The Potomac School - Spill the Beans Please

[Anonymous]

A somewhat stupid question for Potomac parents: my child currently attends Burgundy and is really thriving on progressive education style and laid-back style of the place. When I look at the photo galleries of the Potomac website, I get a bit nervous ... it looks very sports-oriented and ... I can't quite come up with the right adjectives here, but the kids look very preppy and type-A and wealthy and so forth. Does the school really follow the progressive style of learning all the way through the high school? Are quirky kids at home there or should we maybe look more closely at Edmund Burke?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A somewhat stupid question for Potomac parents: my child currently attends Burgundy and is really thriving on progressive education style and laid-back style of the place. When I look at the photo galleries of the Potomac website, I get a bit nervous ... it looks very sports-oriented and ... I can't quite come up with the right adjectives here, but the kids look very preppy and type-A and wealthy and so forth. Does the school really follow the progressive style of learning all the way through the high school? Are quirky kids at home there or should we maybe look more closely at Edmund Burke?

Potomac definitely tends to attract a more preppy, highly-sociable type-A crowd... but the school also has a wonderful culture that promotes acceptance of others and fosters a "kind spirit" amongst the kids. Usually when you read these kinds of lines in a school mission statement you sort of dismiss them - but at Potomac they really do strive to turn out nice kids. So, your "quirky" kid should at least find a good level of acceptance by the more traditional "popular crowd" kind of kids.

Since our Potomac child is young, I'll let parents of older kids speak to the progressive vs traditional style of the high school.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your honest response, PP. You reflect well on the school. I guess I need to see just how "quirky" my kid still is when it is closer to the time of choosing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I am an administrator at The Potomac School, and I just came across this thread by accident. Spill the beans?-happily! Potomac is a school that in its 104 year history, first in Dupont Circle and now in McLean, has remained true to its roots as a school where kids, K-12, are known, loved, and have the opportunity to be the best they can be surrounded by dedicated, experienced adults. Our results speak for themselves, and we remain committed to a holistic view of childhood that emphasizes collaboration and community over competition. We sit on almost 100 acres, and we teach students to be the stewards of the land that was there before us, and that we will pass on to future generations. We are just finishing Phase 1 of a campaign that has allowed us to build an-award-winning Upper School, and an almost completed Lower School. Our Head of School is Geoff Jones who we lured away from the school he founded: Thomas Jefefrson Science and Technology School, and he has a vision of a school where excellence in learning happens everywhere. We ar proud of all our students, including last year's world runners-up robotics team, our state-winning debate team, and our championship boys basketball team. We also have award-winning students in the arts. Finally, we continue to see ourselves as a Washington school, and our extensive fleet of over 40 buses runs throughout the metro area, allowing us to promote our core goal of diversity.

I have been at the school for 24 years, and I don't actually feel the need to "sell" Potomac-those who are at the school love it because of the support it gives to families. I would argue that 95% of the kids and adults are happy and productive, and I think that's pretty good. I would be happy to speak to anyone further if they wish- I want everyone to have a good experience at Potomac, especially those visitors coming to us for the first time. Please do not hesitate to e-mail me at [e-mail]. I am the proud Head of Intermediate School, a unique division established to support seventh and eighth graders in their own division. Happy to answer any questions. Brendan

When is your next open house scheduled?
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

[previous poster:.......................................(early 2000s time period)
From my admittedly limited and remote connection with Potomac (former fiancee of a parent of a student who graduated in the early part of this decade) I can tell you that from what I heard and saw, I had occasion to be concerned about both the school's academics and its commitment to diversity. In my fiance's daughter's class's transition to middle school, all but one of the African-American children were "counseled out" -- essentially told that they would do well to pursue their studies elsewhere. These were kids who had been at Potomac from lower school.

So Potomac couldn't prepare its own students in that class (in this case African-American students) to continue through upper school? That gave me pause. As did the piss-poor excuse for 8th grade English grammar and composition instruction that I tutored my fiance's child through. Workseets, no textbook. That passes muster somewhere, but not at a school where kids can afford to buy Warriner's Second Course, and the workbook. Or whatever is currently in vogue.

This was years ago, but if you're going to harken back to RFK, you've opened the door to other "historical" points of view.



This previous poster is spot on with my child's experience as a student of color in the lower and middle schools in the same time period she refers to--where in particular these students were mostly grouped in the same classrooms in earlier years, with what we experienced as "lower track" teachers and instruction, generally, and were mostly found in the lower grades to be less socially integrated. PP's characterization of academics, for children who were not admitted reading already in K, through middle school level is also true for that time period. While administrators and staff were no doubt thoroughly well-intended in their attempt to admit and incorporate students of color, in practice racism (not overt, but imbedded) was pervasive both academically and socially in the time cited. Yes, AAs left over time between K and 9th in this period. My opinion was students of color, esp males, more likely to be expected to take ritalin as well. Front line administrators and teachers have changed, so who knows now?

