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| Potomac High School | |
|---|---|
| Name | Potomac High School |
| Established | 1955 |
| Type | Public high school |
| District | Prince George's County Public Schools |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Principal | Dr. Alicia Morales |
| Faculty | 72 |
| Enrollment | 1,120 (2023) |
| Colors | Navy and Gold |
| Mascot | Panthers |
| City | Oxon Hill |
| State | Maryland |
| Country | United States |
Potomac High School is a public secondary school serving grades 9–12 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. It operates within Prince George's County Public Schools and enrolls a diverse student body drawn from neighborhoods along the Potomac River corridor. The school offers comprehensive programs in academics, arts, and athletics, and maintains partnerships with regional colleges and civic organizations.
The school opened in 1955 during a period of suburban expansion influenced by post-war housing developments near the Potomac River, Anacostia River, and Washington, D.C. suburbs. Early community advocates included officials from Prince George's County Council, local chapters of the NAACP, and representatives of the Maryland State Department of Education. During the 1960s and 1970s the school was affected by county-wide desegregation plans issued by the United States Supreme Court and implemented in coordination with rulings stemming from Brown v. Board of Education precedents. Renovations in the 1990s were funded through county capital improvement bonds approved by the Maryland General Assembly and supported by federal grants authorized under programs similar to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
In the 2000s the campus benefited from partnerships with nearby institutions such as University of Maryland, College Park, Howard University, and local community colleges, reflecting county initiatives following reports from the Maryland State Department of Education and recommendations from consultants affiliated with the Gates Foundation. The school’s recent changes in curriculum and facilities align with county-wide strategic plans endorsed by the Prince George's County Public Schools Board of Education and regional workforce agencies including Greater Washington Partnership stakeholders.
The campus sits adjacent to residential corridors linking to National Harbor, Fort Washington, and commuter routes to Interstate 495 (Capital Beltway). Facilities include a main academic building, a performing arts wing, science laboratories, a media center, and athletic fields refurbished during a capital project coordinated with Maryland Stadium Authority guidelines. The performing arts wing hosts community productions in collaboration with organizations such as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts outreach programs and local theater groups affiliated with the Gospel Music Workshop of America.
Environmental upgrades incorporated guidance from regional planners including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and stormwater management standards modeled on protocols used by the Chesapeake Bay Program. Campus accessibility improvements complied with standards promulgated by the Americans with Disabilities Act and were overseen by county facilities staff and consultants linked to firms with portfolios involving projects for the Smithsonian Institution.
Academic programs emphasize college and career readiness with Advanced Placement courses recognized by the College Board, vocational pathways consistent with guidelines from the National Career Pathways Network, and dual-enrollment agreements with Prince George's Community College and University of Maryland Global Campus. The school’s science curriculum follows frameworks influenced by the Next Generation Science Standards and features laboratory modules reflecting partnerships with researchers from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and faculty from Howard University.
Language arts and social studies coursework incorporates primary source materials from repositories such as the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Extracurricular academic programs include chapters of National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, and Model United Nations teams that compete regionally at events hosted by institutions like Georgetown University and American University. College counseling services coordinate with application systems overseen by Common Application protocols and financial aid resources aligned with Free Application for Federal Student Aid processes.
Student organizations reflect cultural, civic, and interest-based priorities. Clubs include chapters affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Black Student Union groups with ties to statewide networks, and community service projects in partnership with Habitat for Humanity affiliates. The school hosts cultural events featuring performances and speakers connected to institutions such as the Ebony Fashion Fair circuit and lecture series sponsored by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Student media produce a newspaper and webcast that have collaborated with local broadcasters including affiliates of the NPR and the ABC News Washington bureaus. Health and wellness initiatives draw on resources from Maryland Department of Health programs and preventive campaigns supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Athletic teams compete in conferences organized by the Maryland Public Secondary School Athletic Association and face regional rivals from schools near Bowie, Lanham, and Riverdale Park. Sports offered include football, basketball, track and field, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and softball. The football program has produced players who advanced to collegiate programs at universities such as University of Maryland, College Park, Temple University, and Rutgers University.
Strength and conditioning programs adopt training protocols reflective of best practices from organizations like the National Strength and Conditioning Association and coordinate sports medicine support with local hospitals including MedStar Washington Hospital Center and University of Maryland Capital Region Health.
- Alumni have included elected officials and public servants who have worked with the Maryland General Assembly and Prince George's County Council. - Graduates have matriculated to professional careers in media at outlets including The Washington Post, CNN, and NBC News. - Former students progressed to athletic careers in programs at University of Maryland, College Park, Howard University, and Morgan State University, and professional leagues including the National Football League and Canadian Football League. - Several alumni entered performing arts careers with credits at institutions such as the Kennedy Center, Broadway productions linked to the Tony Awards, and recording projects distributed through labels associated with the Recording Academy.
Category:High schools in Prince George's County, Maryland