Potomac Middle School in Dumfries | Military Town Advisor

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	3/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Virginia Standards of Learning data from Virginia Department of Education, and using 2025 Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) End-of-Course data from Virginia Department of Education.
Student Growth	3/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Virginia Department of Education.

Posted: June 11, 2026

Tough and rude office employees not recommended at all for your kids

Posted: March 19, 2026

I am not a current student, I went here two years ago but this school is horrible! Do NOT send your kids here, I been bullied by multiple boys throughout 7-8th grade and the teachers did NOTHING about it, even when my dad reached out to the school, NOTHING happened. They all have the mindset of boys will be boys and all of that. Fights here break out so much and students get bullied for the smallest things, the education is horrible and compared to Potomac Middle, this school is low quality.

Posted: February 18, 2026

Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable and positive transformation at this school under Dr. Prestons leadership. She and her team have worked diligently to strengthen academics, improve communication with families, and create a more supportive and structured environment for students. You can see the genuine commitment to student achievement and overall growth, and the leadership is present, responsive, and focused on continuous improvement. The direction of the school today reflects real progress and a team dedicated to helping every child succeed.

Posted: August 20, 2025

Tengo 3 días buscando que hagan la transferencia de mi sobrina que está sin estudiar . Está escuela . No tiene en la recepción buen trato . Soy hispana. . Y ignoran mi petición . Porque necesito el cambio de mi sobrina de escuela y siempre que llamo las personas responsables no . Quieren trabajar .

Posted: July 18, 2024

This school is terrible. The students, teachers and staff are uncaring, disrespectful and horrible. This school has so many anti-bullying related things yet loads of kids are still bullied. Most of the teachers let the students do what they please as long as they are in class, sometimes even when they aren't. The counselors don't help at all, teachers ignore all the conflicts until a fight breaks out. The advanced classes seem like they allow anyone in, there are kids who fail classes and simply don't care about learning that get put into many advanced classes. There isn't one place in this school that you will not get insulted, bullied, or harassed and none of the teachers or staff attempt to change something. This place has been a nightmare to be in. The school lunch is inedible, the milk is spoiled. There are a couple of teachers who try to engage students with their lessons and care, but to a limit. The front office people aren't the nicest either. There are many fights at this school and it's not a comfortable or safe environment to be in. I would not recommend this school to anyone. If you can, send your child to another school.

Posted: June 28, 2024

Regarding Q1, I feel like other students are disappointed because they feel they are not learning what they need or want to learn. This is because there are many fights and many teachers do not want to work here because of these fights. Regarding Q2, teachers here tend to veer off of specific curriculum and tie it into their own beliefs which I personally think are hurting students.

Regardless, I like this school because I have lived here for years and am a loyal panther. I feel that this school just needs to step it up and focus on basic problems by teaching basic morals to students and showing that they really care. I have written this to tell the staff and principal of our school to STOP PLAYING with the students and show that we are standing on business.

Sorry for that cringe ending.

Posted: March 21, 2024

Terrible school, the principal doesnt even help with anything at all and the students are bad

Posted: September 28, 2023

Even though it's a nice fairly new building and school, I can't consciously say that the school is safe for the over well-being of the students. That being both bullying running rampant with minimal mitigation, teachers/staff acting as "friends" rather than authority, or sufficient remedies from upper faculty/staff in the aftermath of incidents. Things would go on with my student, and I wouldn't even hear it from the school. It'd have to come directly from the student and then I'm responsible for reaching out to eh school for confirmation on these events. I'm tired of hearing about the drama going on at school, as opposed to the curriculum or education that should be happening. As we know, any middle school will come with some of these social issues, but families expect better safety practices and more initiative for the mental support of the students, especially in this district. This would help improve where any academic aspects are failing. It makes me fear for my elementary student child to go to this school with its current affairs.

Posted: September 14, 2023

There are kids bullying others and smoking in the bathrooms. The teachers dont really care what the kids do in class which makes it makes it an uncomfortable learning environment.

Posted: August 28, 2023

We have had an excellent experience so far! When we needed help the Director of Counseling was there to help us twice already. She was patient, listened to concerns and did everything she could to help so we are looking forward to an awesome year!

