Does Potomac do a good job of welcoming and assimilating new students?

[Anonymous]

I've heard both good and bad things about transitioning in as a new student. What have been other people's experiences?

[Anonymous]

I can only speak for the lower school, but Potomac did a fabulous job of assimilating both of my boys. They have a good balance of enough events before school starts so they feel comfortable & meet the other kids, teacher, etc without making them stand out as new students. They also pair your family up with a mentor family that lives nearby, so you have another resource for questions. We're very happy all around so far.

[Anonymous]

Potomac did a wonderful job assimilating us into its community. There were so many events scheduled, starting about two weeks before school and a month into it. DC was entering its US few years ago as a new comer, and of course, by that age, it's all about her making new friends.

As a parent, I do feel it was harder to make connections with other parents relative to ES and MS days. But that's normal and as it should be. After all, I am not the one going to the school.

[Anonymous]

I've heard mixed for 4th.

[Anonymous]

LOVE potomac but my one criticism is that they did a pretty terrible (well, maybe non existent) job of welcoming our child and family. Joined in a non-entry year a few years ago in the lower school and we had nothing other than come in the day before classes started to meet the teacher, but there were several other returning families there as well who took up most of the time. Mentor family did nothing (unless you consider making one phone call something, but i didn't).

Other than that, it is a lovely, warm, kind place.

[Anonymous]

they did an AWESOME job!! Was reay impressed.

They hosted a really nice evening dinner at the school for all the parents to get to know each other and hear from long term families which allowed us to meet a ton of people. And, they have several other events like a back to school BBQ that are family oriented.

On the improvement side-The mentor program for new families can be bit hit or miss. It really depends on who you are assigned. We know some who have had awesome experiences and others who were less so. Maybe they could do a bit more to bring mentors and new families together vs relying on each mentor to organize (which would make it easisr on both sides). And maybe a better job of matching families whose kids are a little closer in age and might come into contact more at school (ie pair a Kindergarten family with first grade).

All in all it has been such a welcoming experience. There is SO much parent involvement so you really do get to know others...

[Anonymous]

OUr experience a few years ago was so-so but the efforts in the last few years have been great and an area I think they are trying to improve upon. Like anywhere, it depends on the mentor family who is assigned to you but I think they it is much better and I haven't heard complaints this year.