What are the top feeder programs into Potomac’s K?

[Anonymous]

Mother's womb, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry, but this is ridiculous. I personally think my DC was accepted at our "big 3" because he went to a totally random co-op preschool that was about 60 percent outdoors, basically zero academics. His two best friends, one went to NO preschool, the other to a church preschool. Choose a preschool you like.

+10000

Ditto

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry, but this is ridiculous. I personally think my DC was accepted at our "big 3" because he went to a totally random co-op preschool that was about 60 percent outdoors, basically zero academics. His two best friends, one went to NO preschool, the other to a church preschool. Choose a preschool you like.

+100

[Anonymous]

Country Day and Montessori School of McLean. Personally I’d put my kid in Little Langley so that you have a backup and can stay there if Potomac doesn’t work out.

[Anonymous]

CDS wants you to stay for K so not helpful. We also noticed the only kids who got into Potomac for K were siblings and people with a hook. We were hookless and our kid got in a big three in DC-no bus so we were not thrilled but have made it work and may try again for HS if our child is open to it. If I could do again I would have picked a random preschool in DC-May have helped and we would only deal with community for a year lol

[Anonymous]

Commute hate autocorrect

[Anonymous]

This had to be bumped by the same poster asking about the “hardest to get into” privates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry, but this is ridiculous. I personally think my DC was accepted at our "big 3" because he went to a totally random co-op preschool that was about 60 percent outdoors, basically zero academics. His two best friends, one went to NO preschool, the other to a church preschool. Choose a preschool you like.

Yes, and your child and his two friends were probably the only children from those schools who got in. Conversely, multiple children from CDS, etc. got it. You might have been the only ones who applied, so your schools technically had a 100% success rate, but I seriously doubt that if the entirely of these three schools applied to Potomac they would have the same success rate as somewhere like CDS. (And my kids didn't/don't go to CDS, so I am not bragging about that school in particular). I also went to a church preschool and got one of two slots out of 200 applicants in K for a PK-12 school that's the equivalent of Sidwell. Am I awesome? Nope. Lucky? Probably. We had no ties to the school and my parents knew no one. I colored within the lines, so maybe it was that. So a lot of it is a total crap shoot, but there are definitely certain schools that get more kids into Potomac than others, so I don't think it's a ridiculous question to ask. (Although I do think believing that you've guaranteed your child's acceptance into Potomac because you've sent them to CDS is ridiculous, and if it's too far away, like it was for us, then I wouldn't bother).

A lot has to do with geography and wealth, no? Rich people who live in the area who are seeking an elite private naturally want to go to Potomac because it is the closest. These same set of people send their kids to CDS, because it is the best or one of the best preschools, so naturally, I would think nearly all the CDS kids apply to Potomac, whether they intend to enroll or think they will be accepted. I personally would rather be one of few or no other students applying to a school from a preschool.

This is hilarious. I went to McLean Country Day School and my mom thought it sucked and was totally overrated (I obviously don't remember much except the sandbox). I find all this discussion of it being some sort of amazing preschool hilarious. It's just preschool people!!!!

[Anonymous]

Apply. what’s the worst that can happen (regardless of the school s/he attends). if it’s meant to be, great. if not, have a backup plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure why it’s a ridiculous question. Just curious where the kids come from that are entering Potomac’s K. I get that there is a wide range of schools though — just curious about the popular feeders.

There are no feeders, that is the point. Seriously, you are better off coming from a random preschool. I am not kidding. Mom of a typically-developing white American-born, only English speaking child (non-alum, we are not really rich) admitted to a big 3 last year. Let me tell you that is not easy. Sorry to be crass, but trying to get my point across. S/he went to a suburban church preschool nobody here has probably ever heard of.

+1. My DC got into Potomac, but went to a school this board would agree is harder to get into, from a church pre-school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mclean Country Day School

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am sorry, but this is ridiculous. I personally think my DC was accepted at our "big 3" because he went to a totally random co-op preschool that was about 60 percent outdoors, basically zero academics. His two best friends, one went to NO preschool, the other to a church preschool. Choose a preschool you like.

I agree and agree that's why my DC was accepted to competitive school, it doesn't change the fact that NCRC and a few other preschools pack the class at any of the top schools.

[Anonymous]

Potomac will only take a certain number from Country Day and they prefer geographic diversity over anything else. They will take a kid from dc or md over a Mclean or GF student with very high stats. Potomac has a formula and I’ve seen it over and over again in the lower grades. They want cool, fun, above average but don’t have to be off the charts, non quirky, athletic kids and families OR kids with tons of money. Different ballgame for HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac will only take a certain number from Country Day and they prefer geographic diversity over anything else. They will take a kid from dc or md over a Mclean or GF student with very high stats. Potomac has a formula and I’ve seen it over and over again in the lower grades. They want cool, fun, above average but don’t have to be off the charts, non quirky, athletic kids and families OR kids with tons of money. Different ballgame for HS.

Cool, not quirky, a lot of money...if this is really how the school pick kids that is just awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cool, not quirky, a lot of money...if this is really how the school pick kids that is just awful.

How else would you propose that Potomac or any other school make non-awful admissions decisions regarding 3/4 year-old applicants?