Posted: August 25, 2023

Horrible school do not go. A lot of fights and teachers is violent

Posted: May 10, 2023

this school just sucks at everything teaching and many more

Posted: December 11, 2022

This is not my school but my 6th grade cousin loves it here i really do appreciate the staff and students fo making sure my cousin feel safe she says the staff is friendly there are no bullies she says the are a little of fights but overall a great school thank you potomac shores

Posted: August 22, 2022

Teachers are very helpful, and staff is a little helpful but overall nice school

Posted: August 22, 2022

very good rough at first though just trust the process

Posted: March 12, 2022

This school need structure. There is so much bullying and kids smoking in bathrooms running rapid through the hallways. Teachers so busy bring friends with the students instead of forcing standards. Kids get suspended for defending themselves against bullies. Whatever happened to hall passes and monitors....I cannot give this school a great rating speaking with parents and my own personal experiences they need to regroup and realize not all students are the same they are individuals stop putting them into one pot when it comes to certain situations and deal with the accordingly.

Posted: March 12, 2022

Posted: March 8, 2022

This is a horrible school with a very bad management(principal). We are finally out of this school. There is way too much bullying in this school and the principal does NOT do anything about it but accused me and my daughter of liars after a student pushed her, she fell and hit her head and was so deep that Dr had to do 5 staples. I dont post the pictures because they are very rough. This happened 2 weeks ago and until this day no one has called us from the school to check on mu daughter. Ive done a lot including speaking with the superintendent and nothing is getting done and our only options was to transfer school or stay here and thats not gonna happened.
Do NOT I repeat Do not exposed your kids to this school with the poor management.

Posted: March 8, 2022

Posted: February 13, 2022

I am currently in this school and I find it not so bad. The teachers are nice, the work isn't too hard, and the food is okay. My real problem is the students, 60% of the students are total bullies and not really nice. There are really great kids at the school but are really hidden by the multiple fights that happen every week and all of the school property that gets demolished. the actual teachers are great and really care about our future. there are some teachers that can really be strict and not have a good reputation but they only wish the best for us. the school food is free, but it's not really good. the work that they give us isn't hard at all, and if it is then they give us more than enough time to do it. I barely get any homework. and when I do I can easily do it during the 5th period(independent studies). Lots of other students just don't really manage their time that well. the free period we get to do our extra work is almost always used up by goofing off or chatting. Overall if you have a choice then I would say don't come here. but if you don't have a choice then it's not really bad once you get used to it. This place grows on you and now I wouldn't want to leave if I could.

Posted: February 13, 2022

Posted: October 17, 2020

I went to Potomac Middle School and if I were to give this school any redeeming qualities, I couldnt. Thats how bad this school is. If you were to ask me or any other student that went to that school to give it any compliments, it couldnt be done. That school is so awful, so terrible, so horrendous, that it would be impossible to give this school any compliments.

Posted: October 17, 2020

Posted: August 28, 2019

Great leadership. The administrators know our family name and our kids names. We feel like family.

Posted: August 28, 2019

Some homework which is good for my family that have 3 kids do sports and other clubs after school. All my kids still get straight As and dont have to stress out with homework cause they study hard in classes and do great with their tests.

Posted: August 28, 2019

Awesome teachers!!! Weve been with this school since my first one in 2012 till currently with my youngest one. Love the way the teachers do sit and talk to the students at lunch time about everything, very sweet. All the teachers are loving and caring to their students. I can tell that my kids love the school and teachers when they came home and talk about their days and the connection they have with their teachers. They love learning as well!

Posted: August 28, 2019

We LOVE this school!! Teachers and administrators are awesome!!! My two kids went there and scored perfect scores. And now I have my youngest in the school. They have great programs with high school as well, my children do great academically. Great communication with teachers and administrators. Overall excellent school!!! 5 stars!!!

Posted: May 6, 2019

The good teachers leave and they get teachers that no one else would hire to replace them.

Posted: May 6, 2019

It probably develops good survival skills, but that's it

Posted: May 6, 2019

Can't retain good teachers, there are fights on a daily basis, bullying is rampant

Posted: May 6, 2019

This is a horrible school. One of my greatest regrets is sending my child here. I won't do that again.

