I hear great things about Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m in commercial real estate.

Your sleeveless fleece vest is very nice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I am hearing from some acquaintances that the Potomac school is phenomenal, like head and shoulders
above what they expected. I hear the teachers are great, the curriculum is excellent and the facilities are awesome.

I know the price tag is $$$, but are there any downsides from an education perspective? I would consider the school for my two elementary school kids if it’s that great and if they could get in. They go to public school currently and are doing fine.

OP. I will offer advice, as this thread has gone off the rails.

Private schools are, first and foremost, a business, and every school has its issues. I've been around a while and have plenty of opinions of Potomac's strengths and weaknesses, but those insights have happened over time. You won't get particularly get amazing insight from a new parent, or truthfully from the breezy booster types who "love" the school. Look for parents who seem to be grounded and are willing to offer answers to concrete questions. Your acquaintances' feelings about Potomac can be a data point but should be a relatively small one because your top goal is to figure out fit for your kids. The reality is that the beautiful campus, lovely events, etc feel good for parents who are writing big checks.

No one can tell you if Potomac or any private school is "worth it" because there are many personal variables at stake. Your job as a parent is to determine fit and quality of the program. Stop your mindset of "getting in" and instead look at a range of schools to understand differing approaches, curricula, etc. Even if the school isn't one where you'd like to apply owing to geographic and other factors, go to open houses, check out campuses. Be an informed consumer. If you think you might want to be there long-term, talk with US parents. Ask about leadership, counseling support, the learning centers. Also, if you do decide to go to a private school, stay plugged in and evaluate fit as your kids change. You can always adjust as needed, but really do your homework up front, as it does become more complicated to switch with friend groups etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: Can you elaborate on upper school pressure? I think you might mean academic pressure.

Yes academic pressure. Unfortunately the school has experienced too many losses as a result in recent years.

Losses meaning suicides?? Or just students leaving for other schools

Suicides.

Can someone please talk about what led to the suicides??

Are you kidding me? Have some decency.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m in commercial real estate.

Your sleeveless fleece vest is very nice

All vests are sleeveless. 🤔

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

When the results of the parent survey came out after the 2020-2021 nightmare schoolyear, I was shocked and horrified when they turned it around on the parents. To say the school doesn't play a role in the devastating pressure there is to turn a blind eye. The other schools have an equal amount of academic pressure for sure, but it's the competitive environment between the students that is exacerbates the issue.

Is there a post talking about what happened in that school year?

+1 interested to hear why 2020-2021 was a nightmare school year at Potomac

It was the 2019/20 year, but a tough one particularly for the class of 2021. And the school continues to favor a small,gselect group of students and show little for students who strugle and work for opportunities only constantly to be overlooked.

That has not been my child's experience in US. They do struggle and many of their teachers have gone the extra mile to support and help them. I will say that my child has been a lifer and most likely would not have been admitted for US; I also know they are not the only one in that situation. So just sharing that our experience is not what you portray.

So you are keeping your kid somewhere they struggle? Ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

When the results of the parent survey came out after the 2020-2021 nightmare schoolyear, I was shocked and horrified when they turned it around on the parents. To say the school doesn't play a role in the devastating pressure there is to turn a blind eye. The other schools have an equal amount of academic pressure for sure, but it's the competitive environment between the students that is exacerbates the issue.

Is there a post talking about what happened in that school year?

+1 interested to hear why 2020-2021 was a nightmare school year at Potomac

It was the 2019/20 year, but a tough one particularly for the class of 2021. And the school continues to favor a small,gselect group of students and show little for students who strugle and work for opportunities only constantly to be overlooked.

That has not been my child's experience in US. They do struggle and many of their teachers have gone the extra mile to support and help them. I will say that my child has been a lifer and most likely would not have been admitted for US; I also know they are not the only one in that situation. So just sharing that our experience is not what you portray.

So you are keeping your kid somewhere they struggle? Ok.

