Because of the timing when we moved to this area, our youngest spent one year at Bullis in the MS. Our two older kids were at Sidwell. All three kids have now graduated from HS. Sidwell is not nirvana. There are some excellent teachers, but also some who are burned out and some younger teachers who need more mentoring. There are really nice, fun, interesting kids and parents, but there are plenty of people who are elbows out (or up, if you're Canadian). That said, I would not recommend Bullis. Overall, teaching is not as strong as at Sidwell and the Bullis culture is very much focused on money.

Bullis is widely known for athletics and grade inflation, while Sidwell is known for rigorous academics and grade deflation. Both schools have bright kids, but they are not the same.

Anonymous wrote:Here's Sidwell's college matriculation:

https://www.sidwell.edu/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

Why do they combine 4 graduation years and not tell you how many kids got into each college? Also no information on who the athletes are.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A black student who does well at Sidwell will be accepted into almost any college. Definitely not the same for Bullis.

I recognize that college admission is not the sole (or even close) reason for choosing an independent school. You should consider, however, that Sidwell comes with a respect and prestige that Bullis does not.

This is absolute nonsense. Bullis has some of the best college in the countries for minorities. Sidwell’s shine has dimmed. Losing its Dean. Teacher turnover. Etc.

Losing which Dean? Teacher turnover that is higher than the norm for private DC schools?

Bullis historically has much more socioeconomic diversity than Sidwell. Many kids coming from eastern DC and PG county to attend. To me that is a better indicator of diversity.

Anonymous wrote:In our experience at Sidwell, Sidwell parents are down to earth, hard working (many working moms), fun, kind, interesting, from diverse backgrounds, cohesive. It’s been a nice community for my family.

+1 ...when we were in LS. Sort of in MS. US - not at all. Kids and families competitive with each other about college, and not much support from the school.

In our experience at Sidwell, Sidwell parents are down to earth, hard working (many working moms), fun, kind, interesting, from diverse backgrounds, cohesive. It’s been a nice community for my family.

Anonymous wrote:What age are your kids that ride the bus? What time does the bus pickup?

Bus for Bullis. All ages ride it. You leave around 7:20 from Chevy Chase/friendship heights and return around 4:15

OK, and I have no dog in this fight, but the Bullis college lists seem stronger. If the so-called rigor is 'better' at Sidwell, so what? Doesn't sound like much fun for worse placement. And my kid goes to GDS, for better or worse. Unnecessary rigor can be overrated.

Whatever. The rigor Sidwell's program is so superior to that of Bullis's.

Here's Sidwell's college matriculation:

https://www.sidwell.edu/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A black student who does well at Sidwell will be accepted into almost any college. Definitely not the same for Bullis.

I recognize that college admission is not the sole (or even close) reason for choosing an independent school. You should consider, however, that Sidwell comes with a respect and prestige that Bullis does not.

+1

Bullis college matriculation is just pure added value! You wonder why to pay, well check out the data. And yes, Bullis posts where their kids go to school. No other schools are as transparent as Bullis. And note that it's not only student athletes that are getting into the top 25 colleges.

https://www.bullis.org/academics/college-counseling/college-matriculation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sidwell, hands down. The experience, academics aside, is far beyond what they would get at Bullis (been exposed to both). Also, way more interesting families at Sidwell than in Potomac.

Another parent considering Sidwell: What are the families at Sidwell generally like? I'd love any insight. Thank you.

Pompous, arrogant, rich folks.

Anonymous wrote:I think one can go from Sidwell to Bulkis easily but not the other way

This is another lie.

Anonymous wrote:A black student who does well at Sidwell will be accepted into almost any college. Definitely not the same for Bullis.

I recognize that college admission is not the sole (or even close) reason for choosing an independent school. You should consider, however, that Sidwell comes with a respect and prestige that Bullis does not.

This is absolute nonsense. Bullis has some of the best college in the countries for minorities. Sidwell’s shine has dimmed. Losing its Dean. Teacher turnover. Etc.