Posted: May 6, 2019

Posted: March 12, 2018

Since the teachers are not even getting up and teaching the class, I highly doubt they are teaching in more ways then one.

Posted: March 12, 2018

NOT AT ALL!!!!!! A child was bullied in class by more than one student and the teacher did nothing. This child then left the class before it ended, was able to get out of the building and was standing out in the freezing cold of 17 degrees (in December of 2017) for at least 25 minutes, despite front office staff knowing about the child from a parent. The child was then approached by another parent, who convinced the child to come in to the office and get out of the cold. This child was then punished by the school for leaving class. Which is a horrible thing to do to a child who was clearly upset about being bullied, especially if the child has mental issues they already deal with. The staff at this school needs to take a class in not being bullies themselves and how to treat children who have been victims of bullying.

Posted: March 12, 2018

Out of 10 I rate this school to be a ZERO! There is not consistency, the teachers run a muck, ive seen videos of teachers slamming desks, throwing things around the class, trying to pulls students personal laptops away from them (only to be in the wrong about the situation), teachers marking grades/attendance wrong, students telling teachers about bullying incidents and nothing being done, teachers ignoring injuries in class, teachers calling students inappropriate names and the list goes on!

Posted: March 12, 2018

They do not get up and teach the class, it is a simple, turn to page 52, read the contents and do the worksheet.

Posted: March 12, 2018

Emailed a teacher and the principal, did not hear back from the principal in regards to the matter. Rather I got a phone call from the teacher, which still did not resolve the issue and then heard that an impromptu announcement was made to the whole school about the concerns advising students of their wrong. To me this is an abuse of power on the principles part and bullying these students. I as an adult reached out to you for understanding and to stand up for my child. You as a professional should have called me and handled this concern. Take leadership and call me, not take it out on the school.

Posted: January 26, 2018

Be ready to advocate for everything your child needs. A blind eye to the accommodations of special education students is evident. Having no support staff or compassion for children with medical needs is such a disservice to students. FAPE a special awareness for parents to be educated is the only true way to get through to this administration. They will not fail your child for one grade but for life skills. Disgraceful!!

Posted: January 26, 2018

The attitude of the student body certainly is the one passed down to student. No one wants this behavior in their child and certainly not in the adults we entrust our children.

Posted: January 26, 2018

I would express my sincere concern for the school being able to educate children. The social economic differences in this location is a true reflection of the entire school division. What specialty programs are available, NONE!!! The move them along approach whether they are making progress is not educating. Something better should be available for the children. The "standard diploma" is what they express as the norm, why shouldn't we strive to give the student more value in their education. Communication, what a failure we have experienced at this school. Being a mother of 4 this is the second child with a horrible experience. This is several years apart. I'm fed up with fighting a school and division that put inequity on many levels. Who is benefiting from a poor education?? Not my children!!! Look what is options you have, until their is a school change or division change our children suffer!!!

Posted: January 26, 2018

Homework.....I am surprised at what little they re enforce in homework. The different modes and strategies are teacher choices. I'm not very impressed with the approach. If your student has any challenge areas, stay on top of the work.

Posted: January 26, 2018

I will give credit where credit is due. There is a handful of staff that want to strive to make a difference. Others seem very aloof to the children and their needs. I will not call out teachers but as a parent you must stay on top of the plans or if they get to drop the ball on the students education be prepared to battle for the appropriate education!!

Posted: January 26, 2018

If you want poor communications and bad behavior accepted.....this is your school!! My child has a right to a public education. Let's build skills and character Potomac!!

Posted: January 26, 2018

If follow the leader is a task, their leadership needs an over haul!!! I am not impressed in the least. When the Principals do not address a parents concern or even return phone calls.....leadership fails our children!!!

