Please tell me about Potomac School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a family from McLean (ordinary family with no connections to the school or ability to donate a science lab). The school has been very welcoming in all respects.

This was our experience as well. I think it is highly subjective. Potomac seems more "corporate" than some of the other comparable schools in this area, at least based on our experience with the admissions process, and I think where some see professionalism and competence, others find the same interactions cold and off-putting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have had a wonderful experience in Potomac lower school and have a student applying for US this year.

After going through the application process at Potomac twice in a short amount of time, both for lower school and upper school I will say that it is different than other schools. In a lot of ways, it's more realistic and more focused on the students than the parents. It's the only school that didn't require parent interviews in the US.

Although the focus on the students and almost lack of interest in the parents may seem off putting or even cold to some, I actually appreciate it. It is much better than another school where the AD gushed over us and DS telling us how wonderful he was during the interview and then getting a wait list letter. Potomac's admissions process is more business like than many schools- but in the end I think I appreciated that.

Additionally, both of my DCs had extremely positive visits (play date and shadow visit) to Potomac. They both felt welcome and comfortable. Much more positive experiences than at another school where the AD was more positive and welcoming.

agreed!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gay friendly, Large population of gay faculty and staff hiring many other gay colleagues.

http://www.potomacschool.org/voices/article/index.aspx?LinkId=49701&ModuleId=410


http://www.potomacschool.org/voices/kristin/index.aspx

Your point being?

we live in a society where there are gay people around us. where gay marriages are legal...

this is reality.

[Anonymous]

Our experience has been that, despite what the admissions office tries to make you believe, the vast majority of students live in VA, near the school, so if you live in MD or DC (as we do), you are at a disadvantage and it is difficult to cultivate friendships. This is something to think about over the long haul.

[Anonymous]

We don't live in VA and have not had the same experience PP seems to have had. Plenty of friends in DC and MD, thought I suppose geographical disbursement varies by class (and circles of friends).

[Anonymous]

We just went through the admissions process there and our experience was great. We are moving so I withdrew the application and I will never know if my child would have been accepted or not. Regardless, I thought the admissions process there was best of the 4 schools we applied to. I think the AD, Charlotte is great! In fact, I'm surprised people did not find her warm. We had an interview with her and thought she made it so easy. The interviews are ridiculous because you're talking about the interests and personalities of a five year old ( we were a K applicant), but I do felt she got a good sense of who our child was during the interview and she wasn't the slightest bit intimidating or cold. I thought the play date was very professional as well. It went much more seamlessly than some of the play dates at other schools. I was so impressed with the school and the admissions staff! I do appreciate professionalism and efficiency so maybe that is the difference. Some of the other schools may have been more "laid back", but I viewed it as not being organized.

[Anonymous]

This is more of a statement about the parent who said it and not the school (I hope) but one parent said to me, "it has all of the kids you would want your kid to hang out with, none of the riffraff!" He meant white, wealthy, and conservative. Yuck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is more of a statement about the parent who said it and not the school (I hope) but one parent said to me, "it has all of the kids you would want your kid to hang out with, none of the riffraff!" He meant white, wealthy, and conservative. Yuck!

i need more context or details to know why you are sure that's what he meant. When i visit the school or talk with parents with kids there, i see/hear about a decent amount of diversity.

[Anonymous]

PP is absolutely wrong. Potomac is very diverse, including students from all around DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't live in VA and have not had the same experience PP seems to have had. Plenty of friends in DC and MD, thought I suppose geographical disbursement varies by class (and circles of friends).

Ditto. We live in DC and don't feel that way. Love Potomac.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is more of a statement about the parent who said it and not the school (I hope) but one parent said to me, "it has all of the kids you would want your kid to hang out with, none of the riffraff!" He meant white, wealthy, and conservative. Yuck!

i need more context or details to know why you are sure that's what he meant. When i visit the school or talk with parents with kids there, i see/hear about a decent amount of diversity.

No way that's what he meant. Just a good group of kids, and diverse.

[Anonymous]

Is it ethnically diverse though? I feel that my "brown" child will feel as if she is very different from the rest. I just don't want my child to feel insecure or feel the need to "fit in" when and if they attend Potomac.

Any thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it ethnically diverse though? I feel that my "brown" child will feel as if she is very different from the rest. I just don't want my child to feel insecure or feel the need to "fit in" when and if they attend Potomac.

Any thoughts?

Check the website for diversity numbers or call the admissions and ask, they will be up front and tell you.
My DC's class seems to have students from many different cultural and ethnic backgrounds with many "shades" of skin, I think your "brown" child will see many other "brown" children, but also many who are not.

[Anonymous]

I posted another thread asking about the admission process vs what real life was like at potomac. We just went through the admission process, AD Charlotte Nelson as delightful and easy to talk with, personable during our visit and tour. Love to hear that so many families are happy- this was the feeling i had but wanted to be sure!