Assistant Principal's Corner

Greetings Parents & Guardians of our 9th Grade Scholars!

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

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

● Mrs. Itari Hinds, 9th Grade Administrator - itari.hinds@pgcps.org

● Coach Anthony Ridley, 9th Grade Academic Dean - anthony2.ridley@pgcps.org

● Ms.Eboni Davis, Professional School Counselor (Letters L-Z) - eboni.chriss@pgcps.org

 ● Mr. Glenn Hinton, Professional School Counselor ( Letters A - K) - glenn.hinton@pgcps.org

Dear Freshman Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to The Potomac High School (PHS), specifically the Ninth Grade Academy! We are so excited to begin this journey with you and your scholar as they take their first steps into high school. Ninth grade is an important year, filled with new opportunities for growth, learning, and discovery. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that every student feels supported, challenged, and prepared for success both in and out of the classroom.

As we begin the school year, I want to emphasize our commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment. Part of this includes following our school’s uniform policy. All 9th graders are expected to wear a red collared shirt with khaki bottoms each day. We appreciate your support in helping your child arrive at school dressed appropriately and ready to learn. Consistency in our dress code reinforces school pride and eliminates distractions, allowing students to focus on what matters most-their education.

Throughout the year, we will offer opportunities for parents to stay connected, whether through open houses, parent nights, or regular communication from our teachers. We believe that a strong partnership between school and home is the key to student success, and we look forward to working with you closely. If you have any questions or concerns at any point, please don't hesitate to bring it to my attention, or any member of the 9th Grade Academy.

High school is an exciting new chapter, and while it comes with challenges, it also offers countless opportunities to shine. Please encourage your student to get involved, ask questions, and take advantage of the many resources we have available at PHS.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We are honored to be a part of this important year and can’t wait to see the growth and accomplishments ahead.

Educationally yours,

Dr. Itari Hinds

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):