Profile The Potomac School

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Adrian Stewart
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1 THE POTOMAC SCHOOL Potomac School Road Phone: (703) Fax: (703) McLean, VA School Code: Profile Mike Oligmueller, Director of College Counseling, (703) Barbara Hancock, Associate Director of College Counseling, (703) Christopher Zissi, Associate Director of College Counseling, (703) Karen Djorup, College Counseling and Testing Coordinator, (703) The Potomac School The School is fully enrolled from K-12 with 1061 students, and a financial aid budget of 4.8 million dollars allows the School to award aid to 18% of its students. There are 459 students in the Upper School, and 100% of the 110 students in the Class of 2017 are expected to attend college. 37% of the student population is African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian American, multiracial, or foreign national. Potomac is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and is an active member of ACCIS, the College Board, NACAC, NAIS, and PCACAC. Potomac does not rank its students or provide a grade point average. Upper School Curriculum Potomac s Upper School stresses a strong foundation of skills in all disciplines, and courses are highly rigorous, requiring several hours of daily work outside of class. All students take at least five academic courses each semester, with each year-long course worth one credit. Departmental graduation requirements are augmented by a depth requirement that requires students to earn at least one additional credit in each of three different departments. Students are advised to select appropriately challenging courses across the curriculum. They are also counseled to allow themselves time to contribute meaningfully to the co-curricular and community life of the School. Enrollment in most AP and Honors-level courses is based upon departmental recommendation and/or student application, and courses for which an AP is a co- or prerequisite and Chinese Studies 4 are considered equivalent to AP courses. Generally, the most challenging curriculum available to students in the Class of 2017 includes at least five AP credits (or their equivalents) in four different departments. In addition, students who complete the SERC, VPAC, or GPAC programs have availed themselves of the most rigorous curriculum if they complete at least four AP credits (or their equivalents) in three different departments. Advanced Placement Courses Students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP Exam. Courses available to Potomac students graduating in the Class of 2017: Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Comparative Gov. and Politics* Computer Science A Macroeconomics* Microeconomics* French Language and Culture Latin Music Theory Physics C (Mechanics) Spanish Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture Statistics U.S. Government and Politics* United States History (* = one-semester course)

2 Honors Courses Generally, a course is labeled (with an H on the transcript) as Honors if it is the more advanced level of a comparably titled course, a course for which an AP is a prerequisite, or a required course in the GPAC or SERC programs. Honors courses available to Potomac students graduating in June 2017: Accelerated Algebra 2 Accelerated Geometry Accelerated Precalculus Advanced Bioengineering Adv. Chinese Studies 1 & 2 Advanced French Studies 1 & 2 Advanced Spanish Studies Adv. Topics in Math 1, 2, & 3 Art History Biology - Accelerated Chem-Quantitative Analysis French 2A & 3A GPAC courses Latin 2A, 3A, & 4A Masterpieces in French Lit. Physics - Mathematical SERC courses Spanish 2A & 3A ZERO Robotics Explanations about Some Courses and Programs Available to the Class of 2017 Advanced Bioengineering: Students learn various laboratory skills in either biotechnology or nanotechnology and then apply these skills to carry out a rigorous research project. Advanced Topics in Mathematics: AP Calculus BC is a co- or prerequisite for this course. English: No AP courses were available to the Class of 2017, but 63 members of the class chose to take the AP English Literature exam. An AP English Literature course is available starting with the Class of Entrepreneurship: Available to seniors, the one-semester course is a hybrid, inquiry-based class in which students discover, design, and execute a project or innovation to meet a need in the local or global community. Masterpieces in French Literature: Designed for students who have completed AP French Language. Math: Algebra 2, Geometry, and Precalculus are available at three levels: Regular (not labeled on transcript), Advanced, and Accelerated. Non-departmental Electives: Students earned graduation, but not departmental, credit for Great Issues in the World, and Media Literacy. Science: All courses are lab courses. World Languages: Courses labeled 2A, 3A, or 4A are advanced levels. ZERO Robotics: An advanced programming class designed for students who have completed AP Computer Science, the one-semester course focuses on applying techniques to program a satellite in space. Global Perspectives and Citizenship Program (GPAC): GPAC engages interested students in work on the problems facing our increasingly interconnected world. It offers students (who apply and are selected) the opportunity to pursue significant social science research on a global issue. Eleven members of the Class of 2017 will complete the GPAC program. Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC): SERC provides students (who apply and are selected) with an opportunity to explore and conduct an independent research project on a science, math or engineering concept that is expected to be original in nature. Six members of the Class of 2017 will complete the SERC program. Visual and Performing Arts Concentration (VPAC): To be admitted to the program, students must demonstrate a passion for and commitment to their own artistic development. Concentrations are offered in music, theater, and visual arts. Twelve members of the Class of 2017 will complete the VPAC program. Other Graduation Requirements Senior Project: A required four-week, independent exploration starting in May. Sports/Activities: All students participate in at least two of three sports/activities seasons each year. An approved extracurricular activity or outside athletic commitment may be substituted.

