Traffic is absolutely awful right now!!!! The return to the office has made it just terrible.

I have been driving a kid to HS from VA to DC in what was a 10-12 min commute in 2019 to 35-40 min in 2025…and afternoons yikes !

We are talking a mere 4.5 miles door to door.

I am so glad last kid is a rising Senior and will drive himself next year and I’m done.

Prep has 2 Supreme Court justices and the Federal Reserve chairman. Its Congressional Country Club, Burning Tree deep deep DC roots along with Gonzaga and Dematha.

Biased much? Look at college placement before you make such pronouncements.

This is like saying: 'DS is trying to choose between UVA and VMI.' Potomac is stronger academically and co-ed. GP is all boys and has stronger sports programs. Pick the one that aligns with your values.

Different parent here. Your kid is arts/orchestra kid and an athlete. I would look at the choice this way: how important is music instruction/play for your DS? Then look at which school offers the best opportunity at further developing that skill.

I know prep. Theater and chorale are bigger draws there. But there is Strathmore across the way for added musical education.

From what I remember, Potomac School has good instruction in orchestra.

Both schools have sports and your kid may not make a sports team. So having a good music option is key.

I went thru this with my DD. She turned down a really great private to attend another good one that had an orchestra and strings group. That became her main e.c., and it was baked into her daily curriculum, which she’d us $ on outside music instruction.

E.C.s make a difference, especially at college time.

I wouldn't worry about the "not knowing anyone" thing at Prep.

Most of the class will be coming from a small parochial school where maybe 1 or 2 other boys also are going to Prep, and they may or not be friend. Yes, they may then have played some CYO games against kids at other schools but that doesn't really mean they know the kid. More like, "hey, didn't we do basketball camp together three years ago?"

I got a very well rounded education at Prep. I recall the science and math being rigorous but minimal support for computer science. That's probably changed a bit over the years but Jesuit education is not focused on competing with Silicon Valley so the emphasis will be different. It's very sporty but I was not talented and did cross country and that was a good group. The theater program is also very strong; music less so. It's Catholic enough that it's noticeable and a real part of the culture but probably easier for a non-Catholic to navigate than a school like The Heights (though I know non-Catholic families that have appreciated that school as well).

It's a great school. I ended up going Ivy through academics. Not as common as at Sidwell for sure, but I was not the absolute #1 student either so it's a path for at least a few kids each year. I know Potomac only by reputation but I am sure it is excellent as well. They are different so let your son pick by vibe. If he's totally torn, I'd just pick the easier commute.

These two schools are vastly different. Should be an easy choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi! Our family is from VA. Our son was accepted at Prep but now wants to go to a diocesan school in VA because of his classmates. Does anyone have advice regarding this situation? Thanks!

Why on earth would you do this? No. Go to Prep. Meet masters of the universe.

If you go to Prep, you will be surrounded with people who think they are masters of the universe (you know, a-holes). Go to the local catholic where you will be surrounded by normal people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi! Our family is from VA. Our son was accepted at Prep but now wants to go to a diocesan school in VA because of his classmates. Does anyone have advice regarding this situation? Thanks!

Are there reasons (beyond where his friends are going) that make him prefer the diocesan school? In general, I think kids do well where they’re happy, and while they cater to a wider range of students, a DC can receive an excellent education at a diocesan school (especially if he’s taking all honors classes).

College admissions people have a concept they call “institutional fit”.

It’s hard to define, but it’s the sense an applicant gets on a campus when they feel, “Yes, I can see myself here. These are people I would feel comfortable going to school with. This is a place I like.”

Young boys might find it difficult to explain all of this to adults.

Anonymous wrote:Hi! Our family is from VA. Our son was accepted at Prep but now wants to go to a diocesan school in VA because of his classmates. Does anyone have advice regarding this situation? Thanks!

Are there reasons (beyond where his friends are going) that make him prefer the diocesan school? In general, I think kids do well where they’re happy, and while they cater to a wider range of students, a DC can receive an excellent education at a diocesan school (especially if he’s taking all honors classes).

Anonymous wrote:Hi! Our family is from VA. Our son was accepted at Prep but now wants to go to a diocesan school in VA because of his classmates. Does anyone have advice regarding this situation? Thanks!

Which school?

Anonymous wrote:Hi! Our family is from VA. Our son was accepted at Prep but now wants to go to a diocesan school in VA because of his classmates. Does anyone have advice regarding this situation? Thanks!

Why on earth would you do this? No. Go to Prep. Meet masters of the universe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here , DS does play a sport and part of a classical orchestra . Has a few friends going to Prep but knows a few kids at Potomac . We are not Catholic - he shadowed both and liked both but preferred Potomac . The commute to the school and back in VA makes me nervous even if they have a great bus system!

It’s as if the Catholic aspect of Prep is some minor attribute.

For many of the parents who send their sons there it’s a very important thing. The great majority of the students, alumni, teachers and staff are Catholics. The school is owned by a Catholic religious order, is headed by a Jesuit priest and adheres to Jesuit educational principles. Catholic religious ceremonies are mandatory parts of the experience.

The student body interacts/dates/hangs out mostly with girls who go to Catholic schools (SR, Visi, AHC and Holy Child).

And yet this core attribute of the school is traded-off somehow against an easier commute.

And yet my son dated a Holton young lady. The boys date from every school out there . Silly post.

Hi! Our family is from VA. Our son was accepted at Prep but now wants to go to a diocesan school in VA because of his classmates. Does anyone have advice regarding this situation? Thanks!

The Potomac School mandated bus service is that your student would use is outstanding and most bus groups get to be like family. You can't drive til your senior year. Not an issue.