Bullis for a DC family
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Anonymous
| If you are considering Bullis from DC, I would encourage you to compare with St Andrews so you have a choice. Both in Potomac, but probably more different than similar. I know OP said no religious schools -- we felt the same way (we're Jewish) -- but surprisingly we concluded the light religious touch wasn't a problem and contributed to a certain culture of caring at the school that was a net gain. St. Andrews also has its own bus service from DC. What a prior poster said about the reverse commute is true. However, it takes much longer to get back to DC in the morning if you do drop off in Potomac. Hence, the bus is key. |
Anonymous
| We live in Upper Northwest off of Massachusetts Avenue. After attending a very fine private school near us in Washington, our children switched over to Bullis for Sixth Grade. They are recent Bullis graduates. I can speak quite knowledgably to your question. Bullis is an absolutely magnificent school. My familiarity is with the Middle and Upper Schools. The school takes its motto of Caring, Challenging, Community very seriously and produces really great kids. You have many transportation choices. As our kids got older, they drove and the drive was a straight shot 20 minute journey with no traffic--they left around 7 or 7:15 down River Road to Falls Road in Potomac. Bullis also maintains its own extensive bus routes to virtually all parts of the metropolitan area. You can check the Bullis website for the current routes but I recall the stops being at 35th and Volta across from Georgetown Visitation School, New Mexico and Macomb near the Foxhall Shopping Center, Spring Valley, Friendship Heights, a number of Chevy Chase stops and I believe along Military Road near St. Johns and of course at the Friendship Heights Metro Stop. The T2 Metro Bus---which our kids took at the 6th grade level-- is a quick 25 minute trip from Friendship Heights Metro to the Bullis gates on Falls Road. For our kids, the T2 was a nice experience and put them in touch with all sorts of people with whom they probably would not otherwise have come into contact. It taught many lessons and our kids look back fondly on the years they took the T2. For a younger child, you might want to stay with Bullis' own bus transportation. The reverse commute for any suburban school is not good, but if you feel you must drive, try to do it earlier in the morning. The Bullis bus system is an excellent alternative to driving. Play dates were never a problem. The school community is lovely. I hope you will consider The Bullis School for your family and that this information is helpful to you. |
Anonymous
My kids are not at Bullis but another school in Potomac and the commute is wretched. Plus, I am not a suburbanite and find the parents dreadfully boring but my kids love their school and are doing well. There is bus transportation, however, I pick them up in the evenings because I want them to get homework done in study hall and they play sports. Think very seriously about the commute even with bus service because you will have to drive there for after school and weekend events. I spend about $200 on gas per month. |
Anonymous
| Not worth it. It's a pain to get to, and it's not particularly challenging - it's basically geared to kids who can't handle a more demanding public or private and helicopter parents who need more attention and hand-holding than their kids. |
Anonymous
Longer than the Suburban kids going to DC schools? |
Anonymous
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If you really want to go to Bullis, I have a better idea. Move from NW to Bethesda or Potomac. Enroll into either the Whitman, WJ, Churchill, BCC or Wooton districts. Each of those schools is better than Bullis and are free. Why pay tuition to go to a school a school that is inferior to local public schools?
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Anonymous
| We live in NW DC and have friends with kids at another Potomac School. As they put it, getting there in the morning is not the problem, but turning back and joining rush hour pretty much sucks. |
Anonymous
Free? Have you seen mortgages and taxes in those area... Nothing in life is free. Bearson3 |
Anonymous
Or you can stay in DC and pay for private. Your choice. |
Anonymous
Because people in DC don't have mortgages and taxes? |
Anonymous
| Nobody is appalled that Bullis has different testing requirements for athletes? Right there is a reason not to go to it. Doesn't sound very ethical nor that the school practices it's motto. |
Anonymous
1. Bullis doesn't have a different, specified testing track for athletes. Stop spreading lies. 2. Bullis is probably easier to get into for athletes, just like Landon, Prep, and pretty much every school in this area. 3. While you're on your high horse, you should have written "its", not "it's". 
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Anonymous
I don't think suburban kids take the bus into DC. |
Anonymous
Not the PP, but my suburban kids take the bus or Metro to school in DC. And, believe, me, traveling from suburban CC, MD, down Wisconsin Avenue through the mean streets of Upper NW is a powerful cross-cultural experience. |
Anonymous
Well played. |