3 Junior-Year Grade Distribution - Class of 2017 (110 students) Letter Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- and below Number of Grades Earned Grade distribution of courses in which three or more members of the Class of 2017 (number in bold and parenthesis) were enrolled Title A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- and below Accelerated Precalculus 2 (1) 5 (16) 2 (11) 3 (6) 1 Advanced French Studies (6) 2 Advanced Precalculus (1) 1 (7) 1 (9) 1 (3) (8) (3) (3) 1 (2) Advanced Spanish Studies 1 (2) 4 4 (5) (1) (3) Algebra 2 7 (2) 3 (1) 1 (1) 6 (2) 2 1 (1) American Civil Rights (2) 1 2 (3) 1 (1) 1 (1) Anatomy & Physiology 2 (1) 3 (3) 4 (2) AP Calculus AB 4 (5) 8 (1) 7 (1) 12 (2) (1) 1 AP Calculus BC 3 (1) 6 (2) 1 5 (2) 1 AP Chemistry 2 (2) 2 (4) 6 (3) (2) 1 (1) AP Computer Science A 2 (3) 1 (5) (2) 1 (2) (2) (1) AP French Language (2) 3 (1) 1 (2) 1 (2) AP Macroeconomics 9 (2) 6 (2) 4 (1) 6 10 (1) 2 1 AP Microeconomics 20 (5) 3 6 (1) 5 4 (1) AP Music Theory 2 (5) AP Spanish Language (1) 5 (5) 3 (3) 1 AP Statistics 3 (2) 4 (1) (1) AP United States History (6) (12) (16) (11) (1) Art History 4 (2) 8 (1) (2) Chinese Studies 3 2 (1) 2 (3) 1 1 English 11 (3) (30) (29) (26) (12) (8) (1) (1) French 3 3 (1) 8 3 (3) 1 (1) French (6) 1 (3) 1 (2) GPAC Research (6) (5) Intro to Computer Science 2 (1) 15 1 (1) 2 (1) 2 (1) 2 Latin 3A 2 4 (1) 2 (2) 1 Latin 4A 1 (4) (3) (1) (2) (1) (1) Modern Middle East 1 2 (1) 5 (1) 2 2 Physics (14) 2 (18) (9) 1 (7) (5) (1) Physics - Mathematical (20) (18) (9) (1) Precalculus 14 (2) (2) (9) 3 (2) Principles of Macroeconomics 1 (2) 1 (1) 2 (1) 2 1 Principles of Microeconomics 1 (1) 1 2 (5) 2 (1) 2 1 SERC Ind. Research 11 (4) (2) Spanish 3 9 (2) 14 4 (2) 7 (1) 4 1 (1) Spanish 4 1 (1) 3 (4) 3 (7) 3 (4) (3) 1 1 United States History (1) (13) 2 (19) (10) 2 (14) (2) (2)

4 AP Subject Exam (Taken by 8 or more students) Standardized Testing Information (Classes of ) Number Tested of 5 of 4 of 3 of 2 of 1 Average Score Art History Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Computer Science A English Literature French Language and Culture Latin Macroeconomics Microeconomics Music Theory Physics C: Mech Spanish Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture Statistics U.S. History Totals ACT Summary Subject Tests Section Middle Mean Students Test (Taken by Middle Mean Students 50% Tested 8 or more students) 50% Tested English Biology E Math Biology M Reading Chemistry Science Reasoning French Composite Latin Literature SAT Summary Math Level I Section Middle Mean Students Math Level II % Tested Physics Critical Reading Spanish Math U.S. History Writing World History Total PSAT Recognition Programs National Merit Semifinalist National Merit Commended National Hispanic Recognition Scholar or Honorable Mention Number of Students

5 College Matriculation for the Classes of American University Amherst College Bard College Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Brandeis University Brown University Bucknell University California Institute of Technology Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Catholic University of America Claremont McKenna College Clemson University Colby College Colgate University College of the Holy Cross College of William and Mary College of Wooster Colorado College Colorado School of Mines Columbia University Cornell University Dartmouth College Davidson College Denison University Dickinson College Duke University Eastman School of Music Edge Hill University Elon University Emory University Florida International University Florida State University Fordham University Franklin & Marshall College George Mason University George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Tech Gettysburg College Hamilton College - NY Hampden-Sydney College Harvard University Harvey Mudd College Haverford College High Point University Hobart and William Smith Colleges Hofstra University Hood College Indiana University Indiana University of Pennsylvania James Madison University Kalamazoo College Kenyon College Lafayette College Lehigh University Marist College Massachusetts Institute of Technology McDaniel College Miami University Middlebury College Morehouse College Mount Allison University New School New York University Newcastle University Northeastern University Northern Virginia Community College Northwestern University Oberlin College Occidental College Ohio University Ohio Wesleyan University Old Dominion University Pennsylvania State University Pitzer College Princeton University Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rice University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Santa Clara University Sarah Lawrence College Scripps College Sewanee: The University of the South Southern Methodist University Spelman College St. John's University St. Lawrence University St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Olaf College Stanford University Swarthmore College Syracuse University Tel Aviv University Temple University Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University United States Military Academy Universidad de Navarra University of Arizona University of California, Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Cruz University of Chicago University of Colorado University of Delaware University of Georgia University of Illinois University of MD, Baltimore County University of MD, College Park University of Miami University of Michigan University of Montana University of Mount Union University of NC at Wilmington University of Notre Dame University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of Rochester University of San Diego University of Southern California University of Texas University of Utah University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin Valparaiso University Vanderbilt University Villanova University Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Washington and Lee University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wesleyan University Williams College Worcester Polytechnic Institute Yale University Policy on the Reporting of Disciplinary History While students are expected to be the primary reporters of any suspensions or probations to which they were subject during their high school careers, the School will also report any suspensions or probations to colleges. If a student is suspended or put on probation after he or she has applied to college, the student is expected to notify all colleges within ten days of the beginning of the suspension or probation. After the student has written to the colleges to which he or she has applied, and within two weeks of the beginning of the suspension or probation, the School will send its own notification.

Roadmap to College: Highly Selective Schools

Roadmap to College: Highly Selective Schools COLLEGE Presented by: Loren Newsom Understanding Selectivity First - What is selectivity? When a college is selective, that means it uses an application process