Bullis v Potomac

[Anonymous]

Would appreciation any thoughts about differences between these two schools for high school.

[Anonymous]

Both are coed and secular. Other than that, quite different. Are there specific things you want to know about? What grade(s)? What are your kid’s interests and strengths?

[Anonymous]

Potomac harder to get into and more of a pressure cooker. Sports are generally strong and important at both schools.

[Anonymous]

Both public schools you pay for.

[Anonymous]

Being honest - DC got waitlisted at Potomac and was very disappointed. Went to Bullis, loved it, had a great balance of academics and social opportunities is now at a T25 college loves it. Friends who sent kids to Potomac did not fair as well in college admissions and seem a little bitter about it.

[Anonymous]

Have your student shadow and see what they prefer. Factor in commute. Bullis has a more strenuous course track if your child needs/wants that, but it also has more actual on level classes and supports if that’s more appropriate. I don’t know as much about Potomac academically, but based on what I understand from friends it is definitely more of a pressure cooker type feel academically. Socially, there’s a ton of money at both. That’s not limited to those two schools, but I would say we felt it more there than at other schools on our list. Athletically, both has some very dominant sports, but they play in different divisions so take a look at which makes better sense for your kid if they’d like to continue playing in HS (beyond simply ticking the PE requirement box). We ultimately scratched Potomac off our list because of the commute (yes, there’s a bus so WE wouldn’t always be driving but the amount of time in transit for DC was too much). We ultimately scratched Bullis off the list (after DC was accepted) because DC’s shadow day experience was not great. We have friends who made a different choice and are very happy at both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Both public schools you pay for.

Hilarious and true! You do though pay more for Bullis and get less.

Teachers have more time to give student feedback and design effective lessons at Potomac, as in the middle and upper school teachers just teach 4 classes, no extra duties. So your kid will get a good deal of attention. But the public schools in the area are better anyway.

The quality of education at Bullis is weaker since teachers have to teach more (5 classes) and do additional duties. Lots of burnout and little continuity. The public schools in the area are also better as well.

Both schools have high teacher turnover (Bullis higher though), if that matters to you. But your money will get you more at Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both public schools you pay for.

Hilarious and true! You do though pay more for Bullis and get less.

Teachers have more time to give student feedback and design effective lessons at Potomac, as in the middle and upper school teachers just teach 4 classes, no extra duties. So your kid will get a good deal of attention. But the public schools in the area are better anyway.

Are you a parent at either school? Seems like a lot of opinions if your child doesn’t attend
The quality of education at Bullis is weaker since teachers have to teach more (5 classes) and do additional duties. Lots of burnout and little continuity. The public schools in the area are also better as well.

Both schools have high teacher turnover (Bullis higher though), if that matters to you. But your money will get you more at Potomac.

[Anonymous]

One is much better than the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both public schools you pay for.

Hilarious and true! You do though pay more for Bullis and get less.

Teachers have more time to give student feedback and design effective lessons at Potomac, as in the middle and upper school teachers just teach 4 classes, no extra duties. So your kid will get a good deal of attention. But the public schools in the area are better anyway.

The quality of education at Bullis is weaker since teachers have to teach more (5 classes) and do additional duties. Lots of burnout and little continuity. The public schools in the area are also better as well.

Both schools have high teacher turnover (Bullis higher though), if that matters to you. But your money will get you more at Potomac.

Are you a parent at either? Seems like a lot of opinions if your child doesn’t attend these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have your student shadow and see what they prefer. Factor in commute. Bullis has a more strenuous course track if your child needs/wants that, but it also has more actual on level classes and supports if that’s more appropriate. I don’t know as much about Potomac academically, but based on what I understand from friends it is definitely more of a pressure cooker type feel academically. Socially, there’s a ton of money at both. That’s not limited to those two schools, but I would say we felt it more there than at other schools on our list. Athletically, both has some very dominant sports, but they play in different divisions so take a look at which makes better sense for your kid if they’d like to continue playing in HS (beyond simply ticking the PE requirement box). We ultimately scratched Potomac off our list because of the commute (yes, there’s a bus so WE wouldn’t always be driving but the amount of time in transit for DC was too much). We ultimately scratched Bullis off the list (after DC was accepted) because DC’s shadow day experience was not great. We have friends who made a different choice and are very happy at both.

A thoughtful, detailed response with no snark. Old school DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Bullis is in Potomac. Potomac is not.

[Anonymous]

Both have very nice campuses. Other than that--they are verrry different.

Their students don't cross paths all that much (athletically or socially) given very real geographic distances.

Potomac is about 40% MD and DC. I don't think Bullis has nearly as many VA kids.

Consider your commute.

[Anonymous]

We live in McLean and our kids go to Bullis. The bus on our route (there are other VA routes) is full. Many VA kids at Bullis, and many from Little Langley. We chose Bullis because we thought our kids would be happier and when we looked at the college lists, there didn't seem to be much difference. Both lists were good. I think the choice is a matter of what vibe you want - both are really good schools.

[Anonymous]

Potomac is a much harder admit. Yes, both are rich kids publics. But they get you into good colleges.