Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was thinking about applying to Potomac for 7th grade entry year, this thread is beyond depressing.

As a current Potomac family with children in multiple divisions, I would not believe a lot of it. Tour the school, talk to current families, attend events (not just admissions ones but sports, theater, festivals, etc) and see what you think. A lot of things said on here are not true. We have been thrilled with the school

Is there really a fixed limit on how many kids can do the science program in high school? My kid likes math and science and seems to be reasonably good at math (hard to tell about science) I had been hoping that any student who is strong enough to keep up and is interested in math and science could do the program. As one of the PPs said, I can stay in public school if I want arbitrary limits on who can participate in cool programs (I'm looking at you HB Woodlawn).

The program in question is very difficult and all-encompassing. It limits enrollment in other courses and electives, and it is a three year long commitment with summers included. It isn't a "reasonably good at math" situation. Read the descriptions of the projects on their website and you'll see it is for exceptional math/science students with a very strong interest in devoting years of academic study to one research problem. There is lots of advanced math and science taking place that isn't encompassed within SERC. The honors/AP track of math/science is separate.

- no my child isn't in SERC

Thanks -- I'm the PP you are quoting. I honestly have no idea if my kid is strong enough to be in this program, but I know he is one of those kids who works harder the more challenging and engaging the work is and he begged to take pre-alg from Art of Problem Solving while in 5th grade and is doing well with it. But still, he is in 5th grade so I'm not going to say with any confidence that he is a math prodigy. it is just too soon to tell!!! But I don't love the idea of an arbitrary number of kids who can participate in the program.

+1. It comes off as an attempt to be super exclusive but let’s face it, the really smart STEM kids are at TJ anyway. Potomac is picking from the second tier STEM kids and doesn’t need to infuse this fake competition by setting an artificial program cap in 9th grade. Especially if the kids admitted are pre-determined (lifers? heavy donors?).

If Potomac really does engage in this amount of gatekeeping for advanced classes and these programs as described above, I would seriously reconsider my plan to apply for 9th in a few years. But would need to validate this claim first with someone IRL, to make sure it’s not sour grapes at not getting admitted or something.

Go ahead and apply to TJ instead with real smart STEM kids.

NP - Don't assume that private school kids weren't smart enough in STEM to get into TJ. There are kids at Potomac who were accepted to TJ and turned it down. With the changing TJ admission process, I expect there will be even more kids who may have otherwise gotten into and done well at TJ, going to private schools.

This is correct. There are kids who got into TJ who chose Potomac. There are also kids at Potomac who chose not to do SERC who are top Math and/or Science students.

Anonymous wrote:The primary culprit here has left the school.

One left. There are multiple others who are returning with their lazy grading habits.

The primary culprit here has left the school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was thinking about applying to Potomac for 7th grade entry year, this thread is beyond depressing.

As a current Potomac family with children in multiple divisions, I would not believe a lot of it. Tour the school, talk to current families, attend events (not just admissions ones but sports, theater, festivals, etc) and see what you think. A lot of things said on here are not true. We have been thrilled with the school

Is there really a fixed limit on how many kids can do the science program in high school? My kid likes math and science and seems to be reasonably good at math (hard to tell about science) I had been hoping that any student who is strong enough to keep up and is interested in math and science could do the program. As one of the PPs said, I can stay in public school if I want arbitrary limits on who can participate in cool programs (I'm looking at you HB Woodlawn).

The program in question is very difficult and all-encompassing. It limits enrollment in other courses and electives, and it is a three year long commitment with summers included. It isn't a "reasonably good at math" situation. Read the descriptions of the projects on their website and you'll see it is for exceptional math/science students with a very strong interest in devoting years of academic study to one research problem. There is lots of advanced math and science taking place that isn't encompassed within SERC. The honors/AP track of math/science is separate.

- no my child isn't in SERC

Thanks -- I'm the PP you are quoting. I honestly have no idea if my kid is strong enough to be in this program, but I know he is one of those kids who works harder the more challenging and engaging the work is and he begged to take pre-alg from Art of Problem Solving while in 5th grade and is doing well with it. But still, he is in 5th grade so I'm not going to say with any confidence that he is a math prodigy. it is just too soon to tell!!! But I don't love the idea of an arbitrary number of kids who can participate in the program.

