The Potomac School

To begin your application, click here to create a Ravenna account. (Please note, Potomac does not issue the I-20, which is the necessary paperwork for a student Visa.)

Be sure to create your Ravenna account using an email address that you will check throughout the admissions season, as this will be your primary email contact with Potomac. Once you've created our account, select "The Potomac School" to start the process. Here are some things you'll need to do after your Ravenna account is set up:

• Schedule a tour of The Potomac School
• Complete your application
• Plan your child's visit to The Potomac School and select a date for it in Ravenna
• Using Ravenna, get a transcript from your child's current school by submitting a transcript request
• Using Ravenna, email teacher recommendation forms to your child's current teachers
• Schedule necessary testing for your child (see tabs for testing requirements by grade)
• Send test results (WWPSI-IV, WISC-V, SSAT, ISEE, PSAT, or SAT), current teacher recommendations, and an official school transcript or progress report to the Admission Office by the January 17, 2020
• For prospective students in Grades 9-12, submit the completed Student Questionnaire by the January 17, 2020 due date
• If you have any questions, please call the Admission Office, 703-749-6313.

Grades 4 and 6

• Tours are offered between mid-September and the end of January. We recommend that you schedule your tour by December 1. These tours are for parents only.
• Parent meetings may be scheduled via the Ravenna portal once an application has been submitted.
• If you took a tour at the All School Open House, please call the Admission Office (703-749-6313) to schedule a phone meeting with an admission officer.

Grade 5

• Tours are offered between mid-September and the end of January. We recommend that you schedule your tour by December 1. These tours are for parents only. Please schedule yours via the Ravenna portal.

Visit Information

• Once you have completed your application, you will select a group visit date for your applicant in Grade 4, 5, or 6. Group visits will occur in January.

Testing Information

Grade 4

• Schedule WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) testing by an independent examiner.
• Appointments are more easily obtained in the fall than the winter, so please call the testing center as soon as possible.
• Although Potomac is unable to endorse a particular testing center or individual, we have compiled a reference list providing the names of organizations that offer testing for admission purposes.

Grades 5–6

• Register for the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) or the ISEE (see www.erbtest.org for testing information). Our SSAT code is #5872 and our ISEE code is #472555.

Teacher Recommendation and Transcript Information

• We require a current teacher recommendation for students in Grades 4, 5, and 6.
• The Optional Recommendation Form (K-12) may be sent to an additional individual who is familiar with the applicant, such as an athletic coach, religious or scout leader, or art or music teacher.
• Submit a transcript request to your child’s current school.

Applicants Living out of the Area

• Families and applicants from overseas or outside the area are not required to come to the campus. However, we ask that you attend a Saturday visit in January if possible. If you are unable to attend in January, we will send Potomac School assessment tests directly to your child's current school if your child is applying to Grades 4, 5, or 6.
• Testing requirements for out-of-area applicants:
  • Grade 4: An individually administered aptitude test (the WISC-V), given by any qualified evaluator, and Potomac School assessment tests sent directly from us to your child's current school
  • Grades 5 and 6: The SSAT (see www.ssat.org for testing information) or the ISEE (see www.erbtest.org for testing information).

Grades 7–8

• Tours are offered between mid-September and the end of January. We recommend you schedule a tour with your child by December 1. Your tour will include a meeting with an Admission Officer.
• You do not need to schedule a tour if you attend the All School Open House.
• Parents of applicants who attend the Open House and have not previously had a meeting should call the Admission Office (703-749-6313) and schedule a time to speak with an admission officer

Visit Information

Grades 7-8

• Once you have completed your application, you must select a day for your Grade 7 or Grade 8 applicant's Saturday visit. This hour-long visit will consist of an interview with a faculty member and a writing exercise. Intermediate School applicant visits will take place in January.
• Grade 7 only: A morning classroom shadow visit during January or February is an option for students who have already applied.

Testing Information

Grades 7–8

• Register for the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) or the ISEE (see www.erbtest.org for testing information). Our SSAT code is #5872 and our ISEE code is #472555.

Teacher Recommendation and Transcript Information

• We require recommendations from a current English teacher and a current math teacher.
• The Optional Recommendation Form (K-12) may be sent to an additional individual familiar with your applicant, such as an athletic coach, religious or scout leader, or art or music teacher.
• Submit a transcript request to your child’s current school.