In my experience, it's families like this who so value the social aspects and elitism of the school that they won't make a change. They are also the ones oblivious to the broader issues. My spouse is one of them. My kids have all hated the school but spouse refused to pull them and spouse pays the bills.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

When the results of the parent survey came out after the 2020-2021 nightmare schoolyear, I was shocked and horrified when they turned it around on the parents. To say the school doesn't play a role in the devastating pressure there is to turn a blind eye. The other schools have an equal amount of academic pressure for sure, but it's the competitive environment between the students that is exacerbates the issue.

Is there a post talking about what happened in that school year?

+1 interested to hear why 2020-2021 was a nightmare school year at Potomac

It was the 2019/20 year, but a tough one particularly for the class of 2021. And the school continues to favor a small,gselect group of students and show little for students who strugle and work for opportunities only constantly to be overlooked.

That has not been my child's experience in US. They do struggle and many of their teachers have gone the extra mile to support and help them. I will say that my child has been a lifer and most likely would not have been admitted for US; I also know they are not the only one in that situation. So just sharing that our experience is not what you portray.

So you are keeping your kid somewhere they struggle? Ok.

Not pp, but academic “struggle” can be fine, even good. There are so many threads here about wanting kids to be “challenged” when they are breezing through material. Learning should feel difficult sometimes, and it seems like this student’s teachers are providing support so they can learn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only certain kids are allowed to shine in US-it is not an equal opportunity employer. They are the ones given leadership roles and are put front and center in order to make them the best college candidates. Meanwhile, the really smart but not popular kid gets shoved to the wayside. It’s not this shining star on the hill that people think it to be.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I am hearing from some acquaintances that the Potomac school is phenomenal, like head and shoulders
above what they expected. I hear the teachers are great, the curriculum is excellent and the facilities are awesome.

I know the price tag is $$$, but are there any downsides from an education perspective? I would consider the school for my two elementary school kids if it’s that great and if they could get in. They go to public school currently and are doing fine.

OP. I will offer advice, as this thread has gone off the rails.

Private schools are, first and foremost, a business, and every school has its issues. I've been around a while and have plenty of opinions of Potomac's strengths and weaknesses, but those insights have happened over time. You won't get particularly get amazing insight from a new parent, or truthfully from the breezy booster types who "love" the school. Look for parents who seem to be grounded and are willing to offer answers to concrete questions. Your acquaintances' feelings about Potomac can be a data point but should be a relatively small one because your top goal is to figure out fit for your kids. The reality is that the beautiful campus, lovely events, etc feel good for parents who are writing big checks.

No one can tell you if Potomac or any private school is "worth it" because there are many personal variables at stake. Your job as a parent is to determine fit and quality of the program. Stop your mindset of "getting in" and instead look at a range of schools to understand differing approaches, curricula, etc. Even if the school isn't one where you'd like to apply owing to geographic and other factors, go to open houses, check out campuses. Be an informed consumer. If you think you might want to be there long-term, talk with US parents. Ask about leadership, counseling support, the learning centers. Also, if you do decide to go to a private school, stay plugged in and evaluate fit as your kids change. You can always adjust as needed, but really do your homework up front, as it does become more complicated to switch with friend groups etc.

+1,000,000. Do your homework and research and look beyond the glossy prospectus and beautiful campuses. Those are marketing and PR( and they work). You have to determine fit for your child and family and constantly reflect. Particular at each new level. 4th grade is not 9th grade and your kids won’t be the same at each point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only certain kids are allowed to shine in US-it is not an equal opportunity employer. They are the ones given leadership roles and are put front and center in order to make them the best college candidates. Meanwhile, the really smart but not popular kid gets shoved to the wayside. It’s not this shining star on the hill that people think it to be.

+1000

making an awful lot over honor council. are there any other roles that are hand-picked?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

When the results of the parent survey came out after the 2020-2021 nightmare schoolyear, I was shocked and horrified when they turned it around on the parents. To say the school doesn't play a role in the devastating pressure there is to turn a blind eye. The other schools have an equal amount of academic pressure for sure, but it's the competitive environment between the students that is exacerbates the issue.

Is there a post talking about what happened in that school year?

