Looking for feedback on the Potomac School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are pretty happy there. As with any school, teachers can range from excellent to ok, with some not-so-great, as well. The other factor to consider with respect to finances is that there are extremely wealthy families. I don't think we would have been comfortable with our children attending from K-12, given the amount of wealth. It is not the norm. And very McLean centric. If you live in another part of the DC area, be prepared to drive your children to McLean for playdates, parties, school events, etc. It is much harder to volunteer and attend school activities (which often occur during the day), if you live outside the McLean area.

Hard to make friends if you live outside the McLean area. It’s like an exclusive club. If you arrive driving a Toyota or a Hyundai, your fellow parents will think you’re the nanny.
It’s the ideal environment to be bullied, I guess.

This is ridiculous. We live far outside of McLean and have found it incredibly warm and welcoming. The bus system makes it easy to go to other peoples houses and activities. The bus system also means that no one carpools so no one knows or cares what type of car anyone drives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are pretty happy there. As with any school, teachers can range from excellent to ok, with some not-so-great, as well. The other factor to consider with respect to finances is that there are extremely wealthy families. I don't think we would have been comfortable with our children attending from K-12, given the amount of wealth. It is not the norm. And very McLean centric. If you live in another part of the DC area, be prepared to drive your children to McLean for playdates, parties, school events, etc. It is much harder to volunteer and attend school activities (which often occur during the day), if you live outside the McLean area.

Hard to make friends if you live outside the McLean area. It’s like an exclusive club. If you arrive driving a Toyota or a Hyundai, your fellow parents will think you’re the nanny.
It’s the ideal environment to be bullied, I guess.

This is ridiculous. We live far outside of McLean and have found it incredibly warm and welcoming. The bus system makes it easy to go to other peoples houses and activities. The bus system also means that no one carpools so no one knows or cares what type of car anyone drives.

LOL

[Anonymous]

In short-polarizing experiences-you either really like the place or you profoundly dislike it-not a lot of middling experiences. And admin and teachers not likely to change anything as long as there are long lines to get through the door!!

[Anonymous]

Family of three at Potomac and we love it. The truth is that the bus system is great and it does mean that kids aren’t flaunting their cars. But more importantly, it truly is a kind and generous school. We haven’t known any families who are on the unhappy spend of the continuum. It’s a joyous place, especially in the first three divisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Family of three at Potomac and we love it. The truth is that the bus system is great and it does mean that kids aren’t flaunting their cars. But more importantly, it truly is a kind and generous school. We haven’t known any families who are on the unhappy spend of the continuum. It’s a joyous place, especially in the first three divisions.

laying it on a little bit too thick?

[Anonymous]

I would never describe a school past K as joyous—and we’ve truly loved all three schools DH has attended since preschool. But “joyous”? No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Family of three at Potomac and we love it. The truth is that the bus system is great and it does mean that kids aren’t flaunting their cars. But more importantly, it truly is a kind and generous school. We haven’t known any families who are on the unhappy spend of the continuum. It’s a joyous place, especially in the first three divisions.

Then you are not talking to other parents. Go to an US parent forum and report back here about how joyous everyone is. They're universally miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Family of three at Potomac and we love it. The truth is that the bus system is great and it does mean that kids aren’t flaunting their cars. But more importantly, it truly is a kind and generous school. We haven’t known any families who are on the unhappy spend of the continuum. It’s a joyous place, especially in the first three divisions.

Then you are not talking to other parents. Go to an US parent forum and report back here about how joyous everyone is. They're universally miserable.

I think the joyous comment is ridiculous but I highly doubt every family at any school is “universally miserable” either. It’s amazing how little room DCUMers have for others to experience schools differently than they do.

[Anonymous]

Reality — with any school — is that there is a continuum of experiences from very happy with school to very unhappy.

Kids are different from each other. Ditto families. Ditto schools. The goal should be for DC to attend the “best fit” school.

[Anonymous]

The PP asked for “feedback” and that is what they are getting. The boosters of the school often come across as tone deaf to the problems at the school, which can be annoying to those of us who have experienced real issues and are posting in part to vent and also to warn others so they go in with eyes wide open. I wish I had known certain things before getting involved in what turned out to be a poor decision for my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do it. So much money there. It sucks being the poor kid.

+1 The level of wealth is at another level. The trips and students activities are at another level. Your student will know they are different.

If you haven’t visited yet, you should go to an open house and look at the purses/car of the families.

[Anonymous]

Parent of upper school student. The wealth issue is real. It’s not insurmountable, but it is something you should realize. It’s unlike any school other than maybe the Cathedral schools in this regard. Math curriculum leaves much to be desired. School often thinks it knows better than you about everything but makes exceptions for the biggest donors. DC had a pretty good experience overall and got into a good college. But I don’t think Potomac had much to do with the college placement (would have been similar other places) and the social scene can be hard if you are not wealthy even if your child is outgoing and sporty.

[Anonymous]

Rich woke folk

[Anonymous]

For context, we make between 700 K and 1 M each year and felt poor at this school, which is crazy when you think about the overall wealth distribution in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rich woke folk

Indigent redneck