Question for Current/Former Potomac School, High School Parents- Is it Worth It?

[Anonymous]

Question for any current/former Potomac School high school families, please: Do you think the school is/was worth going to?

We are currently at an incredible private school in Leesburg, VA. We love everything about it-- the beautiful campus, the admin, the teachers, the rigorous academics and it's established history. The problem is, it ends after 8th grade- and we need a high school.

We are not finding any high schools near us that are even close to the current school we are at. We heard about the Potomac School in McLean, (we are not from this area) and are thinking it might be a good match to where we are now?

It would not be practical for us to commute 45 minutes to an hour each day to go there, so IF, (and it's a big IF), our children were accepted--- we would try to move closer to it. (This is not a really big deal, because it might be nice to be closer to DC for work anyway. We also used to move every 2-3 years for our jobs, so this is not a big lift.)

But my question for the current/former parents there is-- is it worth it? Is it a kind and safe community for high school? Are the math teachers good? (Our children love math.) Are there good college counselors to help give your child a shot at applying to really competitive colleges?

Just because a school is expensive does not always mean it has good values, kind families, good teachers, or high college support. (That was something I assumed was true, but I am learning it is not.) Figured I'd ask on here. Thanks for reading.

[Anonymous]

It is an extremely difficult admit but an excellent school. Don't waste too much mental energy thinking about it UNTIL YOU ARE ADMITTED.

It is not really an option until then.

[Anonymous]

Odds of admission are higher with a Leesburg zip code. The school is keen to draw students from all over. If accepted, then move someplace closer.

[Anonymous]

You’re not getting in

[Anonymous]

Potomac is a great school but so are half a dozen others that are both similar and different than Potomac. As others have pointed out, admission at any single one of the most competitive schools is unlikely, so I certainly suggest not concentrating your eggs in one basket.

[Anonymous]

Guessing you are at LCDS so in terms of your DCs' chances of getting in, rely on your outplacement person there. If they think your kid is a strong enough applicant that they have as good a shot as any, go for it, but as others have said, wait to make plans to move until you've gotten in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guessing you are at LCDS so in terms of your DCs' chances of getting in, rely on your outplacement person there. If they think your kid is a strong enough applicant that they have as good a shot as any, go for it, but as others have said, wait to make plans to move until you've gotten in.

PP here. If you are willing to move, other schools that have more of a campus / suburban feel that are still competitive but less so that Potomac that you may want to look at are: St. Stephens & St. Agnes, Bullis, and St. Andrews

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re not getting in

To be clear for you, I don’t think it’s OP who is applying. It’s her children we are talking about.

[Anonymous]

No. Not worth it. The Ivy League admits we’re legacies so not due to the school. It’s very cliquish - not worth the experience or price.

[Anonymous]

That is why they love to admit students either an Ivy parent or two. So OP, are you or your spouse Ivy. Potomac absolutely factors that into who they admit… as do many others for sure. Many UVA acceptances were also legacy and while UVA isn’t supposed to do legacy, the same isn’t true for donors. Legacy families donate, families that donate have an edge in admissions.

[Anonymous]

Overrated. Not in the same category as the top schools in the area academically. Nice campus, though.

[Anonymous]

the school is a pressure cooker, both academically and socially. you will hear a lot of discussion of Ivy league admissions, SAT prep, and spring break ski trips to Aspen. if that is your scene, you will like Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is why they love to admit students either an Ivy parent or two. So OP, are you or your spouse Ivy. Potomac absolutely factors that into who they admit… as do many others for sure. Many UVA acceptances were also legacy and while UVA isn’t supposed to do legacy, the same isn’t true for donors. Legacy families donate, families that donate have an edge in admissions.

Virginia law changed for both legacy and donors at the same time. Public universities in Virginia are NOT allowed to give preference to donors. UVa complies with that law fully.

[Anonymous]

Not worth it. Lots of faculty turnover recently and the curriculum has been watered down. The public schools in the area are better anyway.

[Anonymous]

Not worth the enormous tuition unless you are happy to pay for a beautiful campus, but no academic accountability. The lower school is especially dysfunctional, but the middle school and high school also have multiple issues with cheating, racism, sadly all the things you would expected a privileged predominantly white school.
There are definitely students that make the most out of the situation and go onto high achievement in academics, but the core of the students are legacies, admitted on name. Generations of families have gone there and generations were also sexually abused by someone who worked there.
The place is riddled with issues both historic and current. I’ve seen it from the inside and I would advise you to stay away.