Anonymous wrote:We’re applying to both schools for our daughter for 9th grade, and if she’s fortunate enough to get into both, it will be a tough decision. As parents, we want her to have a happy high school experience without burning out, but we also want her to be well-positioned for a college that’s a great fit.
From what we’ve heard, the college counseling at Bullis is strong, and having access to AP classes seems like a plus.
Fingers crossed she gets in — it feels incredibly competitive at both schools these days.

If you are full pay and your daughter is a decent student then you should have no problem getting into Bullis.

We’re applying to both schools for our daughter for 9th grade, and if she’s fortunate enough to get into both, it will be a tough decision. As parents, we want her to have a happy high school experience without burning out, but we also want her to be well-positioned for a college that’s a great fit.
From what we’ve heard, the college counseling at Bullis is strong, and having access to AP classes seems like a plus.
Fingers crossed she gets in — it feels incredibly competitive at both schools these days.

Anonymous wrote:These two schools are not in the same league. Potomac is long-established, steady leadership, strong academics, strong traditions and sense of identity and mission.

Bullis has had many shaky years, disgruntled teachers, terrible Heads of School, high turnover, very few National Merit finalists, sports-focused.

That said, both have nice campuses. Current Bullis HOS wants to increase academic profile. I know people with kids there who are happy. But really, no comparison. I guarantee Potomac has the college respect and recognition that Bullis is striving for.

Different schools are appropriate for different kids. No matter a school's reputation, it might be a great fir for your child. Check them both out, ask around (other than DCUM) and good luck!

Not sure about long-established. Bullis has had a high school a very long time. Potomac did not have a high school when I was going to private school here. And no APs. That is a deal breaker for me, especially as colleges are getting wise to grade inflation. APs are a good equalizer.

Anonymous wrote:Is Potomac still on the Lucy Calkins bus to illiteracy, or did they finally get off?

Excellent question. Their lower school had been teaching 3-cueing, along with other methods. Are they still doing that?

Anyone who thinks these two schools are comparable doesn’t know schools in the DMV.

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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.

This makes me happy as an alum from a good long time ago (30+ years). When I visited with my kid a while back I was surprised to find my 9th grade English teacher still on staff.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Those are minimum qualifications that most privates here have. Plenty of them also have specific distinguishing factors. Taking my daughter's school as an example, it has unique scheduling, internships for all, boarding and horses.

Anonymous wrote:These two schools are not in the same league. Potomac is long-established, steady leadership, strong academics, strong traditions and sense of identity and mission.

Bullis has had many shaky years, disgruntled teachers, terrible Heads of School, high turnover, very few National Merit finalists, sports-focused.

That said, both have nice campuses. Current Bullis HOS wants to increase academic profile. I know people with kids there who are happy. But really, no comparison. I guarantee Potomac has the college respect and recognition that Bullis is striving for.

Different schools are appropriate for different kids. No matter a school's reputation, it might be a great fir for your child. Check them both out, ask around (other than DCUM) and good luck!

NP. You seem to be easily influenced by basic prestige markers. I'd be fascinated to hear exactly how you would describe Potomac's unique mission and sense of identity. Can you do so without spouting platitudes, like "courage"?

Your cited evidence for Potomac's academic quality - counting national merit finalists and pointing to a college list - emphasizes how clueless you are. Like many schools in the region, Potomac has talented students. It also has lots of ambitious and wealthy parents who are legacy and development targets for colleges.

Potomac has also had its share of administrative shakiness and turnover, no? I can certainly think of some examples.

I agree that talking to parents IRL is the best option for school diligence. Every school community has its share of silliness and it's best to suss out checked out parents in conversation.

These two schools are not in the same league. Potomac is long-established, steady leadership, strong academics, strong traditions and sense of identity and mission.

Bullis has had many shaky years, disgruntled teachers, terrible Heads of School, high turnover, very few National Merit finalists, sports-focused.

That said, both have nice campuses. Current Bullis HOS wants to increase academic profile. I know people with kids there who are happy. But really, no comparison. I guarantee Potomac has the college respect and recognition that Bullis is striving for.

Different schools are appropriate for different kids. No matter a school's reputation, it might be a great fir for your child. Check them both out, ask around (other than DCUM) and good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Both public schools you pay for.

Public school except with 10 students in my senior’s classes instead of 30 +, an environment where academic pursuits matter to every student, an US that offers college level varied electives rather than AP courses which simply teach to a test, and amazing extracurriculars. So yup public school that I’m more than willing to pay for.

Anonymous wrote:Potomac is academically much better at the sharp end. If your kid would be in the top 25% of Potomac students (i.e., would qualify for the honors track when offered), choose it for sure. If your kid is not that level of academically inclined, Bullis is far more relaxed/less pressure cooker-y. College admissions for the middle 50% of the schools is about the same; but the top 25% of Potomac is a class by itself and the bottom 25% of Bullis goes to schools that no one at Potomac would dream of. But, again, for a kid in the middle 50% of either? Bullis will be a lot more pleasant and less intense.

Please tell us which colleges, specifically, no one at Potomac would dream of. I can't wait to see this list.

The top 50% of students at both seem to be going to essentially the same tier of schools. Frankly, the lists don't seem that different given how much more competitive Potomac apparently is for entry. I'm curious about the Potomac athletic admits. They take athletics very seriously so there has to be a group of hooked athletes not identified on the college list.

Is Potomac still on the Lucy Calkins bus to illiteracy, or did they finally get off?

Potomac is academically much better at the sharp end. If your kid would be in the top 25% of Potomac students (i.e., would qualify for the honors track when offered), choose it for sure. If your kid is not that level of academically inclined, Bullis is far more relaxed/less pressure cooker-y. College admissions for the middle 50% of the schools is about the same; but the top 25% of Potomac is a class by itself and the bottom 25% of Bullis goes to schools that no one at Potomac would dream of. But, again, for a kid in the middle 50% of either? Bullis will be a lot more pleasant and less intense.

Kids are happier and less stressed out at Bullis. Heard a lot of mixed reviews on Potomac. My niece was much happier after she left. She felt quite demoralized. There is turnover in teachers and some of the good ones leave and the one who broke her spirit was there for years but did finally leave as well. We do have a neighbor who's son is happy there-sporty, social and exceptionally bright without needing to apply himself too much. He tends not to get stressed and he had the same teacher who broke my niece and didn't like her, but knew how to play the game.