Seriously considering turning down a Big 5 for Bullis- Will we regret this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A "Big 5?"

Wut? Is this even a thing? I don't think this is a thing.

Its not.
Next it will be baby ivy, big 10, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, you’re asking about Bullis versus Maret or Potomac? Because those are the schools that people try and sneak in under the “big 5” banner

If so, then I would have no qualms about picking Bullis over either one of these.

+1. There is no such thing as Big 5.

[Anonymous]

When your kid’s teachers quit after a year or leave midyear at Bullis, which happens all too often, you’ll regret it.

[Anonymous]

My DS is also having a great experience at Bullis. He is being challenged academically (even as a high performing student) and has a really nice group of friends. A PP mentioned lower track classes are geared toward the lower track student, this is true. This is something that we had to let him experience for himself and we are so pleased that he is getting everything he needs without too much pressure. After being rejected by a Big 3, I asked him the other day if he were accepted to that school today would he go…he said no.

[Anonymous]

I would pick Bullis over Maret, yes. The Bullis campus blows away Maret as well as the facilities. Maret is too small and old. Every time we are there, you can see it has passed its prime…

Over Potomac, no. Potomac has better academics annd many other things. Also Bullis has too much focus on sports annd recruiting. Only way I would pick Bullis over Potomac is if you live near Bullis. Having a 10 min commute to Bullis may be worth it instead of having a 30-45 min commute to Potomac if you live in MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: DS got in at a Big 5 but his heart was set on Bullis from the first time we toured. DS is a bright kid, and strong athlete but he does have some anxiety and we worry he won't do well at a pressure cooker type of environment. He is very hardworking and intrinsically motivated. We loved the fact that Bullis can achieve amazing college placement with subjecting the kids to too much pressure. We were very impressed by their Signature programs in STEM, Visual Arts and Entrepreneurship in high school. We also loved the campus (impressive facilities) and the whole vibe. DS had a great time when he shadowed and already made a couple of friends who he keeps in touch with.
Some of our friends are telling us we are crazy to give up a much more prestigious school for Bullis, but in my heart I feel we are making the right choice.
Is this something we'll regret in the future?
PS: Commute isn't an issue
Thanks in advance

Do you want a "prestigious" school or a prestigious kid? Sounds like Bullis is perfect for your son. Ignore the labels, and those who worry about them, and send your son to the school that works best for him. Not the one that impresses your label minded friends.

[Anonymous]

Bullis is phenomenal

[Anonymous]

Commute is huge and I wouldn't travel for a school. It really impacts social life even when the kids can drive. Teen are simple creatures and so much of social life is facilitated by proximity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, you’re asking about Bullis versus Maret or Potomac? Because those are the schools that people try and sneak in under the “big 5” banner

If so, then I would have no qualms about picking Bullis over either one of these.

I would agree with this, except that these schools are pretty far apart. So, my one question is what would the commute be like. If I lived near Potomac or Maret, I'd be hesitant to send my kid to Bullis. If I lived near Bullis, I'd be hesitant to send my kid to Maret or Potomac. I think it's hard for a kid to really anticipate the impact of a long commute.

But if that's not a factor because you live somewhere in the middle, or something else makes it not a factor, then I wouldn't hesitate to let my kid choose Bullis over any other school. I was super impressed when we visited, although my kids ended up choosing another option, in part because Bullis is a difficult commute for us.

[Anonymous]

One thing I would research a bit is what does Bullis spend their tuition on? It’s one of the highest day-school tuitions in the DMV—I’m curious where the money goes. Does it go to a larger array of course offerings and levels? Extracurriculars? Buildings? Cafeteria? This is a point of difference in schools that may matter to you over time.

This is not meant to be snarky. We had kids at two different DMV privates. One spends more money on facilities—nicer cafeteria, new library, updated gym, but does not have as many course offerings or activities. One has not as nice of facilities, but offers many more courses, extra- curriculars, and activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree about shadow days. What's important at this age is getting a solid core education to be ready for the rigor of college. All the schools have sports and may be he'll like being the big wheel. The guys we knew from that school were really intense about play time.

I truly don’t understand this rigor of college talk. I was a B-C student in high school and straight A student in college. I found college so much easier. Went from a very good public school to a very good college (I understand it’s in the top 20 universities in recent years but not when I was there). Also, where I went to college had zero impact on my future career. No one cared where I went to college or what my GPA there was.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, you’re asking about Bullis versus Maret or Potomac? Because those are the schools that people try and sneak in under the “big 5” banner

If so, then I would have no qualms about picking Bullis over either one of these.

+1. There is no such thing as Big 5.

There most certainly is. They play annually at the Palestra.

[Anonymous]

Don't listen to other people. Listen to your gut and listen to your kid. If he loved Bullis and had his heart set on it, it's a no brainer. Send him to Bullis!

[Anonymous]

I’d be skeptical of all the pro Bullis posts here. They have a communications team and “brand story teller” that post on this board. The school has Potemkin Village vibes. When you talk to people in person, they usually mention behavior problems at that school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This big 3, big 5 stuff is all dcum nonsense. Pick the school he will be happiest at and he will thrive.

+1000! Your DS wants to go to Bullis and you give some very good reasons why it would be a good fit for him. He should go there and not give it a second thought!