Potomac college matriculation is stronger -

https://www.potomacschool.org/academics/college-counseling/class-of-2024-college-university-list

Current parent of an US at Bullis - we came in 7th grade. The comment about Bullis having a public school curriculum made me laugh! You clearly know nothing about Bullis. We came from public school - it couldn't have been more different there. The teachers know your kid, the curriculum is tailor-made, and we already see the college counseling as superb. I cannot speak for Potomac - we applied there, but obviously ended up choosing Bullis. But Potomac seems like a great place, too. Just can't speak from experience. My kid is happy and healthily challenged at Bullis - thrilled about the choice we made a few years ago.

Anonymous wrote:The changes at Bullis have been too quick. Not sure they will stick. Better to go with tried and true - Potomac, Big 3, etc..

Too quick? It's been years now at Bullis. We have a senior and a rising ninth grader coming from a feeder. We have seen consistent improvement for five years, and we are actually nervous about our youngest getting in, despite being a sib.

The changes at Bullis have been too quick. Not sure they will stick. Better to go with tried and true - Potomac, Big 3, etc..

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, knowing people whose kids are at both, I wouldn’t say Potomac is like a public school. Teachers have a lot of availability and time to meet with students and give them feedback. The curriculum is personalized too (check out their course offerings). On the other hand, I’ve heard Bullis uses a cookie cutter curriculum that is very public school and also tracks kids just like public schools. The lunch is apparently good.

It sounds like you only know people with kids at both schools but have no first-hand experience, yet you still felt compelled to weigh in on a subject you really don't know anything about. I don't know anything about Potomac but I do have first-hand experience with Bullis -- two kids there. The teachers are very approachable and available. I wouldn't begin to comment how the academics differ from other schools because I have no first-hand knowledge of that, but we are pleased with the rigorous curriculum at Bullis without the pressure cooker environment. We also love the small class sizes, the opportunity for foreign travel with the school, the wonderful arts program, the signature entrepreneurship program, and the welcoming community. I am also VERY impressed with the college counselors. They have gone above and beyond for my senior starting sophomore year. Worth every penny right there! If public school offers all of that, great.

Hilarious that people seem to/ want to believe that these schools are so different. They are both suburban, country club vibe coed schools. Both have good academics, mostly nice families, and offer good opportunities. Potomac draws more from wealthy VA; Bullis draws more from wealthy MD. Mixed in a bag, you could not tell them apart.

OP, I would base this decision 100% on commute.

Anonymous wrote:Being honest - DC got waitlisted at Potomac and was very disappointed. Went to Bullis, loved it, had a great balance of academics and social opportunities is now at a T25 college loves it. Friends who sent kids to Potomac did not fair as well in college admissions and seem a little bitter about it.

Same happened to my DS. It's because Potomac has more rigorous academics and a lot less grade inflation. I'm not mad about it though.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is a much harder admit. Yes, both are rich kids publics. But they get you into good colleges.

Please, at bottom, all private schools are rich kids publics. The public school you pay for trope is worn and tired.

But Bullis really is a public school you pay for. Same curriculum; same schedules for teachers. Same worksheets. They even pay public school consultants (Thoughtful Classroom) to advise them.

While I have my issues with the school, I will say that the academics are not one of them. Our child has gotten a stellar education and a life long love for learning because of the amazing teachers she encountered along the way. However, one of my issues is that all of the teachers she loved are no longer working for the school, which is wild to me. We were lucky to have them while they were there though.

Some of these opinions about Bullis seem out of date. The college outcomes they are getting don't happen without a thorough education. We are applying for ninth grade (along with many of other families at our feeder school) and we are nervous about admission. Last year, many students in our school who applied for ninth grade didn't get in. I am sure this is the same at Potomac as well, but just not as many students apply there from our school.

As we are visiting different potential Upper Schools for our DC, I don't see many college lists as good as this. Indeed, many of the schools aren't be very transparent.

https://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

My DD experienced exceptional curriculum in the STEM capstone program at Bullis-far more advanced than what he is studying at the college level. Definitely not cookie cutter at all.

Yeah, knowing people whose kids are at both, I wouldn’t say Potomac is like a public school. Teachers have a lot of availability and time to meet with students and give them feedback. The curriculum is personalized too (check out their course offerings). On the other hand, I’ve heard Bullis uses a cookie cutter curriculum that is very public school and also tracks kids just like public schools. The lunch is apparently good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is a much harder admit. Yes, both are rich kids publics. But they get you into good colleges.

Please, at bottom, all private schools are rich kids publics. The public school you pay for trope is worn and tired.

But Bullis really is a public school you pay for. Same curriculum; same schedules for teachers. Same worksheets. They even pay public school consultants (Thoughtful Classroom) to advise them.

Indeed. If people need to think their kids' private school is special because it is single sex or has a religious affiliation, then they are are welcome to continue to gently bathe themselves in their delusions. What matters is: devoted and talented teachers, small classes, responsiveness to concerns, access to competitive sports, facilities, admins/advisors/teachers who take the time to get to know and guide your child, a cohort that cares about doing well, etc. That is what we pay for.

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is a much harder admit. Yes, both are rich kids publics. But they get you into good colleges.

Please, at bottom, all private schools are rich kids publics. The public school you pay for trope is worn and tired.

Anonymous wrote:Bullis is in Potomac. Potomac is not.

Potomac School is in McLean. McLean School is in Potomac. All very normal, not confusing at all.