+1 interested to hear why 2020-2021 was a nightmare school year at Potomac

It was the 2019/20 year, but a tough one particularly for the class of 2021. And the school continues to favor a small,gselect group of students and show little for students who strugle and work for opportunities only constantly to be overlooked.

That has not been my child's experience in US. They do struggle and many of their teachers have gone the extra mile to support and help them. I will say that my child has been a lifer and most likely would not have been admitted for US; I also know they are not the only one in that situation. So just sharing that our experience is not what you portray.

So you are keeping your kid somewhere they struggle? Ok.

In my experience, it's families like this who so value the social aspects and elitism of the school that they won't make a change. They are also the ones oblivious to the broader issues. My spouse is one of them. My kids have all hated the school but spouse refused to pull them and spouse pays the bills.

That’s a sad and unhealthy state for your kids and you to live in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I am hearing from some acquaintances that the Potomac school is phenomenal, like head and shoulders
above what they expected. I hear the teachers are great, the curriculum is excellent and the facilities are awesome.

I know the price tag is $$$, but are there any downsides from an education perspective? I would consider the school for my two elementary school kids if it’s that great and if they could get in. They go to public school currently and are doing fine.

OP. I will offer advice, as this thread has gone off the rails.

Private schools are, first and foremost, a business, and every school has its issues. I've been around a while and have plenty of opinions of Potomac's strengths and weaknesses, but those insights have happened over time. You won't get particularly get amazing insight from a new parent, or truthfully from the breezy booster types who "love" the school. Look for parents who seem to be grounded and are willing to offer answers to concrete questions. Your acquaintances' feelings about Potomac can be a data point but should be a relatively small one because your top goal is to figure out fit for your kids. The reality is that the beautiful campus, lovely events, etc feel good for parents who are writing big checks.

No one can tell you if Potomac or any private school is "worth it" because there are many personal variables at stake. Your job as a parent is to determine fit and quality of the program. Stop your mindset of "getting in" and instead look at a range of schools to understand differing approaches, curricula, etc. Even if the school isn't one where you'd like to apply owing to geographic and other factors, go to open houses, check out campuses. Be an informed consumer. If you think you might want to be there long-term, talk with US parents. Ask about leadership, counseling support, the learning centers. Also, if you do decide to go to a private school, stay plugged in and evaluate fit as your kids change. You can always adjust as needed, but really do your homework up front, as it does become more complicated to switch with friend groups etc.

+1,000,000. Do your homework and research and look beyond the glossy prospectus and beautiful campuses. Those are marketing and PR( and they work). You have to determine fit for your child and family and constantly reflect. Particular at each new level. 4th grade is not 9th grade and your kids won’t be the same at each point.

+1,000,000. Do you homework and ask US parents about admin. Cant stress this one enough. From our experience, the pressure-cooker environment comes from the US school environment and curriculum, not from the students and competition with each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only certain kids are allowed to shine in US-it is not an equal opportunity employer. They are the ones given leadership roles and are put front and center in order to make them the best college candidates. Meanwhile, the really smart but not popular kid gets shoved to the wayside. It’s not this shining star on the hill that people think it to be.

What roles are “given”? Don’t the students vote?

Only for student government. The rest of the roles that students compete for are decided by facutly and there is zero transparency about qualifications and the reasons behind the selections. But they almost always go to the favored ones. Side note: my daugther was called stupid more than once by a teacher at that school.

Your daughter was called stupid more that once? By the same teacher or different teachers? That is terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the school is a pressure cooker. If your kid thrives on pressure and completion in the US go for it but if you are looking for a place your child will blossom the US is not the place.

Have three there (one of whom graduated) - all lifers. While it can be academically rigorous, I strongly believe that it is only as much of a "pressure cooker" as your family allows it to be. Take pressure off of your children and allow them to enjoy it for what it offers - an amazingly kind and supportive school with top-notch teachers, traditions, initiatives, and sports and extra-curriculars offered for a vast spectrum of interests and abilities.

Potomac has always been a financial stretch for us (and we do get financial aid) but it has been worth every penny. Our children are thriving and happy. Good luck, OP!

