West Potomac High School

Posted: September 21, 2025

Great school, close to home, with amazing teachers and staff who really care about the students.

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: September 21, 2025

Posted: December 18, 2024

Highly recommend. As a previous reviewer said, it's a good place to start to get real world experience. Yes, it is a huge place, but there is an atmosphere and learning environment that is serious and well structured. As a student, you just have to find your niche and group to be a part of. There are lots of great after-school clubs and organizations to get involved in. The school also has a solid athletics program, too. The administration is strong and well-balanced, and the majority of teachers here want to be at West Po and love their job. West Po is not perfect, but compared to other FCPS high schools I'd say it's doing a pretty good job for a school its size and with the diverse student population it has.

Posted: December 18, 2024

Posted: December 18, 2024

Posted: December 18, 2024

Posted: December 18, 2024

Posted: January 10, 2024

West Potomac is really three unofficial/informal schools wrapped into one. SOME kids can move between the schools, but most kids stay where they are. In the "bottom school" the kids don't care and the parents don't care. Unfortunately this cohort lowers the overall school scores and dissuades many people from sending their kids here. This is the smallest part of the school (these three "informal schools" are NOT 1/3 each). In the "average (or middle) school" many kids care and want to learn, but something (ES/MS experience, ESL, home environment, disengaged or overly-busy parents, economic challenges, etc.) holds them back. Sometimes teachers, administrators, sports, and extracurriculars help kids "move up" and out of this school. In the "top school" most of the kids are going to go to college and many/most take AP courses. Parents are engaged. These three "schools" are NOT solely socio-economic, but there are some linkages. Sadly, many kids in the "top school" never even interact with the kids in the "bottom school". There IS luckily a lot of overlap between the average and top schools...overall West Potomac is a very solid school that prepared all three of our children to attend fairly elite, private, liberal arts colleges. If you want your kids to be coddled, send them elsewhere. If you want them to sort of deal with the real world, West Potomac is a good place to start...

Posted: January 10, 2024

Posted: January 10, 2024

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Posted: October 30, 2019

Posted: October 30, 2019

Posted: October 30, 2019

Posted: October 30, 2019

Posted: October 30, 2019

I have nothing but positive interactions with all of my child's teachers and counselors.

Posted: October 30, 2019

Posted: October 30, 2019

Posted: February 5, 2019

The leadership program at the school is strong and open to all students who are interested. Students make suggestions to improve situations at the school and the administration include them in conversations and listen to them!

Posted: February 5, 2019

The new principal at WP is exceptional! Tangy Millard is leading by example, holding teachers accountable and creating a consistently applied educational program that will improve the situation for all students at WP.

Posted: February 5, 2019

Posted: February 5, 2019

Posted: February 5, 2019

WPHS is a wonderful school and like all schools it has it problems but I feel with new principal and administration team at the school are working hard to make WP a welcoming, challenging and supportive place for ALL students!

Posted: February 5, 2019

The school has recently started returning tests to students and has also is making great efforts to improve the consistency across subjects. They have after school time to meet with teachers for extra help, students can request tutors through the National Honor Society and they have time during the day when students can meet with teachers.

Posted: February 5, 2019

I believe WPHS has great teachers and not so great teachers. That is how it is at almost every school. The administration at WP is working hard on holding teachers accountable and improving the educational experience at WP for all students.

Posted: January 24, 2018

Posted: January 24, 2018

Posted: January 24, 2018

Posted: January 24, 2018

Posted: January 24, 2018

Posted: January 24, 2018

If there were negative stars I would put -10, I’m a student from this school I’ve been asking for help for a whole year now and no one wants to help. I’m actually depressed because I felt unheard and I actually want to change and get help to finish school but no one wants to help me. Even when they say we’ll help if you just ask, it’s lies I’ve been asking for a whole year to change schools but they ignore me can someone help me. School district? Please I need to get out this hole I’m in...

Posted: January 24, 2018

Posted: August 16, 2017

Posted: August 16, 2017

Cause I go there and I know it is

Posted: August 16, 2017

I would rate this school 5 stars

Posted: August 16, 2017

Posted: August 11, 2016

This school is amazing! The PTA is very involved with students and staff. The Principal Alex Case is wonderful and really looks out for the kids. The theater department is out of this world. They have won several awards and with good reason. My son is going to Italy this year with the Latin club and the chorus went to Austria this past summer. No idea why it is ranked a 3, because it is above and beyond the private high school I went to back in the 1980's.

Posted: August 11, 2016

My son has his favorites to be sure, but we have not had one teacher who wasn't outstanding in the two years we have been there.

Posted: August 11, 2016

Posted: August 11, 2016

Yes. I have been to several PTA meetings where the students themselves have presented ways they are working with their fellow students on all different types of things.

Posted: April 11, 2016

Wonderful principal & outstanding staff. I really love how there is always activities going on after school for the students to participate in. This school is truly a safe haven for kids to stay off the streets and out of trouble. WPSH The World's Greatest High School

Posted: April 11, 2016

Posted: January 18, 2016

The "4" rating is misleading since it calculates test schools only. If you look at the demographics, English as a second language is higher than other schools and can affect test scores.

My daughter currently attends West Potomac HIgh School. She's had a positive experience there. Impressive teachers who are very involved and caring teachers.

There are LOTS of extracurricular activities. Sports, Band, Orchestra, after-school clubs and a top-notch theater department. Active PTSA and parent volunteers. I personally volunteer frequently and have first hand knowledge of the school. It has a diverse student population which has enhanced my daughter's learning.

