Science
The Intermediate School science program instills in students the idea that science is not just a body of knowledge, but also a way of viewing the world. The curriculum encourages each student’s appreciation for methods and subject matter, develops independent learning skills, and seeks to foster a lifelong love of science. Students are challenged by a wide variety of laboratory exercises, learning the essential skills of observation, precision, safety, problem-solving, and data synthesis. Hands-on activities, such as bay grass restoration, biome research, the projectile project, and submersible design, teach students how to formulate questions, use scientific literature, and find answers through experimentation.
Current events are also an integral part of science classes, as is an appreciation for the practical applications of what is learned. Special events, such as the seventh grade Caroline Furnace trip and the eighth grade Chesapeake Bay trip, encourage students to extend their science education outside the classroom. Courses in both grade levels are enriched by seeking connections among the sciences and across disciplines.
Art
Within the two years that they are in the Intermediate School, they explore drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, digital photography and technology, textiles, and sculpture.
Athletics
The athletic programs in the Intermediate School offer students a full range of opportunities and experiences. Students participate in sports during each season and benefit from their introduction to the many educational merits of interscholastic competition.
English
Seventh grade English introduces students to literary analysis and emphasizes effective strategies for communicating ideas and opinions.
History
Students also explore current events as they arise and connect to the study of early American history.
Mathematics
The Mathematics Department at the Potomac School believes that math is a powerful tool necessary for success in a wide variety of fields and lifelong endeavors.
Music
The music program in the seventh and eighth grades emphasizes musical literacy through performance.
Science
The Intermediate School science program instills in students the idea that science is not just a body of knowledge, but also a way of viewing the world.
Seminar
To promote growth in students, the IS Seminar course exposes students to key life skills and concepts that help them develop as ethical thinkers, leaders, community members, and teammates in their time at Potomac and beyond.
Technology
The Intermediate School approaches technology as an integral tool to promote research, collaboration, and communication in the 21st century.
Theater
Every winter, a group of Intermediate School actors present the junior version of a well-known musical in our Langstaff Auditorium
World Languages
All students in the Intermediate School choose a language as part of their course of study.