[Anonymous]

A former Burgundy parent here who got to know Potomac through camps and our own child's apps as well as through another Burgundy family who sent their children there.

Everyone will agree that Potomac is a top school but it is very different than Burgundy in almost all ways. It is not a progressive school. It is filled with more visibly wealthy families as well as many more Republicans. (Does Burgundy even have Republicans? ) Culturally, it is very different than Burgundy. Can't speak for all the grades, but some of them have strict uniform guidelines all the way down to the brown lace-up shoes.

There is much to love about Potomac, especially their amazing campus and facilities. And yes, there is a very big emphasis on sports - all kids are required to play every day much like the other top private schools. Our friends have commented on how Potomac actually turned their non-sports kid into a real athlete. On the downside, they said that forging Alexandria - McLean child get-togethers was nearly impossible as Alexandria is generally considered by other parents as being "too far away."

The biggest difference we saw coming from Burgundy was the "wall" the school placed between itself and the parents. That did bother us. Our friends say that Potomac is totally about the kids and that they don't really care about the parents. We also saw this. They don't interview the parents or ask questions during the private tours. Their apps process is completely different than other schools. We ended up feeling that if our son went there, we would not really be able to be involved in his experience at all.

Now, Edmund Burke is progressive and many Burgundy families send their kids there. I hear it is a very easy fit.

[Anonymous]

(Does Burgundy even have Republicans?
Yup!

[Anonymous]

Schools vary a lot in terms of whether they place a "wall" between parents and the school (except that a brick gets pulled out for the check to come in). Schools vary a LOT in this dimension. I've always read it as a sign that the administration is not confident dealing with parents .... The school where we are now, and where there is not a wall, seems to know when to tell pushy parents no, that the administrators are making the decisions, etc. To operate behind a wall means parents end up huddling and wringing their hands, and I believe it creates much more trouble in the long run.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]A former Burgundy parent here who got to know Potomac through camps and our own child's apps as well as through another Burgundy family who sent their children there.

Everyone will agree that Potomac is a top school but it is very different than Burgundy in almost all ways. It is not a progressive school. It is filled with more visibly wealthy families as well as many more Republicans. (Does Burgundy even have Republicans? ) Culturally, it is very different than Burgundy. Can't speak for all the grades, but some of them have strict uniform guidelines all the way down to the brown lace-up shoes.

There is much to love about Potomac, especially their amazing campus and facilities. And yes, there is a very big emphasis on sports - all kids are required to play every day much like the other top private schools. Our friends have commented on how Potomac actually turned their non-sports kid into a real athlete. On the downside, they said that forging Alexandria - McLean child get-togethers was nearly impossible as Alexandria is generally considered by other parents as being "too far away."

The biggest difference we saw coming from Burgundy was the "wall" the school placed between itself and the parents. That did bother us. Our friends say that Potomac is totally about the kids and that they don't really care about the parents. We also saw this. They don't interview the parents or ask questions during the private tours. Their apps process is completely different than other schools. We ended up feeling that if our son went there, we would not really be able to be involved in his experience at all.

Now, Edmund Burke is progressive and many Burgundy families send their kids there. I hear it is a very easy fit.[/quote]

PP, not sure that attending a summer camp provides much actual insight into a school. The Potomac summer camp staff is completely separate from their regular school teachers and staff. Also to a couple of your points:

>> "...Alexandria is generally considered by other parents as being "too far away."

There's a fairly large Alexandria presence at Potomac. There are TWO buses who run from Alexandria to Potomac. One from Old Town and one from the Quaker Lane area. Both are sizable buses, and both are full. One of the unique aspects of the school is that they draw from all over the VA, DC, and MD areas.

>> "The biggest difference we saw coming from Burgundy was the "wall" the school placed between itself and the parents."

Have not experienced this a bit. In fact, we've been a little overwhelmed by just how many activities there are for parents and how many parents participate in those. The parents association even has its own 'clubhouse' on campus. I really can't imagine a school where parents are more involved unless they are actually teaching the classes.

>> "They don't interview the parents or ask questions during the private tours."

This is incorrect. We were interviewed.

>> "Culturally, it is very different than Burgundy."

I can understand this comment and do agree. The two schools do seem to be very different in terms of the type of kids/parents who feel comfortable there. That's not a negative... I think many Potomac parents and kids might not feel all that comfortable at Burgundy either.

However, for what its worth, one of the teachers this year in the lower school left Burgundy to come to Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
This previous poster is spot on with my child's experience as a student of color in the lower and middle schools in the same time period she refers to--where in particular these students were mostly grouped in the same classrooms in earlier years, with what we experienced as "lower track" teachers and instruction, generally, and were mostly found in the lower grades to be less socially integrated. PP's characterization of academics, for children who were not admitted reading already in K, through middle school level is also true for that time period. While administrators and staff were no doubt thoroughly well-intended in their attempt to admit and incorporate students of color, in practice racism (not overt, but imbedded) was pervasive both academically and socially in the time cited. Yes, AAs left over time between K and 9th in this period. My opinion was students of color, esp males, more likely to be expected to take ritalin as well. Front line administrators and teachers have changed, so who knows now?

