Montgomery Blair High School

“Three thousand students under one roof?” a student whispers, gazing at Montgomery Blair High School. Montgomery Blair High School stands as a testament to growth and change. Founded in 1925 as Takoma-Silver Spring High School, it began humbly with just eighty-six students and five teachers. Montgomery Blair High School quickly expanded to include a junior high. By the mid-1930s, it was clear a larger space was needed. A new high school building was constructed, “miles from anywhere,” and in March 1935, Montgomery Blair High School was born. It carried its traditions, colors (red and white), and even its song from its previous location. It was named after Montgomery Blair, a prominent figure who had served as Postmaster General under Abraham Lincoln. After World War II, Silver Spring boomed, and what was once “miles from anywhere” became the heart of a growing downtown. Montgomery Blair High School grew along with it. The student population exploded, from 714 in 1946 to 1,323 just five years later. The campus expanded over the decades to accommodate the influx. Today, Montgomery Blair High School houses close to 3,000 students, making it the largest high school in the county. The school moved to its current location in 1998. This current building, situated at the corner of Colesville Road and University Boulevard, represents the latest chapter in Montgomery Blair High School’s history. It’s home to the Communication Arts Program (CAP), the Science, Mathematics, Computer Science Magnet Program, and the Academies at Montgomery Blair. The school continues to serve the diverse community of Silver Spring. It stands as a symbol of the area’s growth and its commitment to education.