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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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. [/quote]

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![/quote]

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.[/quote]

Is there a post talking about what happened in that school year? [/quote]

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

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

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. [/quote]

I am a current parent and have grown to really appreciate this school. It is not perfect but after hearing things that have gone at other schools, I am satisfied. I agree that siblings tend to get favored roles for sports/academics but part of it is parents figure out the system. They know classes, the coaches. It makes it difficult if you are new. There is a new AD who is trying to address this and I am told the school is working on leveling academic playing field. There is a new open program for certain honors classes. The honor council (mentioned above) is a different thing  -I have zero issue with that. Those kids are not just good students. They are also the kindest and their role is to have empathy and also complete secrecy. No gossiping for anyone brought before. I think Potomac does this well because honor council roles at other schools are set up to just punish no learning experience. My kid thought about trying out for honor council because they are a good student and very nice but they said the pressure to not slip up and say anything was too much for them. They have nothing but respect for anyone selected. Hope this gives additional flavor.[/quote]

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