I only today saw this thread again, funny to find a recent post quoted mine from so many months ago. PP, I'm glad to know that my observations were shared by someone else. I'd not read the responses to my post before now, and won't comment on their failure to directly address the points that I raised in the timeframe I'd discussed. I havemuch more that I could say; my information about the school was second-hand from a parent insider source that I'd rather not identify in specifics, lest I blow the DCUM confidentiality that I'm relying on, for both myself and ex's DD. I'd repeat that my observations of Potomac are remote in time, but were so beyond the pale in my experience that it gave me pause then, and caused me to post earlier this year.

And, FWIW, I graduated in the early 80s from a PG county private that was formed the year that the county's public schools were put under a consent decree to desegregate, i.e. a white-flight school. So I've had a turn or two with subtle racial politics in private school settings and survived them. But middle school kids were always promoted to upper school.

I truly hope that things have changed there. But I wouldn't send DD there for anything (even to avoid DCPS). JMHO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder what the friends/classmates of those kids must have thought. This is exactly how racial/cultural biases and discrimination is passed down to our kids. 01:08, how did your former fiancée’s daughter react or respond? Just curious.

I think that ex-step-daughter-to be (yikes! how's that for a moniker?) was probably a bit smug, relying on her father's clout to keep her there in spite of her substandard grades.

Lack of empathy, like father like daughter.

[Anonymous]

For the record, there are 6 posts in this thread alone that mention the "unwelcoming" or "wall" impression received from Potomac Admissions. Their administration may or may not be user-friendly, however there are more than enough parents commenting here that their Admissions department is not presenting a strong positive image.

As for the Burgundy parent responding to the current Burgundy parent, she was offering more of a comparison rather than a critique based upon her child's experience, the interviewing process and first-hand info from Potomac friends. I don't think 17:23 really got the point about playdates vs. bus trips and inclusive and welcoming administration vs. parent activities. They are related, yet very different issues.

Nevertheless, if we are making generalizations about schools (and also understanding that this is not true of everyone and that there will always be exceptions), I think it is safe to say that Burgundy and Potomac are very different culturally, academically and socially. This doesn't mean that one child won't fit into the other school. I think that most kids adapt very well into different situations and the parents less so. Parents need to decide whether or not the atmosphere, culture and vibes of any school will be a real issue for them. Let your kids tell you if it will be an issue for them as well.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]For the record, there are 6 posts in this thread alone that mention the "unwelcoming" or "wall" impression received from Potomac Admissions. Their administration may or may not be user-friendly, however there are more than enough parents commenting here that their Admissions department is not presenting a strong positive image.

As for the Burgundy parent responding to the current Burgundy parent, she was offering more of a comparison rather than a critique based upon her child's experience, the interviewing process and first-hand info from Potomac friends. I don't think 17:23 really got the point about playdates vs. bus trips and inclusive and welcoming administration vs. parent activities. They are related, yet very different issues.

Nevertheless, if we are making generalizations about schools (and also understanding that this is not true of everyone and that there will always be exceptions), I think it is safe to say that Burgundy and Potomac are very different culturally, academically and socially. This doesn't mean that one child won't fit into the other school. I think that most kids adapt very well into different situations and the parents less so. Parents need to decide whether or not the atmosphere, culture and vibes of any school will be a real issue for them. Let your kids tell you if it will be an issue for them as well.

[/quote]

I think 17:23 was offering some first hand knowledge and experience with Potomac, rather than relying on the other posters whose experience was limited to summer camps, admissions, and a friend who was a former Burgundy parent (and, as you said above, may have been experiencing some of those cultural fit issues). That said, I agree with with what you said above about the Admissions staff - there do seem to be enough posters commenting on this to warrant a closer look by the administration. Potomac, like other top schools, has no trouble filling its classes each year and has to wait list and reject many deserving families - but the school should make sure its doing a good job of communicating to all parents in the admissions process what an exceptional place Potomac really is.

[Anonymous]

Too much trying to package everything into perfect boxes. Bright curious kids are bright curious kids. Good teaching and thoughtful curricula make a difference. There are many children who would thrive at either Burgundy or Potomac. Some successfully experience both!
Sussing out what's right for your family/DCs isn't always easy. No need to disparage either school academically. Though I hope they both support their students of color at this time.

[Anonymous]

Ultimately, there just is no other school quite like Burgundy, which makes choosing an appropriate high school kind of scary!! By the way, Burgundy most definitely has Republican parents, self included!