Anonymous wrote:How do you know pp? Not being snarky but want to understand as we are in McLean zoning and trying to decide

We have been in FCPS schools from K-8 grade in the advanced academic program and are looking to make the switch to private for high school. My main reasons for wanting to do so are:

-Type of Child: My DC is question is very bright but does homework quickly and I don't think is being held accountable enough in class to stand up and give a reason behind their answer. Though this child could continue in public and do fine, I want them to do better than fine and be pushed to the next academic level, which I think would happen more easily in private school with smaller classes and more individual attention.

-Writing: I hear Langley/McLean HS does a better job teaching writing than the middle schools, but so far I don't think my DC's have learned the skills necessary to produce college level writing (could be just them but I don't think so). Also, the critical thought piece can be better honed in a smaller group, where you can sit in a semicircle in a group of 10-14 kids and discuss topics in depth. Those types of Socratic seminars just don't happen in our large public schools. Take a tour of a private and go inside the classrooms to see what I mean.

-Peer group: The kids in public are smart, no question, but in private I do think you get more parents and kids that share a similar value system and social "graces" if you will. What those values are obviously varies by school community, but there are so many in the DC area that you can easily find a match that is right for your kid and family. Having been on 7-8 school tours, I can say that they are all quite different and there are two that we really feel comfortable with (so the whole notion of "when you know, you know" has some merit).

-College placement: Kids from McLean and Langley have a tough time with acceptance to VA state schools (only the top 5% make it into UVA, etc) largely because of Thomas Jefferson sucking up a lot of in-state spots. Private seems to have better counseling and perhaps stronger ties with the better universities, and certain universities really get to know a private school when they have lots of kids attending from that school (Cathedral schools to Univ of Chicago for example).

Hope that helps.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do you know pp? Not being snarky but want to understand as we are in McLean zoning and trying to decide

My 2c on this. English is not my first language so pardon my error-filled grammar

If your kid is already smart and has the social skill, then put him or her into Mclean, Langley or Marshall. Your kid will do fine in life

If your kid is smart but has no social skill, put him or her into Potomac. He or she will learn how to interact and socialize with other kids @potomac. Public school just doesn't teach this.

If your kid is neither smart nor sociable, put him or her into Potomac for reasons stated above

Your can be smart, go to a good college like UVA but no social skill, you will end up working for someone if you attend public school. If you are smart with no social skill, by attending potomac, you will learn both academic and social skill that you will end up being the boss of other smart people.

+1

Had one graduated from Langley (in HYP) and had another one graduated from Potomac (at a well regarded state college), with the youngest one heading to Langley next year. The challenging courses offered at Langley and students taking them exceed Potomac's advance courses by far. But the small setting in Potomac can help those above average smart but shy kids shine. If your DC is a travel caliber athlete, s/he probably can make the HS team at Langley. However, if your DC is an average athlete and wants to play for HS, Potomac can offer that opportunity. But if sports is not high on your DC's list, and s/he wants more options with EC, then go with public HS!

In hindsight, our Potomac DC would have been better prepared for college and placement had she gone to Langley like her elder sibling. If

Anonymous wrote:How do you know pp? Not being snarky but want to understand as we are in McLean zoning and trying to decide

My 2c on this. English is not my first language so pardon my error-filled grammar

If your kid is already smart and has the social skill, then put him or her into Mclean, Langley or Marshall. Your kid will do fine in life

If your kid is smart but has no social skill, put him or her into Potomac. He or she will learn how to interact and socialize with other kids @potomac. Public school just doesn't teach this.

If your kid is neither smart nor sociable, put him or her into Potomac for reasons stated above

Your can be smart, go to a good college like UVA but no social skill, you will end up working for someone if you attend public school. If you are smart with no social skill, by attending potomac, you will learn both academic and social skill that you will end up being the boss of other smart people.

How do you know pp? Not being snarky but want to understand as we are in McLean zoning and trying to decide

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Amazing environment for students who develop deep, meaningful relationships with their teachers and advisors. Has the feel of being in college seminars where students are pushed to use critical thinking and delve deeply into subject matters without the typical teaching to the test and studying AP test prep books. Students are extremely well prepared for college with deep analytic thinking and writing skills. All students strive for their personal best and the environment benefits students across the board. Administration and faculty are familiar with each student and gets the whole child's development. They are not just another number. Have one there now and one that graduated from there, and also have one at McLean that did not get in. Honestly, she just didn't have quite high enough grades/scores, but I would have loved for her to be there as well.

+1

What stated above is 100% correct. Before this year, I've asked myself the same question as well. Why should I pay $41K to send my child to Potomac when I live in Mclean and he/she could have gone to Langley or Mclean instead? The answer is very well stated above. I have one there now and another one at Mclean that has neither grades/scores to get in. I would love for her to be there as well.

Public school, including Mclean, Langley, Marshall, is a joke. Half of them don't want to be there. Wearing shorts and T-shirts to school, they look like fools. Public schools don't really encourage critical thinking and deep diving into subject matters. this is what Potomac, or Sidwell for matter, really good at. At Potomac, you have to wear collar shirts, khaki pants and no sneakers. I really like that. I've seen big improvement from my kid in just 2 1/2 months with his social skills.

