Yes, crazy.

Not one bit crazy. I have older kids -- college and HS. Number of different schools. Our experience is that happy kids do well -- they bloom where they are planted, take advantage of opportunities, are more willing to take a good risk. Unhappy kids are miserable. Pick a place that will work for you child and your family -- and don't look back. And don't worry about what people here think! good luck!

OP -- Commute is a large factor, both in terms of subjecting our child to a very long commute each day, but also in terms of arranging get-togethers with friends, etc.

Holy cow -- what in the world do you people have against Potomac?

OP, it doesn't sound crazy to me, but I have a kid there (LS). Fantastic, warm, engaged teachers, great learning environment, fun families. That said, what's pushing you toward Potomac? What grade?

Oh please. Sidwell et al are not Harvard.

And if you told me you were turning down Harvard for something that made good sense for your kid, I wouldn't think that was crazy, either.

My god you people are full of yourselves. The stakes are just not that high.

OP, go with your gut. Did you go to the welcome meetings?

What led you to your decision?

PP: I meant absolutely not crazy....

We turned down a big 3 for a different "non-big 3" school. I am very good at playing the what-if / sliding doors / grass is greener game in my head. But the truth is you never know about your decision until your child is actually at a school - and then there is no way of knowing how things would have been different/better! And my child ended up very happy where he is!

Absolutely not! If it works for your DC and family, that is much more important than just name recognization. Not to mention Potomac is a great school gaining traction with well regarded colleges.

What grade is your DC?

Don't do it.

My son left big three school not long ago to enter Potomac in the ninth grade …. best decision we ever made! The academics at Potomac come highly prized and was generously recognized with each college application and acceptance. My son, in his first year of college, is one of few who can turn out a written paper that is "spot on" with the first draft, all because of the English department at Potomac. His fellow graduates are attending Columbia, UVA, MIT, Princeton, West Point, Naval Academy, Dartmouth, Brown and so on …. great college counseling office that actually starts working with the students in freshman year and most of the students in my son's class were accepted into their first college choice with early commitments. Socially, great community and wonderful mix of students and teachers. Not an easy school to be in if you are not an academic, but support is there to get you where you have to be if that is an issue. I wouldn't think twice about attending Potomac over a big 3 school …. good luck!

I'm biased bc I just accepted Potomac today for my DC and tomorrow I will be declining offers from schools that people on here think are the end all be all. I would be careful taking advice from strangers & also right now when there are enough crazy waitlisted families who may be anything but sincere in their advice. For what it's worth, we live a lot closer to the schools we are turning down.

If it was for lower grades and I didn't have a full sense of my kid's interests, I'd consider it. Or if I had multiple kids of varying interests and talents and wanted them at the same school. Potomac is a terrific school, and it seems to teach to a wide range of students, with high quality academics, sports, arts, all in one school. And I'd take into account proximity as well, as others mentioned.

Do what works for your family. Potomac is a good school that provides a lot of opportunities for both personal and academic growth. Just because it doesn't have same brand recognition as NW school doesn't mean t won't be a great fit for your DC. It's not 1960 there are many great schools in the DC metro area not just NCS, STA or Sidwell.

Not at all. Potomac is a great school. You should do what works best for your family rather than listen to all the trolls on this board!