Potomac Elementary School

10311 River Rd

Potomac, MD 20854

School District

Montgomery County Public Schools
Grade

K-5
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Montgomery County Public Schools

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 26, 2024

Not happy about diversity, student bully each other. Teachers have loads of students and no assistance given.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2024

We love PES. Two of my three kids are still at Potomac Elementary School. All my kids started there from kindergarten and have had the greatest teachers. I couldn’t be happier with their academic achievements. Our number one goal when we moved during the pandemic was to move to a house that would keep the kids at Potomac Elementary School. We’ve been super happy with everything the school has to offer including their wonderful teachers, administrators, and staff. All the parents are very involved and supportive.
Submitted by other on October 10, 2021

I’m surprised to see some of the reviews here. We have had two kids at PES and love everything about the school and the community. The principal has shown herself to be very capable, accessible and innovative. And the staff have all been extremely student-focused. They are creative, caring and competent. Our kids have thrived at PES, enjoying everything from the new building to Chinese immersion to orchestra to the book fair and more. The focus also on mindfulness and kindness has been fantastic!
Submitted by other on June 30, 2016

I attended Potomac Elementary '55 to '59.I could not have had a better academic start.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2014

My children had the same test scores coming into the beginning of the school a year ago as they did at the end of the year. The good news is that coming in, they tested above grade level. The bad news is that the scores stayed the same. I agree with previous posts that it depends on the teacher. Some are great, some are not. The class sizes are also too big for one teacher, particularly in the lower grades. It is impossible for a kindergarten teacher to be expected to manage so many children. Also, supplies are shared so kids are picking their noses, chewing on crayons and markers and putting them back in their disgusting bins. Be prepared for your child to be in the nurses office...often. The front office, support staff and special educators are wonderful. Helpful and caring. Diversity of student body is a plus.
Submitted by parent on May 26, 2013

PES is a wonderful school! As with every institution, there are pros and cons, of course, but overall, the students love their school; the teachers love the students; the staff is dedicated, and the parents are warm and supportive of the students and one another. This is one of the most uncompetitive parent groups we've ever encountered. Our children have been in a number of private schools over the years, and this school has all of them beat hollow. Not only are our children receiving an excellent academic education, but they are learning strong give-and-take lessons, cooperation, self control, the importance of group courtesy, team building (partly from the teachers and partly from the guidance counselor), and as a special bonus, Chinese, via the visiting Chinese teachers. The multicultural student population is a wonderful added feature of the school. The PTA plans and delivers outstanding events for the school community, and in general the turn-out for each event is strong. It seems to be a highly dedicated group that works hard on behalf of the school. If we were re-locating to Maryland, this is by far the best choice for an elementary school, public or private!
Submitted by parent on April 22, 2013

Two out of the five comments below stress how inaccessible the principal is. That is very true. Parents seem like a bother to her. She came back from retirement, and in my opinion, should have stayed there. She does not seem interested in what parents have to say, dismiss parental concerns, and is very, very defensive. Teachers are hit and miss. Some are great, some are mediocre at best - overwhelmed, unable to control their classes, and unwilling to take parental help. 29 students with one teacher are the norm, although you will also have 14 students in a class. Most instruction is dry and bland, mostly print-outs of repetitive problems - very turn of the 20th Century instructional technique. The Promethean Smart Boards are pretty cool, but are of little use if they simply are used to trot out the same old tired educational techniques. Where there is any imagination put into the core subject instruction, or attempts to make it more interesting, it is heavily slanted towards a very liberal, anti-industrial environmental agenda. Strongly considering moving my kid back to private school.
Submitted by other on January 30, 2013

The teachers and MSA scores are very high. The children learn alot, and arts programs are above standards. The building itself is old and rundown, and I have noticed the PTA needs a lot more money than it should. The principal is not kind or caring, and the vice principal does not show up to many events. While the frequent performances are fun, they are stressed and too much time is taken out of instruction for them.