History of West Potomac High School in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 23, 2025

West Potomac High School, previously known as Groveton High School, is a public secondary school located in the Alexandria region of Fairfax County, Virginia. Established in 1985, it operates as a component of the Fairfax County Public Schools system. It serves students within its designated area, providing secondary education.

1956: Opening of Groveton High School

In 1956, the old Groveton High School opened on Popkins Lane, which later housed the Bryant Alternative High School.

1963: Opening of Fort Hunt High School

In 1963, Fort Hunt High School opened. The site later became Carl Sandburg Middle School.

1971: Groveton vs. T.C. Williams Football Game

In 1971, the Groveton vs. T.C. Williams football game took place. This game was later portrayed in the movie "Remember the Titans".

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1976: Opening of the new Groveton High School

In 1976, the new Groveton High School, which would later become West Potomac, was built on the site of the former Bryant Intermediate School.

1985: The Wire Founded

In 1985, The Wire, a student-run school news source, was founded and published its first issue in West Potomac's inaugural year.

1985: Formation of West Potomac High School

In 1985, West Potomac High School was formed through the combination of the student bodies and staff from Groveton and Fort Hunt High Schools. The Fairfax County School Board decided to close Fort Hunt due to declining enrollment and cost concerns, leading to the merger at Groveton's site under a new name.

1985: West Potomac High School Founding

In 1985, West Potomac High School was founded in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County, Virginia, becoming part of the Fairfax County Public Schools district. The school was formerly known as Groveton High School.

1985: Founding of West Potomac and Debate Team Success

Since the school's founding in 1985, West Potomac has fielded 3 state championship debate teams.

1989: State Championships

In 1989, West Potomac won Virginia AAA football championships and state championships in Girls Cross Country.

1990: State Championships

In 1990, West Potomac won Virginia AAA football championships and state championships in Girls Cross Country.

2003: Crew Team State Championship

In 2003, the Boys and Girls Crew team had their 1st and 2nd 4 man boat place 1st in the Virginia state championship.

2004: Boys Track Team Regional Title

In 2004, the Boys Track team won the regional title.

January 2008: It's Academic Team Success

In January 2008, the West Potomac It's Academic team won first place in the Patriot District and fourth in the region.

2008: Boys Track Team District Champions

In 2008, the Boys Track team remained the AAA Patriot District champions for the 8th year in a row, while the Girls Track team moved up to the second place standing, behind Lake Braddock Secondary School.

2009: Aerospace and Debate Recognition

In 2009, a student was 2nd in the AIAA/NCS Aerospace(Science Fair) awards. Also at the 2009-2010 VHSL State Debate Tournament a duo-team were named Semi-Finalists in the Virginia State Debate Tournament/Classic(AAA) Division.

March 2010: Bands of America Event

In March 2010, the West Potomac Symphonic Winds attended the Bands of America event in Indianapolis, accompanied by the West Potomac Percussion Ensemble.

2010: Science Olympiad and Science Fair Awards

In 2010, The West Potomac Science Olympiad team placed 9th at the Virginia State Tournament with individual event-teams winning 3rd Place in Mission Possible and a 5th Place in Disease Detectives. Also a West Potomac sophomore won a top award at the 2010 Fairfax County Regional Science and Engineering Fair.

2011: Athletic Achievements

In 2011, the Girls Varsity Field Hockey team advanced to regionals for the first time in years after a victory over W.T. Woodson High School in the first round of playoffs. The Varsity Football team was the Patriot District champion and advanced several rounds into regionals before a marginal loss to Westfield High School.

2012: Achievements in Dance and Tennis

In 2012, the school's Dance Team qualified for the National Dance Association competition in Orlando, Florida. The Boys Tennis team advanced to the Northern Region Quarterfinal for the first time in 20 years. The Girls Varsity Lacrosse team advanced several rounds into regionals before losing to Centreville High School in the Northern Region Quarterfinal.

May 2013: Governor's Health Science Academy Designation

In May 2013, the Virginia Department of Education awarded West Potomac Academy with the designation of Governor's Health Science Academy.

2013: Will Rupp Wins Wrestling Championship

In 2013, senior Will Rupp won the Virginia State AAA Wrestling Championship for the 220 lb weight class.

2013: Capital Fringe Festival and VTA Recognition

In the summer of 2013, the company participated in the Capital Fringe Festival and performed an original, student written piece, "Urban Legends." In 2013, the company took its production of "Avenue Q" to VTA's and received an Honorable Mention and an award for Best Ensemble.

2014: American High School Theatre Festival Nomination

In 2014, The company was nominated to participate in the American High School Theatre Festival as part of the highly acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

2014: Football Field Reconstruction

In 2014, West Potomac completed the reconstruction of the main football field and surrounding practice fields, which are now artificial turf.

May 9, 2015: Girls Crew Team State Champions

On May 9, 2015, the Girls Crew team's JV4+ boat placed 1st in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association of America (VASRA) State Championship in Occoquan, Virginia, becoming State Champions.

2015: Production of "American Idiot"

In 2015, the school became only the second in the country to stage Green Day's "American Idiot."

2015: Boys Soccer Team Patriot District Win

In 2015, the school's Boys Soccer team won the Patriot district for the first time.

2017: The Predator Crown Finalist

In 2017, The Predator, West Potomac's award-winning yearbook, was a Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown Finalist.

2017: Student Body Demographics

In 2017, the West Potomac High School student body was composed of 38.65% White, 16.31% Black, 34.76% Hispanic or Latino, 6.75% Asian, and 3.53% Other.