Georgetown Prep vs The Potomac School

[Anonymous]

For younger ages, I’d say go with the easier commute. But for high school, there’s a lot more to consider and commute is just one factor. We chose a longer commute for DS’s high school and never regretted it.

[Anonymous]

We are a Virginia family who were almost in a similar situation a few years ago. Prep and Potomac were initially our son's top 2 choices. When the admissions decisions came out, he was accepted at Prep and waitlisted at Potomac. We did receive a call from our HOS though stating that since the 3 boys from his K-8 were all declining Potomac, that he would have a good chance of getting in if he pursued the waitlist. Our son did not even want to do so, chose to go to Prep and has thrived there.

The 2 schools are vastly different, but here are some observations:

Prep starts in 9th grade so it will be a lot easier to integrate socially at Prep than at Potomac. Yes,20% of the grade will likely come from Mater Dei, which is Prep's main feeder school, but that leaves 80% of the class who are all brand new to each other and makes it a lot easier to make friends.

We have a lot of friends with kids at Potomac and know of a few families whose kids joined in high school. The social scene is definitely more cliquey at Potomac and it's a known fact that the lifers, who have been there since Kindergarten, don't usually socialize well with the new kids and the new kids end up hanging out together.

Prep is very catholic: Theology classes every day for 4 years, monthly mandatory mass, daily prayers, ... The school definitely leans more conservative as well. Dress code is strict. Is your son OK wearing a suit and tie every day?

I'd say the academic offerings at Potomac , especially in STEM are significantly stronger than Prep. If you have a STEM minded child, he would have better opportunities at Potomac. Our child was more interested in business/law /finance so this was not an issue for us.

Both are great schools but very different. Best of luck in making your decision.

[Anonymous]

There’s also a “college” angle to this.

Prep sends a significant proportion of its graduates to Catholic colleges, especially Jesuit ones (Georgetown, Boston College, Holy Cross, Loyola, etc., etc.) These are colleges where going to a Jesuit high school has some weight with college Admissions. And because of a history of sending boys to these schools, relationships develop over the years between the two Admissions staffs. There’s a reservoir of trust.

Prep does send boys to non-Catholic “top” schools (Ivies, public Ivies, NESCAC, etc), but from what I have observed over the years is athletes seem to dominate this (especially in lacrosse, football and basketball).

I suspect that Potomac also has these kinds of historical/on-going relationships with colleges, but with another group of schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a Virginia family who were almost in a similar situation a few years ago. Prep and Potomac were initially our son's top 2 choices. When the admissions decisions came out, he was accepted at Prep and waitlisted at Potomac. We did receive a call from our HOS though stating that since the 3 boys from his K-8 were all declining Potomac, that he would have a good chance of getting in if he pursued the waitlist. Our son did not even want to do so, chose to go to Prep and has thrived there.

The 2 schools are vastly different, but here are some observations:

Prep starts in 9th grade so it will be a lot easier to integrate socially at Prep than at Potomac. Yes,20% of the grade will likely come from Mater Dei, which is Prep's main feeder school, but that leaves 80% of the class who are all brand new to each other and makes it a lot easier to make friends.

We have a lot of friends with kids at Potomac and know of a few families whose kids joined in high school. The social scene is definitely more cliquey at Potomac and it's a known fact that the lifers, who have been there since Kindergarten, don't usually socialize well with the new kids and the new kids end up hanging out together.

Prep is very catholic: Theology classes every day for 4 years, monthly mandatory mass, daily prayers, ... The school definitely leans more conservative as well. Dress code is strict. Is your son OK wearing a suit and tie every day?

I'd say the academic offerings at Potomac , especially in STEM are significantly stronger than Prep. If you have a STEM minded child, he would have better opportunities at Potomac. Our child was more interested in business/law /finance so this was not an issue for us.

Both are great schools but very different. Best of luck in making your decision.

