Damascus High School

Damascus High School (DHS) is a public high school in Damascus, Maryland, United States. It is part of the Montgomery County Public Schools district.

Damascus High School
Address
25921 Ridge Road

Damascus
,
Maryland
20872

United States
Coordinates39°16′56″N 77°12′38″W
Information
Other nameDHS
TypePublic high school
MottoStay Humble
Established1909 (1909)
School districtMontgomery County Public Schools
NCES School ID240048001455[1]
PrincipalKevin Yates
Teaching staff83 (on an FTE basis)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,381 (2021-2022)[1]
Student to teacher ratio16.64[1]
Campus typeRural/Suburban
Color(s)Green, Gold   
Athletics conferenceAAA
MascotHornets
NicknameSwarmin' Hornets
RivalsSeneca Valley High School
Clarksburg High School
NewspaperThe Buzz
Websitewww.damascushs.org

History

Damascus High School was first established in 1909 as a three-year secondary school.[2] The current building was constructed in 1950 and renovated in 1978.[3] MCPS has approved a $127 million renovation to be completed in 2026, although it is recommended to be delayed from that date due to county fiscal concerns.[4]

Athletics

The school colors are green and gold, and the mascot is the Swarmin' Hornet. Damascus' biggest rivalries are with the neighboring Seneca Valley High School and Clarksburg High School.

Damascus has a prestigious football program which has won twelve Maryland 3A or 4A state championships: 1981, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022.[5][6] This is a state record that they share with Seneca Valley High School (which also has twelve, but last won in 2002).[7] The team's dominance from 2015 to 2017 earned them a 53-game winning streak, also a state record.[8]

In 2019, the football program came under scrutiny after it was discovered that four players on the team were sexually assaulted with broomsticks by teammates that were recent transfers from nearby Clarksburg High School. The school administration waited twelve hours after learning about the hazing before contacting the police.[9] The team members who were accused were initially tried as adults[10] before having their cases moved to juvenile court. As a result, the students were found guilty but later released on bond.[11]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Search for Public Schools - Damascus High (240048001455)". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  2. "Damascus High School to Celebrate 100 Years of Education". MCPS Bulletin. February 17, 2010.
  3. Lewis, Kevin (November 12, 2013). "MCPS crumbling from within, say parents and students". WJLA.
  4. Pollak, Suzanne (March 20, 2023). "Damascus High School Community Concerned Construction Project Will Be Delayed Again". MyMCMedia.
  5. Jones, Jackie (March 18, 2000). "Suburbia Encroaches on a Small Country Town". The Washington Post. p. H1.
  6. Mike Loveday; Sheldon Shealer (December 31, 2009). "The top 5 programs of the decade in Maryland high school football". ESPNRise.
  7. Melnick, Kyle (October 19, 2021). "Seneca Valley, once Maryland's premier football program, tries to recapture its glory". The Washington Post.
  8. Melnick, Kyle (December 5, 2019). "Damascus returns to the mountaintop, walks off with Md. 3A state title". The Washington Post.
  9. "Football hazing and sexual assault case at high school in Maryland investigated - The Washington Post". The Washington Post.
  10. "4 charged as adults in alleged Damascus High School broomstick hazing incident released on bond". 28 November 2018.
  11. "Court Proceedings Conclude in Two Damascus Locker Room Rape Cases, Report Says". 19 August 2019.
  12. Wilson, Aaron (April 21, 2015). "Appalachian State cornerback Joel Ross invited to Ravens' local prospect day today, sources say". Baltimore Sun.
  13. Singer-Bart, Susan (June 9, 2010). "Damascus High grads: Farewell, for now". The Gazette. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010.
  14. Giblin, John (November 6, 1999). "Born to Lead". Daily Collegian.


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