The Potomac School is a K-12 independent school in the Washington, DC metro region.

Preparing students for lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit

distinctly potomac

Love Of Learning

fostering a learning environment where curiosity, challenge, and support converge

Potomac Academics

Character At The Core

embodying Potomac’s core values – courage, humility, integrity, respect, and perseverance

Our Values

Skills That Last A Lifetime

preparing future-ready minds with the tools to tackle life’s complexities

Focus on Life Skills

we shine together

A Connected Community

A K-12 Community

Relationships That Matter

Opportunities to Grow and Thrive

A Connected Community

As a K-12 community with all grades on one campus, Potomac offers its students exciting opportunities for collaboration, learning, and fun! From the moment our seniors escort the new kindergartners into their first school-wide assembly through all the years that follow, Potomac students forge bonds of friendship and support. Our dedicated faculty and staff and engaged parents are also important members of this connected community. Everyone at Potomac works together to ensure that each student benefits from a great education, enjoys being part of our community, and has opportunities to grow and thrive.

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A Sense Of Belonging

An Inclusive Community

Inspiring Involvement

Cultivating Leaders

A Sense of Belonging

At Potomac, we understand the value of diverse voices and viewpoints. This is a school where each individual is respected and valued – a place where we know beyond any doubt that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Potomac offers every student the opportunity to get involved – to try new things, be a team player, become a leader. Our students learn about themselves and others, recognize their power to have a positive impact, and form friendships that last a lifetime.

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A Wider World

Learning Beyond the Classroom

The Excitement of Exploration

A Commitment to Service

A Wider World

At Potomac, we look beyond our campus borders to try to understand the world and our place in it. Whether exploring history on the National Mall or studying marine life on the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac students learn by doing amid the rich resources of the national capital area. Farther afield, they participate in music festivals, robotics competitions, and speech and debate tournaments across the country. Some even embrace the opportunity to study abroad. But seeing what the world can offer them is not enough; Potomac students also learn what they can give back. Our service learning program, conducted in partnership with more than 50 local nonprofits, empowers students to help make a lasting difference.

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Headlines and #hashtags

Seven National Merit Semifinalists from Potomac Named

Seven Upper School seniors from The Potomac School have been selected as semifinalists for 2023 National Merit Scholarships.

Bill Cook Award Presented to Mr. Morgan

This year’s honoree is Cort Morgan, art department chair, who is also celebrating his 40th year at Potomac. This award holds particular significance because Mr. Morgan and Mr. Cook were close friends.

Closing Assembly Captures Potomac Spirit

The Potomac community officially ended the 2022-23 school year today during a K-12 Closing Assembly rich with joy, tradition, reflection, and heartfelt emotion. The program began with the ceremonial procession of seniors and kindergartners, with our youngest students presenting a flower to each senior lifer.

Mr. Kowalik spoke about how generosity of spirit defines our school and has the power to make the world a better place. SGA President Yabby Maelaf ’23 and President-elect Kasim Khapra ’25 also gave inspiring remarks, and musical selections were shared by the IS Handbell Ensemble, IS/US Orchestra, IS Chorus, Third Grade Chorus, and IS/US Band.

The assembly concluded with the presentation of awards to three members of the senior class: Peyton Zarate received the Edith Blair Award, Yabby Maelaf received the Seth-Smith Award, and Ali O'Brien received the Head of School Award.

The assembly was a wonderful way to bid farewell to the school year and look ahead to the adventures of summer and our community’s return to Potomac in the fall. Watch the recording of the event and check out the photos.

If you would like to experience Potomac’s Commencement tomorrow, June 9, at 10:00 am but are unable to attend in person, please enjoy the livestream viewing option.

Pimmit Run - A Place to Explore

From science classes to outdoor exploration.

Our 90 Acre Wooded Campus

So many trails to explore.

Upper School

A large quad, fields, garden and woods surrounds the Upper School

Recess in the Woods

Bamboo forests, trails, streams and ponds. So much space to explore.

Lower School

Playgrounds, climbing wall, play structures leading to the woods outside the Lower School.

Spangler Center for Athletics and Community

76,000 square feet of athletic facilities.

Flag Circle Building

Admissions, Advancement, Alumni, Business, Transportation offices, and LS/MS Dining Room

Our Cherished Gum Tree

Standing tall over the Tundra.

Outdoor Science & Art Pavillion

Providing space for creativity and exploration outdoors.

Softball Field

Indoor Track

Seven Squash Courts

Fitness Room

Editable description here.

Weight Room

Turf Field and Track

75,000 Square Foot Spangler Center for Athletics and Community

Basketball, volleyball, and Fitness Center

Yoga Room

Baseball Field and Two Soccer/LAX Fields

Tennis Courts

Lee Practice Field

Ceramics Studio

One of our many arts studios

Upper School Painting Studio

Engelhard Center for the Performing Arts

Lower School Art Room

Upper School Theater

Band Practice Room

Light-filled Classrooms

Lower School Classroom

Room to Create Art

Spaces to Collaborate

Space to Play

Play Ball!

Finding Yourself in Nature

Spaces to Play

A Bamboo Jungle

Lower School Lunchroom

Middle School

So much space to gather outside

Upper and lower ponds to explore

The Pingree Garden

Middle School Lunchroom

Middle School Outdoor Classroom

Students meet at the Morton fire deck

Arundel Library

Intermediate School Commons

Lots of place to gather

Upper School East Wing

Upper School Crossroads

Robotics Center

Upper School Crossroads

Upper School Quad

Upper School Library

Upper School Campus

Football Field

Turf Field

we'll get you there

Bowie

Rockville

Silver Spring

Bethesda

Reston

Marlo Heights

Vienna

Washington, DC

Arlington

Largo

Alexandria

Great Falls

Falls Church

The Potomac School is located 3 miles from Washington, DC. Our extensive bus fleet transports students from 91 zip codes

alumni spotlight

Kenny Fahey '04

I envisioned harnessing the power and scale of the business sector to drive positive environmental and social outcomes, especially in food systems.Kenny Fahey '04

Jamie Potter '01

I think the thing I loved about being young was the fearlessness of trying new things. ...And it seems to me that now is a good time to validate that -Jamie Potter '01

Grant Hoechst Jackson '14

There’s no one type of game or player, and it’s this breadth and the rapid pace of change that make this industry so exciting. Grant Hoechst Jackson '14

did you know?

facts our
kids love

90

acres of ponds, streams, and wooded nature trails

3

llamas on campus

4

outdoor classrooms

6

years of being ranked among the top speech/debate schools in the country

$3m

raised each year to support current operations

110

National Merit Scholars and Finalists over the past 15 years

facts our
parents love

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