Original Research by School Decision on Clarksburg High
Clarksburg High is a large regular public high school serving grades nine through twelve in northern Montgomery County. It is part of Montgomery County Public Schools, the single school district that covers the entire county, so the district-level context—budget priorities, curriculum decisions, boundary planning—applies directly to this school.
The student body is sizable for a high school, and it is racially and economically diverse. Asian, Black, and Hispanic students each make up roughly a quarter of enrollment, with White students and those identifying as two or more races making up the remainder. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the source materials; a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
On state assessments, the picture is mixed. In English language arts, the proficiency rate sits above the midpoint on a national scale—roughly in the range of many comprehensive high schools in the region. Mathematics proficiency, however, is very low. Only a small fraction of students scored proficient or above on the math assessment for the single year reported. That gap between ELA and math performance is wide and is something families should look into further with the school, particularly around how algebra and advanced math courses are structured. Science results for eighth grade were suppressed in the data, which often happens when a small number of students are tested or when privacy thresholds apply; the school serves ninth through twelfth graders, so those results may not reflect the high school population.
No graduation rate was reported in the data we had. It is common for alternative or special-purpose schools to have missing graduation data, but Clarksburg High is a regular public comprehensive high school. The absence is notable, and a parent may want to confirm the school’s graduation rate directly with the school or district.
Clarksburg itself is a fast-growing suburban community that has seen its population rise dramatically over the past two decades. The area was planned under a master set of targets for housing, retail, employment, and transit, though development has been uneven. A new town center is being built, but much of the retail is concentrated in shopping centers and a large outlet mall rather than a walkable downtown. The area is car-dependent, with major highways and roads connecting residents to employment centers elsewhere in Montgomery County and the broader Washington region. Housing values are high—above the national median—and rents are steep, making this an expensive area for families.
The district has recently adopted a new elementary literacy curriculum, though that is more relevant for families with younger children. The MCPS operating budget has grown substantially, and the district continues to conduct systemwide boundary studies that could affect which schools students attend in the future. For a high school family, the boundary question is most relevant at the transition from middle school to high school.
Overall, Clarksburg High serves a large and diverse student body in an affluent but high-cost suburban setting. Its English language arts results are solid, but the very low math proficiency rate is a significant soft spot that merits attention. Families who value a large, comprehensive high school with a diverse peer environment will find that here, but they should explore how the school supports math achievement and whether its course pathways align with their student’s goals.
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