Bullis or St Andrews

[Anonymous]

We are looking for 9th next year and are interested in these schools. We went to a few sporting events this year and they seem very similar with Bullis being a fancier school. Is this the general difference?

[Anonymous]

Totally different types of schools. Go on a tour and you’ll feel the difference. St Andrew’s is Episcopalian and will have a few theology classes to take and is a high performing school, which has become more so in the past decade. Smaller class sizes. I really liked the school a lot. Bullis screams money and has everything possible. To me it seemed like it was perfect on the outside but hollow on the inside.

[Anonymous]

Both are good schools. But if you’re looking to start next fall, have you confirmed whether both still have openings?

[Anonymous]

Bullis has about 50% more students than SAES. SAES is Episcopal; Bullis is completely secular. Bullis says sports is not the emphasis of the school, but I don't buy it. The schools feel very different when you visit them IME.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bullis has about 50% more students than SAES. SAES is Episcopal; Bullis is completely secular. Bullis says sports is not the emphasis of the school, but I don't buy it. The schools feel very different when you visit them IME.

After visiting both these past 2 weeks, it was a hard no for me on both. We are a Sandy Spring family and there's a reason we chose that school to begin with which is why all this uncertainty absolutely stinks. Neither Bullis nor St. Andrews came close to matching what we love/loved about SSFS. I'm not saying these aren't fine schools. It's a matter of perspective based on knowing your kid and your perspectives on learning and education. For us - no. We are hoping to feel more confident in SSFS so we can return. However, we continue to look for something that comes closer to what SSFS was about and offering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis has about 50% more students than SAES. SAES is Episcopal; Bullis is completely secular. Bullis says sports is not the emphasis of the school, but I don't buy it. The schools feel very different when you visit them IME.

After visiting both these past 2 weeks, it was a hard no for me on both. We are a Sandy Spring family and there's a reason we chose that school to begin with which is why all this uncertainty absolutely stinks. Neither Bullis nor St. Andrews came close to matching what we love/loved about SSFS. I'm not saying these aren't fine schools. It's a matter of perspective based on knowing your kid and your perspectives on learning and education. For us - no. We are hoping to feel more confident in SSFS so we can return. However, we continue to look for something that comes closer to what SSFS was about and offering.

We had the 100% opposite feeling. We went to St. Andrew's and came away really impressed with how just fundamentally nice everyone was, were impressed with the curriculum, and appreciated how thoughtful they were in terms of teaching philosophy. I'm not sure if there will be space for my DS and in particular always loved the teaching staff at SSFS so it's a bummer to have to be looking. But if DS gets into St. Andrew's, we'd be very happy to send him. Haven't been to Bullis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis has about 50% more students than SAES. SAES is Episcopal; Bullis is completely secular. Bullis says sports is not the emphasis of the school, but I don't buy it. The schools feel very different when you visit them IME.

After visiting both these past 2 weeks, it was a hard no for me on both. We are a Sandy Spring family and there's a reason we chose that school to begin with which is why all this uncertainty absolutely stinks. Neither Bullis nor St. Andrews came close to matching what we love/loved about SSFS. I'm not saying these aren't fine schools. It's a matter of perspective based on knowing your kid and your perspectives on learning and education. For us - no. We are hoping to feel more confident in SSFS so we can return. However, we continue to look for something that comes closer to what SSFS was about and offering.

We had the 100% opposite feeling. We went to St. Andrew's and came away really impressed with how just fundamentally nice everyone was, were impressed with the curriculum, and appreciated how thoughtful they were in terms of teaching philosophy. I'm not sure if there will be space for my DS and in particular always loved the teaching staff at SSFS so it's a bummer to have to be looking. But if DS gets into St. Andrew's, we'd be very happy to send him. Haven't been to Bullis.

