Assistant Principal's Corner

Greetings Parents & Guardians of our 10th Grade Scholars!

Your Tenth Grade Academy administrative team welcomes each of you to the Potomac High School

community on behalf of our Principal, Dr. DeMarco Clark. We are:

● Ms. Sharnette Straker, 10th Grade Administrator - sharnette.straker@pgcps.org

● Ms. Brittany Woods, 10th Grade Student Advocate - brittany.woods@pgcps.org

● Ms. Te’Ana Mason, Professional School Counselor - Teana.mason@pgcps.org

● Ms . Phaedra Byrd, Class of 2028 Sponsor - phaedra.byrd@pgcps.org

On behalf of the Tenth Grade Academy teaching staff, we are excited to welcome you and your scholar to

a brand new school year! We’re already preparing for a strong and successful start as your student takes

the next important step in their high school journey.

High school is a foundational time in every student’s life, and your scholar has already completed one of

the most critical transitions—successfully moving from middle school to high school. Last year, the Ninth

Grade Academy provided the structure, support, and guidance to help students adjust and thrive in their

first year. Now, as rising sophomores, your students are ready to build on that foundation with greater

focus, independence, and academic growth in the 10th Grade Academy.

This school year marks our sixth year implementing 3DE by Junior Achievement—a dynamic and

innovative four-year learning model that has transformed the student experience at Potomac. Through

real-world case challenges and partnerships with local and national businesses, 3DE connects classroom

learning to relevant, real-life scenarios. Our first cohort of students, the Founders, successfully completed

the program, and now your scholar continues that path as a 10th grade participant. To learn more about

the 3DE model, please visit www.3deschools.org.

The Tenth Grade Academy is designed to support students as they move from the foundational freshman

year into the more rigorous and independent environment of upper-level high school. We continue to

provide the structure, interventions, and encouragement needed for students to stay on track with credits

and meet their promotion goals.

At the heart of our academy is “The 5 P’s” – five guiding principles that shape our school culture and

promote student success:

● Positivity – We treat one another with kindness and respect, valuing all perspectives and

experiences.

● Punctuality & Preparedness – We come to school on time, equipped with the materials and

mindset needed to succeed.

● Purpose – We take initiative by engaging, participating, and communicating with intention and respect.

● Perseverance – We meet challenges head-on with determination, responsibility, and resilience.

We’re proud of the growth your scholar achieved in ninth grade, and we’re excited to continue partnering

with you in this next phase of their high school journey. Let’s make this year the best one yet!

Additionally, the following key information is necessary for a solid start to the 10th grade experience:

High School Grading Policy (see table below):