Posted: April 5, 2017

To my surprise from all the good things I was told about Potomac middle school, I dumbfounded to all the things my daughter has encountered and experienced. My daughter has informed me about the other student kissing and hugging up together in the halls, a used condom found in one of the classes, 3 children urinated on themselves (on different occasions) from being denied bath privileges, teachers not being able to control the class, and lastly, bullying .
My daughter has been bullied on multiple occasions by different students. My daughter is not perfect, but she is kind, quiet and friendly. She is for the most part, an A, B student.. The bullying started right away (1st day of school) in the lunch room. A young lady did not want my daughter to sit at the lunch table. Then it went from her being harassed on the school bus by 3 boys! 1 of them liked her but she did not like him. She was called all kind of horrible profanity names. This did a lot of damage to her spirit because she had never been called those kind of names. I went up to the school. Those boys were called to the office, and I was told the parents were involved, but a few days later she was stilled harassed by being called a trick. So after that incident settles, she got a group of few girls running up into her face saying I heard you said this and that, just to say I was playing. I feel they were trying to intimidate her. Now she has some boy scribbling on her school work paper and another one calling her a prostitute. Why aren't parent's raising their children to be respectful and kind? When I see the behavior of these children, I can't help but think about the parent. This school is terrible. Parents please look into other school choices. I rate this school 1 star for terrible!!!!!!

Posted: April 3, 2017

I hate this school because for one I had been bullied by different people and in this school.Parents don't let you babies go to this school.This school sucks and let me tell you the students are very disrespectful.On the other the teachers are ok, but I will perfect a strict school with some disapline I am a seventh grader your child should never have to deal with this.And it is bad enough that I was harrased at busstops and to not learn in math because boys are talking. There is no respect in this school.DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL!!!!

Posted: April 3, 2017

Posted: February 24, 2017

This school is absolutely horrible. Discipline is non existent, and the standards are equally sub par. At this school a non retention policy exists, in turn a student in 6th or 7th grade literally needs to do nothing to be promoted to the next grade level. In order for a student to acquire a D they need to complete only 13% of the required course content.

Posted: March 23, 2015

I have been there it is the best school ever the staff people are great teachers etc....

Posted: September 15, 2014

I have not had a good experience with this school. I have reached out to the school a few times on a simple request, yet no one has contacted me back. Overall, poor communication...

Posted: March 17, 2014

To have the student who is in high school now right about this middle school shows you how much I loathe Potomac middle school. I went before the "change of command". Bullying was always present and there were gangs. The students heavily prejudiced and was absolutely ridiculous at the rate they had handout conduct referrals. These kids just didn't know how to act. Principal seem absolutely nonchalant about the school and the concerns of the students and parents. I hated this school. I do not recommend.

Posted: May 22, 2013

Showing signs of little improvement since the first principal. My son went to this school and now my daughter. It was a new school when my son was there. Students were misbehaved back then...fights and drugs. Bullying was also present back then. Staff were rude and unfriendly. Discrimination was a big thing in this school starting from the former principal all the way to the students. Now, that there's a new principal and obviously my 2nd kid to go this school, I've seen a tiny improvement. It is better than none at all. Staff are friendlier and helpful. But, I believe they are under-staffed right now....no permanent nurse present. Some of the Kids are still unruly. Fights & drugs are still present. Teachers are okay, though. They always challenge their students academically. Something I like in this school. As for the new principal, she's more into looks and clothing. How the students dress up. Go figure.

Posted: April 4, 2013

This school has taken a nosedive since the "change of command" in administration. The teachers are not supported, the students are running the school, and a staff member told me there had been 24 fights already this year. I emailed the principal about a concern I had with my son's teacher and I was never responded to. When I called the school, the secretary put me through to the wrong teacher. I wish where I lived was in different boundaries. The teachers are the only bright spot in this school; each one I have encountered is amazing and goes over and beyond for every child, but they have way too many unnecessary things on their plate. I don't know how my child will get through the rest of this school year - and it's April!

Posted: March 15, 2013

I just moved to Potomac Middle School from Irving Middle School about a month ago and I hate it. Some students and the teachers are nice but there is too much drama, drugs and other things involved. I have a very hard time fitting in and have been getting bad grades and I seem to miss a lot of school since I don't like it. I love the teachers but I don't like the school in general. I wish I could move back to WIMS!

