Bullis culture

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re a new family in 9th this year and we really love the school. DS has adjusted well to the academics, the schedule and has made friends quickly. The administration is so approachable and actually wants to hear from you. The head of school is everywhere- involved and engaged.

There’s diversity of all types- culture, race, religion, experience, wealth. Parents have been really welcoming.

I think that a lot of different types of students can be successful at Bullis. It’s as much or as little of a pressure cooker as you want it to be, but I love how emboldened my son is feeling about himself and his experience.

This is Bullis PR (how would a parent know that Head is everywhere). Bullis is trying to move away from being all about sports. Arts are fine - as good as any other school. Some good teachers - like every other school. It is expensive and nothing that really makes it stand out. Nice campus - like lots of other schools. Lots of wealth. Little true diversity beside athletes.

I will say this: I have friends who are employed there - the Head is almost universally disliked by the faculty.

I’m the first poster and I assure you I’m a first time parent. I wrote this shortly after dropping my son off- he usually takes the bus and this was the first time I’ve ever driven him in. I was shocked to see the HOS standing outside waving to every car. He’s been at every new parent event, he welcomed everyone at BTS night (expected obv). The one that touched us the most was he attended an event in the evening that was for a specific affinity group and he didn’t address the crowd but was there just to show his support. I can’t speak to whether or not the faculty like him. I think he has high expectations and clearly wants to move away from the sports only culture. All I can say is that my kid is happy, he’s got a great group of friends and is learning with more confidence than I’ve seen in years.

The HOS only has 24 hours a day. If he/she is everywhere for you, then other people might be ignored, maybe teachers?

[Anonymous]

Had kids at Norwood - many kids go from Norwood to Bullis - maybe the parents like the culture at both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis’s good admission director left (another excellent loss due to HOS) and they replaced him with the previous guy who was there for years and did not do a great job.

Not true. Yes, he was excellent, and he left to become Head of School at a school much closer to where he lives.

Why the statement is not true? Anything you said dose not prove the statement is not true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family started there with the old Head of School and after the new head. We didnt necessarily like either head of school, but we preferred the community feel of the school with the old. It actually felt like a community back then and now it feels like it has no identity.

The senior class this year has 160 students! When we started we were told there would not be more than 120 per class in the upper grades. I used to tell people that Bullis is not the "public school you pay for", but I will say that it's starting to feel like it. Our tuition keeps going up and I am not at all feeling where that is being invested in other than a new building which is of no use to us. The teachers that we loved, and who are the reason we went with Bullis, have all left. They were excellent, engaging teachers, who our kids still speak about to this day, and they tell me often that they wish they were still there so they could go say hello. I cannot speak to all the new teachers as we do not know them, but the ones who left were incredible. Personally, I am always wary of a school that has a lot of teacher turn over and I hope that Bullis can see how that does not look good for them.

There are pros and cons to all schools, but the amount of money we are now spending in tuition, in my opinion, is beginning to not feel worth it. I'm sure there will be another increase this year as well.

Thank you for the very insightful info

[Anonymous]

Legendary presence in the DC hardcore scene.

[Anonymous]

Know lots of Bullis families who sent their kids to MoCo schools or other privates because the HoS situation has always been messy. Also apparently it was cliquey in the upper school but that sounds like a more personal/your mileage may vary comment.

[Anonymous]

Bullis has never had much of a school identity.

The BOT of that school is a disgrace, the previous headmaster, as the Washington Post article pointed out, set back the school’s reputation.

Long time teachers have left because teacher:student classroom ratios have gone up significantly but pay has not.

Former Headmaster also set back the school financially hence why Bullis accepts anyone who can cut a $55K tuition check.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bullis has never had much of a school identity.

The BOT of that school is a disgrace, the previous headmaster, as the Washington Post article pointed out, set back the school’s reputation.

Long time teachers have left because teacher:student classroom ratios have gone up significantly but pay has not.

Former Headmaster also set back the school financially hence why Bullis accepts anyone who can cut a $55K tuition check.

All true. And senior class size of 160 is insane for a private school. They want the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re a new family in 9th this year and we really love the school. DS has adjusted well to the academics, the schedule and has made friends quickly. The administration is so approachable and actually wants to hear from you. The head of school is everywhere- involved and engaged.

There’s diversity of all types- culture, race, religion, experience, wealth. Parents have been really welcoming.

I think that a lot of different types of students can be successful at Bullis. It’s as much or as little of a pressure cooker as you want it to be, but I love how emboldened my son is feeling about himself and his experience.

This is Bullis PR (how would a parent know that Head is everywhere). Bullis is trying to move away from being all about sports. Arts are fine - as good as any other school. Some good teachers - like every other school. It is expensive and nothing that really makes it stand out. Nice campus - like lots of other schools. Lots of wealth. Little true diversity beside athletes.

I will say this: I have friends who are employed there - the Head is almost universally disliked by the faculty.

