Are Other Upper School Students at Potomac Not Getting Tests and Papers Back for Weeks at a Time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a systemic problem at Potomac. The parents need to step-up and talk to the admin asap. Why is this happening? Sounds like the admin is not doing a good job monitoring the teachers and/or not making the expectations clear. This is for adults to discuss and resolve, not the kids.

I have not known this to be a problem in the US at Potomac. So I would argue that it is not a "systemic problem."

T[b]rust me. It is[/b]!

No, it is not. It’s a very small number of teachers. Like 2-3.

Different poster here to say it has not been a problem for my two kids in the US, one of whom is a senior. So no, it is not a systemic problem in the US.

I'm on my third kid in US and I would say the issue has gotten worse over time. Grades are typically, while not quite a surprise, at least a slight mystery, when they come out mid-semester and at the end of the semester. Sometimes it's a good surprise, sometimes devastating. My kid has not had one single final paper returned in an English class in the last 4 semesters. My kid is an amazing self-advocate, but figures this is just the culture and goes with it. I don't think it's great and have always felt the school lacks any transparency at all. After all, if they published all the grades, then those who are put into the middle and low bucket might have a fighting chance of rising up to the top students. This is their way of keeping the "caste" system in place. They determine very early on who the top students are and make sure there's enough distinction to keep them high enough in front of the others to get them into the very top schools. Transparency would make this more difficult.

Further how are they ever supposed to learn anything about writing papers if they are not returned, marked up? My DCs are at another local private where this issue sometimes comes up but not to this degree. I would be unhappy about this too. Department heads need to crack down on the teachers

[Anonymous]

Guys this thread is so distasteful. Don’t you have a parent listserv? I can’t believe parents would start a public thread to vent about their school and name teachers.

[Anonymous]

I’m not surprised at all that it’s Public complaints. This tardiness has gone on for years. Admin is unresponsive for whatever reason. I’m sure if it could have been fixed privately it would have been done years ago.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate the poster bringing this matter to light. We've applied to Potomac and this is very concerning. I'll certainly raise the issue if we are accepted and with Potomac parents I'm acquainted with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a systemic problem at Potomac. The parents need to step-up and talk to the admin asap. Why is this happening? Sounds like the admin is not doing a good job monitoring the teachers and/or not making the expectations clear. This is for adults to discuss and resolve, not the kids.

I have not known this to be a problem in the US at Potomac. So I would argue that it is not a "systemic problem."

T[b]rust me. It is[/b]!

No, it is not. It’s a very small number of teachers. Like 2-3.

Different poster here to say it has not been a problem for my two kids in the US, one of whom is a senior. So no, it is not a systemic problem in the US.

I'm on my third kid in US and I would say the issue has gotten worse over time. Grades are typically, while not quite a surprise, at least a slight mystery, when they come out mid-semester and at the end of the semester. Sometimes it's a good surprise, sometimes devastating. [b]My kid has not had one single final paper returned in an English class in the last 4 semesters. My kid is an amazing self-advocate, but figures this is just the culture and goes with it. I don't think it's great and have always felt the school lacks any transparency at all. After all, if they published all the grades, then those who are put into the middle and low bucket might have a fighting chance of rising up to the top students. This is their way of keeping the "caste" system in place. They determine very early on who the top students are and make sure there's enough distinction to keep them high enough in front of the others to get them into the very top schools. Transparency would make this more difficult.

My DC has had more than one occurrence if having an A at the interim and an A for the rest of the semester until the very last week when some grade crops up that derails the entire progress of the semester resulting in an A-. It’s the most annoying thing ever and the teachers have never had a great explanation for the last minute change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I appreciate the poster bringing this matter to light. We've applied to Potomac and this is very concerning. I'll certainly raise the issue if we are accepted and with Potomac parents I'm acquainted with.