Posted: August 24, 2012

My son just completed his first year @ this school. considering we had just moved here from across the U.S. and he was starting 6th gr. he had a hard time adjusting, however during a quick conversation in the beginning by a chance encounter w/one of the asst. principals (Mr. King) I was put @ ease. He offered to help keep and eye out on my son, but withing a month he had adjusted and all was well. He had 10 teachers during the school year and all but one was excellent. The principal @ the time (Dr. Stephens) was great. She nipped any problems in the bud, very strict, but I never heard of any fights or bullying. Not to say that there were no incidents of kids trying to start "gangs" or hanging out in the restrooms trying to make it their hangout, but she stopped that nonsence quickly! I hope the new principal (Turner) can follow in her footsteps! The staff here is great, the teachers are tough though, they expect the students to start acting like young adults...with brains, which I am all for, though before I got to know them it was intimidating for both him & myself! Sometimes I felt the school was too strict but I prefer that than to be worried about my sons safety @ school!

Posted: June 18, 2012

Principal Alfie Turner has been "promoted" to be your Principal next year at Potomac Middle. Watch out. Parents should look at the reviews for Coles Elementary, Principal Turner's former school, in order to prepare themselves. She gruffly reprimanded me IN FRONT OF MY CHILD on one of the first days school during the 2011-2012 year because I didn't understand the procedure for picking up my kindergarten child. Another teacher told me she has a reputation for being very harsh and making teachers cry. Heads up Potomac Middle.

Posted: June 7, 2012

As a teacher in this school, I can say that I have never taught in a better place. The staff is incredible and well-versed in their content areas, as well as the middle school child as a whole. The administration is incredible and supports the teachers any way they can, especially with discipline. Without the admin team, the students would be a completely different ballgame. I can say I am proud to be part of the staff where teachers, parents, and students work together as one.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Port Potomac	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Woodbridge	VA	0.8 mi
2	Brittany	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dumfries	VA	1.9 mi
3	Potomac Shores	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dumfries	VA	1.9 mi
4	Rippon Landing	Condominium/Townhouse	Woodbridge	VA	2.8 mi
5	Potomac Club	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Woodbridge	VA	2.9 mi
6	Montclair	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Dumfries	VA	3 mi
7	Stonewall Manor	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Triangle	VA	3.4 mi
8	Potomac Highlands	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Triangle	VA	3.6 mi
9	Ashland	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Manassas	VA	4.5 mi
10	Sycamore Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Woodbridge	VA	5.2 mi
11	Lake Ridge	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Woodbridge	VA	6.3 mi
12	Gunston Cove	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lorton	VA	8.4 mi
13	Aquia Harbour	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Stafford	VA	9 mi
14	Lorton Station	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lorton	VA	9.5 mi
15	Woodstream	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Stafford	VA	9.6 mi
16	Aquia Harbour	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Aquia Harbour	VA	10 mi
17	Newington Commons	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lorton	VA	10 mi
18	Newington Forest	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Springfield	VA	10.2 mi
19	Springfield Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Springfield	VA	10.7 mi
20	Terra Grande	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Springfield	VA	11.2 mi
21	Hampton Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Stafford	VA	11.3 mi
22	Park Ridge The Towns	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Stafford	VA	11.4 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Montclair	Montclair	VA	2.9 mi
2	Woodbridge	Woodbridge	VA	5.5 mi
3	Public Quarry at Government Island	Stafford	VA	11 mi

Base	Distance
Indian Head Naval Base	7.1 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	8.7 mi.
Fort Belvoir	11.8 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	19.3 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	19.7 mi.
NRO Chantilly	21.5 mi.
Henderson Hall	22.8 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	22.9 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	23.1 mi.
Fort Myer	23.4 mi.
Pentagon	23.5 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	24.5 mi.
Fort McNair	24.7 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	25.6 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	26 mi.
Andrews AFB	27 mi.
Walter Reed Medical Center	30.5 mi.
Fort AP Hill	35.9 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	46.2 mi.

Potomac Middle School

Dumfries, VA 22026

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

Potomac Middle School

Dumfries, VA 22026

School Ratings

Refine Search

National Ad

Email Address *

*We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.*

We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.