At The Potomac School, we believe that intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character are complementary, and equally essential, educational goals.
With a firm commitment to our core values and a rigorous academic program, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.
PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICE We achieve The Potomac School`s mission through our educational philosophy and practice.
At Potomac we foster a diverse, inclusive learning community where all voices and viewpoints are valued, provide a balanced educational experience that integrates academics, athletics, and the arts, empower our students to become independent thinkers and learners by emphasizing the rewards of inquiry, initiative, and reflection, emphasize appreciation for the natural world and each person`s responsibility for environmental stewardship, call upon all members of our community to act with compassion, civic conscience, and a commitment to serving others.
CORE VALUES Since its founding, The Potomac School has steadfastly believed that developing a student`s character is as important as educating for intellectual growth.
Informed by values, students learn to use their intellect and skills productively and in service to others.
The school has identified the following five core values as the ethical and moral guideposts that enable all of us in the Potomac community to develop good judgment and live principled lives: COURAGE ~ INTEGRITY ~ HUMILITY ~ PERSEVERANCE ~ RESPECT.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked VA School
- Grades: Kindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 1,057 students
- Average class size: 16 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 2
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Potomac School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Student Body
Sports offered
School History
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-12
Year Founded
1904
Student Body
Total Students
1,057 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
45%
State avg.: 31%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
160 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.:
Average Class Size
16 students
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 2
Tuition Notes
Our tuition ranges from
Grades K-3 $43,350
Grades 4–6: $46,600
Grades 7–8: $49,700
Grades 9–12: $51,000
% on Financial Aid
19%
Admissions Director
Doug McLane
Admissions Associate
Lauren Bramlette
Sports
Total Sports Offered
17 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
2 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Robotics Team, Speech and Debate Team
Robotics Team, Speech and Debate Team
School Notes
- The Potomac School mission is to foster each student's intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character within an inclusive community distinguished by a spirit of support and challenge. We encourage students to become independent thinkers and learners. The School's richly varied curriculum draws students beyond a mastery of fundamental skills toward the rewards in inquiry, initiative and reflection. Believing that aesthetic and physical development are essential to an education, we offer students opportunities to excel in art and music classes, on stage, and on the athletic fields. We strive for diversity in the conviction that a learning community is intellectually and morally strengthened when many different voices, viewpoints and backgrounds are present. We expect students to act with kindness, civility, and generosity of spirit, and, in our daily activities, we find opportunities to foster their integrity of character and civic conscience. More than mere tolerance, this standard calls students to act with compassion for others and to reach beyond the school in service to the community. As we prepare students for a rapidly changing and demanding society, we encourage them to reflect on the beauty that surrounds them and to enjoy the company of their friends and the many traditions celebrated at school.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports does The Potomac School offer?
The Potomac School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. The Potomac School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for most sports offered.
What is The Potomac School's ranking?
The Potomac School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for: Largest student body, Most sports offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for The Potomac School?
The application deadline for The Potomac School is Jan. 2.
Related Schools
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People that viewed The Potomac School also viewed these schools: Flint Hill School, The Madeira School, The Langley School, The New School Of Northern Virginia and Maret School.
The nearest high school to The Potomac School is Washington Waldorf School (1.9 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is St. John The Beloved Academy (1.0 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Country Day School (0.8 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: PK-12 | 1,037 students 10.1 miles 3320 Jermantown Road
Oakton, VA 22124
(703) 584-2314
Oakton, VA 22124
(703) 584-2314
10.1
PK-12
1,037
Grades: 9-12 | 324 students 4.9 miles 8328 Georgetown Pike
Mc Lean, VA 22102
(703) 556-8211
Mc Lean, VA 22102
(703) 556-8211
4.9
9-12
324
Grades: NS-8 | 521 students 2.4 miles 1411 Balls Hill Road
Mc Lean, VA 22101
(703) 356-1920
Mc Lean, VA 22101
(703) 356-1920
2.4
NS-8
521
Grades: 6-12 8.3 miles 9431 Silver King Court
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 691-3040
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 691-3040
8.3
6-12
n/a
Grades: K-12 | 659 students 5 miles 3000 Cathedral Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 939-8814
Washington, DC 20008
(202) 939-8814
5
K-12
659
School Reviews
5 12/7/2016
I have two children at Potomac, and I literally do not have any complaints. This is the school I wish I'd gone to when I was a kid! My kids look forward to going to school every day and are thriving! There is a wonderful balance of academic, social, athletic and performing arts at this school. We also enjoy the active parent community who support a variety of ventures, including service learning and community engagement. The whole child is important at Potomac and every child is nurtured and respected.
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