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

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.
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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.[/quote]

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