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#1366 of 1,850 schools in VA

Potomac Elementary

Elementary School · King George County Public Schools

PO Box 314, Dahlgren, VA 22448

Enrollment

546

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Virginia elementary schools

#745 of 1,147

In district

#4 of 5

King George County Public Schools

About Potomac Elementary

Potomac Elementary in Dahlgren, Virginia, is a rural public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 546 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1, Potomac Elementary provides a personalized learning environment. The school has 36 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the academic needs of their students.

Academically, Potomac Elementary stands at the 42nd percentile among Virginia schools, with MySchoolScout rating it at 5.2 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 6.0 out of 10. Students perform well in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math, with 76% being proficient or above in each subject area. Set in a rural setting, Potomac Elementary is part of the King George County community, offering students a close-knit environment that fosters learning and growth.

The school's location provides opportunities for outdoor education and community involvement, making it a cherished part of the local landscape.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Potomac Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency78%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Math vs. State Avg+4.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.3 pts
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)83%
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,631

Potomac Elementary — Students at Potomac Elementary score 77% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 83%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores VA SOL (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 76.2%
School
State
73.5%
ELA Proficiency 76.0%
School
State
72.2%

Based on 12 test records from VA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
86%
ELA
83%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
69%
2025
Math
77.8%
ELA
76%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Potomac Elementary Compares

See how Potomac Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
26th percentile in VA
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

PO Box 314, Dahlgren, VA 22448

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Potomac Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Gale-Bailey Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Marbury), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington District Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Colonial Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mary H. Matula Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby La Plata), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Dahlgren, see our Dahlgren schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Piccowaxen Middle School Newburg 6.3 mi 5.0
Colonial Beach Elementary Colonial Beach 7.1 mi 5.3
Colonial Beach High Colonial Beach 7.1 mi 5.1
Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School Newburg 6.3 mi 6.1
King George Elementary King George 8.1 mi 6.1
MONROE BAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Colonial Beach 9.2 mi
King George Middle King George 8.7 mi 5.8
King George High King George 8.9 mi 6.3
Washington District Elementary Colonial Beach 10.9 mi 8.4
Mt Hope/Nanjemoy Elementary School Nanjemoy 10.9 mi 5.2
Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School La Plata 13.5 mi 6.8
ARCHBISHOP NEALE SCHOOL La Plata 13.8 mi 6.6
Milton M. Somers Middle School La Plata 13.7 mi 7.1
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL La Plata 14.3 mi 6.8
Maurice J. McDonough High School Pomfret 15.2 mi 5.1
Mary H. Matula Elementary School La Plata 15.5 mi 8.3
La Plata High School La Plata 15.5 mi 5.1
Dr. James Craik Elementary School Pomfret 16.1 mi 4.6
F. B. Gwynn Educational Center La Plata 15.7 mi
Gale-Bailey Elementary School Marbury 16.4 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 22448 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,375

Median Rent

$1,940/mo

Population

658

College Educated

50.2%

Homeownership

0%

Poverty Rate

1.3%

Median Age

24.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Potomac Elementary has a median household income of $99,375. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The local poverty rate of 1.3% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alice West Fleet Elementary Arlington, VA 5.3
Churchland Primary & Intermediate Portsmouth, VA 5.3
Colonial Beach Elementary Colonial Beach, VA 5.3
Floyd Elementary Floyd, VA 5.3
HOLY CROSS ACADEMY Fredericksburg, VA 5.3
Indian Lakes Elementary Virginia Beach, VA 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Potomac Elementary

What grades does Potomac Elementary serve?

Potomac Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Potomac Elementary?

Potomac Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 546 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Potomac Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Potomac Elementary is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Potomac Elementary rank in VA?

Potomac Elementary is ranked #1366 out of 1,850 schools in VA.

What is Potomac Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Potomac Elementary has a composite rating of 5.3 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Potomac Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Potomac Elementary has 76.2% math proficiency and 76.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Potomac Elementary a charter school?

No, Potomac Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Potomac Elementary a Title I school?

No, Potomac Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Potomac Elementary?

35.5% of students at Potomac Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (1,023/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
546
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
King George County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

King George County Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,543
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,806
District Rank
#4 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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