Upper School Life
In the Upper School, student life takes place both in and beyond the classrooms, art studios, athletic fields, and performance halls. We are particularly proud of our leadership development programs, our dynamic advisory program, and our engagement in service learning, clubs, and activities.
At Potomac, we are committed to fostering an inclusive community rooted in our core values. To that end, our educational program includes academic lessons that encourage critical and ethical thinking, service learning and student-life experiences that expose students to new perspectives, character-based advisory programming, and assemblies on a wide range of topics with diverse speakers from within and outside of the school community.
At the center of the Potomac experience are the relationships students cultivate and share with teachers, friends, administrators, and staff. We know it is the warm embrace of a good friend, the smile of a respected mentor, or a word of encouragement from a beloved teacher that sustains and energizes our students.
Robotics
With more than 35 Clubs and Activities, the Upper School offers opportunities to explore a host of extracurricular experiences and to develop leadership skills. Clubs are student-designed and led by a faculty advisor, who mentors and guides student participants. Activities are faculty-designed and student-led. Both Clubs and Activities take place during a designated time on Thursdays; however many of our students and faculty extend their interest and commitment to their Club or Activity beyond the boundaries of our schedule and campus.
Life in the Upper School
- 35+ clubs and activities offer something for everyone.
- 35 athletic teams compete in the Independent School League and the Mid-Atlantic Conference.
- 25% of Upper School students hold leadership positions.
- 16+ concerts, 3 full-scale theatrical productions and several art shows make for a thriving arts scene.
- 7 ongoing service learning projects and 12 special service learning events responding to local, national, and global needs.
- An amazing robotics program.
Clubs and Activities
With more than 35 Clubs and Activities, the Upper School offers opportunities to explore a host of extracurricular experiences and to develop leadership skills. Clubs are student-designed and led by a faculty advisor, who mentors and guides student participants. Activities are faculty-designed and student-led. Both Clubs and Activities take place during a designated time on Thursdays; however many of our students and faculty extend their interest and commitment to their Club or Activity beyond the boundaries of our schedule and campus.
Student Leadership
We are especially proud of the tremendous breadth of leadership opportunities available to Upper School students. In fact, more than 25 percent of our students hold leadership positions. For example, our Activities are entirely student-run, awarding the student body significant responsibility. Leaders are supported throughout the year by faculty advisors, who guide students and help them to cultivate their personal leadership style.