Looking for feedback on the Potomac School

[Anonymous]

I would never describe a school past K as joyous—and we’ve truly loved all three schools DH has attended since preschool. But “joyous”? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Family of three at Potomac and we love it. The truth is that the bus system is great and it does mean that kids aren’t flaunting their cars. But more importantly, it truly is a kind and generous school. We haven’t known any families who are on the unhappy spend of the continuum. It’s a joyous place, especially in the first three divisions.

Then you are not talking to other parents. Go to an US parent forum and report back here about how joyous everyone is. They're universally miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Family of three at Potomac and we love it. The truth is that the bus system is great and it does mean that kids aren’t flaunting their cars. But more importantly, it truly is a kind and generous school. We haven’t known any families who are on the unhappy spend of the continuum. It’s a joyous place, especially in the first three divisions.

Then you are not talking to other parents. Go to an US parent forum and report back here about how joyous everyone is. They're universally miserable.

I think the joyous comment is ridiculous but I highly doubt every family at any school is “universally miserable” either. It’s amazing how little room DCUMers have for others to experience schools differently than they do.

[Anonymous]

Reality — with any school — is that there is a continuum of experiences from very happy with school to very unhappy.

Kids are different from each other. Ditto families. Ditto schools. The goal should be for DC to attend the “best fit” school.

[Anonymous]

The PP asked for “feedback” and that is what they are getting. The boosters of the school often come across as tone deaf to the problems at the school, which can be annoying to those of us who have experienced real issues and are posting in part to vent and also to warn others so they go in with eyes wide open. I wish I had known certain things before getting involved in what turned out to be a poor decision for my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do it. So much money there. It sucks being the poor kid.

+1 The level of wealth is at another level. The trips and students activities are at another level. Your student will know they are different.

If you haven’t visited yet, you should go to an open house and look at the purses/car of the families.

[Anonymous]

Parent of upper school student. The wealth issue is real. It’s not insurmountable, but it is something you should realize. It’s unlike any school other than maybe the Cathedral schools in this regard. Math curriculum leaves much to be desired. School often thinks it knows better than you about everything but makes exceptions for the biggest donors. DC had a pretty good experience overall and got into a good college. But I don’t think Potomac had much to do with the college placement (would have been similar other places) and the social scene can be hard if you are not wealthy even if your child is outgoing and sporty.

[Anonymous]

Rich woke folk

[Anonymous]

For context, we make between 700 K and 1 M each year and felt poor at this school, which is crazy when you think about the overall wealth distribution in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rich woke folk

Indigent redneck

[Anonymous]

I feel for the kids with parents putting so much pressure on them to attend these crazy wealth schools. The amount of homework given every day combined with the forced commitment to a demanding sport team is unhealthy for the kids.
Please let the kids be happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Family of three at Potomac and we love it. The truth is that the bus system is great and it does mean that kids aren’t flaunting their cars. But more importantly, it truly is a kind and generous school. We haven’t known any families who are on the unhappy spend of the continuum. It’s a joyous place, especially in the first three divisions.

laying it on a little bit too thick?

Sorry if that’s not your family’s experience at whatever school your kids attend. It happens to be ours at Potomac. We have no complaints and our kids love it. Every day? Of course not. But we all feel a lot of joy being a part of the community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For context, we make between 700 K and 1 M each year and felt poor at this school, which is crazy when you think about the overall wealth distribution in the country.

We have 2 kids at the school.

We make 3mil/year and feel maybe in the top 30percent of earners there. But many wealthier families there that make use “look” poor…

[Anonymous]

Potomac seems like a facade. They definitely have the best campus amongst the private schools but I don’t think they are very strong academically. Their college placement this year is not very impressive. We toured the school and also got the impression that it caters to extremely wealthy kids who are also very athletic. Not sure about the school culture but I’ve heard from some families that there are a lot of cliques and if your child is more reserved, it’s hard finding good friends.

[Anonymous]

Potomac is a wannabe school full with insecure parents.