Potomac School

[Anonymous]

If you live in Mclean/GF then Cathedral schools are much easier to get in than Potomac. Crazy right? The reality is there is just more demand for Potomac from Mclean and GF. Not everyone wants to drive into DC and many do not want to drive into DC without a bus. Opposite if you live in the District because then it is easier to get into Potomac and less so for Cathedral schools. Good news is that all the schools are good. Everyone is going to college. Breathe and unclench.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me about Potomac. Looking to start our DC in K. How do you rate the academics in comparison to, say, St. Albans'? (We are not looking for all boys, but have heard St. Albans to be high-tier academically). Thanks for any and all observations on Potomac!

OP here - so husband was Hotchkiss and I was top 3 NYC prep. We don’t want Quaker or Catholic or single sex. What is the best (academically) for us here in DC area? We live in McLean.

if that's your background I'd do cathedral schools. Potomac school is great too, and doesn't have the crazy politics and agenda of most of the other progressive schools in wash DC area. neither does NCS or STA as much.

Basically you will be disappointed in most schools here. It is not HADES at all. Not even close. Especially the lower schools, quite low academic expectations.

We came from England, and can't stand the politics and agendas of the progressive Wash DC schools. Potomac stood out as not having that plus had increasing academic expectations. Honestly, looking at our friends and other family in this country, the public schools are the most academic, and still do the soft stuff but not in SJW brainwashing manner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me about Potomac. Looking to start our DC in K. How do you rate the academics in comparison to, say, St. Albans'? (We are not looking for all boys, but have heard St. Albans to be high-tier academically). Thanks for any and all observations on Potomac!

OP here - so husband was Hotchkiss and I was top 3 NYC prep. We don’t want Quaker or Catholic or single sex. What is the best (academically) for us here in DC area? We live in McLean.

if that's your background I'd do cathedral schools. Potomac school is great too, and doesn't have the crazy politics and agenda of most of the other progressive schools in wash DC area. neither does NCS or STA as much.

Basically you will be disappointed in most schools here. It is not HADES at all. Not even close. Especially the lower schools, quite low academic expectations.

We came from England, and can't stand the politics and agendas of the progressive Wash DC schools. Potomac stood out as not having that plus had increasing academic expectations. Honestly, looking at our friends and other family in this country, the public schools are the most academic, and still do the soft stuff but not in SJW brainwashing manner.

Lol. STA, NCS, Sidwell and GDS all are comparable to any other private/prep school in the country. My kids attend college with graduates of all of them and more than hold their own.

[Anonymous]

Faint praise

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me about Potomac. Looking to start our DC in K. How do you rate the academics in comparison to, say, St. Albans'? (We are not looking for all boys, but have heard St. Albans to be high-tier academically). Thanks for any and all observations on Potomac!

OP here - so husband was Hotchkiss and I was top 3 NYC prep. We don’t want Quaker or Catholic or single sex. What is the best (academically) for us here in DC area? We live in McLean.

if that's your background I'd do cathedral schools. Potomac school is great too, and doesn't have the crazy politics and agenda of most of the other progressive schools in wash DC area. neither does NCS or STA as much.

Basically you will be disappointed in most schools here. It is not HADES at all. Not even close. Especially the lower schools, quite low academic expectations.

We came from England, and can't stand the politics and agendas of the progressive Wash DC schools. Potomac stood out as not having that plus had increasing academic expectations. Honestly, looking at our friends and other family in this country, the public schools are the most academic, and still do the soft stuff but not in SJW brainwashing manner.

Lol. STA, NCS, Sidwell and GDS all are comparable to any other private/prep school in the country. My kids attend college with graduates of all of them and more than hold their own.

My sister and I both attending top NYC privates and then boarding and my parents were equally, if not more, impressed with the curriculum at the cathedral school my dc was attending. It wasn’t a great fit socially though, so be prepared to look at the whole picture, not just academics. Also, your “no single sex, no Quaker, no Catholic” is a bit limiting. You’re basically left with a handful of schools. I’d let the Quaker thing go....Also, depending on the age of your child they’d have to start at Beauvoir for Cathedral schools which is co-Ed until 4th.

[Anonymous]

Way too many political agendas in some of WDC’s private schools. Beware. We did not see it in NYC like this at all. Were pretty close to switching to catholic school for rigorous academics and broad curriculum, not teacher pet projects and no context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me about Potomac. Looking to start our DC in K. How do you rate the academics in comparison to, say, St. Albans'? (We are not looking for all boys, but have heard St. Albans to be high-tier academically). Thanks for any and all observations on Potomac!

OP here - so husband was Hotchkiss and I was top 3 NYC prep. We don’t want Quaker or Catholic or single sex. What is the best (academically) for us here in DC area? We live in McLean.

Since you are looking for Kindergarten, stick close to home. (And St. Alban's isn't an option until 4th grade, by the way, and sending DC to Beauvoir does not guarantee admission to STA.) It will make play dates and birthday parties SO much easier. Apply to Potomac and Langley. I'm sure you have a good public option if neither or those work out.

Potomac is K-12, so you can stay, but nothing says you have to if it isn't the best fit for high school. Langley goes through 8th, so you will have the (forced) opportunity to pick a high school when you know your DC's needs and desires better. My Hotchkiss and Princeton educated cousin sent her kids to Langley and they were all very happy. I know another Hotchkiss alumna who sent her kids there, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell me about Potomac. Looking to start our DC in K. How do you rate the academics in comparison to, say, St. Albans'? (We are not looking for all boys, but have heard St. Albans to be high-tier academically). Thanks for any and all observations on Potomac!

OP here - so husband was Hotchkiss and I was top 3 NYC prep. We don’t want Quaker or Catholic or single sex. What is the best (academically) for us here in DC area? We live in McLean.

Potomac. Seriously. Great school.

+1

If you are in McLean there shouldn't even be a question. No reason to haul down to DC for similar standard unless you want single sex/religious. You'll gain 100 hours of your life back every year for quality family time or academic enrichment time vs commuting time.

OP, this thread is premature. It isn’t as if you choose in advance. You first apply to see where you are able to secure admissions and then assess your choices based on what opportunities you have. These are all very competitive, and comparably good schools and chances even for the most connected are far from a sure thing...take it one step at a time.

+1 We are in Virginia and my DC loved Potomac for 9th. Guess who didn’t get it in? So we drive into DC for a Cathedral school. Child ended up very happy, but I wouldn’t assume your child will get into Potomac.

+1

We know many people in this situation. Always a mistake to get hopes up on any one school, mo matter your “hook.”

[Anonymous]

There is no hook at Potomac. One of a few top area schools where who you know does not matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no hook at Potomac. One of a few top area schools where who you know does not matter.

That's 100% not true. It still helps to know people, it's just a different group than the DC private school crowd.

[Anonymous]

Lots of hot moms. Probably 35% of dads on a 2nd marriage.

[Anonymous]

It’s a perfectly solid school that attracts families from a broader cross section of the metro area than any of the other elites. It is always worth consideration if it works for you...

[Anonymous]

PP clearly knows nothing about Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP clearly knows nothing about Potomac.

Please share more so we can all benefit....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no hook at Potomac. One of a few top area schools where who you know does not matter.

That's 100% not true. It still helps to know people, it's just a different group than the DC private school crowd.

What is the crowd you should know at Potomac and what is the crowd you should know at DC private school? Seems like all the same people to me, politicos, lobbyists, lawyers, etc., etc., etc.