My kid was accepted to Potomac last year for 9th and was interested in the SERC program . He is a math/science kid (Algebra 2 in 8th, etc). We asked a lot of questions about the SERC program at the accepted students day. The school was very upfront about things--it's a pretty intensive program and admissions are competitive.
They were very transparent. I think 5th grade is way too early to be worrying about this. Most, if not all smart kids are good at math in 5th grade. By 9th grade you can see the ones who truly have outlier math/science brains. I have one of these and two other "smart kids" who are not this way at all. The SERC program is looking
for these kids. I think if you end up having one, you won't have to worry about him getting accepted to this program. If you don't have one, the program is not a good fit.
The SERC program kids seem to be as competitive at Regeneron and with high-level STEM college admissions as TJ kids.
As it worked out, my kid ended up choosing a different high school (mainly based on commute as we are in DC).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was thinking about applying to Potomac for 7th grade entry year, this thread is beyond depressing.

As a current Potomac family with children in multiple divisions, I would not believe a lot of it. Tour the school, talk to current families, attend events (not just admissions ones but sports, theater, festivals, etc) and see what you think. A lot of things said on here are not true. We have been thrilled with the school

Is there really a fixed limit on how many kids can do the science program in high school? My kid likes math and science and seems to be reasonably good at math (hard to tell about science) I had been hoping that any student who is strong enough to keep up and is interested in math and science could do the program. As one of the PPs said, I can stay in public school if I want arbitrary limits on who can participate in cool programs (I'm looking at you HB Woodlawn).

The program in question is very difficult and all-encompassing. It limits enrollment in other courses and electives, and it is a three year long commitment with summers included. It isn't a "reasonably good at math" situation. Read the descriptions of the projects on their website and you'll see it is for exceptional math/science students with a very strong interest in devoting years of academic study to one research problem. There is lots of advanced math and science taking place that isn't encompassed within SERC. The honors/AP track of math/science is separate.

- no my child isn't in SERC

Thanks -- I'm the PP you are quoting. I honestly have no idea if my kid is strong enough to be in this program, but I know he is one of those kids who works harder the more challenging and engaging the work is and he begged to take pre-alg from Art of Problem Solving while in 5th grade and is doing well with it. But still, he is in 5th grade so I'm not going to say with any confidence that he is a math prodigy. it is just too soon to tell!!! But I don't love the idea of an arbitrary number of kids who can participate in the program.

+1. It comes off as an attempt to be super exclusive but let’s face it, the really smart STEM kids are at TJ anyway. Potomac is picking from the second tier STEM kids and doesn’t need to infuse this fake competition by setting an artificial program cap in 9th grade. Especially if the kids admitted are pre-determined (lifers? heavy donors?).

If Potomac really does engage in this amount of gatekeeping for advanced classes and these programs as described above, I would seriously reconsider my plan to apply for 9th in a few years. But would need to validate this claim first with someone IRL, to make sure it’s not sour grapes at not getting admitted or something.

Go ahead and apply to TJ instead with real smart STEM kids.

NP - Don't assume that private school kids weren't smart enough in STEM to get into TJ. There are kids at Potomac who were accepted to TJ and turned it down. With the changing TJ admission process, I expect there will be even more kids who may have otherwise gotten into and done well at TJ, going to private schools.

75% of DCUM is sour grapes from not being admitted

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was thinking about applying to Potomac for 7th grade entry year, this thread is beyond depressing.

As a current Potomac family with children in multiple divisions, I would not believe a lot of it. Tour the school, talk to current families, attend events (not just admissions ones but sports, theater, festivals, etc) and see what you think. A lot of things said on here are not true. We have been thrilled with the school

Is there really a fixed limit on how many kids can do the science program in high school? My kid likes math and science and seems to be reasonably good at math (hard to tell about science) I had been hoping that any student who is strong enough to keep up and is interested in math and science could do the program. As one of the PPs said, I can stay in public school if I want arbitrary limits on who can participate in cool programs (I'm looking at you HB Woodlawn).

