How’s Potomac US Administration? How are the teachers?

[Anonymous]

Applying for next Fall...would Weldon I put.

[Anonymous]

Administration - inept. Teachers - very strong.

A few years ago, top level administration was all using default passwords and students logged into their accounts to change grades. Massive scandal swept under the rug.

[Anonymous]

How is college counseling?

[Anonymous]

Other thoughts?

[Anonymous]

The head of school sent out a very progressive note last week regarding the athletics department. They will now have an athletics director for all students (search going on now) and then assistant athletic directors (one for males and one for females) to make sure both male and female programs and opportunities are equal. I applaud that. The school is always very thoughtful on decisions (like this) and school leaders are approachable. I would say this is the case in all divisions of the school. There is also a lot of work being forwarded on diversity in the school. We have been happy with the school.

[Anonymous]

More to add. My kid has yet to have a bad teacher across all the divisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:More to add. My kid has yet to have a bad teacher across all the divisions.

+1 We have multiple children there and have also yet to have a bad teacher. The school also does an outstanding job in matching the students with appropriate teachers and advisors. When I go to conferences I am constantly astounded at how well these teachers know my children and their strengths and areas that need improvement and also the learning styles they best respond to.

I strongly disagree with the PP who said the US administration is weak. It sounds like this may have been the case ~10 years ago, but we are very pleased.

[Anonymous]

Head of school is a strong leader. Interaction with administration occurs at the division level, and they are responsive and professional. One bad teacher in combined 14 years of school for my kids. Specials teachers in MS are particularly good. There are a lot of pros and cons to any school, but the biggest pro at Potomac in our experience has been the faculty. They’re exceptional.

[Anonymous]

Are those that are commenting speaking to US teachers? Admin?

[Anonymous]

I commented and I would say consistent for all divisions. There is a new IS head but not because the former was bad. He is a terrific educator. The school decided that separating the 7 and 8 grade for a special focus worked better. Parents seem to already agree with that. HS is the gem of the school or maybe everyone thinks that because it is so special when you are there that you forget all amazing the other divisions are. Anyway a great school and worth investigating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are those that are commenting speaking to US teachers? Admin?

I was referring to all divisions. Each division has a slightly different feel because different things are age appropriate. In LS, the focus is on enjoying school, sweeping themes that umbrella many months and subject areas, social emotional learning, and developing reading and writing skills. MS is a step up in responsibility, and academic rigor becomes more important but not stifling. The IS faculty has high standards coupled with a lot of support and feedback to meet those standards. US administration is multipronged. Athletics, student life, and academics all have a high level administrator to contact, though most questions about your child will start with their advisor. The advisor sees and connects with them every day and maintains a line of communication with their other teachers and coaches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The head of school sent out a very progressive note last week regarding the athletics department. They will now have an athletics director for all students (search going on now) and then assistant athletic directors (one for males and one for females) to make sure both male and female programs and opportunities are equal. I applaud that. The school is always very thoughtful on decisions (like this) and school leaders are approachable. I would say this is the case in all divisions of the school. There is also a lot of work being forwarded on diversity in the school. We have been happy with the school.

I think this Head of School is sports obsessed and that adding another layer of high-priced athletic administration is in keeping with the same mentality that went into building the new athletic center. For a long time, the private school pendulum had swung too far (in my opinion) in the direction of recruiting big-time athletes and fielding teams so competitive that the average lifer at a lot of schools never had a chance to play varsity. Now, it's swinging back at a lot of places - see Gilman in Baltimore as an example of no longer letting the athletics tail wag the dog of an entire school. But my perception is Potomac sees building a big-time sports program as a way of differentiating itself from other schools. I can understand that it's a strategic decision and one that might help boost recognition, and even applications and donations - but it's not to my liking.

[Anonymous]

hope its better than when I was a student and there was a pedophile in charge.

[Anonymous]

???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The head of school sent out a very progressive note last week regarding the athletics department. They will now have an athletics director for all students (search going on now) and then assistant athletic directors (one for males and one for females) to make sure both male and female programs and opportunities are equal. I applaud that. The school is always very thoughtful on decisions (like this) and school leaders are approachable. I would say this is the case in all divisions of the school. There is also a lot of work being forwarded on diversity in the school. We have been happy with the school.

I think this Head of School is sports obsessed and that adding another layer of high-priced athletic administration is in keeping with the same mentality that went into building the new athletic center. For a long time, the private school pendulum had swung too far (in my opinion) in the direction of recruiting big-time athletes and fielding teams so competitive that the average lifer at a lot of schools never had a chance to play varsity. Now, it's swinging back at a lot of places - see Gilman in Baltimore as an example of no longer letting the athletics tail wag the dog of an entire school. But my perception is Potomac sees building a big-time sports program as a way of differentiating itself from other schools. I can understand that it's a strategic decision and one that might help boost recognition, and even applications and donations - but it's not to my liking.

Just curious if you even know what the new facility entails? It’s hardly just a sports center. Previously the school didn’t have a space big enough for all school events so faced problems when the weather didn’t cooperate and events such as May Day had to be moved indoors. My non-athlete DS has been counting down the days for the new robotics facility (among other things) to open.