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. When the school first opened there were only freshmen and the students went to school. Originally the campus was located at 15941 Cardinal Drive, what is now the Dr. A. J. Ferlazzo Building. A year and a half later the current school was opened up and the freshmen and sophomores moved there during the Christmas break. The current school is at 3401 Panther Pride Drive. Panther Pride Drive was originally named "Four Year Trail." The name was changed by official decree of the school board on April 25, 2007. In 1983 Potomac had its first graduating class of approximately 400 students. Students from both Graham Park Middle School, Rippon Middle School, and the new Potomac Middle School continue their education at Potomac High School. In May 2007, Newsweek ranked Potomac 804th on its annual list of "Best High Schools in America." In 2008 and 2009, Newsweek ranked Potomac 265 out of 1,500 best public schools in America.
Demographics
In the 2017-2018 school year, Potomac's student body was:
The Pride of Potomac Marching Panthers is a 17 year Virginia Honor Band, and is affiliated with the Virginia Band and Orchestra Director's Association, or VBODA.
Cambridge program for mathematics and physical sciences
Potomac Senior High School hosts the Cambridge Program for Mathematics and Physical Sciences which is an international curriculum offering broad and balanced study for academically able students. The Cambridge curriculum aims to encourage the skills of independent research and investigation, the use of initiative and creativity and the application of knowledge and skills. Cambridge Scholars are students who take and pass six or more AICE level examinations. Potomac Senior High School has removed all AP classes aside from AP US Government for the 2008-2009 school year and now only offers Cambridge courses.
Test scores
Potomac Senior High School is a fully accredited high school based on its performance on the Virginia Standards of Learning tests. Its SAT average in 2005 was a 923