History
1904
The Potomac School is founded "for boys and girls between the ages of four and twelve" (K-6th grade). The school opens on Dupont Circle with 48 students. Potomac is co-ed, but most boys leave after 3rd or 4th grade. Tuition is $80 for kindergarten and $150 for the other grades. Lunch is an additional $6 a year.
1906
The school moves to 18th Street and M Streets NW. A fifth year is added for girls.
- Lucy Madeira, who founded Miss Madeira’s School in 1906, becomes the first professional head of Potomac in 1908 and director of both schools
1907
On March 19, the school is incorporated in the District as “The Potomac School” under a Board of Trustees, a self-perpetuating body consisting of mothers of children in the school or recently graduated.
1916
Potomac moves to 2144 California Street and expands through the eighth grade. Grades four through eight are for girls only. Tuition is $225 annually. Art and science rooms and a gymnasium are added.
- The school moved to California Street in Washington, DC in 1916
1938
Carol Preston becomes headmistress, a position she holds until 1961. She establishes an educational philosophy, including an emphasis on art and music that endures today.
- Boys on the playground in 1946
War Years
With the influx of families into Washington during the Second World War, the school begins bursting at the seams.
1940
Upper School students select the motto “Labor Omnia Vincet” (labor conquers all). The Board of Trustees approves.
- On March 12, 1947, the school buys its first official bus, with a capacity of 30 children.
1948
The School purchased 55 acres from Ward Kirby in McLean, Virginia for $42,506.
- Miss Seth-Smith takes senior Girl Scouts to England in the summer of 1949 to provide post-war community service
1950
Construction of the main school building on the McLean campus begins in stages. Emphasis is on affordability, simplicity, and natural light. Every classroom opens to the outdoors.
- The new McLean campus in the 1950's
1951
The new campus opens “shared by a farmer and his cows." Some parents consider the move too distant and find other schools for their children.
1959
Boys are accepted into 4th grade and enrollment approaches 500.
1961
The school purchases 9 acres from the Presbytery of Washington City. Miss Preston and Miss Seth-Smith retire.
1965
The first coeducational class graduates from the ninth grade.
1967
Six out of 510 students are African American. The Board’s “Shorb Report” on diversification is presented and becomes the foundation of diversification efforts for years to come.
1968
The school purchases the Kellogg property to use as the headmaster’s residence.
- 1986 groundbreaking of the new Upper School
1986
The addition of a secondary school begins with $7 million worth of campus improvements, including a new building for the Upper School (grades 9-12), a gymnasium, and a track.
1987
Potomac 's secondary school opens with 87 9th and 10th graders.
1990
In June, 41 students are the first to graduate from secondary school.
1995
Potomac is fully enrolled with 875 boys and girls, pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.
1997
Potomac launches a school-wide $8 million capital campaign for construction of a performing arts center and reconfiguration of the road system.
1999
Potomac acquires 12 acres of property adjacent to the campus from the Lee family.
2000
The Engelhard Performing Arts Center and John Langstaff Auditorium open.
2004
Potomac celebrates its 100th Anniversary.
2005
Potomac breaks ground for a new Upper School
- 2005 Groundbreaking for the new Upper School
2006
Potomac opens a new state-of-the-art Upper School, expanding the student body and curriculum.
To see a gallery of the new Upper School, please click here.
- The New Upper School East Building
- The New Upper School Tundra Building
2008
In May 2008 Potomac breaks ground for a new Lower School.
- Lower School Head Donna Lewis, Pawz, and the Junior Hard Hat Committee greet parents, faculty and students at the groundbreaking.
- Rendering of the new Lower School