At Potomac Falls High School, students have many opportunities to get involved, but one class in particular is making a meaningful impact beyond the building: the P.E.E.R. program, which stands for Positive Experience in Educational Relationships. This class is open to juniors and seniors who want to mentor and teach younger students at local elementary schools. 

For the class, students travel to Countryside Elementary School once a week, and each upperclassmen is paired with an elementary school student. Throughout the year, they work together on schoolwork, activities, and conversations that help the younger students learn and grow. The goal of the program is not only to support elementary students academically, but also to provide mentorship, encouragement, and positive role models.

According to a student services page on lcps.org, “PEER groups focus on areas such as bullying, healthy relationships, substance use, mental health, suicide, special needs populations, violence prevention, and community outreach efforts. Within this support role, PEER helpers also act as liaisons between the school’s student body and the professional staff.”

Students in the program say the experience is both rewarding and fun. Senior Rania Khokhar shared that “PEER is a great class to make new friends, teach kids, and gain responsibility.” Working with the same student throughout the year allows mentors to build strong connections and see the progress their mentees make over time.

Recently, members of the PEER program also had the opportunity to volunteer outside of their regular mentoring visits. The group attended a Kindness Fair at Powtowmack Elementary School, where they helped younger students learn the importance of kindness and respect. High school volunteers led activities and discussions that encouraged elementary students to practice kindness and diversity in their everyday lives.

“PEER is the best class to take during junior and senior year because you gain knowledge on how to help the community. At the Kindness Fair, I ran the station where we traced the students’ hands, cut them out, and glued all the hands together to show the diversity and unity at the elementary school,” said senior Cadyn Sohn. 

Open to juniors and seniors, the PEER program is a unique class that blends leadership, service, and education. By working directly with younger students, participants develop communication skills, responsibility, and a stronger connection to their community.

For many students involved, PEER becomes more than just a class. It’s an opportunity to inspire younger learners while learning valuable lessons themselves. “As positive role models, peer helpers develop and implement educational and awareness programs which address issues facing today’s students,” said a student services page on lcps.org.