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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State Champs…Again!

Potomac’s Speech and Debate team swept the Virginia NSDA State Qualifying Tournament this past weekend, winning their fifth consecutive state speech championship. Twelve students qualified for the June national tournament in Phoenix, AZ, and 17 of 25 Potomac entries were place winners. State individual championships went to Hannah de Souza ’25 in Program Oral Interpretation, Isabella Sequar ’24 in Original Oratory, Taylor Burris ’25 in International Extemp, and Meredith Vorndran ’25 in U.S. Extemp. This was a repeat championship for Meredith. The team also scored four runner-up placements. View the full results. Congratulations to the entire team and our Speech and Debate program!

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 101 zip codes

alumni spotlight

Somers Randolph '71

Sculptor Somers Randolph '71 reflects on his artistic journey “At 16 I decided to be a sculptor.This was the way I would spend my life and make my living. I liked sculpture because I was in charge of the entire process. Somers Randolph '71

Joe Osha '80

A managing director for Guggenheim Securities, Joe Osha '81 examines companies that aim to reduce the environmental footprint of energy production and industrial processesJoe Osha '80

Shannon GoPaul Balser '01

Long before she stepped into her role as chronic disease division chief for the DC Department of Health, Shannon Gopaul Balser ’01 began to consider what makes for a healthy, equitable society. Shannon GoPaul Balser '01

did you know?

facts our
kids love

90

acres of ponds, streams, and wooded nature trails

3

llamas on campus

4

outdoor classrooms

5

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

$3m

raised each year to support current operations

106

National Merit Scholars and Finalists over the past 15 years

facts our
parents love

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