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Potomac Stories

Angklung Instrument
Students Learn About Angklung Instrument 

Lower School students recently participated in an educational program with visiting musicians, arranged by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, DC. The students learned about the angklung, an Indonesian musical instrument made from bamboo, which symbolizes unity and community. Topics included how and where the instruments are made, the significance of using bamboo, and the geographical layout of Indonesia and its more than 17,000 islands.

Professor Diah Ayu Maharani, DDS, PhD, the Educational and Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, attended the program in support of bringing awareness of Indonesian culture to Potomac’s students. Read more

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Posters, Thinking Maps, and Powerful Arguments: Bringing the 1950s to Life
Posters, Thinking Maps, and Powerful Arguments: Bringing the 1950s to Life

What does it really mean to make an argument? Eighth grade history students recently explored that question in a creative, hands-on way by diving into the contradictions of 1950s America. Their research explored key themes such as conformity, rebellion, prosperity, and the Cold War, with topics ranging from Betty Crocker to the credit card boom to the nuclear arms race.

Students transformed their findings into vibrant research posters that were part mind map and part persuasive essay. This approach pushed students to think beyond traditional writing; they developed research skills, crafted clear thesis statements, and learned how to structure an argument while visually mapping their thinking. The process encouraged critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, culminating in student presentations in the commons where they demonstrated how their evidence supported their claims. 

Cultural Rhythms: IS Students Enjoy Salsa Dancing and Tacos
Cultural Rhythms: IS Students Enjoy Salsa Dancing and Tacos

Eighth grade students in our Spanish program traded their desks for the dance floor this past Tuesday for a vibrant celebration of culture and cuisine. The day began with an energetic salsa and bachata dancing lesson, where students practiced their rhythm and footwork with an instructor. To cap off the experience, the group enjoyed a delicious lunch catered by Taqueria Cancun outside in the Ramsey Family Plaza. Events like these offer our students a wonderful opportunity to engage with the Spanish language and Hispanic culture in a hands-on, memorable way. View the gallery of photos here.

Higher Horizons 2026
Fifth Graders Share the Love of Reading at Higher Horizons

Last Thursday, Ms. McClain's and Ms. Baumann's Grade 5 classes visited Potomac community partner Higher Horizons, a Head Start program in Bailey's Crossroads. During November's Book Fair, each fifth grader selected a book to donate to a classroom at Higher Horizons. After learning about the importance of early literacy, our students shared their love of reading with preschoolers by reading picture books in the classroom and community spaces. They also had time to dance, build, and play with their new friends while they were there, bringing plenty of smiles and joy! Mr. Spinosi's and Ms. Krug's classes are preparing for their visits in May.

Hispanic Student Alliance Celebrates Heritage During Assembly
Hispanic Student Alliance Celebrates Heritage During Assembly

The Potomac Upper School celebrated our Hispanic heritage on Wednesday with an assembly led by the members of the Hispanic Student Alliance. The assembly touched on the broad range of areas of the collective Latino experience. Alliance members Sebastian Chumpitaz '26, Alex Runde '28, David Chumpitaz '29, Emilia Tamayo '29, spoke about the importance of different dimensions of their individual heritage that mattered to them, from the World Cup and current events, to food and music, and how those dimensions captured the spirit of their cultural experience and identity. HSA leader Alejandra Villafuerte '26, shared important reflections on our names, their sounds in the voice of others, and our identity. We celebrated the wonderful language of dance, as all of the US students learned and practiced the core Bachata moves led by Spanish teacher Ms. Azul Torres Velducea. Then eight students participated in a Bachata dance contest with the senior team coming out as most impressive. The assembly concluded with personal reflections by Santi Cangahuala '27, and HSA leader Sophia Vilela '26 ¡¡Excelente!!

Students Compete at Math Tournament

In the last few months, the Math Team has competed in the Berkeley Math Tournament and the Perennial High School Math Rendezvous. In the Berkeley Math Tournament, Ayman Teshome '29, Esther Choi '28, and Katie Lee '26 earned Honorable Mentions for their performance on the general, algebra, and calculus tests, respectively. In addition, the team of Teshome, Choi, Lee, and Bridget Holmes '27 won first place at the Perennial High School Math Rendezvous, competing against over 20 teams. 

SERC Activities This Month
SERC Activities This Month

Over Spring Break, three of our SERC students were busy presenting their research at the Fairfax County Regional Science & Engineering Fair. Sophomore Misa Hikawa earned first place in the Biomedical & Health Science field for her work entitled, "Molecular Docking Screenings of FDA-Approved Drugs Against Frequently Mutated PI3Kα and PTEN Variants to Identify Potential Endometrial Cancer Therapies." While seniors Charlie Holtman and Avery Miller aptly presented their research, they answered questions from judges and networked with scientists. 

On Tuesday, Dr. Doug Schmidt and Dr. Michael Speight from William & Mary’s brand new School of Computing, Data Science & Physics spoke with students during a lunchtime conversation about the use of AI in college and beyond, and how it can be incorporated into research to augment it. They also discussed how students can be successful in a data-driven world.