The program in question is very difficult and all-encompassing. It limits enrollment in other courses and electives, and it is a three year long commitment with summers included. It isn't a "reasonably good at math" situation. Read the descriptions of the projects on their website and you'll see it is for exceptional math/science students with a very strong interest in devoting years of academic study to one research problem. There is lots of advanced math and science taking place that isn't encompassed within SERC. The honors/AP track of math/science is separate.

- no my child isn't in SERC

Thanks -- I'm the PP you are quoting. I honestly have no idea if my kid is strong enough to be in this program, but I know he is one of those kids who works harder the more challenging and engaging the work is and he begged to take pre-alg from Art of Problem Solving while in 5th grade and is doing well with it. But still, he is in 5th grade so I'm not going to say with any confidence that he is a math prodigy. it is just too soon to tell!!! But I don't love the idea of an arbitrary number of kids who can participate in the program.

+1. It comes off as an attempt to be super exclusive but let’s face it, the really smart STEM kids are at TJ anyway. Potomac is picking from the second tier STEM kids and doesn’t need to infuse this fake competition by setting an artificial program cap in 9th grade. Especially if the kids admitted are pre-determined (lifers? heavy donors?).

If Potomac really does engage in this amount of gatekeeping for advanced classes and these programs as described above, I would seriously reconsider my plan to apply for 9th in a few years. But would need to validate this claim first with someone IRL, to make sure it’s not sour grapes at not getting admitted or something.

Go ahead and apply to TJ instead with real smart STEM kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was thinking about applying to Potomac for 7th grade entry year, this thread is beyond depressing.

As a current Potomac family with children in multiple divisions, I would not believe a lot of it. Tour the school, talk to current families, attend events (not just admissions ones but sports, theater, festivals, etc) and see what you think. A lot of things said on here are not true. We have been thrilled with the school

Is there really a fixed limit on how many kids can do the science program in high school? My kid likes math and science and seems to be reasonably good at math (hard to tell about science) I had been hoping that any student who is strong enough to keep up and is interested in math and science could do the program. As one of the PPs said, I can stay in public school if I want arbitrary limits on who can participate in cool programs (I'm looking at you HB Woodlawn).

The program in question is very difficult and all-encompassing. It limits enrollment in other courses and electives, and it is a three year long commitment with summers included. It isn't a "reasonably good at math" situation. Read the descriptions of the projects on their website and you'll see it is for exceptional math/science students with a very strong interest in devoting years of academic study to one research problem. There is lots of advanced math and science taking place that isn't encompassed within SERC. The honors/AP track of math/science is separate.

- no my child isn't in SERC

Thanks -- I'm the PP you are quoting. I honestly have no idea if my kid is strong enough to be in this program, but I know he is one of those kids who works harder the more challenging and engaging the work is and he begged to take pre-alg from Art of Problem Solving while in 5th grade and is doing well with it. But still, he is in 5th grade so I'm not going to say with any confidence that he is a math prodigy. it is just too soon to tell!!! But I don't love the idea of an arbitrary number of kids who can participate in the program.

+1. It comes off as an attempt to be super exclusive but let’s face it, the really smart STEM kids are at TJ anyway. Potomac is picking from the second tier STEM kids and doesn’t need to infuse this fake competition by setting an artificial program cap in 9th grade. Especially if the kids admitted are pre-determined (lifers? heavy donors?).

If Potomac really does engage in this amount of gatekeeping for advanced classes and these programs as described above, I would seriously reconsider my plan to apply for 9th in a few years. But would need to validate this claim first with someone IRL, to make sure it’s not sour grapes at not getting admitted or something.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Part of the problem is the administration is relatively young. Some older administrators retired, but Kowalik brought in colleagues from his old school and cleared out many as well. Administrators and teachers compare parenting their toddlers and early elementary aged children to parenting high school students which is very different. This creates the arrogant attitude that they know better than the parent body, and in my opinion from where some of the mental health issues arise. I am curious to see if their attitude changes when their children come of high school age.

This is highly distressing. Am I reading correctly that the administrators have little experience with children other than their own?? Learning on the job or waiting for their kids to age is highly what I would expect at that price point. I have friends who attended Potomac and who’ve been noncommittal about sending their own kids there (though I think they eventually will) and we’re considering it. Some of the comments here are disappointing even though I know it is all biased

It is also ridiculous. Kowalik has been there for 9 years, so the staff he brought are 9 years deep. Acting like a professional educator can only understand student issues if they have a child that age is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Nobody thinks a pediatrician can only treat patients younger than their oldest child.

