Are we crazy to turn down a "Big Three" for Potomac?
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Anonymous
| If we are talking about middle or high school and your "big 3" is STA, NCS and Sidwell then yes, I believe they are significantly stronger schools academically and offer a more nuanced and interesting experience culturally/socially. If your "big 3" includes Maret, I do believe that culturally Maret offers a gentler and more cosmopolitan and diverse culture/social atmosphere and somewhat stronger academics. If your "big 3" includes GDS then I have no opinion about which to choose other than they are so different it is unusual to expect a child to thrive at both. Hope that helps but, in the end, you know your child and your family best and if you believe Potomac is the best choice, then you should follow your gut. |
Anonymous
| What does "more nuanced and interesting experience/socially" mean? When touring Potomac, it seemed whiter than a lot of independent schools. I think though, it is trying to become more diverse. |
Anonymous
| Go with your gut, which seems to be telling you that Potomac is the right choice. |
Anonymous
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Regardless of which grade you're looking at now, look at the HS. Our DC went to a Big 3 that worked well for LS, had an awe-inspiring MS, but which, by 8th grade, I could see would have a very high pressure HS, especially for a highly academic child. But when I raised the prospect of looking for something more humane for HS, I got massive pushback because that meant leaving all of DC's friends and was perceived by DC as a vote of no confidence when, in fact, it was skepticism about the school's approach.
In theory, you can always reconsider at HS, but in practice the stakes may have changed and HS is a point at which your DC is entitled to more input. So make sure that the path of least resistance is a road you'd be comfortable traveling all the way to the end. |
Anonymous
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You should ignore every reply on this thread because you haven't given enough information, namely WHICH "big three" school, where you live, DC personality, etc. Comparing Potomac to Sidwell is a lot different than comparing to STA or NCS. Plus no one can even agree what the "big three" are and you haven't even said if your DC is male or female so people could be commenting on ten different schools.
It is kind of sickening that some people automatically say to pick an unnamed "big three" without knowing any details. Confirms how people in this area care more about being able to brag to their friends about where their kids go to school than what is right for their children. |
Anonymous
| Sidwell parent here. You know what's right for your family. Potomac is a great school. |
Anonymous
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Assuming the OP's initial is a genuine post (it's awfully brief and lacking any and all pertinent information, just invites everyone to weigh in). . .
No one on this board can possibly know whether it's a mistake or not, unless they know your kid very well. If you are indeed having second thoughts, by all means probe the reasons for those second thoughts and see if they are compelling. Beyond that, there's no reason it would be a "mistake" if Potomac is the best school for your kid. If it feels right to you and them, they are more likely to be successful. |
Anonymous
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Potomac is really a up and coming excellent school. Look at the college its students go to, it's comparable to any of the well regarded HS around the region. To me, it also feels less of a pressure cooker.
So depending on your kid! If you think s/he does better being in an environment where s/he needs to "keep up", vs being in an environment where it might be easier for him/her to be the top leader. But no, NOT crazy at all! |
Anonymous
| It is a really big plus to live close to the school and to many potential friends for your DC. And you clearly feel comfortable with the school, so go for it! And realize that this decision is not irrevocable, if the school becomes a less good fit by MS or HS, particularly HS, the issues of the commute and playdates are no longer such an issue, and your DC will have a more defined social and academic "personality" and may or may not want to move or need to move. The school is pretty large by high school, allowing a broad course catalog and quite a lot of differentiation. Our DCs chose to go to a close to home PK-3 (then 6 now 8) school over some of the big 5 schools and it was a great decision. For upper LS MS and HS they moved on easily and happily, having spent more time with family and friends and less time in the car, in a small warm school that got them off to a great start. And one moved between two big 5 schools for HS on for reasons of personal choice and sports, and that went smoothly as well. So don't worry, go with your decision now without second guessing! |
Anonymous
+1000. Go buy yourself a new purse if you want to brag to your friends -- don't use a school to boost your own self-esteem. |
Anonymous
| Which school? GDS, HA, Sidwell, NCS, etc? Makes a big difference. |
Anonymous
| Where do you live? Potomac is not at all close to traditional big three schools. We ended up switching schools when we hit middle school due to commute. Don't underestimate impact of commute plus extracurriculars plus big homework load. It does no good to be at a school you can't enjoy. |
Anonymous
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Your goal is to give your child a combination of the best life while at school and best preparation for college. Where do you think you will get this? Go with your gut but look at EVERYTHING associated with school not just the name (which is mostly for parents, kids care about their friends more than the school rep).
For us, our daughter is competitive swimmer and so we didn't apply to schools with a big commute. Did we not apply to some big names? Yes, but with so many good schools in region it was an easy trade-off and she is very happy and still getting a good education. |
Anonymous
who are waitlisted at Potomac |
Anonymous
| You act like you are thinking of sending your child to SE school filled with gangs. Potomac obviously is a great school, stop agonizing over it and just pick a school and free up a spot for a child who is wait listed and who would love to have your "problem". |