Maidera or the Potomac School

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know anything about these schools? Are they difficult to get into? On par with the "big 3"...I just don't see these schools mentioned much and was wondering about them. TIA

[Anonymous]

No personal experience, but have heard very very good things about Potomac. Sounds like quality is on a par with Sidwell/GDS/Maret, but location is an issue for many, so it may be slightly easier to get in. (That's a guess.) I believe they have buses to DC and Maryland.

I'm afraid my first association with Madeira is always Jean Harris! Guess that dates me...

[Anonymous]

I think that is mostly a function of this being a DC-oriented board. For us VA folks, those are biggies! But also, Madeira is just high school, and most people on this board have younger kids....

[Anonymous]

Potomac School does bus kids from all over the place - I pass many of them on my way to work. I've seen ones with Georgetown, Cleveland Park and Capitol Hill labels on the side. I know someone whose son goes to Potomac for high school and really likes it - only thing I recall her saying is that the older kids are required to stay on campus on the afternoons so he doesn't get home until after 6 (due to bus situation) which makes for a very long day.

[Anonymous]

A Virginia mom here. Madeira is a TOP school in terms of competitive admissions and reputation. Potomac also very highly regarded and difficult to get into. Sadly, there is no such thing as easy admission to great school, despite everyone's hope to find the "hidden gem"!!

[Anonymous]

The reason people see so many Potomac School buses is because the neighborhood the school is in doesn't allow lots of parent drop-offs and student drivers zooming through the neighborhood. So the school has drop-off points around McLean and other places where they pick kids up every morning and take them after school at certain times. Their website explains that a bit more. I have a co-worker with an elementary school child at Potomac and they love it there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No personal experience, but have heard very very good things about Potomac. Sounds like quality is on a par with Sidwell/GDS/Maret, but location is an issue for many, so it may be slightly easier to get in. (That's a guess.) I believe they have buses to DC and Maryland.

I'm afraid my first association with Madeira is always Jean Harris! Guess that dates me...

That's what I think of too. It is amazing how one person can affect an entire schools reputation for years!