Bullis or Sidwell?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That may have been the case some time ago, but things have changed - dramatically. This is Bullis' matriculation list last year (and they are not all athletes by any stretch of the imagination). I can't find Sidwell's list from last year. Can someone post it, please?

https://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

Moreover, they say they don't want to be a hothouse. Pretty good list for not being a pressure cooker. We are not looking at K, but reading all the posts about the schools we are interested in.

Impressive list. Bullis has a nicer campus and I’d bet a more local vibe. I get the impression that Sidwell values geographic diversity, but it’s certainly easier to build community when most of the kids live close to one another.

[Anonymous]

Sidwell

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell and Bullis are in the same genuine conversation. Things are changing around here.

I'd like to see the Sidwell list too. Is it on the website?

No they are not, Bullis PR person. Bullis had a great year last year. Let’s see what this years brings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell, hands down. The experience, academics aside, is far beyond what they would get at Bullis (been exposed to both). Also, way more interesting families at Sidwell than in Potomac.

Another parent considering Sidwell: What are the families at Sidwell generally like? I'd love any insight. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell and Bullis are in the same genuine conversation. Things are changing around here.

I'd like to see the Sidwell list too. Is it on the website?

No they are not, Bullis PR person. Bullis had a great year last year. Let’s see what this years brings.

Why not, Sidwell PR person? And I would have hoped for better grammar from a Sidwell Admissions associate.

[Anonymous]

And of course, we won't know about Sidwell's list because they don't let you know. (I hope I got my apostrophes in the right place.)

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Sidwell, hands down. The experience, academics aside, is far beyond what they would get at Bullis (been exposed to both). Also, way more interesting families at Sidwell than in Potomac.[/quote]

Another parent considering Sidwell: What are the families at Sidwell generally like? I'd love any insight. Thank you.[/quote]

I would like to know what the parents are like at both schools?

[Anonymous]

The two schools are very different. While I cannot imagine turning down Sidwell for Bullis, I am sure there are families that prefer that vibe. Bullis felt very Potomac to me, which I guess is what people mean by "local". We are a DC family and I'd say most of my daughter's friends at Sidwell are either living in DC or fairly close by in Bethesda. And when someone says Bullis, people in my neighborhood say, "it has a really nice campus...but it's so FAR."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The two schools are very different. While I cannot imagine turning down Sidwell for Bullis, I am sure there are families that prefer that vibe. Bullis felt very Potomac to me, which I guess is what people mean by "local". We are a DC family and I'd say most of my daughter's friends at Sidwell are either living in DC or fairly close by in Bethesda. And when someone says Bullis, people in my neighborhood say, "it has a really nice campus...but it's so FAR."

+1

[Anonymous]

We live in close-in Bethesda and send our child to Bullis on the bus. Our friend’s child rides the public bus from Friendship Heights and gets dropped off right in front of the school. Our kid has never complained and gets there early enough to hang with their friends in the cafe on campus, which they think is really fun.

[Anonymous]

What age are your kids that ride the bus? What time does the bus pickup?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I like the diversity, uniforms, athletics

This is just one perspective, so I get that this isn't everyone's experience...but we went to the accepted students night at Bullis and it was really uncomfortable. The Black families were all in one corner and the room wasn't mixing. Our family is Black and I decided to move to the center of the room with my daughter and try to chat with people. We both felt invisible with families literally awkwardly smiling before walking away.

In contrast, I've never felt that way at Sidwell. They made a point from the very beginning to pull us into the community and welcome us. Every morning at drop off, parents chat and say hello. It's a super friendly place and I just didn't feel that at Bullis. And diversity numbers at Bullis aren't actually all that different than Sidwell.

We are also a black family and would like a school that feels inclusive and welcoming. I do plan to attend the accepted family night at both to feel the vibe.

Bullis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda

Riding out to Potomac can be a pain at night after sports etc... for your kid. Depends where in Bethesda. Which is closer to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bethesda

Riding out to Potomac can be a pain at night after sports etc... for your kid. Depends where in Bethesda. Which is closer to you?

I was thinking that. What about the bus service?

[Anonymous]

BULLIS! My son is a junior there, and we couldn't be happier. There is something to be said about the school environment. The families are so laid back, so the teachers are happy, and that in turn makes for a wonderful learning environment. At other schools where there is so much pressure to be the best, it seems that everyone is so unhappy. We absolutely love Bullis. You can push yourself however far you want to go academically. Really love everything about the school. And the head is phenomenal.