Looking for feedback on the Potomac School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is considered an athletic recruiter? In a top local club team? Is there showcase for these private school coach? Or find a way to connect with the coaches?

The coaches know how to recruit. They may not approach the family themselves, but talk to an AAU coach instead. They are creative.

Coaches also sometimes go to tournaments wearing clothing with the school name. If you see this, talk to them.

[Anonymous]

School website says the school performs individual testing (apparently on campus) for students applying to Middle School. Which tests are they using for middle school applicants?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School website says the school performs individual testing (apparently on campus) for students applying to Middle School. Which tests are they using for middle school applicants?

Potomac uses its own entrance and placement tests.

[Anonymous]

Does the test include whether or not your checkbook can clear without bouncing?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does the test include whether or not your checkbook can clear without bouncing?”

If you think k that’s all it takes to get into Potomac you are highly deluded.

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend Potomac. I just dropped my child off at the bus due to the construction and the parking situation. If someone could offer me my $55,000 back I would take it and we would go on our way somewhere more joyful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend Potomac. I just dropped my child off at the bus due to the construction and the parking situation. If someone could offer me my $55,000 back I would take it and we would go on our way somewhere more joyful.

Fairfax County does not *allow* Potomac School parents to drop off or pick up students at the school during the normal school arrival / dismissal times. Late school pickup (after athletic practices end around 5pm) is allowed. This has been a County-enforced rule for 30+ years now. The School is very clear about this. It should not surprise any parent.

It also has nothing to do with either construction or parking. The Evermay neighborhood objected to the traffic volume such drop offs and pickups would create.

Usually there is a wait list for all grades. This early in the year, I would bet PP could get the school to waive remaining fees if someone on their wait list would take PP's DC's place.

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend Potomac. I just dropped my child off at the bus due to the construction and the parking situation. If someone could offer me my $55,000 back I would take it and we would go on our way somewhere more joyful.

I don't even have a kid at Potomac and know you basically have to use their bus system given the restrictions Evermay set forth. Not sure how you thought you'd drive them daily?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend Potomac. I just dropped my child off at the bus due to the construction and the parking situation. If someone could offer me my $55,000 back I would take it and we would go on our way somewhere more joyful.

WOW. We are a current family. Our child and the Potomac families we know find it to be a very joyful place with a wonderful community. And as far as your claim of dropping your child off at the bus because of the construction, that's ridiculous. If your child is in K, you can drop them off in carpool. If your child is a senior, they can still park on campus. Other than that, your child was always required to take the bus due to an agreement with the surrounding HOA (which understandably doesn't love the thought of hundreds of cars lined up bumper to bumper to get on campus every morning on a road that is approximately 1/2 mile long).

Potomac has (so far) handled the construction of the new middle school very well. Yes, some parking is limited, but not much (really just a small lot (30 spots?) now designated for construction workers). Would you rather they keep a building from 1954 than take 30 spots of parking away?

To everyone claiming it's not worth it to apply because your child won't be accepted unless you're connected or extremely wealthy. That's nonsense. We are neither and our child was accepted, as were many of his non-connected friends.

To the International PP from August of this year, definitely include Potomac among the schools to which you apply. Our child - and we as their parents - couldn't be happier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend Potomac. I just dropped my child off at the bus due to the construction and the parking situation. If someone could offer me my $55,000 back I would take it and we would go on our way somewhere more joyful.

WOW. We are a current family. Our child and the Potomac families we know find it to be a very joyful place with a wonderful community. And as far as your claim of dropping your child off at the bus because of the construction, that's ridiculous. If your child is in K, you can drop them off in carpool. If your child is a senior, they can still park on campus. Other than that, your child was always required to take the bus due to an agreement with the surrounding HOA (which understandably doesn't love the thought of hundreds of cars lined up bumper to bumper to get on campus every morning on a road that is approximately 1/2 mile long).

Potomac has (so far) handled the construction of the new middle school very well. Yes, some parking is limited, but not much (really just a small lot (30 spots?) now designated for construction workers). Would you rather they keep a building from 1954 than take 30 spots of parking away?

To everyone claiming it's not worth it to apply because your child won't be accepted unless you're connected or extremely wealthy. That's nonsense. We are neither and our child was accepted, as were many of his non-connected friends.

To the International PP from August of this year, definitely include Potomac among the schools to which you apply. Our child - and we as their parents - couldn't be happier.

Probably some jealousy. The school is hard to get into. My son got waitpiled two years in a row, but did get accepted into and chose a school often thought of as a (big 3).
Apply if you like it, but it’s not the end of the world if you aren’t accepted.

[Anonymous]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not recommend Potomac. I just dropped my child off at the bus due to the construction and the parking situation. If someone could offer me my $55,000 back I would take it and we would go on our way somewhere more joyful.

WOW. We are a current family. Our child and the Potomac families we know find it to be a very joyful place with a wonderful community. And as far as your claim of dropping your child off at the bus because of the construction, that's ridiculous. If your child is in K, you can drop them off in carpool. If your child is a senior, they can still park on campus. Other than that, your child was always required to take the bus due to an agreement with the surrounding HOA (which understandably doesn't love the thought of hundreds of cars lined up bumper to bumper to get on campus every morning on a road that is approximately 1/2 mile long).

Potomac has (so far) handled the construction of the new middle school very well. Yes, some parking is limited, but not much (really just a small lot (30 spots?) now designated for construction workers). Would you rather they keep a building from 1954 than take 30 spots of parking away?

To everyone claiming it's not worth it to apply because your child won't be accepted unless you're connected or extremely wealthy. That's nonsense. We are neither and our child was accepted, as were many of his non-connected friends.

To the International PP from August of this year, definitely include Potomac among the schools to which you apply. Our child - and we as their parents - couldn't be happier.

Probably some jealousy. The school is hard to get into. My son got waitpiled two years in a row, but did get accepted into and chose a school often thought of as a (big 3).
Apply if you like it, but it’s not the end of the world if you aren’t accepted.

Sidwell, GDS, STA, and NCS are hard to get into. If you have the cash, you can get into Potomac. The school has gotten weak academically and is catering to a different audience now; and many great, experienced teachers left. The public schools in the area are just as good if not better anyway.

[Anonymous]

As someone who is looking at schools right now and doing the research, I find these comments odd. Potomac has 9 NMSF this year. Acceptances (just so far this year) at Yale, Stanford, MIT, Duke, Brown, Chicago, Northwestern, Harvard, etc. it was very well-regarded Speech and Debate and Robotics programs. There is teacher turnover at every school, but Potomac doesn’t appear to be weak academically by any measure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As someone who is looking at schools right now and doing the research, I find these comments odd. Potomac has 9 NMSF this year. Acceptances (just so far this year) at Yale, Stanford, MIT, Duke, Brown, Chicago, Northwestern, Harvard, etc. it was very well-regarded Speech and Debate and Robotics programs. There is teacher turnover at every school, but Potomac doesn’t appear to be weak academically by any measure.

!00%! It's a great school (like many) that any child would be fortunate to attend. We have two lifers and will say that the lower, middle, and intermediate schools are outstanding and full of joy and kindness. US is definitely challenging but there is a lovely spirit, hard-working teachers, and traditions that are meaningful. We are grateful to the school and have been since they began in K.

[Anonymous]

Would make sure Potomac is a good fit for your child before applying. The school prioritizes and caters to kids who are extroverted, athletic, and neurotypical. If your kid checks these boxes, they will have a great experience. If your kid is shy, introverted, and not into sports, there is a real possibility they will get lost in the shuffle.