Applicants Living out of the Area

• Families and applicants from overseas or outside the area are not required to come to the campus. However, we ask that you attend a Saturday visit in January if possible. If you are unable to attend in January, please schedule a Skype interview once you have completed the application in the Ravenna portal.
• Testing requirements for out-of-area applicants: the SSAT (See www.ssat.org for testing information) or the ISEE (see www.erbtest.org for testing information).

Kindergarten–Grade 3

• Tours are offered between mid-September and the end of January. We recommend that you schedule your tour by December 1.
• If your child is applying to Grades K–3, you may choose to attend the Lower School Information Session.
• If you attend an Information Session and have submitted an application, but not yet had a tour or meeting, please call the Admission Office (703-749-6313) to schedule a phone meeting with an admission officer.

Visit Information

Kindergarten

• Once you have completed the kindergarten application, you will need to select a group visit date for your student. Kindergarten visits take place on Wednesday afternoons in January and February.

Grade 1

• January 11, 2020

Grades 2–3

• January 11, 2020
• January 25, 2020

Testing Information

Kindergarten–Grade 3

• Children who are five years old and younger should take the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence). Please note that all kindergarten applicants must be five years old by September 1 of their kindergarten year.
• Children who are six years old or older should take the WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children). Please schedule testing through an independent examiner.
• Appointments are more easily obtained in the fall than the winter, so please call the testing center as soon as possible.
• Although The Potomac School is unable to endorse a particular testing center or individual, we have compiled a reference list providing the names of organizations that offer testing for admissions purposes.

Teacher Recommendation and Transcript Information

• Kindergarten – Grade 3: We require a current teacher recommendation
• Optional Recommendation Form (K-12): May be sent to an additional individual familiar with the applicant, such as an athletic coach, religious or scout leader, or art or music teacher.
• Submit the transcript request to your child’s current school.

Applicants Living out of the Area

• Families and applicants from overseas or outside the area are not required to come to our campus. However, we ask that you attend a Saturday visit in January if possible. If you are unable to attend in January, we can send Potomac School assessment tests for Grades 2 and 3 directly to your child's current school.
• Testing requirements for out-of-area applicants:
  • Kindergarten–Grade 1: An individually administered aptitude test (WPPSI-IV or WISC-V), given by any qualified evaluator and Potomac School assessment tests sent directly from us to your child's current school.
  • Grades 2–3: An individually administered aptitude test (the WISC-V), given by any qualified evaluator and Potomac School assessment tests sent directly from us to your child's current school

Tour and Information Sessions for Upper School

Grades 9–11

• Small group tours are offered between mid-September and the end of January. We recommend that you schedule your tour with your child by December 1.
• As an alternative to a small group tour, you may choose to attend an Upper School Information Session and Tour or the All School Open House.

Visit Information

Grades 9–11

• An interview for each applicant is required. An opportunity to visit classes (also known as a "shadow visit") is offered to each student who submits an application.
• Shadow visits include an interview at some point during the half-day. We recommend that you schedule a shadow visit as soon as you have completed your application, as these opportunities are limited.
• If you choose not to have your child do a shadow visit, please call the Admission Office, 703-749-6313, to schedule an interview.

Testing Information

Grades 9–11

• Register for the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) or the ISEE (see www.erbtest.org for testing information). Our SSAT code is #5872 and our ISEE code is #472555.
• The PSAT or SAT can be submitted in lieu of the SSAT for Grades 10 and 11 applicants.

Teacher Recommendation and Transcript Information

• We require recommendations from a current English teacher and a current math teacher.
• The Optional Recommendation Form (K-12) may be sent to an additional individual familiar with your applicant, such as an athletic coach, religious or scout leader, or art or music teacher.
• Submit a transcript request to your child’s current school.

Applicants Living out of the Area

• Families and applicants from overseas or outside the area are not required to come to the campus. Please contact our office to schedule a Skype interview once you have completed the application in the Ravenna portal.
• Testing requirements for out-of-area applicants: the SSAT (see www.ssat.org for testing information) or the ISEE (see www.erbtest.org for testing information). The PSAT or SAT is also accepted for applicants in Grades 10 and 11.

• Testing Center Information
• Transcript Release Form