I hear great things about Potomac

[Anonymous]

Only certain kids are allowed to shine in US-it is not an equal opportunity employer. They are the ones given leadership roles and are put front and center in order to make them the best college candidates. Meanwhile, the really smart but not popular kid gets shoved to the wayside. It’s not this shining star on the hill that people think it to be.

[Anonymous]

I never understood why they are the only school that doesn’t want to meet or have a playdate or even essay questions for or on the lower school applicant. They don’t even require a meet the parents unless you request it for Q&A.

This seems to suggest the application decision is made on other factors. Or already determined.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Can you elaborate on upper school pressure? I think you might mean academic pressure.

Yes academic pressure. Unfortunately the school has experienced too many losses as a result in recent years.

It's a competitive private. The academic pressure is no different at NCS, St. Albans, Sidwell (insert name of top private). If you think that isn't the case at the Big 3 or any of the top privates or boarding schools, you are kidding yourself.

Average students in any top private will likely struggle and feel an immense Potomac is no different in this regard...; If you want a low pressure academic environment, you should look at some of the lower tier privates in this area that are not as academically rigorous and not as hard to gain entry into.

This. Academics become more intense and ramp up with every year. This is what gives Potomac good college admissions results but you can't have it both ways.

Kids change. It's kind of on the parent to see if a school continues to be a fit or whether an adjustment needs to be made. Not always easy to get it right when picking a school for a kindergartener or a fourth grader, and that's okay. Is it the case that pressure at Potomac is different from the schools named above (and probably a couple others in the area)? Families at all these schools need to be ready to pivot if it isn't working.

[Anonymous]

We are doing the same thing too. Please share.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a child in the Lower School at Potomac, and we couldn't be happier.

The teachers differentiate the kids as needed, truly care about the kids and are open and available. There are full time reading and math specialists that work with the kids on an almost daily basis. The specialists pull out kids (from just one at a time to a few at a time) who are excelling in the subject matter just as frequently as they pull those who need a little support, so absolutely no one feels singled out. The "specials" teachers (Science, Tech, Art, Music, Library) are great. For example, the art teacher has had artists come visit the classes, teaches even the littlest ones about famous artists and has the kids do projects inspired by those artists. The Library teacher not only reads to the kids, but is teaching them library science starting in Kindergarten. The kids are learning coding in tech class on iPads. The science teacher frequently uses the outdoor space and natural surroundings to teach the kids - ours has come home with projects ranging from the solar system to the human body's systems. The music teacher teaches the kids singing, directs music assemblies, introduces the kids to all kinds of instruments, etc.

The Lower School also has "sharing assemblies," where child in the grade presenting (each grade presents several times per year) speaks at their grade's assembly so as to foster public speaking skills from an early age.

Beyond the academic benefits, the school fosters a sense of community among the kids and the families. Watching the kids support each other is amazing. Moreover, there is a very active parent association and volunteer opportunities for interested parents abound.

Can anyone comment how do these compare to little Langley?
We are considering at applying at both in the coming years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never understood why they are the only school that doesn’t want to meet or have a playdate or even essay questions for or on the lower school applicant. They don’t even require a meet the parents unless you request it for Q&A.

This seems to suggest the application decision is made on other factors. Or already determined.

Essay for lower school??? Thank goodness they don't!

And I love that they don't want to meet the parents - refreshing to have the school want to look for the child, not the parent, who is a good fit. They hear from you in your application.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Can you elaborate on upper school pressure? I think you might mean academic pressure.

Yes academic pressure. Unfortunately the school has experienced too many losses as a result in recent years.

It's a competitive private. The academic pressure is no different at NCS, St. Albans, Sidwell (insert name of top private). If you think that isn't the case at the Big 3 or any of the top privates or boarding schools, you are kidding yourself.

Average students in any top private will likely struggle and feel an immense Potomac is no different in this regard...; If you want a low pressure academic environment, you should look at some of the lower tier privates in this area that are not as academically rigorous and not as hard to gain entry into.

And you are part of the problem. Either you don't have a kid at Potomac or just don't care what happened--and there are plenty of those and it's despicable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

When the results of the parent survey came out after the 2020-2021 nightmare schoolyear, I was shocked and horrified when they turned it around on the parents. To say the school doesn't play a role in the devastating pressure there is to turn a blind eye. The other schools have an equal amount of academic pressure for sure, but it's the competitive environment between the students that is exacerbates the issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

When the results of the parent survey came out after the 2020-2021 nightmare schoolyear, I was shocked and horrified when they turned it around on the parents. To say the school doesn't play a role in the devastating pressure there is to turn a blind eye. The other schools have an equal amount of academic pressure for sure, but it's the competitive environment between the students that is exacerbates the issue.

Is there a post talking about what happened in that school year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only certain kids are allowed to shine in US-it is not an equal opportunity employer. They are the ones given leadership roles and are put front and center in order to make them the best college candidates. Meanwhile, the really smart but not popular kid gets shoved to the wayside. It’s not this shining star on the hill that people think it to be.

What roles are “given”? Don’t the students vote?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Can you elaborate on upper school pressure? I think you might mean academic pressure.

Yes academic pressure. Unfortunately the school has experienced too many losses as a result in recent years.

Losses meaning suicides?? Or just students leaving for other schools

Suicides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only certain kids are allowed to shine in US-it is not an equal opportunity employer. They are the ones given leadership roles and are put front and center in order to make them the best college candidates. Meanwhile, the really smart but not popular kid gets shoved to the wayside. It’s not this shining star on the hill that people think it to be.

What roles are “given”? Don’t the students vote?

Only for student government. The rest of the roles that students compete for are decided by facutly and there is zero transparency about qualifications and the reasons behind the selections. But they almost always go to the favored ones. Side note: my daugther was called stupid more than once by a teacher at that school.

[Anonymous]

No suicides of students enrolled at Potomac.

OP and others, please talk to current parents and ignore the anonymous posting on this thread!

We love Potomac and have not found it to be anything like what some people posting here want you to believe. Our kids have felt very supported by their peers. It is a lovely school that stresses kindness and community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I am hearing from some acquaintances that the Potomac school is phenomenal, like head and shoulders
above what they expected. I hear the teachers are great, the curriculum is excellent and the facilities are awesome.

I know the price tag is $$$, but are there any downsides from an education perspective? I would consider the school for my two elementary school kids if it’s that great and if they could get in. They go to public school currently and are doing fine.

Well, for starters, we turned down Potomac after the realization set in that they would have to ride that bus every day. Just a pain all the way around, and not worth it for family quality of life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Can you elaborate on upper school pressure? I think you might mean academic pressure.

Yes academic pressure. Unfortunately the school has experienced too many losses as a result in recent years.

Losses meaning suicides?? Or just students leaving for other schools

Suicides.

Suicides? My god, no Kid should feel that kind of pressure. Count me out.