Potomac School
85% goes to programs $15 to raise $100 Strong reserves Growing revenue
Potomac School is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Mclean, Virginia, registered in 1931, with $71,544,671 in FY2023 revenue. CharityIndex grades it A, and it directs about 85% of spending to programs.
1301 Potomac School Rd, Mclean, VA, 22101 EIN 54-0562160 Since 1931
Revenue (FY2023)
$71.5M
▲ 18.7% vs prior year
Education median: $200K
Expenses (FY2023)
$57.7M
Net assets
$172.8M
Employees
519
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
A
BProgram efficiency40% of the rating85% to programs · $15 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Potomac School: 85% to programs · $15 to raise $100 earns a B on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
AFinancial health25% of the rating36 mo reserves · +19% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Potomac School: 36 mo reserves · +19% margin earns a A on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Potomac School: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Potomac School: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
At the potomac school, we believe that intellectual development, love of learning, and strength of character are complementary, and equally essential, educational goals. with a firm commitment to our core values and a rigorous academic program, we prepare students to lead lives of purpose, achievement, and generosity of spirit.
What they do
The aero: sbc (standards-based curriculum) initiative brings teams of teachers and curriculum specialists from participating pilot schools together to review the standards and develop grade-level appropriate curriculum and materials. participants are trained to serve as trainers to faculty in their own schools and broader project, thus maximizing the impact of each sbc workshop.
Contact & location
- Address
- 1301 Potomac School Rd, Mclean, VA, 22101
- City
- Mclean
- State
- Virginia
- Category
- Education
- Subcategory
- Elementary & Secondary Schools
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $41.6M (FY2013) to $71.5M (FY2023) across 11 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2023)
Liabilities $73.7MNet assets $172.8M
Operating margin
19.3%
Revenue exceeded expenses in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$246.4M
Total liabilities
$73.7M
Net assets
$172.8M
Salaries & benefits
$32.8M
57% of expenses
Board members
22
22 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $71,544,671▲18.7% | $57,741,727▲2.5% | $172,767,938▲12.1% | $246,436,798▲8.1% | 990 |
| 2022 | $60,262,732▲5.8% | $56,336,191▲4.7% | $154,130,244▲5.1% | $227,941,058▲2.8% | 990 |
| 2021 | $56,983,758▲14.7% | $53,794,709▲11.6% | $146,596,264▲0.2% | $221,694,159▼1.6% | 990 |
| 2020 | $49,665,882▼5.9% | $48,212,635▼2.4% | $146,325,060▲9.6% | $225,192,195▲3.1% | 990 |
| 2019 | $52,801,468▼2.9% | $49,390,427▲2.0% | $133,539,982▲1.8% | $218,505,222▲12.5% | 990 |
| 2018 | $54,388,764▼19.3% | $48,431,981▲5.2% | $131,224,379▲5.7% | $194,254,754▲4.9% | 990 |
| 2017 | $67,392,011▲14.9% | $46,054,886▲3.6% | $124,139,825▲25.2% | $185,135,794▲14.6% | 990 |
| 2016 | $58,662,577▲30.7% | $44,450,299▲4.5% | $99,133,209▲24.6% | $161,617,383▲12.4% | 990 |
| 2015 | $44,900,387▲3.9% | $42,554,361▲2.2% | $79,585,075▲0.5% | $143,845,558▲1.3% | 990 |
| 2014 | $43,194,603▲3.7% | $41,644,120▼5.3% | $79,160,939▲1.9% | $141,998,657▲0.5% | 990 |
| 2013 | $41,636,831 | $43,985,369▲12.8% | $77,681,561▲3.0% | $141,356,624▲5.8% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $38,987,612▲6.6% | $75,390,805▲7.9% | $133,646,727▲4.5% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $36,588,112▲1.6% | $69,853,338▼0.7% | $127,881,317▲3.0% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $36,015,730▲2.6% | $70,333,037▲8.6% | $124,121,163▲9.5% | 990 |
| 2009 | — | $35,117,502 | $64,791,603 | $113,337,924 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2023)
Highest-paid: John J Kowalik — $622,545 (1.08% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| John J Kowalik | Head of School | 60 | $622,545 |
| Dyana Conroy | Cfo/coo | 60 | $402,732 |
| Timothy Jaeger | Associate Head of School | 50 | $303,100 |
| Barbara Overstreet | Director of Advancement | 50 | $260,274 |
| Donnette Echols | Head of Lower School | 50 | $194,389 |
| John Mathews | Head of Middle School | 50 | $194,234 |
| Douglas Mclane | Head of Upper School | 50 | $180,727 |
| Christopher D Graham | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Ellen M Dwyer | Trustee | 2 | — |
| James B Fleming | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Kimberly A Kuryea | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Martin W Sumner | Treasurer | 2 | — |
| Maryanne R Lavan | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Mina C Faltas | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Natalie F Bush | Vice Chair | 2 | — |
| Nitin Goyal | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Noha Abdalla | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Norma C Ramsey | Chair | 2 | — |
| Patricia Potts | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Paul F Sheridan Jr | Trustee | 2 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2023)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Meriwether Godsey Inc | Food Services | $1,695,239 |
| Cannon Washington Inc | Architecture Services | $857,729 |
| Red Coats Inc | Janitorial Services | $804,147 |
| The Handwork Studio LLC | Auxiliary Programs | $324,368 |
| Cypress Contracting LLC | General Contractor | $295,330 |
Grants received · $16.3M total
109 grants to Potomac School totaling $16.3M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bessemer Giving Fund | Capital campaign | 2024 | $3,000,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $330,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $234,050 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $161,000 |
| Daffy Charitable Fund | General support of mission | 2024 | $65,525 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2024 | $55,750 |
| Jewish Communal Fund | In furtherance of grantee's tax-exempt purpose | 2024 | $35,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2024 | $29,123 |
| Greater Horizons | Education | 2024 | $25,000 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $12,426 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Education | 2023 | $516,601 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $386,700 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2023 | $285,000 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Education | 2023 | $275,833 |
| American Endowment Foundation | Educational | 2023 | $39,000 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Potomac School a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Potomac School is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 54-0562160, based in Mclean, Virginia. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Potomac School's EIN?
- Potomac School's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 54-0562160.
- How much revenue does Potomac School report?
- Potomac School reported $71,544,671 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2023 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Potomac School's spending goes to programs?
- Potomac School spends about 85% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Potomac School have?
- CharityIndex grades Potomac School A, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Potomac School's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Potomac School's latest Form 990 is $622,545, paid to John J Kowalik (Head of School).
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Data for Potomac School (EIN 54-0562160) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.