Potomac Senior High School is a public secondary school in unincorporated Prince William County, Virginia, United States; just outside Dumfries. Potomac Senior High School, which serves the nearby incorporated town of Dumfries was established in 1981.
Serving 2,197 students in grades 9-12, Potomac High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Virginia for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is lower than the Virginia state average of 68%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 78% (which is higher than the Virginia state average of 69%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Virginia state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 91% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Virginia state average of 56% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 2,197 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
- Minority Enrollment: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Btm 50% in VA)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 60-64% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 78% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 61% (Top 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Potomac High serves the southeast part of Dumfries, VA, covering an attendance zone of approximately 16.6 square miles. Families within this area typically have a drive of 5 to 10 minutes to reach the school, with an average distance of 2.9 miles to the nearest edge of the zone and a maximum distance of 4.6 miles to the furthest edge.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
School Overview
Potomac High School's student population of 2,197 students has grown by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 135 teachers has grown by 12% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
2,197 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
135 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Year Founded
1981
School Calendar
School Motto
'Relationships, Rigor, Results'
School Rankings
Potomac High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,773 schools in Virginia (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Potomac High School is 0.70, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#801 out of 1773 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
68%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)78%
69%
Showing 2011–2021. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
(20-21)61%
59%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
14:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
10%
8%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
31%
20%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Black
44%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
White
9%
44%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
6%
7%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
87%
88.8%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)32.2%
19.1%
Eligible for Free Lunch
68%
57%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (22-23)
9%
2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 25-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
Colors
Navy Blue, Columbia Blue and White
School Mascot
Panther
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), VA Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Potomac High School's ranking?
Potomac High School is ranked #801 out of 1,773 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Virginia.
What schools are Potomac High School often compared to?
Potomac High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Forest Park High School, C.d. Hylton High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 68% VA state average), while 78% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 69% VA state average).
What is the graduation rate of Potomac High School?
The graduation rate of Potomac High School is 87%, which is lower than the Virginia state average of 88.8%.
How many students attend Potomac High School?
2,197 students attend Potomac High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
44% of Potomac High School students are Black, 31% of students are Hispanic, 10% of students are Asian, 9% of students are White, and 6% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Potomac High School?
Potomac High School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Virginia state average of 14:1.
What grades does Potomac High School offer ?
Potomac High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Potomac High School part of?
Potomac High School is part of Prince William County School District.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
i am a currentlu a freshmen at Potomac. all of the teachers strive for excellence in all students. we have several extracurricular activities including key club, future business leaders of America, and robotics. We are also home of the varsity boys basketball state champion.
2 10/10/2025
I was a student at Potomac for my Freshman year and I will start of with how much I hated it there. The teachers and the staff were amazing, however the students were as sharp as school provided safety scissors (Which I'm not sure is allowed in Potomac, or compasses with medal points or any other points, so you could only use paper compasses). They were very disrespectful towards teachers, towards students, and immature. They behaved like Middle School kids who never grew up. I would not recommend the school, despite how amazing the teacher were. The normal classes were very slow, and their advanced classes was an average class in Torrance USD schools. They had a great variety of courses. ROTC was a huge hit since the school is near the Quantico Base.
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