Photo: Russ · CC BY 2.0Potomac’s public schools outscore 72% of Maryland districts
On the state math tests, 34% of Potomac’s students scored proficient, above the Maryland average (25%). The grade covers the public school district serving Potomac, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Maryland, not nationally.
From Maryland state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Potomac’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 45 Maryland towns with household incomes within a quarter of Potomac’s, its schools beat 27%, lower than their 72% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 34% in spring 2022, against 45% and 25% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 86%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $20,107 per student, against $20,258 across Maryland (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bullis School (private), St. Andrew's Episcopal School (private), German International School Washington DC (private), MC Lean School of Maryland (private), Norwood School (private), Connelly School of the Holy Child (private), Our Lady of Mercy School (private), Ivymount School (private), Georgetown Hill Potomac Village (private), Geneva Day School (private), Muslim Community School/Alim Academy (private), Potomac Glen Day School (private), The Manor Montessori School (private), The Harbor School (private), Feynman School (private) and The Maddux School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Potomac’s grade
B+: better than 72% of Maryland school districts, #47 of 261 Maryland towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Maryland average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Potomac, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Potomac · depends on your address
Bells Mill Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 570 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Wayside Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 465 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Potomac · depends on your address
Cabin John Middle
Grades 6–8 · 983 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Herbert Hoover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Potomac · depends on your address
Cabin John Middle
Grades 6–8 · 983 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Herbert Hoover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Potomac · depends on your address
Cabin John Middle
Grades 6–8 · 983 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Herbert Hoover Middle
Grades 6–8 · 930 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Potomac
Winston Churchill High
Grades 9–12 · 2,185 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Potomac
Winston Churchill High
Grades 9–12 · 2,185 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Potomac
Winston Churchill High
Grades 9–12 · 2,185 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Potomac
Winston Churchill High
Grades 9–12 · 2,185 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Potomac’s public schools are run by Montgomery County Public Schools. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Potomac vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Maryland towns that share Potomac’s borders.
Every school in Potomac
26 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Maryland’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Potomac’s schools
Are Potomac’s schools good?
By Maryland’s own tests, yes: the public schools Potomac children attend outscore 72% of Maryland’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #47 of 261 Maryland towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 27%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Potomac in?
Montgomery County Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 159,181 students in 208 schools (2024–25).
Where do Potomac kids go to high school?
Winston Churchill High, with 2,185 students; its own test results earn an A+.
What is Potomac’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Montgomery County Public Schools graduated in four years, against 86% across Maryland.
How much does Potomac spend per student?
$20,107 in Montgomery County Public Schools (FY2024), against $20,258 across Maryland. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Potomac?
Yes: Bullis School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 1,027 students), St. Andrew's Episcopal School (religious, grades PK–12, 722 students), German International School Washington DC (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 541 students), MC Lean School of Maryland (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 469 students), Norwood School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 448 students), Connelly School of the Holy Child (religious · all-girls, grades 6–12, 350 students), Our Lady of Mercy School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 224 students), Ivymount School (special education, grades K–12, 172 students), Georgetown Hill Potomac Village (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 170 students), Geneva Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 162 students), Muslim Community School/Alim Academy (religious, grades PK–11, 159 students), Potomac Glen Day School (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 100 students), The Manor Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 98 students), The Harbor School (nonsectarian, grades PK–3, 63 students), Feynman School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 51 students) and The Maddux School (nonsectarian, grades PK–2, 43 students).
Parents talk
What Potomac families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Potomac → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Maryland. Stars are from neighbors.