St. Andrew's puts on a good show, but the school is nothing like it is marketed. The teachers are very average, and the student body isn't really that "friendly."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis has about 50% more students than SAES. SAES is Episcopal; Bullis is completely secular. Bullis says sports is not the emphasis of the school, but I don't buy it. The schools feel very different when you visit them IME.

After visiting both these past 2 weeks, it was a hard no for me on both. We are a Sandy Spring family and there's a reason we chose that school to begin with which is why all this uncertainty absolutely stinks. Neither Bullis nor St. Andrews came close to matching what we love/loved about SSFS. I'm not saying these aren't fine schools. It's a matter of perspective based on knowing your kid and your perspectives on learning and education. For us - no. We are hoping to feel more confident in SSFS so we can return. However, we continue to look for something that comes closer to what SSFS was about and offering.

We had the 100% opposite feeling. We went to St. Andrew's and came away really impressed with how just fundamentally nice everyone was, were impressed with the curriculum, and appreciated how thoughtful they were in terms of teaching philosophy. I'm not sure if there will be space for my DS and in particular always loved the teaching staff at SSFS so it's a bummer to have to be looking. But if DS gets into St. Andrew's, we'd be very happy to send him. Haven't been to Bullis.

St. Andrew's puts on a good show, but the school is nothing like it is marketed. The teachers are very average, and the student body isn't really that "friendly."

What school would you say is more “authentically” kind/friendly with great teachers? I ask in all seriousness as a SSFS family applying out. We are trying to learn all we can in this protracted timeline but appreciate hearing different perspectives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally different types of schools. Go on a tour and you’ll feel the difference. St Andrew’s is Episcopalian and will have a few theology classes to take and is a high performing school, which has become more so in the past decade. Smaller class sizes. I really liked the school a lot. Bullis screams money and has everything possible. To me it seemed like it was perfect on the outside but hollow on the inside.

Apt description of Bullis. And I’m not a hater.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think Bullis is “fancier”. Bullis is much bigger. It’s a great choice for someone who wants well rounded, co-ed, not religious school that is not a pressure cooker like some other schools. There is a lot of focus on joy and kindness and I find that people really have good experiences and are very happy at the school. We’re a lower school family.

For the posters above, it’s clear that none of these people actually attend either school so their opinions are not first hand. Find people who have kids that go to these schools. Not the trolls who love to hate on it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally different types of schools. Go on a tour and you’ll feel the difference. St Andrew’s is Episcopalian and will have a few theology classes to take and is a high performing school, which has become more so in the past decade. Smaller class sizes. I really liked the school a lot. Bullis screams money and has everything possible. To me it seemed like it was perfect on the outside but hollow on the inside.

Do you have a child at Bullis? If not, why even bother to offer an opinion here? We are an US family at Bullis and love it. It's warm, friendly and academically challenging. There are ample opportunities to explore different areas of interest. Typical Bullis bashing from people who have no first-hand experience.

[Anonymous]

We have a recent Bullis graduate and it's a great school. Our child switched from public, and I was worried about the wealth and privilege, but our child found friends who werent what I imagined would be a typical Bullis kid. And I mad apparently friends who didn't fit the image I created in my mind as well. Bullis isn't only about athletics - Bullis has an amazing arts program from music to dance to theatre

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a recent Bullis graduate and it's a great school. Our child switched from public, and I was worried about the wealth and privilege, but our child found friends who werent what I imagined would be a typical Bullis kid. And I mad apparently friends who didn't fit the image I created in my mind as well. Bullis isn't only about athletics - Bullis has an amazing arts program from music to dance to theatre

Totally agree. The old stereotype of Bullis is not our experience at all. It’s a wonderful school

[Anonymous]

Why the hate on this site? Different schools appeal to different people. This area is blessed to have a variety of private schools. Obviously they have commonalities by which they can be measured (for example, they mostly are college prep schools), but they also have unique features and characteristics that are difficult to compare.

[Anonymous]

One has kids that thinks their school is the best school. But not mean girls like other DC schools.