About Potomac High School
Potomac High School opened in January 1981, with only a freshman class. Potomac's enrollment averages between 1,950 to 2,100 students in grades 9-12 who reflect the diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods. Potomac was named for its view of the Potomac River.
Communities Served
Potomac High School serves communities from Neabsco Road south in Woodbridge down to and including some communities in Dumfries. Also, Cardinal Drive communities on the north side above I-95 and on the south side from the Forest Park High School attendance area down to Route 1.
What Makes Our School Unique?
Potomac's diversity is its greatest strength. From academics to athletics, Potomac students and faculty reflect pride in their school. Potomac has been recognized as a School of Excellence and has met or exceeded all required criteria for Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL), through the installation of our core values.
Potomac High School
3401 Panther Pride Drive
Dumfries, VA 22026
Phone: 703-441-4200
Approximate Number of Students: 2,200
Approximate Number of teachers: 110
Approximate Percentage of Students Who Go on to Higher Education: 80%
School Colors: Navy Blue, Columbia Blue and White
School Mascot: Panther
CEEB Code: 472-464
Vision: Potomac High School will set the standard for educational excellence, where all students achieve their potential and contribute to our local and global community.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to empower all students to apply their acquired skills and knowledge and to rely upon their personal attributes to lead productive lives and to be contributing of the global community.
Honor Code: At Potomac High School, we strive to create an environment wherein all members act honestly. We believe it is the right, privilege, and responsibility of each individual to contribute to and work in an environment of trust. Honorable behavior covers the full range of activities within the school environment.
Advanced Academic and Specialty Program Information
- Visit our school's page here
Computation of GPA and Rank
All courses for which Carnegie units of credit will be awarded are used in computing the grade point average (GPA) and reporting of percentile, which is found on the student transcript. Starting with the class of 2022, PWCS reports class percentile and no longer reports class rank. GPA calculations are now true averages of weighted point values. Courses are not evaluated on a pass/fail basis in Prince William County Public Schools. When a transcript is received from another school district that uses pass/fail grades, the courses will not be used in computing the grade point average and percentile unless the sending school furnishes a letter grade that corresponds to the Prince William County Public Schools grading system.
All students earning an Advanced Studies or Standard diploma from a Prince William County Public School are included in the senior class percentile.
Grading Scale
| Grade | Percentage | Point Value for Unweighted Courses | Point Value for .5 Weighted Courses* | Point Value for 1.0 Weighted Courses** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 90-100 | 4 points | 4.5 points | 5 points |
| B+ | 87-89 | 3.4 points | 3.9 points | 4.4 points |
| B | 80-86 | 3 points | 3.5 points | 4 points |
| C+ | 77-79 | 2.4 points | 2.9 points | 3.4 points |
| C | 70-76 | 2 points | 2.5 points | 3 points |
| D+ | 67-69 | 1.4 points | 1.4 points | 1.4 points |
| D | 60-66 | 1 point | 1 point | 1 point |
| F | 59 and below | 0 points | 0 points | 0 points |
*Designated prerequisite courses
**Designated Advanced Placement, Cambridge, International Baccalaureate, and Dual Enrollment Courses