The percentage of freshman day students who come from Mater Dei is closer to 30%. And, at least for the boys from Montgomery County and NW DC, they are hardly strangers. Many went to Parish K-8s, together, know other kids from youth sports, may be members of the same clubs, may be related or their fathers know one another from having grown up together including having gone to Prep.

It is far from the case that 80% of the freshman class shows up not knowing other students. It’s more like 20%.

[Anonymous]

There are 18 Mater Dei kids in this year's freshman class.

[Anonymous]

I guess it comes down to whether you son wants all boys or not. That is a big difference. if he prefers Potomac, the commute is not that big of a deal. it is not like you are talking the difference between Gonzaga and Potomac. Potomac is right over the bridge. Where do you live in Maryland?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are 18 Mater Dei kids in this year's freshman class.

An off year then. It's been over 30 most years in the recent past.

Must be offset by boys from Mercy, Blessed Sacrament, Holy Redeemer, DeChantal, St Barts, St E's and the rest of the regular sources of students.

[Anonymous]

There's also a difference in the level of athletics.

Prep plays at a higher level in the IAC. Potomac plays down a level in the MAC.

Prep usually wins the IAC Founders Cup trophy for excellence across all the IAC sports. Sports is a big deal at Prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here , DS does play a sport and part of a classical orchestra . Has a few friends going to Prep but knows a few kids at Potomac . We are not Catholic - he shadowed both and liked both but preferred Potomac . The commute to the school and back in VA makes me nervous even if they have a great bus system!

If your son prefers Potomac, I’d go with Potomac. Sometimes kids see differences we as parents don’t appreciate. We did the opposite commute for years for our DD to go to school in MD from VA and with bussing its fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 18 Mater Dei kids in this year's freshman class.

An off year then. It's been over 30 most years in the recent past.

Must be offset by boys from Mercy, Blessed Sacrament, Holy Redeemer, DeChantal, St Barts, St E's and the rest of the regular sources of students.

current sophomore class only has 17 Mater Dei kids out of 120. I guess they are admitting a smaller number of boys from Mater Dei which is resulting in a more diverse student body.

[Anonymous]

Agree they are very different schools in almost every aspect - I would put a lot of stock in my kid’s opinion/choice if other logistics check out. I had a long bus ride to HS and was able to finish most of my homework during the commute. Maybe have your son make a list of +/- for both schools and see how it shakes out from their point of view. Valuable insight! Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Non-Catholic Prep family here. We have been very happy with the school. DS adjusted to wearing a jacket and tie, and has enjoyed the religious- and service-oriented aspects of the education, even as a non-Catholic.

But I do think you should go with the school that the student prefers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 18 Mater Dei kids in this year's freshman class.

An off year then. It's been over 30 most years in the recent past.

Must be offset by boys from Mercy, Blessed Sacrament, Holy Redeemer, DeChantal, St Barts, St E's and the rest of the regular sources of students.

current sophomore class only has 17 Mater Dei kids out of 120. I guess they are admitting a smaller number of boys from Mater Dei which is resulting in a more diverse student body.

Knowing both Prep and Mater Dei and the parent/alumni group very well, what this says to me is that Gonzaga and St Johns have increased their market share at Mater Dei at the expense of Prep. Because the Mater Dei group will almost always decide between these three schools.

[Anonymous]

Prep unless your kid wants a co-ed experience and you're willing to commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here , DS does play a sport and part of a classical orchestra . Has a few friends going to Prep but knows a few kids at Potomac . We are not Catholic - he shadowed both and liked both but preferred Potomac . The commute to the school and back in VA makes me nervous even if they have a great bus system!

And, think about visits to the campus that you will want to make. Do you really want to battle that afternoon/ evening traffic for games and performances?

These are very different school experiences so yes, commute is important all other things being equal--but that's not the case here. They are not equal (one is not better than the other--just totally different). Focus on whether he wants coed or not as a first order of business. It makes for a very different experience (each with pros and cons)