Living Our Mission
Embodying Potomac’s core values – courage, humility, integrity, respect, and perseverance.
Our Mission
At The Potomac School, we believe that intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character are complementary and equally essential educational goals. With a firm commitment to our core values and a rigorous academic program, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.
PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE
We achieve The Potomac School’s mission through our educational philosophy and practice. At Potomac we
- foster a diverse, inclusive learning community where all voices and viewpoints are valued
- provide a balanced educational experience that integrates academics, athletics, and the arts
- empower our students to become independent thinkers and learners by emphasizing the rewards of inquiry, initiative, and reflection
- emphasize appreciation for the natural world and each person’s responsibility for environmental stewardship
- call upon all members of our community to act with compassion, civic conscience, and a commitment to serving
others
Core Values
Since its founding, The Potomac School has steadfastly believed that developing a student’s character is as important as educating for intellectual growth. Informed by values, students learn to use their intellect and skills productively and in service to others. The school has identified the following five core values as the ethical and moral guideposts that enable all of us in the Potomac community to develop good judgment and live principled lives:
- Courage
- Humility
- Integrity
- Respect
- Perseverance
Strategic Roadmap
The Potomac School is guided by four strategic objectives-- excellent teaching, empowering students, connected community, and financial stability. Built to be flexible and responsive, our Strategic Roadmap ensures we remain steadfast in our commitment to meaningful, measurable goals as we work collectively to advance our mission.
Excellent Teaching
Deliver student-centered teaching rooted in Potomac's core values
- Recruit, develop & retain faculty and staffwho demonstrate the personal qualitiesand professional commitment reflected in the Excellent Teaching Profile
- Provide professional growth opportunities that strengthen teaching and connect individual goals to school-wide initiatives
- Support faculty and staff by providing clear evaluation, consistent feedback,and appropriate recognition for excellence
Empowering Students
Prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.
- Prioritize relationship-based teaching and learning
- Expose students to a liberal arts curriculum that provides intellectual challenge and develops love of learning
- Maintain a flexible and responsive curriculum
- Instill life skills necessary to thrive in a changing world
- Encourage pursuit of individual passions and curiosities
- Foster collaboration and teamwork
- Develop strength of character, embodiment of core values and agency
- Provide opportunities to develop generosity of spirit
- Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment
- Prioritize a diverse and inclusive community
Connected Community
Connect constituents through shared values and experiences.
- Ensure an inclusive, relationship-based learning environment rooted in our core values
- Foster relationships with the external community to enrich the student experience
- Build upon traditions and common experiences to strengthen engagement
- Maintain a culture and campus that prioritizes health and safety
Financial Sustainabilty
Provide resources to deliver on our mission today and across future generations.
- Provide budgets that are blueprints for the school’s priorities
- Maintain a strong, sustainable and diversified revenue base
- Efficiently manage school’s resources and expense allocations
- Responsibly steward the physical plant
- Maintain a strong balance
