1085 Downton Rd
Halethorpe, MD 21227

Arbutus middle is trash, I’m pulling my kids out and we’re gonna literally have to move because everyday a child in this school is physically injured. Whether it’s mine or yours, these people who are so post to be protecting our children, have completely failed us. This school is below trash.

It's a shame. There are many good things going on with Lansdowne HS. I had two kids graduate from here. They enjoyed many of the extracurricular opportunities - being in the excellent choir, appearing in the fabulous plays the school puts on every year, and participating in a program run with the Hippodrome theater. They had some very good, dedicated teachers. Both of my kids adored the televideo class, and all the projects they got to do. They were in GT classes, took some AP classes, and did dual enrollment with CCBC while still in school. On a down note, the atmosphere at the school can be a problem. There are fights, drop-outs, and a seedy neighborhood outside. The physical building is a disgrace, and Baltimore county school board should be raked over coals for allowing it to fall into such disrepair. It has no air conditioning, and as the summers get hotter and longer, this becomes a dangerous situation. It is two stories, but has no elevator for disabled students. They found asbestos in supply closets. The water fountains break and run rusty. The auditorium literally floods a bit when it rains, and mice run around the floor during performances. I believe the last major renovation to the building was done in 1973. So no, sadly, I would not recommend this school to anyone.

I was hesitant to send my child to any school in bcps because of the experiences of my older child. I've been very happy with Relay. Communication from the school to parents needs a lot of improvement. Most of the teachers are great and care about the students. I think the curriculum could be adjusted to challenge the higher level students more, but overall the facilities are great and it's a very nice school.