Bullis for a DC family

[Anonymous]

What do you think? We have a rising 4th grader, we are not interested in a religious school at all and our in-DC options are too limited (not interested in GDS, Maret or Sidwell)...trying to think beyond the Beltway and Bullis came to mind. Can anyone comment on their experiences with the lower school and if you commute from DC extra bonus points for letting me know how that's going!

[Anonymous]

It is a bit of a reverse commute, so I don't think it would be too bad. I've driven there from DC for sports games, and I would say it takes about 20-25 minutes depending upon traffic -- it is about 10 miles from NW DC.

People are excited about the lower school head, who had been a teacher at St. Albans. The campus is certainly nice and there is a buzz and excitement around campus.

On the negative side of things, I have heard from some current families that they feel like it is not particularly challenging academically (although they do like the faculty). For the high school, Bullis does not require the SSAT if the student has something like a B average at their prior school, so there are definitely some weaker students. BUT . . . there is a range at all the schools, and you can always decide once you're there if you want to stay for high school.

[Anonymous]

Bullis does require testing for their upper school applicants, either the SSAT or the ISEE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a bit of a reverse commute, so I don't think it would be too bad. I've driven there from DC for sports games, and I would say it takes about 20-25 minutes depending upon traffic -- it is about 10 miles from NW DC.

People are excited about the lower school head, who had been a teacher at St. Albans. The campus is certainly nice and there is a buzz and excitement around campus.

On the negative side of things, I have heard from some current families that they feel like it is not particularly challenging academically (although they do like the faculty). For the high school, Bullis does not require the SSAT if the student has something like a B average at their prior school, so there are definitely some weaker students. BUT . . . there is a range at all the schools, and you can always decide once you're there if you want to stay for high school.

I know for a fact they waive submission of the SSAT if the average is a B for athletes, at least. Maybe they don't offer that to everyone.

[Anonymous]

Why in the world would you do that unless your child can't get into another place? You pay more money to live in DC so you don't have to drive in the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

I know 3 DC families that considered Bullis, 2 go there... 1 decided against the commute.

They told me they take the T2. I think that is the bus route, probably not good for 4th grade but an option later.

[Anonymous]

I live in CCDC. My mother lives out by Bullis. I would really not want to make that commute 2x a day unless it was close to work.

[Anonymous]

We live in NW DC and have eliminated it for just this reason. Plus -- who wants to deal with all of those suburbanite kids and parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know 3 DC families that considered Bullis, 2 go there... 1 decided against the commute.

They told me they take the T2. I think that is the bus route, probably not good for 4th grade but an option later.

That must take a loooong time.

[Anonymous]

I live in NW DC. I thought it was the suburbs. Thrilled to hear that I am cooler than the "suburbanites" who live in comparably urbanized areas of MD.

OP, keep in mind that it won't just be a question of driving farther to school, but also to playdates. Your kid's friends might live even farther away from you than Bullis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a bit of a reverse commute, so I don't think it would be too bad. I've driven there from DC for sports games, and I would say it takes about 20-25 minutes depending upon traffic -- it is about 10 miles from NW DC.

People are excited about the lower school head, who had been a teacher at St. Albans. The campus is certainly nice and there is a buzz and excitement around campus.

On the negative side of things, I have heard from some current families that they feel like it is not particularly challenging academically (although they do like the faculty). For the high school, Bullis does not require the SSAT if the student has something like a B average at their prior school, so there are definitely some weaker students. BUT . . . there is a range at all the schools, and you can always decide once you're there if you want to stay for high school.

That is for the athletic recruits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you do that unless your child can't get into another place? You pay more money to live in DC so you don't have to drive in the suburbs.

Doubt you pay more to live in DC than the typical Bullis parent pays to live in, say, Bethesda or Potomac! In addition, those folks pay hefty taxes to live in Mont. County MD (some of the most expensive in the country). My child doesn't go to Bullis, but I know plenty of lovely kids who do. We live in Bethesda and as full freight private school parents, we've often considered moving to DC in order to pay LESS for housing! Alas, we decided against it b/c we love where we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why in the world would you do that unless your child can't get into another place? You pay more money to live in DC so you don't have to drive in the suburbs.

Doubt you pay more to live in DC than the typical Bullis parent pays to live in, say, Bethesda or Potomac! In addition, those folks pay hefty taxes to live in Mont. County MD (some of the most expensive in the country). My child doesn't go to Bullis, but I know plenty of lovely kids who do. We live in Bethesda and as full freight private school parents, we've often considered moving to DC in order to pay LESS for housing! Alas, we decided against it b/c we love where we are.

I moved from Upper NW to Bethesda, in part because of significant financial savings. I'm in a condo, so can't speak to people in houses, but for both condos and rentals Bethesda is much cheaper than DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in NW DC. I thought it was the suburbs. Thrilled to hear that I am cooler than the "suburbanites" who live in comparably urbanized areas of MD.

OP, keep in mind that it won't just be a question of driving farther to school, but also to playdates. Your kid's friends might live even farther away from you than Bullis.

Yes, that's the rub. Bullis has extensive bus routes, I believe, but that doesn't cover the playdates, parent meetings, etc.

[Anonymous]

There are tons of good elementary schools and public n Northwest DC. If you can't get into a good private in dc for middle school, try out deal. Your kid will most likely be able to walk bus or metro there and his friends will live nearby.

I absolutely hate driving and suburban traffic. If it doesn't bother you at all, that's a different analysis.