Anyone choose Potomac school over a big 3?

[Anonymous]

I know someone who chose Potomac over NCS for his daughter, and said she's very happy at Potomac.

[Anonymous]

accepted as Sidwell and chose Potomac. Way back when, I went a prep school in Philly after which Sidwell is modeled. For a long time, I had it in my head that is where our kids would enroll.

But after visiting and talking to lots of parents and kids, we simply loved the vibe at Potomac, the emphasis on developing the whole child, and the fit for our kid (who is thriving and loving it). Can't wait for the younger one to get accepted there too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But after visiting and talking to lots of parents and kids, we simply loved the vibe at Potomac, the emphasis on developing the whole child

This is in no way disagreeing with your overall decision, but does this imply in some way a sense that Sidwell didn't emphasize "developing the whole child"? Or at least not nearly as well as Potomac IYO? If yes to the latter, what were the discernible differences?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:STA and Potomac have always been THE schools among a certain class of Washingtonians.

Agreed signed 3rd generation Washingtonian

[Anonymous]

Our neighbors chose Potomac over any of the big 3 for two reasons: the campus and better commute / easier access. They thought that all else was comparable but that the larger, less confined campus in a relatively suburban neighborhood had a better feel for their children and, although the commute time did not alter considerably, there are fewer chances of traffic problems occurring to delay arrival in the morning. So far so good. They have two in Potomac now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:GDS is not big 3. Neither is Potomac, and one of my kids who goes there.

Sidwell, NCS and STA. Those are the Big 3. Period.

You can get an excellent education at all of these schools and indeed, GDS and Potomac are absolutely phenomenal schools. But, the Big 3 connotes something else, something neither GDS nor Potomac have: gravitas, connections, history, old-school Washington.

Hate to burst your bubble, but this would be the big '2' not 3 unless you child is dual gender.

[Anonymous]

I don't want to be tacky but take a look at the number of kids who are Presidential Scholars (posted on DCUM) from Virginia, and Maryland and Washington DC. Lots go to Thomas Jefferson and Sidwell, as well as magnet schools in Maryland, and NCS. There are also some from GDS and School without Walls in DC. But I don't recall any from Potomac. I think these are a insight into who each school attracts and college admission data. So purely by numbers, in my opinion, its worth the commute to Sidwell or NCS. Others, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to be tacky but take a look at the number of kids who are Presidential Scholars (posted on DCUM) from Virginia, and Maryland and Washington DC. Lots go to Thomas Jefferson and Sidwell, as well as magnet schools in Maryland, and NCS. There are also some from GDS and School without Walls in DC. But I don't recall any from Potomac. I think these are a insight into who each school attracts and college admission data. So purely by numbers, in my opinion, its worth the commute to Sidwell or NCS. Others, not so much.

There are definitely some from Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't want to be tacky but take a look at the number of kids who are Presidential Scholars (posted on DCUM) from Virginia, and Maryland and Washington DC. Lots go to Thomas Jefferson and Sidwell, as well as magnet schools in Maryland, and NCS. There are also some from GDS and School without Walls in DC. But I don't recall any from Potomac. I think these are a insight into who each school attracts and college admission data. So purely by numbers, in my opinion, its worth the commute to Sidwell or NCS. Others, not so much.

You are clearly too stupid to know how to search that list then. STA has more than NCS. Sidwell has the most and its the largest school. Potomac has 2.

[Anonymous]

2 is only 2

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 is only 2

Yes but 2 does not = 0.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But after visiting and talking to lots of parents and kids, we simply loved the vibe at Potomac, the emphasis on developing the whole child

This is in no way disagreeing with your overall decision, but does this imply in some way a sense that Sidwell didn't emphasize "developing the whole child"? Or at least not nearly as well as Potomac IYO? If yes to the latter, what were the discernible differences?

PP here - no worries. What we felt was that at Potomac, we appreciated that the school's emphasis was on teaching the students to advocate for themselves, pushing the students to do things they normally would do (e.g., lots of public speaking), that the school supports the students in getting out their comfort zones and finding things that drive their passion. What we had felt at Sidwell was that it was too much of a pressure cooker for our DC and that there was an expectation of conformity in how things are done, emphasis on what the school wants which may not square with the student's interests/drive.

Having to gone to an elite Quaker prep school myself, I had expected something quite similar to my own education - and I found it but at Potomac, not Sidwell.

Sidwell is a fantastic school, no question about that. It is also a great fit for many kids, just not my kids.