SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Winston Churchill High School
11300 Gainsborough Rd
Potomac MD 20854
301 469 1164
Clinton Brown – Science Resource Teacher
Clinton_H_Brown@mcpsmd.org
January 18, 2015
Dear Parents,
The Churchill Science department would like to welcome all prospective parents and students to Churchill High School - Class
of 2019. Please examine the following course selections to determine which 9th grade science course best fits the ability and
achievement level of your son/daughter.
A) Traditional Physical Science (offered throughout MCPS).
The target audience for this course has the following qualifications:
1) Will also be enrolled in algebra I or geometry.
2) Is working to improve the consistency of personal study habits.
3) Needs assistance to understand difficult science concepts.
B) Traditional Honors Matter and Energy (offered throughout MCPS).
The target audience for this course has the following qualifications:
1) Will also be enrolled in geometry and/or honors geometry.
2) Has well refined study habits.
3) Needs some assistance to understand difficult science concepts.
4) Performs well answering higher level exam questions.
Currently, the WCHS science department offers a rigorous honors curriculum. Our traditional honors program is Honors
Matter and Energy in 9th grade, Honors Biology in 10th grade, Honors Chemistry in 10th/11th grade and Honors physics in 11th/12th grade.
Many junior and senior students also take AP science courses: AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, Molecular Genetics, AP
Environmental Science or Anatomy.
C) Honors Chemistry - 9th grade (offered as a special accelerated class at Churchill).
The target audience for this course has the following qualifications:
1) Must be enrolled in honors geometry or Algebra 2 in 9th grade.
2) Understands difficult math concepts.
3) Excellent, effective, mature study habits.
4) Self motivated to complete all homework.
5) Understands difficult science concepts.
6) Performs well preparing for higher level exams.
The 9th grade honors chemistry course is developed for students who have exemplary science achievement and a high interest
in science. These students will bypass the Honors Matter and Energy course and begin with Honors Chemistry in 9 th grade. In 10th
grade, they will take Honors Biology and also have the opportunity to concurrently complete Honors Physics. This opens the junior and
senior year to complete several advanced placement courses and participate in the summer internship programs.
Students are placed into prospective Churchill science courses through their current middle school
Science teacher’s recommendation. If you have a question concerning your son/daughter's suggested placement, please contact their
current science teacher or middle school counselor.
If you have questions concerning the high school courses listed above, please contact Clinton Brown at Churchill HS
email Clinton_H_Brown @ mcpsmd.org or (301) 469-1164.