Potomac Shores Middle

Front desk has an awful attitude. My daughter got hurt back to back within 1 week and were given excuses on why a parent wasn’t reached. Mind you this was a head injury and I’m a nurse myself. I had a talk with someone in administration who did not formally say who they were but stated they would follow up. This school does not follow up with parents when it comes incidents. They administration hide their credentials and do not state who they are over the phone unless you are in person. I DO NOT RECOMMEND and can’t wait to move out of dumfries.

I've had three different children attend this school and they've all grown in immense ways. They are constantly challenged and given pathways to develop their strengths. One of my children needed additional support and the school worked with us every step of the way. The teachers are responsive and you can tell they genuinely care. The diversity of the students and staff is an added bonus. The school constantly put on events for students and families and it truly feels like you're part of a community whenever in attendance. Everyone from the teachers to the librarian to front office workers to the principal is involved in cheering along your little ones at their events and award assemblies. It's a morale booster for sure and you can tell the kids look forward to it. All in all, I've had nothing but pleasant experiences in the last four years.

I am extremely concerned about the ongoing bullying problem at this school. My daughter experienced bullying here, and despite bringing the issue to the school’s attention on multiple occasions, I was repeatedly assured that it would be addressed. Unfortunately, the problem was never adequately resolved.Now, my son is experiencing bullying as well, and I am hearing that other children are dealing with similar issues. This has become a serious and ongoing concern.Just last week, a parent was so frustrated about his child being bullied that he actually got onto the school bus and yelled at the students. While I do not agree with a parent taking that approach, I can understand the level of frustration that would lead someone to feel that way. Parents should not have to reach that point before they feel their concerns are being taken seriously.What concerns me most is that the school is now telling children that they cannot defend themselves and that they should "protect themselves" by reporting the situation to a teacher. While reporting bullying is important, that solution does not always protect a child in the moment—especially on a school bus, on the playground, or even in the classroom when an adult may not be immediately present.We place a tremendous amount of trust in the school to keep our children safe while they are in your care. Unfortunately, based on what my children have experienced, I do not feel that the current approach to bullying is working.I am asking the school to take this issue seriously and provide parents with a clear explanation of what is being done to prevent bullying, how incidents are being addressed, and what measures are in place to protect children when bullying occurs. Our children should not have to endure repeated bullying while simply being told to report it after the fact.This needs to be addressed proactively and effectively. Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and protected at school.

I have been here since Kindergarten and I love this school so much, The staff and teachers are the nicest people and are so child-friendly, and I'm proud that I stayed here until Middle School. It has field trips, field days, nice people, beautiful paintings on the wall and so many educational sources and activities for children to join they always communicate with families to show how friendly the school is and it makes learning fun. I love the memories I made here and they are always looking to improve the school. If you want an early learning for the best experience, I would recommend Mary F Williams Elementary School.

With the caveat that my child has only been here for a year, I have been impressed with her progress during her time at St Francis. She enjoys going to school, her classmates and enjoys the social aspects of catholic education. She has told me she has to stay all the way through, which seems like a good sign.