9:23 - great questions. I have many of the same ones (focused on the lower school), especially Nos. 5 & 6 from the perspective of a MD family.

I agree--I am really trying to sift through this stuff. Here are things I would like to know for any Potomac parents

1. How is reading taught ie if you child is reading ahead--do they wait for everyone to catch up or does someone work with your child to keep them engaged? FYI I am going to assume most kids are Potomac are reading on par by first or they wouldn't get in.

2. What about how math is taught

3. How are they on top of cliques that sort of thing esp. if you are new and going in a non expansion year

4. What are the families like--I am hoping politics isn't an issue-we tend to keep our thoughts there private so are not interested in hearing overly liberal stuff or conservative stuff--not sure if this is just DCUM but I hear so many hateful things..more from the liberal camp--I have usually kept silent from the people at our current school but the on and on drone is annoying..they would have no idea that we are not liberal.

5. How do people do playdates--I see that Potomac brings in a large area of people--do kids take the bus home to a friend's house and does this happen a lot--we have a very social child so that would be important.

6 Teachers-do they seem happy and what is the overal vibe at the school---Thanks for any input!

Anonymous wrote:I am sure that you two (2) kids are wonderful. But, based on all I've seen and heard and personal experiences, I won't be submitting an application to this school. Thanks for offering.

What are those details? If you have beans to spill, please do. Your conclusions alone aren't really helpful to the rest of us. Many thanks!

Potomac is really a wonderful school. Cult...?.... Rest assured that any small private school in the area may have this feel. I do hope you find a perfect place for your child. I encourage you to apply at Potomac if you think it's a good fit for your child and your family logisitics. It really is a great school. I have nothing but positives to state for the lower school - great space (IMO - nothing else compares in the area), great teachers and specialists, great music teacher, big parental involvement and most importantly happy kids. We, too, we're a bit turned off by the admissions process but we're able to see past the cold exterior to tthe much warmer interior. It is actually a very lovely and nuturing lower school.

Cult? I am not sure why a poster comes to this conclusion--not being snarky..just trying to understand. This has to be more than anger at the admissions persons.

I am sure that you two (2) kids are wonderful. But, based on all I've seen and heard and personal experiences, I won't be submitting an application to this school. Thanks for offering.

Anonymous wrote:The Potomac School is in a word a cult. From the alumni to faculty to parents, the institution is incestuous and it shows in its overall personality. You are best served moving on and looking at other schools that do not suffer from Potomac's staleness and dry rot. Not only will your children get a better all around education, they will graduate with an open mindedness that Potomac does not care to teach.

As a parent of 2 wonderful kids at Potomac, I can say on behalf of the entire Potomac School community, we look forward to your child's application for the 2012-2013 school year.

The Potomac School is in a word a cult. From the alumni to faculty to parents, the institution is incestuous and it shows in its overall personality. You are best served moving on and looking at other schools that do not suffer from Potomac's staleness and dry rot. Not only will your children get a better all around education, they will graduate with an open mindedness that Potomac does not care to teach.

Based on all of the posts/information provided about the AD, its not possible to make a decision without factoring in her very cold attitude against the parents...those foot the bill and pay her compensation which whatever that may be..is not deserved. One can't separate the AD from the school. She represents the school!

I'm the person who said that we were worried about meeting her but once we did, she was nice and forthcoming. Why does it matter? Because we are potentially putting our 4 year old in the school's hands. I don't need my ass kissed (this would be a huge turn off) but a smile and helpful answers to our questions isn't too much to ask. Thankfully, we had a good experience on the tour so I feel lucky in this regard. We can now evaluate the school based on factors that will impact DC's daily life at school.

FYI- While waiting, we saw several introductions between prospective 9th graders and admissions people. They all seemed really nice.

Let's get to the nitty gritty here. What do prospective K parents think of Potomac (regardless of your experience with admissions)?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We met the AD years ago and were totally turned off. I think she should be warm, at least (preferably warm and fuzzy). She is an ambassador for the school. You think upon meeting her that she represents the attitudes and mindset of the teachers and administration. I think most of us want "warm and fuzzy" for our children's kindergarten teachers, which is the class for which our dc was applying. Potomac admins, PLEASE get rid of this person. She does your school a huge disservice.

You sure you weren't looking for someone to blow smoke up your a$$ or make you feel special like your gardener, cleaning lady or service advisor at MB. It's an admissions process and we had a positive experience with the AD (and her associates). Keep this in mind, Potomac does a wonderful job of selecting parents as well as their kids, maybe you didn't cut it...

We too had a very bad experience with the AD. OP it is not about getting that smoke blown up you +++. But, considering the amount o ftuition you pay, it is about some common courtesy. Ture, there are plenty of applicants to take the spot of those (like us) who walked away because of it. So, the administration doesn't really care.

Given the number of gripes posted abpit the AD. tjere's definitely a problem.

I guess one could say that where there's some smoke....there;s a fire......

You folks bruise more easily than peaches. I honestly don't understand why, if you otherwise liked a school, you would let a "not warm" Admissions Director turn you off to the school. Once your child is in none of you will be dealing with the AD again. I guess if all other things are equal and you have other equally inviting choices you are using it as a tie-breaker? I will say that this does appear to support those who feel that the private school experience is often just as much about the parent as the child.

I agree PP was pretty blunt, but don't exaggerate her criticism. She wasn't maligning the school or the parents. In fact she said it's a great school. She just criticized the admissions office and the AD.

Sorry didn't realize they both posted.

We're talking about The Potomac School in Mclean, VA right? "A cold sterile environment (reminded me of a hospital where you are waiting for a bad diagnosis)" is a completely over the top exaggeration. "People truly desperate to be at Potomac" is very offensive. I get that you didn't like the AD, therefore, you wrote off the entire school, but to disparage the school and to malign the people who choose the school is objectionable. I'm glad I didn't listen to the negativity and checked out the school for myself. I recommend others do the same.

We're talking about Potomac in Mclean, VA? "A sterile environment"..... That's way harsh and a complete exaggeration. Never mind that, it's just not true. "People truly desperate to be at Potomac" - quite offensive. So you didn't like the AD and thus wrote off the school, I get that, but to disparage the school and to malign the parents who send there kids there, that is just plain rude and obnoxious.