What if I told you that The Potomac School began with a joyful vision? It wasn’t about rigid academics. It was about enriching young minds through the love of learning.
The Potomac School is a coeducational, college-preparatory independent day school. It is located on a 90-acre campus in McLean, Virginia. That’s just three miles from Washington, D.C.
In 1904, Edith Draper Blair, Hetty Fairfax Harrison, and Ellen Warder Thoron went to New York City. They researched John Dewey’s teaching model. These women wanted to bring joyful early childhood education to D.C. So, they founded The Potomac School. The original location was in the Dupont Circle area.
The Potomac School moved in 1906 to 18th and M Streets NW. A decade later, it moved again. This time, to a larger facility at 2144 California Street NW. It then enrolled students through grade 8.
The board of trustees bought 55 acres of farmland in McLean, Virginia, in 1948. This was for future expansion. The school grew significantly. Land and facilities were added, student numbers increased and new programs emerged. The Potomac School added an Upper School in 1987. This served students in grades 9-12. The first senior class graduated in 1990. The school celebrated its Centennial in 2004. Enrollment reached 1,000 for the first time in 2009.
Today, The Potomac School has four divisions. These are Lower School, Middle School, Intermediate School, and Upper School. Each provides a balanced education. The average class size is 15-17 students. The Potomac School enrolled 1,066 students in grades K-12 for the 2021-22 school year.
The Potomac School’s campus boasts world-class facilities. There are over a hundred classrooms and three libraries. You’ll also find state-of-the-art science and computer labs. Fine art studios and comfortable gathering spaces are available. Two dining rooms cater to students’ needs. The Engelhard Performing Arts Center features music rehearsal rooms. It also has an art gallery and a 576-seat auditorium. The Spangler Center for Athletics and Community is the newest addition. It houses a competition gym, fitness center, and multipurpose studio.
The Potomac School is surrounded by nature. With almost every classroom having a door to get outside, teaching happens in and out of the classroom. Ninety acres of woods, streams, and ponds are on campus. There are also athletic facilities.
The Potomac School is dedicated to environmental stewardship. The campus includes wooded trails, streams, ponds, and gardens. Five outdoor classrooms create exciting learning options. There is even a deck with a fire pit in the woods. Here, classes gather in winter. They watch snowflakes and look for whitetail deer.
Notable alumni include screenwriter Michael Arndt and musician Rostam Batmanglij. Film director Zal Batmanglij and actress Keshia Knight Pulliam are alumni too.
The Potomac School has evolved. It began with a vision of joyful learning. Today, it blends rigorous academics with a deep appreciation for nature. The Potomac School prepares students to be leaders and stewards of the world.