Posted: January 18, 2016

I can't say enough about the teachers my daughter has had ~ all are dedicated and involved. I'm especially impressed with the teachers who also are the "sponsor" for the clubs. The go to weekend and evening events with the students which is time away from their own families. Very thankful for their commitment to the students.

Posted: January 18, 2016

My daughter participates in sports (fall and spring) as well as several after-school clubs and she still has time to get homework done. Sometimes she has to stay up a little later or get up earlier but that's her choice for doing the other activities.

Posted: January 18, 2016

The Principal, Mr Alex Case and Kevin McMahon (Director of Student Services) are very enthusiastic about student programs which foster fairness, honesty and integrity. As a parent volunteer, I've seen these programs in action on many levels and throughout the year.

Posted: November 28, 2015

The teachers don't care, the staff don't care, it is repulsive. Completely awful school that is so unfair and so annoying.

Posted: November 28, 2015

This school is absolutely terrible, the counselors for the most part do NOT care how the student feels, half the teachers are just so unsympathetic and worthless. I can easily express the dread I feel every day when returning to the overcrowded, unsympathetic, horrendous environment that makes my physically sick. If Hell has a school, Its surely this monstrosity.

Posted: November 23, 2015

Posted: November 23, 2015

Posted: November 23, 2015

Posted: November 23, 2015

I've had two daughters graduate from WP in the past few years and both had very positive experiences. They were involved in a lot of extracurricular activities and thrived with good, caring teachers and involved parents. Both went on to great colleges. I think the exposure to a diverse student population enhanced their learning and perspective on society as a whole. Much of what you get out of school is directly related to what you put into it. Five stars.

Posted: May 27, 2015

West Potomac is a wonderful high school located in a family oriented community. The school offers an outstanding range of courses and has the bonus of an attached Academy. There are numerous student activities, clubs, athletics, and fine art programs offered. Students and parents can easily get involved in an area of interest and become an active part of the school community.

The principal, Alex Case, has done an amazing job during his first one and a half years at the helm and is working hard to foster excellence as a tradition at West Potomac. His communication with students and the community is excellent. His upbeat personality and willingness to partner with community resources poises the school to continue on a positive path.

Posted: May 6, 2015

West Potomac High School is a public high school in Fairfax County. The school is a hidden gem with strong administrative leadership and a breadth of advanced programs not found anywhere else. Additionally it is the home of a Governor's School for Health Sciences and a Blue Ribbon Performing Arts program. Graduates of the school benefit from a rigorous education coupled with the benefits of being in an incredibly diverse environment. In June my second daughter will graduate from West Potomac. She was admitted to some of the most competitive schools in the country and received significant scholarship dollars.

Posted: May 6, 2015

West Potomac is in the middle of a tremendous transformation, with a New Principal Alex Case and his team, his mission and vision is to be the "World's Greatest High School". Our Teachers, students, parents and community are working hard together to create an innovative, engaging learning environment for our entire school community.. We all need to involved and be willing to share our time , talents and resources...what can WE do to help make this the World's Greatest High school

Posted: May 6, 2015

We've been extremely pleased with our experience at West Potomac. The principal and the administrative team are active, engaged, and committed to excellence. There is an active PTA and sports booster program. My child has been able to take advantage of a wide range of honors and AP classes. There are sports and extracurricular activities to fit any imaginable interest. My son is thriving at West Potomac and we feel fortunate to be part of this community.

Posted: May 6, 2015

West Potomac is a vibrant, diverse center of learning. There is something for everyone and so many ways for the students to get involved. The myriad of AP and advanced courses prepare their graduates for the challenges they will face in college. The fine arts programs at West Potomac are some of the best this country has to offer!

Posted: May 5, 2015

There is so much to like about this school. Great leadership, common sense, accessibility and enthusiasm from Principal, Alex Case. A dedicated staff. Strong blue ribbon school arts program across the board (theater, chorus, orchestra, band). There is something for everyone here -- ap, honors, lots of electives, clubs, sports. Great school spirit. Truly, a gem that often goes less noticed in the FCPS portfolio.

Posted: April 13, 2015

This school is overcrowded and children are falling through the cracks. The guidance staff and school counselors are ill equipped to advise students on post secondary options.

Posted: September 13, 2013

My child is very uncomfortable with the school. It's incredibly overcrowded and teachers care little to none about student safety. We had a similar problem with her brother-and decided to send him to the nearby catholic high school. A good investment, for sure. Will most likely be transferring our daughter there as soon as we can, she cannot handle the nonsense going on at this school.

Posted: July 14, 2013

There's SO many AMAZING things that I can rant on about this school. The kind and loving teachers helped me graduate at the top of my class with all honors. (and yes I am African American, not that it really matters.) I love this school and all the great opportunities and extracurricular activities it offers, which look great on a high school transcript! I would recommend this school do any incoming ninth graders.

Posted: June 10, 2013

I can no longer work at this school, my co workers seem to have hope but I have lost all. I have only a hand full of students in all of my 5 classes who care about success. Most of the staff only really cares about athletics (where all the budget goes) and not about the actual achievement of students, I have filled out transfer applications to 8 other schools a couple of which are 50 miles away because anywhere is better than here.

Posted: February 16, 2013

We have been very happy with West Potomac. They have everything needed for academic success for the kids who choose to take advantage of it (AP, Honors, and an impressive array of Extracurriculars). When we have had questions or concerns we have found the teachers and staff very competent and caring - responding quickly and effectively.

Posted: February 5, 2013

I cannot say enough good things about West Potomac HS. I had the pleasure of attending West Potomac and now coach one of their dance teams. The staff and teachers have such a positive attitude and have a vested interest in their students. West Potomac is a Academy school which gives students the opportunity to take class in a career field. I am very excited to have my children attend my al mater, West Potomac HS