History

1904

The Potomac School is founded "for boys and girls between the ages of four and twelve" (K-6th grade). The school opens on Dupont Circle with 48 students. Potomac is co-ed, but most boys leave after 3rd or 4th grade. Tuition is $80 for kindergarten and $150 for the other grades. Lunch is an additional $6 a year.

1906

The school moves to 18th Street and M Streets NW. A fifth year is added for girls.

 

Lucy Madeira, who founded Miss Madeira’s School in 1906, becomes the first professional head of Potomac in 1908 and director of both schools

1907

On March 19, the school is incorporated in the District as “The Potomac School” under a Board of Trustees, a self-perpetuating body consisting of mothers of children in the school or recently graduated.

1916

Potomac moves to 2144 California Street and expands through the eighth grade. Grades four through eight are for girls only. Tuition is $225 annually. Art and science rooms and a gymnasium are added.

The school moved to California Street in Washington, DC in 1916

1938

Carol Preston becomes headmistress, a position she holds until 1961. She establishes an educational philosophy, including an emphasis on art and music that endures today.

Boys on the playground in 1946

War Years

With the influx of families into Washington during the Second World War, the school begins bursting at the seams.

1940

Upper School students select the motto “Labor Omnia Vincet” (labor conquers all). The Board of Trustees approves.

On March 12, 1947, the school buys its first official bus, with a capacity of 30 children.

1948

The School purchased 55 acres from Ward Kirby in McLean, Virginia for $42,506.

Miss Seth-Smith takes senior Girl Scouts to England in the summer of 1949 to provide post-war community service

1950

Construction of the main school building on the McLean campus begins in stages. Emphasis is on affordability, simplicity, and natural light. Every classroom opens to the outdoors.

The new McLean campus in the 1950's

1951

The new campus opens “shared by a farmer and his cows." Some parents consider the move too distant and find other schools for their children.

1959

Boys are accepted into 4th grade and enrollment approaches 500.

1961

The school purchases 9 acres from the Presbytery of Washington City. Miss Preston and Miss Seth-Smith retire.

1965

The first coeducational class graduates from the ninth grade.

1967

Six out of 510 students are African American. The Board’s “Shorb Report” on diversification is presented and becomes the foundation of diversification efforts for years to come.

1968

The school purchases the Kellogg property to use as the headmaster’s residence.

 

1986 groundbreaking of the new Upper School

1986

The addition of a secondary school begins with $7 million worth of campus improvements, including a new building for the Upper School (grades 9-12), a gymnasium, and a track.

1987

Potomac 's secondary school opens with 87 9th and 10th graders.

1990

In June, 41 students are the first to graduate from secondary school.

1995

Potomac is fully enrolled with 875 boys and girls, pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

1997

Potomac launches a school-wide $8 million capital campaign for construction of a performing arts center and reconfiguration of the road system.

1999

Potomac acquires 12 acres of property adjacent to the campus from the Lee family.

2000

The Engelhard Performing Arts Center and John Langstaff Auditorium open.

2004

Potomac celebrates its 100th Anniversary.

2005

Potomac breaks ground for a new Upper School

2005 Groundbreaking for the new Upper School

2006

Potomac opens a new state-of-the-art Upper School, expanding the student body and curriculum.
To see a gallery of the new Upper School, please click here.

The New Upper School East Building

The New Upper School Tundra Building