Seriously considering turning down a Big 5 for Bullis- Will we regret this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know quite a few families who value academics, especially STEM education, who have turned down Sidwell or GDS for Bullis. How does Bullis’s STEM curriculum compare with that of the top public schools in the area?

I’m sure Bullis is great and has definitely become more competitive in recent years but this does mildly strain credulity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a big bullying problem at Bullis that admin does nothing about. I suspect this is because the bullies have money and that’s all this school cares about.

Agree. That was our experience. Regret sending kid there and left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The culture at Bullis is about if you’re rich or famous. The kids are beyond rude and snobby and mean to each other over everything from lunch status to who goes to what parties and events etc. there’s like a caste system for the after HoCo parties for instance. (Not like the normal popular kids but like really international) The kids in some sports teams are downright mean to each other. You get treated very differently if a donor etc - for example coincidentally the super rich kids all seem to have that one college counselor with the better connections. The academics are “fine” and not like the ridiculous 4 plus hours or homework a night at some for the Big Whatevers. Some teachers a very good. Some are ehh. And they also tend to give up on trying to engage or challenge kids who aren’t doing it on their own. They ignore “normal” kids and never want to talk about any issues that may come up. They did figure out how to juke things to get more kids into better schools than they did like a decade ago. The kids all now call it an academy named after the one Olympian and they talk about that one kid and other kids of “famous for DC” parents a ridiculous amount.

This is 100% accurate.

[Anonymous]

You should absolutely pick Bullis. Trust your gut here. The whole “top x” thing is so whimsical.

[Anonymous]

I don't know. College matriculation isn't everything - but look at the Bullis list and look at others - I think Bullis can hold its own. My DD is a Junior at Bullis currently - and I couldn't be happier and any more optimistic about her outlook.

https://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know. College matriculation isn't everything - but look at the Bullis list and look at others - I think Bullis can hold its own. My DD is a Junior at Bullis currently - and I couldn't be happier and any more optimistic about her outlook.

https://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

Your kid must be a lucky one not to be on the wrong side of the bully culture.

It’s like the movie Pleasantville.

Mr Sullivan is a charming fundraiser and recruiter and has figured out making colleges see at least some set of college kids as more competitive. He’s hands off for most anything with students.

The upper school administration is atrocious. They immediately imply if you raise even a basic normal thing that Bullis may not be the right place for you. And there are lots of families who when they raise concerns about bullying or really anything that those families are put on hold. And three have been major concerns with the bro culture with things like rankings and contests and rumors about girls - and the response was questioning the girls as acting unfortunately.

A couple personal favs from this year were when the U.S. dean sent out very from email about any parties after homecoming with alcohol being an expulsion offense. But then of course nothing happening to the auction engaged parent hosts of the parities everyone knew about.

And a recent weekly update where one of the US class deans talked about how proud they were of the students cleaning up after themselves from lunch.

[Anonymous]

What's with the Bullis shade? Is it because the school has changed so dramatically and now poses a threat to other schools? Obviously it does admissions wise, but who cares? Literally, who? If peoples want to go there, they should go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Big 5 like North Potomac?

I live in North Potomac and we feel sorry for you. Our area has a whole vibe and sense of place with beautiful green spaces, huge backyards with pools and tennis courts plus community courts, trails and parks. We are 10 minutes to wineries, farms, all shopping including groceries, target and more, minutes to restaurants, our schools are excellent and diverse, we’re close to great probates like Bullis, Norwood, the Heights, SAES and tons of Catholics, and my home is 30 minutes to Georgetown door to door where I work. My home is surrounded on all sides by Potomac zip code and I don’t care if you call us Gaithersburg, North Potomac, or whatever you want. They changed the name two decades ago. Try to deal with it.
Now I’m going to step outside to watch the sunrise and watch foxes play and nature unfold from my stunning backyard. Enjoy watching your neighbors pick their assess and faces in your crammed neighborhood. Ps- they can see you toooooo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's with the Bullis shade? Is it because the school has changed so dramatically and now poses a threat to other schools? Obviously it does admissions wise, but who cares? Literally, who? If peoples want to go there, they should go!

Bullis Admissions team chimes in!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Big 5 like North Potomac?

I live in North Potomac and we feel sorry for you. Our area has a whole vibe and sense of place with beautiful green spaces, huge backyards with pools and tennis courts plus community courts, trails and parks. We are 10 minutes to wineries, farms, all shopping including groceries, target and more, minutes to restaurants, our schools are excellent and diverse, we’re close to great probates like Bullis, Norwood, the Heights, SAES and tons of Catholics, and my home is 30 minutes to Georgetown door to door where I work. My home is surrounded on all sides by Potomac zip code and I don’t care if you call us Gaithersburg, North Potomac, or whatever you want. They changed the name two decades ago. Try to deal with it.
Now I’m going to step outside to watch the sunrise and watch foxes play and nature unfold from my stunning backyard. Enjoy watching your neighbors pick their assess and faces in your crammed neighborhood. Ps- they can see you toooooo

Tell me you live in Rockville without telling me you live in Rockville.