Actually a friend of mine who is a doctor (not a ped) and a mom of three told me to always try to find a pediatrician whose oldest kid is older than my oldest kid. It is pretty good advice!!!

NP ITA. I feel like it’s the childless peds who stress new moms out with weight percentile nonsense when the baby is perfectly fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was thinking about applying to Potomac for 7th grade entry year, this thread is beyond depressing.

As a current Potomac family with children in multiple divisions, I would not believe a lot of it. Tour the school, talk to current families, attend events (not just admissions ones but sports, theater, festivals, etc) and see what you think. A lot of things said on here are not true. We have been thrilled with the school

Is there really a fixed limit on how many kids can do the science program in high school? My kid likes math and science and seems to be reasonably good at math (hard to tell about science) I had been hoping that any student who is strong enough to keep up and is interested in math and science could do the program. As one of the PPs said, I can stay in public school if I want arbitrary limits on who can participate in cool programs (I'm looking at you HB Woodlawn).

The program in question is very difficult and all-encompassing. It limits enrollment in other courses and electives, and it is a three year long commitment with summers included. It isn't a "reasonably good at math" situation. Read the descriptions of the projects on their website and you'll see it is for exceptional math/science students with a very strong interest in devoting years of academic study to one research problem. There is lots of advanced math and science taking place that isn't encompassed within SERC. The honors/AP track of math/science is separate.

- no my child isn't in SERC

Thanks -- I'm the PP you are quoting. I honestly have no idea if my kid is strong enough to be in this program, but I know he is one of those kids who works harder the more challenging and engaging the work is and he begged to take pre-alg from Art of Problem Solving while in 5th grade and is doing well with it. But still, he is in 5th grade so I'm not going to say with any confidence that he is a math prodigy. it is just too soon to tell!!! But I don't love the idea of an arbitrary number of kids who can participate in the program.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Part of the problem is the administration is relatively young. Some older administrators retired, but Kowalik brought in colleagues from his old school and cleared out many as well. Administrators and teachers compare parenting their toddlers and early elementary aged children to parenting high school students which is very different. This creates the arrogant attitude that they know better than the parent body, and in my opinion from where some of the mental health issues arise. I am curious to see if their attitude changes when their children come of high school age.

This is highly distressing. Am I reading correctly that the administrators have little experience with children other than their own?? Learning on the job or waiting for their kids to age is highly what I would expect at that price point. I have friends who attended Potomac and who’ve been noncommittal about sending their own kids there (though I think they eventually will) and we’re considering it. Some of the comments here are disappointing even though I know it is all biased

It is also ridiculous. Kowalik has been there for 9 years, so the staff he brought are 9 years deep. Acting like a professional educator can only understand student issues if they have a child that age is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard. Nobody thinks a pediatrician can only treat patients younger than their oldest child.

Actually a friend of mine who is a doctor (not a ped) and a mom of three told me to always try to find a pediatrician whose oldest kid is older than my oldest kid. It is pretty good advice!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As someone who was thinking about applying to Potomac for 7th grade entry year, this thread is beyond depressing.

As a current Potomac family with children in multiple divisions, I would not believe a lot of it. Tour the school, talk to current families, attend events (not just admissions ones but sports, theater, festivals, etc) and see what you think. A lot of things said on here are not true. We have been thrilled with the school

Is there really a fixed limit on how many kids can do the science program in high school? My kid likes math and science and seems to be reasonably good at math (hard to tell about science) I had been hoping that any student who is strong enough to keep up and is interested in math and science could do the program. As one of the PPs said, I can stay in public school if I want arbitrary limits on who can participate in cool programs (I'm looking at you HB Woodlawn).

The program in question is very difficult and all-encompassing. It limits enrollment in other courses and electives, and it is a three year long commitment with summers included. It isn't a "reasonably good at math" situation. Read the descriptions of the projects on their website and you'll see it is for exceptional math/science students with a very strong interest in devoting years of academic study to one research problem. There is lots of advanced math and science taking place that isn't encompassed within SERC. The honors/AP track of math/science is separate.

- no my child isn't in SERC