I’m the first poster and I assure you I’m a first time parent. I wrote this shortly after dropping my son off- he usually takes the bus and this was the first time I’ve ever driven him in. I was shocked to see the HOS standing outside waving to every car. He’s been at every new parent event, he welcomed everyone at BTS night (expected obv). The one that touched us the most was he attended an event in the evening that was for a specific affinity group and he didn’t address the crowd but was there just to show his support. I can’t speak to whether or not the faculty like him. I think he has high expectations and clearly wants to move away from the sports only culture. All I can say is that my kid is happy, he’s got a great group of friends and is learning with more confidence than I’ve seen in years.

Maybe Bullis can produce some NMSFs under this HOS.

Well they are already producing Olympians, so why not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We’re a new family in 9th this year and we really love the school. DS has adjusted well to the academics, the schedule and has made friends quickly. The administration is so approachable and actually wants to hear from you. The head of school is everywhere- involved and engaged.

There’s diversity of all types- culture, race, religion, experience, wealth. Parents have been really welcoming.

I think that a lot of different types of students can be successful at Bullis. It’s as much or as little of a pressure cooker as you want it to be, but I love how emboldened my son is feeling about himself and his experience.

This is Bullis PR (how would a parent know that Head is everywhere). Bullis is trying to move away from being all about sports. Arts are fine - as good as any other school. Some good teachers - like every other school. It is expensive and nothing that really makes it stand out. Nice campus - like lots of other schools. Lots of wealth. Little true diversity beside athletes.

I will say this: I have friends who are employed there - the Head is almost universally disliked by the faculty.

I’m the first poster and I assure you I’m a first time parent. I wrote this shortly after dropping my son off- he usually takes the bus and this was the first time I’ve ever driven him in. I was shocked to see the HOS standing outside waving to every car. He’s been at every new parent event, he welcomed everyone at BTS night (expected obv). The one that touched us the most was he attended an event in the evening that was for a specific affinity group and he didn’t address the crowd but was there just to show his support. I can’t speak to whether or not the faculty like him. I think he has high expectations and clearly wants to move away from the sports only culture. All I can say is that my kid is happy, he’s got a great group of friends and is learning with more confidence than I’ve seen in years.

Maybe Bullis can produce some NMSFs under this HOS.

Well they are already producing Olympians, so why not?

They’ve never had a problem attracting athletes. They can’t seem to crack admission for the scholars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
They’ve never had a problem attracting athletes. They can’t seem to crack admission for the scholars.

My daughter is a current Junior at Bullis. I consider her a scholar, so thanks for saying she isn't. But just look at the matriculation list - I would argue it's hard to produce such outcome without great academics and scholars at a school: https://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
They’ve never had a problem attracting athletes. They can’t seem to crack admission for the scholars.

My daughter is a current Junior at Bullis. I consider her a scholar, so thanks for saying she isn't. But just look at the matriculation list - I would argue it's hard to produce such outcome without great academics and scholars at a school: https://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

Every independent school in the DMV can boast about where their students go to college. The college game is based on lots of factors: athletic hooks, donor hooks, some legacy hooks, geography, parental resources to pay for test prep, college app coaching, even paying “consultants” to all but write the college essay, etc. College counselors work the angles as best they can. I work in an independent school have seen it all. DMV kids are relatively highly successful at college admission.

Bullis has not been able to produce the NMSF list that the top schools do. Google it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Finding it hard to visit given their application pre-requisites. Other schools have been far more inviting and being able to physically visit campus and talk with people in person is important to us. DC was able to shadow and meet actual kids and then interview, for example, at another school. Now they are working on the other parts of the application and are excited about the school because they can envision themselves there. But even the interview at Bullis is virtual—how does DC even get a sense of the place if they can’t come to campus first? Watching the prerecorded admissions videos isn’t cutting it. We’ve been on campus for middle school sports but thats a very different experience. It’s too bad because on paper there’s a lot here that suggests Bullis could be a good school for DC but we are stalled at the gates and likely will not pursue further.

+1 I am looking at area schools for LS and crossed Bullis off my list because we can't visit without applying first. It's annoying.
If they can't have an influx of people on campus because of construction, that's understandable, but state that reasoning on your site or Ravenna. Will take my $50k a year elsewhere...

Completely agree. Any school that doesn't let you visit or shadow seems sketchy.

Norwood was the same. Had to apply before visiting. Unfortunate, as other schools do private tours without applying first and taking your money!

Try to think of it from other people’s perspectives. Application fee isn’t that high. My kid isn’t an animal at the zoo to be ogled while you take your tour. And I’m not performing for you on your tour unless you’re serious about going to the school. If you need a private tour before you apply you already don’t trust the school is honestly communicating who they are and you need to move on!

Um, what? Parents are customers. We cant even visit before buying?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had kids at Norwood - many kids go from Norwood to Bullis - maybe the parents like the culture at both schools.

All of the Norwood kids I knew who went to Bullis were not accepted by their preferred schools. Not saying they didn’t end up happy and/or challenged at Bullis, but it was not their choice.

[Anonymous]

Kind of a third tier school. Very athletic with much less academics. Doesn’t seem super challenging from the kids I know there. Great campus. All the parents I’ve met are a “type” - black leggings, Starbucks in hand, white baseball cap. Its felt the opposite of diverse in every community event (plays, games) I’ve attended there. (I have kids in local private and public schools)