+1. We’ve applied to MS with the intent of keeping them through US and this isn’t great. Even ignoring the conspiracy theorist, to PP’s point how are they supposed to improve if they don’t get feedback quickly? I thought the whole point of private school was that small class sizes enable more attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This sounds like a systemic problem at Potomac. The parents need to step-up and talk to the admin asap. Why is this happening? Sounds like the admin is not doing a good job monitoring the teachers and/or not making the expectations clear. This is for adults to discuss and resolve, not the kids.

I have not known this to be a problem in the US at Potomac. So I would argue that it is not a "systemic problem."

T[b]rust me. It is[/b]!

No, it is not. It’s a very small number of teachers. Like 2-3.

Different poster here to say it has not been a problem for my two kids in the US, one of whom is a senior. So no, it is not a systemic problem in the US.

I'm on my third kid in US and I would say the issue has gotten worse over time. Grades are typically, while not quite a surprise, at least a slight mystery, when they come out mid-semester and at the end of the semester. Sometimes it's a good surprise, sometimes devastating. My kid has not had one single final paper returned in an English class in the last 4 semesters. My kid is an amazing self-advocate, but figures this is just the culture and goes with it. I don't think it's great and have always felt the school lacks any transparency at all. After all, if they published all the grades, then those who are put into the middle and low bucket might have a fighting chance of rising up to the top students. This is their way of keeping the "caste" system in place. They determine very early on who the top students are and make sure there's enough distinction to keep them high enough in front of the others to get them into the very top schools. Transparency would make this more difficult.

As painful as it is to admit, I think there is some truth to what seems like a wild conspiracy theory. The school seems to give the spotlight to the very, very few kids (and or their parents) who demand it in some way (that includes the couple in each class who might be superstars, the ones whose parents are restless think they are superstars, and the very, very wealthy). The rest seem to get vague “everything’s fine, don’t worry” messages all along the way. No matter how well some kids do, they are often told they are in the middle of the pack. Nothing is transparent.

Many of the teachers are truly terrific — caring and engaging and dedicated to kids. The teachers are the reason our kids have stayed. Some of the administration is a different story.

And to the PP who asked why a school would do this, I think it is because so many people evaluate a school by where it sends kids to college. Potomac seems focused on getting the few who might have a shot into the top schools so they can look like Potomac competes with the DC schools. Same reason they look for parents who went to top colleges, in case the legacy thing helps. Those may not be the only reasons, of course.

[Anonymous]

Wow, PP that’s really crazy.

[Anonymous]

Well, now you know to ask all schools exactly how students get prompt feedback on assignments. What does the school do with tardy teachers?

It’s embarrassing to the school, kind of a basic educational standard that shouldn’t need to be checked by inquiring parents.

[Anonymous]

The kids deserve better than this. They are being cheated out of an education.

[Anonymous]

Wow! Some of you don’t understand private schools at all. If you are rich and donate, your average kid is suddenly brilliant.

My kid actually heard a teacher state we’re paying for A’s. Know the game before you engage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow! Some of you don’t understand private schools at all. If you are rich and donate, your average kid is suddenly brilliant.

My kid actually heard a teacher state we’re paying for A’s. Know the game before you engage.

Except in this case, Potomac seems to be violating the rules of the game. It is withholding even well-deserved As in spite of everyone paying the private school tuition. So I guess the real game is As only for the mega-donors at Potomac and not even a modicum of academic integrity (at least far as grades are concerned) for the mere hoi-polloi tuition-paying students.

[Anonymous]

^^^You tongue in cheek responders don’t understand, AT ALL. These issues are real and hopefully some of the kids and parents being affected will come forward and discuss to make things better for all!

[Anonymous]

Can someone show this thread to the Potomac US administration? Things clearly need to change.

[Anonymous]

we are new to the US and private school in general. it is definitely a shock to the system to not have insight into what goes into the grades. the reason they say they do this is so that kids don't focus on grades, but my one data point is now far more anxious about grades bc they are behind a curtain. And for sure graded assignments are not returned in a timely manner. on a positive note, the various advisors, deans, etc at the school have listened to both DC's and my concerns -- but I don't believe anything will change. I definitely wish I had asked more pointed questions during the admissions process, but on balance we aren't unhappy with the school.