost in funding.[14]
Academics
Walter Johnson High School established their APEX-Reach Signature Program in 1996.[15] This APEX-Reach Program leads students through a more rigorous curriculum through a combination of honors and Advance Placement (AP) classes.[16]
WJ students average a score of 1192 on the SAT, with 604 on verbal and 588 on math.[18]
As of 2024, Walter Johnson is the 15th-ranked high school in Maryland and the 855th-ranked nationally, according to U.S News and World Report.[19]
Construction
In 1960, sixteen more rooms were added to the school along ten more in 1964. Construction in the mid-1970s introduced the addition to a secondary gym and theater. In the merge with the Charles W. Woodward High School, more lockers, trophy cases, and seven portable classrooms were added.[8]
At the start of the 2001-2002 school year began construction plans to renovate the school.[8] The construction took ten years which include new installations like 19 more classrooms, 4 more science labs, a new cafeteria, stadium, media center, new gym, and new auditorium.[8][20] The renovation also include the addition of more amenities like an art, music, and technology suite. The school's entrance was designed to have a glass ceiling decorated with 90 national flags respresenting the nationalities of the student population.[20]
School Articulation Patterns
Walter Johnson serves two middle schools, each of which serve three elementary schools.[21]
North Bethesda MS
Ashburton ES
Kensington Parkwood ES
Wyngate ES
Tilden MS
Farmland ES
Garrett Park ES
Luxmanor ES
Expected Changes
With overcrowding at many schools in the downcounty area, especially Walter Johnson, Woodward will be fully reopening with the goal of alleviating overcrowding at nearby schools. To address these concerns, MCPS has begun a boundary study that will affect up to eight high school service areas: Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Walter Johnson, Walt Whitman, and the five high schools within the Downcounty Consortium.[22] The boundary changes are expected to take place at the start of the 2027-28 school year, when Northwood high school students will return to their expanded facility.[23]
Activities
Athletics
The school offers a variety of sports with fall, winter, and springs sports. In the fall, the school offers cross country, field hockey, football, golf, pom's, soccer, and volleyball. In the winter, the school offers baseketball, bocce, indoor track, swimming, and wrestling. In the spring, the school offers baseball, lacrosse, softball, tennis, track, and volleyball.[24]
Writing
Walter Johnson has classes to support their literature with their own newspaper, The Pitch, as well as their own literary magazine, The Spectator. Their Yearbook is named The Windup.[8]
Music
The school contains several ensembles for music like the Madrigals, Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Band, Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. These ensembles often perform for county and/or state competitions in various venues.
Walter Johnson also has their own musical productions, WJ STAGE, and along with it their own production crew.
↑ Division of Capital Planning, Montgomery County Public Schools. Superintendent's Recommended FY 2025 Capital Budget and the FY 2025–2030 Capital Improvements Program - Chapter 4: Walter Johnson Cluster. Accessed 3 June 2024
↑ Division of Capital Planning, Montgomery County Public Schools. Board of Education Adopted Boundary Study Scope - to Determine the Service Area for the Reopening of the Charles W. Woodward High School - March 28, 2023. Accessed 31 May 2024
↑ Division of Capital Planning, Montgomery County Public Schools. Superintendent's Recommended FY 2025 Capital Budget and the FY 2025–2030 Capital Improvements Program - Chapter 4: Downcounty Consortium. Accessed 31 May 2024
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