When the results of the parent survey came out after the 2020-2021 nightmare schoolyear, I was shocked and horrified when they turned it around on the parents. To say the school doesn't play a role in the devastating pressure there is to turn a blind eye. The other schools have an equal amount of academic pressure for sure, but it's the competitive environment between the students that is exacerbates the issue.

Is there a post talking about what happened in that school year?

+1 interested to hear why 2020-2021 was a nightmare school year at Potomac

It was the 2019/20 year, but a tough one particularly for the class of 2021. And the school continues to favor a small,gselect group of students and show little for students who strugle and work for opportunities only constantly to be overlooked.

That has not been my child's experience in US. They do struggle and many of their teachers have gone the extra mile to support and help them. I will say that my child has been a lifer and most likely would not have been admitted for US; I also know they are not the only one in that situation. So just sharing that our experience is not what you portray.

So you are keeping your kid somewhere they struggle? Ok.

Of course we are keeping them there. There will be struggles everywhere they go in life and it's okay. They are learning how to manage their time, advocate for themselves, work hard, have fun, be a part of a wonderful community, play sports, appreciate the arts, value the teachers who offer extra support and...know that Bs and Cs at a school like Potomac are OK. We don't want or need them to attend an Ivy League college. And we are extremely confident that they will be very well prepared for the college of their choice.

Struggle is not a bad word. Their mental health seems just fine because I believe we have a healthy attitude towards school at home. And we appreciate that while Potomac US is very academically rigorous, our kid is up for the challenge, regardless of grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: I am hearing from some acquaintances that the Potomac school is phenomenal, like head and shoulders
above what they expected. I hear the teachers are great, the curriculum is excellent and the facilities are awesome.

I know the price tag is $$$, but are there any downsides from an education perspective? I would consider the school for my two elementary school kids if it’s that great and if they could get in. They go to public school currently and are doing fine.

OP. I will offer advice, as this thread has gone off the rails.

Private schools are, first and foremost, a business, and every school has its issues. I've been around a while and have plenty of opinions of Potomac's strengths and weaknesses, but those insights have happened over time. You won't get particularly get amazing insight from a new parent, or truthfully from the breezy booster types who "love" the school. Look for parents who seem to be grounded and are willing to offer answers to concrete questions. Your acquaintances' feelings about Potomac can be a data point but should be a relatively small one because your top goal is to figure out fit for your kids. The reality is that the beautiful campus, lovely events, etc feel good for parents who are writing big checks.

No one can tell you if Potomac or any private school is "worth it" because there are many personal variables at stake. Your job as a parent is to determine fit and quality of the program. Stop your mindset of "getting in" and instead look at a range of schools to understand differing approaches, curricula, etc. Even if the school isn't one where you'd like to apply owing to geographic and other factors, go to open houses, check out campuses. Be an informed consumer. If you think you might want to be there long-term, talk with US parents. Ask about leadership, counseling support, the learning centers. Also, if you do decide to go to a private school, stay plugged in and evaluate fit as your kids change. You can always adjust as needed, but really do your homework up front, as it does become more complicated to switch with friend groups etc.

OP - building on this post above. If you are starting with younger kids and you are interested in finding the fit mentioned by PP, you probably want to consider some of the strong k-8 schools in the area. (Langley is near Potomac, Norwood is just across the bridge...etc) These k-8 schools tend to be child centered and can focus on lower and middle school education and well-being without the pressures that come with running HS programs. It also means the school is not as focused with their "brand name" (and the same can be said for most of the families at the k-8). Another benefit is that as your child matures, you know far more about them as a student to find a good HS match. HS is intense in the DMV, no matter where you go. And it's just impossible to know how your child will be able to navigate various cultures until they go through middle school. It's also helpful that k-8 will know your kid and the HS options and they have formal process to help you in the admissions process. Our children went this route and one is currently at a highly competitive DMV school. I would never trade in those pre-HS years at the k-8 to be at a Big 3/Big 5 earlier. They received a great education that was nurturing but also gave them public speaking skills and prepared them for rigorous HS academics.