I have 2 kids at SAES, and they are both happy and challenged academically. It is a smaller campus (725 students total, I think), and people often describe it as cozier. The learning support team is growing next year in order to meet student needs, which is great. Teachers are very accessible - they have regular office hours, and will meet with students at other times if needed. We have found the students and parents to be welcoming overall. Of course, every school has at least few "bad apples". There is no avoiding that completely.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis - the public school you pay for.

If only the public schools were as good!

Right?!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis has about 50% more students than SAES. SAES is Episcopal; Bullis is completely secular. Bullis says sports is not the emphasis of the school, but I don't buy it. The schools feel very different when you visit them IME.

After visiting both these past 2 weeks, it was a hard no for me on both. We are a Sandy Spring family and there's a reason we chose that school to begin with which is why all this uncertainty absolutely stinks. Neither Bullis nor St. Andrews came close to matching what we love/loved about SSFS. I'm not saying these aren't fine schools. It's a matter of perspective based on knowing your kid and your perspectives on learning and education. For us - no. We are hoping to feel more confident in SSFS so we can return. However, we continue to look for something that comes closer to what SSFS was about and offering.

100% agree. St. Andrews come closer; Bullis is a very hard pass.

St. Andrew's should be a hard pass as well.

Both schools have families with money. And both schools have nice kids and I am sure not so nice. There was an exodus of not so nice kids from one of them last year so that helped.

St. Andrews is a much kinder version of Bullis. And if you want to see the displays of wealth at Bullis - look at the student parking lot.

^ My family's experience is similar. Our child is now a Senior, experienced the pre-Covid Bullis and now, slightly bigger, under the new HOS. Our DC continues to love it there. Introvert, focus on academics and music, only some sports -- it's been the perfect fit. No issues finding peers and friends.

Personally, we have not seen the great display of wealth. Yes, some parents are very wealthy, and frankly - many others are not and on financial aid. But we find that Bullis spends money to go to the students, make their learning and lives better.

For the past 10 years, we couldn't have hoped for a better home for our DC. And as a side note - they got into an excellent school, first choice, top 10.

Every school choice is about fit, it's very personal. But I would definitely recommend checking out Bullis yourself. And I'd say the same for St. Andrews - go see it for yourself.

While I am personally not thrilled with the changes at Bullis, my kids LOVE it there. Both are very introverted, non athletic types and they have found their people and activities. Their teachers care about them and their success and it shows in my kids work. While the money stereotype is very much on display, there are plenty of normal, down to earth families as well.

While I cannot speak for St. Andrews, I have a friend with two children there and they are both happy and thriving as well. When we talk about our kids experiences, they are actually pretty similar.

I will say that Bullis has much better learning support and really does have the ability to work with all different types of learners.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis - the public school you pay for.

If only the public schools were as good!

The W schools are excellent!

Not anymore!

socially which one is harder for kids who are not "popular"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis has about 50% more students than SAES. SAES is Episcopal; Bullis is completely secular. Bullis says sports is not the emphasis of the school, but I don't buy it. The schools feel very different when you visit them IME.

After visiting both these past 2 weeks, it was a hard no for me on both. We are a Sandy Spring family and there's a reason we chose that school to begin with which is why all this uncertainty absolutely stinks. Neither Bullis nor St. Andrews came close to matching what we love/loved about SSFS. I'm not saying these aren't fine schools. It's a matter of perspective based on knowing your kid and your perspectives on learning and education. For us - no. We are hoping to feel more confident in SSFS so we can return. However, we continue to look for something that comes closer to what SSFS was about and offering.

100% agree. St. Andrews come closer; Bullis is a very hard pass.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bullis - the public school you pay for.

If only the public schools were as good!

The W schools are excellent!

Anonymous wrote:Bullis - the public school you pay for.

If only the public schools were as good!

Bullis - the public school you pay for.

Both great schools. My kid got into both for 9th and preferred the smaller size and “vibe” of St Andrew’s. We would have been happy with either choice. Go visit. One will likely feel like a better fit for your kid.

Adding that we have had a great experience at SAES. We have found the community kind and the teaching excellent across the board.

We are another very happy Bullis family. Our kids have great friends (as do we!). We find it academically challenging without the kids being super stressed— and the college list is amazing again this year. They are doing something right! Our kids play sports but are very average and still enjoy it. They have friends that are into the arts and stem and are all happy. There is a lot of bullis hate out that (and we were skeptical at first) but it has been a wonderful fit for our kids.