He might end up being an average student @potomac and I am fine with that. The meaningful relationships he has with his teachers, advisors and his peers, I would not have it any other way.

In short, Potomac is great because you have to justify paying $40K and the kids have to dress like preppies. Never mind that the Langley/McLean kids often do better academically than the Potomac kids. LOL.

Umm they don't wanted to be associated with folks like you?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Amazing environment for students who develop deep, meaningful relationships with their teachers and advisors. Has the feel of being in college seminars where students are pushed to use critical thinking and delve deeply into subject matters without the typical teaching to the test and studying AP test prep books. Students are extremely well prepared for college with deep analytic thinking and writing skills. All students strive for their personal best and the environment benefits students across the board. Administration and faculty are familiar with each student and gets the whole child's development. They are not just another number. Have one there now and one that graduated from there, and also have one at McLean that did not get in. Honestly, she just didn't have quite high enough grades/scores, but I would have loved for her to be there as well.

+1

What stated above is 100% correct. Before this year, I've asked myself the same question as well. Why should I pay $41K to send my child to Potomac when I live in Mclean and he/she could have gone to Langley or Mclean instead? The answer is very well stated above. I have one there now and another one at Mclean that has neither grades/scores to get in. I would love for her to be there as well.

Public school, including Mclean, Langley, Marshall, is a joke. Half of them don't want to be there. Wearing shorts and T-shirts to school, they look like fools. Public schools don't really encourage critical thinking and deep diving into subject matters. this is what Potomac, or Sidwell for matter, really good at. At Potomac, you have to wear collar shirts, khaki pants and no sneakers. I really like that. I've seen big improvement from my kid in just 2 1/2 months with his social skills.

He might end up being an average student @potomac and I am fine with that. The meaningful relationships he has with his teachers, advisors and his peers, I would not have it any other way.

You guys are rich

If I spent 41k a year for my kid to attend private, I’d want some tangible result like getting into good privates (ivy, top 20) or uva/Berkeley

Developing some meaningful connection with teachers and wearing school uniforms won’t justify the 40k+ cost

Anonymous wrote:Amazing environment for students who develop deep, meaningful relationships with their teachers and advisors. Has the feel of being in college seminars where students are pushed to use critical thinking and delve deeply into subject matters without the typical teaching to the test and studying AP test prep books. Students are extremely well prepared for college with deep analytic thinking and writing skills. All students strive for their personal best and the environment benefits students across the board. Administration and faculty are familiar with each student and gets the whole child's development. They are not just another number. Have one there now and one that graduated from there, and also have one at McLean that did not get in. Honestly, she just didn't have quite high enough grades/scores, but I would have loved for her to be there as well.

+1

What stated above is 100% correct. Before this year, I've asked myself the same question as well. Why should I pay $41K to send my child to Potomac when I live in Mclean and he/she could have gone to Langley or Mclean instead? The answer is very well stated above. I have one there now and another one at Mclean that has neither grades/scores to get in. I would love for her to be there as well.

Public school, including Mclean, Langley, Marshall, is a joke. Half of them don't want to be there. Wearing shorts and T-shirts to school, they look like fools. Public schools don't really encourage critical thinking and deep diving into subject matters. this is what Potomac, or Sidwell for matter, really good at. At Potomac, you have to wear collar shirts, khaki pants and no sneakers. I really like that. I've seen big improvement from my kid in just 2 1/2 months with his social skills.

He might end up being an average student @potomac and I am fine with that. The meaningful relationships he has with his teachers, advisors and his peers, I would not have it any other way.

I think McLean/Langley/Marshall get props because a greater percentage of students matriculate with high GPA's and tons of AP's compared with other NVA schools. However, Potomac goes beyond the AP's or even IB, there are solid concentrations that allow for significant growth on a college level. Whether it's stem, global affairs, or fine arts, students have the opportunity to take their intellectual curiosity to new levels. Class sizes and college counseling are incredible.

Amazing environment for students who develop deep, meaningful relationships with their teachers and advisors. Has the feel of being in college seminars where students are pushed to use critical thinking and delve deeply into subject matters without the typical teaching to the test and studying AP test prep books. Students are extremely well prepared for college with deep analytic thinking and writing skills. All students strive for their personal best and the environment benefits students across the board. Administration and faculty are familiar with each student and gets the whole child's development. They are not just another number. Have one there now and one that graduated from there, and also have one at McLean that did not get in. Honestly, she just didn't have quite high enough grades/scores, but I would have loved for her to be there as well.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The facilities are amazing. Much smaller classroom. No focus on standardized testing. More personal experience.

how you get into good colleges if no focus on SAT/AP?

Mostly by not writing essays in broken English.

Anonymous wrote:why would anyone prefer potomac school vs nearby publics like langley/mclean/marshall? academically langley/mclean/marshall are probably even better than potomac

can anyone explain why potomac worth the price tag please?

If you have visited and don't get it, then stay in public.

Anonymous wrote:The facilities are amazing. Much smaller classroom. No focus on standardized testing. More personal experience.

how you get into good colleges if no focus on SAT/AP?

The facilities are amazing. Much smaller classroom. No focus on standardized testing. More personal experience.

why would anyone prefer potomac school vs nearby publics like langley/mclean/marshall? academically langley/mclean/marshall are probably even better than potomac

can anyone explain why potomac worth the price tag please?