Typical Potomac student?

[Anonymous]

Could someone give me an idea of a typical Potomac kid? I ask because my kid is very smart but also very social and outgoing - likes to work hard but also have fun. During our last visit, she came away with the impression that the kids were only about academics and not very social - she is now having second thoughts about the school. That's not how I think of Potomac kids - was this just an off group she was placed in? Maybe just some of the new kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could someone give me an idea of a typical Potomac kid? I ask because my kid is very smart but also very social and outgoing - likes to work hard but also have fun. During our last visit, she came away with the impression that the kids were only about academics and not very social - she is now having second thoughts about the school. That's not how I think of Potomac kids - was this just an off group she was placed in? Maybe just some of the new kids?

Perhaps the most accurate analogy of Potomac I have heard is that it is about as close to high school musical as there is. Potomac kids have active academic, athletic, artistic, and social lives. There also is only competition with oneself, not with the other students, so that allows the kids to truly be happy for their classmates' accomplishments. Potomac is a really special place, and it would really be a shame for an off visit to dissuade your daughter from joining such an incredible community.

[Anonymous]

I really dislike it when administrators chime in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really dislike it when administrators chime in.

Not an administrator, just a proud Potomac parent.

[Anonymous]

Do administrators ever actually post if it is not an advertisement post like the Journey School ones.

[Anonymous]

Frankly, every Potomac kid I know is "perfect". They have perfect families, they are easygoing, smart, athletic. My son is a gifted student but quirky. We didn't think he'd find enough kids for him to socialize with so we didn't apply.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, every Potomac kid I know is "perfect". They have perfect families, they are easygoing, smart, athletic. My son is a gifted student but quirky. We didn't think he'd find enough kids for him to socialize with so we didn't apply.

OP here. It's funny that you say that because my daughter got the impression that the new kids were more like your son (and probably more like my other daughter!) I've always had a similar impression to you about the typical kid being well rounded so that's why I thought I would ask... must have just been that group I guess....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, every Potomac kid I know is "perfect". They have perfect families, they are easygoing, smart, athletic. My son is a gifted student but quirky. We didn't think he'd find enough kids for him to socialize with so we didn't apply.

This and this thread are ridiculous. There are many variations of Potomac kids, many of whom are imperfect just like the rest of us. Stop stereotyping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, every Potomac kid I know is "perfect". They have perfect families, they are easygoing, smart, athletic. My son is a gifted student but quirky. We didn't think he'd find enough kids for him to socialize with so we didn't apply.

This and this thread are ridiculous. There are many variations of Potomac kids, many of whom are imperfect just like the rest of us. Stop stereotyping.

I didn't say all. I said the kids we know. We come from a McLean preschool that's probably the biggest feeder to Potomac. We know many families there and they all fit this description. I have no doubt that the 9th grade class is probably less homogeneous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, every Potomac kid I know is "perfect". They have perfect families, they are easygoing, smart, athletic. My son is a gifted student but quirky. We didn't think he'd find enough kids for him to socialize with so we didn't apply.

This and this thread are ridiculous. There are many variations of Potomac kids, many of whom are imperfect just like the rest of us. Stop stereotyping.

I didn't say all. I said the kids we know. We come from a McLean preschool that's probably the biggest feeder to Potomac. We know many families there and they all fit this description. I have no doubt that the 9th grade class is probably less homogeneous.

You hit the nail on the head. The Potomac Lower School--feeding heavily from CDS, Rodef and the pool at WGCC--has a certain culture. It is actually fairly diverse--and the types of people I mentioned probably are not more than 40% of the students even in the lower school--but they tend to be the parents that are in leadership roles, have relationships with the administrators, and generally fit the 'Potomac mold' if such a thing even exists. By the later entry points--especially after 9th grade--the school is much more diverse and the hard-core McLean crowd is somewhat less prevalent (though they do tend to vacation together all the way through).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Frankly, every Potomac kid I know is "perfect". They have perfect families, they are easygoing, smart, athletic. My son is a gifted student but quirky. We didn't think he'd find enough kids for him to socialize with so we didn't apply.

This and this thread are ridiculous. There are many variations of Potomac kids, many of whom are imperfect just like the rest of us. Stop stereotyping.

I didn't say all. I said the kids we know. We come from a McLean preschool that's probably the biggest feeder to Potomac. We know many families there and they all fit this description. I have no doubt that the 9th grade class is probably less homogeneous.

You hit the nail on the head. The Potomac Lower School--feeding heavily from CDS, Rodef and the pool at WGCC--has a certain culture. It is actually fairly diverse--and the types of people I mentioned probably are not more than 40% of the students even in the lower school--but they tend to be the parents that are in leadership roles, have relationships with the administrators, and generally fit the 'Potomac mold' if such a thing even exists. By the later entry points--especially after 9th grade--the school is much more diverse and the hard-core McLean crowd is somewhat less prevalent (though they do tend to vacation together all the way through).

So does that mean that a new 9th grader who is not from McLean will have a hard time making friends? Is it hard to fit in if you are not uber wealthy?

[Anonymous]

I would guess most schools don't have a typical student anymore, because the better the school is, the more diverse it tends to be (generally speaking).

[Anonymous]

Potomac's "shtick," if anything, is well-roundedness. For lower, middle, and intermediate divisions, there are lots of opportunities in the arts, sciences, athletics, tech, etc. In Upper School some kids specialize (hence the arts and STEM concentrations), but lots of them tend toward jack of all trades, master of one or two.

Potomac kids also do lots of presentations, performances, and public speaking. Everybody does class plays in lower and middle, everybody does band, bells, strings, or chorus in 5th-8th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Potomac's "shtick," if anything, is well-roundedness. For lower, middle, and intermediate divisions, there are lots of opportunities in the arts, sciences, athletics, tech, etc. In Upper School some kids specialize (hence the arts and STEM concentrations), but lots of them tend toward jack of all trades, master of one or two.

Potomac kids also do lots of presentations, performances, and public speaking. Everybody does class plays in lower and middle, everybody does band, bells, strings, or chorus in 5th-8th.

Don't forget the global studies concentration!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could someone give me an idea of a typical Potomac kid? I ask because my kid is very smart but also very social and outgoing - likes to work hard but also have fun. During our last visit, she came away with the impression that the kids were only about academics and not very social - she is now having second thoughts about the school. That's not how I think of Potomac kids - was this just an off group she was placed in? Maybe just some of the new kids?

Perhaps the most accurate analogy of Potomac I have heard is that it is about as close to high school musical as there is. Potomac kids have active academic, athletic, artistic, and social lives. There also is only competition with oneself, not with the other students, so that allows the kids to truly be happy for their classmates' accomplishments. Potomac is a really special place, and it would really be a shame for an off visit to dissuade your daughter from joining such an incredible community.

OMG! Are you for real?