What a year! Who could have predicted the challenges we’d face with schooling – virtual, hybrid, in-person… the list goes on. Luckily, we are fortunate our region has some of the best schools in the nation that are navigating these challenges as well as possible.
From free Pre-K3 in DC, to charter schools, private schools, and more, there is an awesome, accessible preschool program for everyone. But with so many options, the choices can become overwhelming!
We’re created this comprehensive list of local preschools to help ease the decision-making process, especially during this challenging year. Read about some of our sponsored schools, and take a look at the tabs below for a list of all of the wonderful preschools in the DC area.
AIDAN MONTESSORI
With the innovative and proven Montessori Method at our core, Aidan prepares children to learn confidently, think independently, and succeed wherever they go.
Aidan Montessori School is a co-ed, independent private school for children ages 18 months through grade 6. Founded in 1961, Aidan is the only school in DC that holds accreditation from the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools and American Montessori Internationale. Aidan follows the highest standards of Montessori pedagogy to prepare children for successful and fulfilling lives.
Everything at Aidan revolves around how children learn best. Aidan students grow into independent thinkers, confident learners, effective collaborators, and responsible citizens.
Student Ages:
18 Months to Grade 6
Virtual Open Houses:
November 6 at 9:00 AM
November 18 at 7:30 PM
December 4 at 9:00 AM
December 17 at 7:30 PM
January 8 at 9:00 AM
Application Deadline:
January 15, 2021
Financial Aid Deadline:
January 29, 2021
January 10, 2021
LITTLE FOLKS SCHOOL
At Little Folks School, children learn through active exploration and interaction with teachers, other children, and materials in a carefully prepared environment.
Small class sizes and low teacher-student ratios allow for individualized and differentiated instruction focusing on each child’s strengths, needs, and affinities. We focus on educating the whole child, including physical, social-emotional, and cognitive growth and development of our students.
Little Folks School serves children, ages 18 months-5 years old, in a mixed-age classroom environment that provides a unique space for inspiring a child’s natural curiosity and creative expression.
Student Ages:
18 months – 5 years old
Virtual Open Houses:
November 11, 2020
December 9, 2020
January 13, 2021
February 13, 2021
3247 Q St NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.333.6571
BARRIE SCHOOL
Barrie School inspires excellence, intrinsic motivation, and responsibility through innovation in learning. Serving a diverse and inclusive student body, our intentional educational throughline—from Montessori (12 months to Grade 5) to Project-Based Learning (Grades 6-12) —cultivates learning that lasts.
Our community fosters a deep sense of belonging and honors student voice and responsibility, coming together to create engaged citizens with diverse and inclusive worldviews who are confident to be and advocate for themselves.
Our extraordinary learning environment on 45 acres also houses the world-renowned Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, and Barrie Camp, a D.C. area tradition since the 1950s.
Student Ages:
12 months – grade 12
Notable Dates:
November 11: Virtual Open House
December 4: Discover Montessori Virtual Admission Event
January 9: Virtual Open House
January 15: First Round Admission Deadline
January 29: First Round Toddler Acceptances
13500 Layhill Road
Silver Spring, MD 20906
301.576.2800
CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School’s Gurim Junior Kindergarten balances academics and play in a developmentally appropriate setting. The program focuses on real world experiences, structured fun, learning through play and song, and building community.
The Gurim classrooms promote children’s learning in all developmental domains, including cognitive, communication, physical, social-emotional, and ethical-moral development. Students are nurtured in a values-rich environment, while benefiting from the characteristics of a larger school including: a roster of specials with dedicated expert instructors, older students as reading/STEM buddies, and enhanced facilities.
Student Ages:
Gurim Junior Kindergarten is CESJDS’s early childhood program. We also serve K through 12th grade students.
Notable Dates:
Open House: November 8, 2020
Application Deadline: January 15, 2021
Tuition Assistance Application Deadline (Optional): January 29, 2021
1901 East Jefferson Street
Rockville, MD 20852
301.692.4870
OUR LADY OF VICTORY SCHOOL
Our Lady of Victory is a dynamic and diverse Catholic school located in the heart of Washington, DC, with 220 students in PK3 through 8th grade.
OLV is well known for its academic excellence, superior staff, small student/teacher ratio, well-rounded graduates and its recognition as a two-time National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
Student Ages:
PK3 – 8th grade
Virtual Admissions Information Sessions:
November 2nd, 2020
December 7th, 2020
January 4th, 2021
February 1st, 2020
March 1st, 2020
4755 Whitehaven Parkway NW
Washington, DC 20007
202.337.1421
NYSMITH SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED
The award-winning Nysmith School serves 550 students. The daily curriculum includes diversified reading and math classes, hands on science, technology, foreign language, social studies, logic, and much more. Reading and math classes are diversified up to four grade levels above level. 1:9 ratio. The Nysmith School minimizes repetition in school as well as homework.
The Nysmith School is committed to nurture each student’s love of learning and help students develop their potential.
Located just off the Dulles Road at Exit 9A (Chantilly/Herndon) in Herndon. Bus service available.
Come see why parents from all over the country have specifically relocated their families for their children to attend The Nysmith School.
Student Ages:
3 years through 8th grade
Notable Dates:
Live Virtual Tour and Information Session every Thursday at 10:00 am
13625 EDS Drive
Herndon, VA 20171
703.713.3332
HOLY TRINITY: AN EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Holy Trinity: An Episcopal School serves students in preschool-grade 8 on two campuses in Bowie and Glenn Dale, Maryland.
The Daisy Lane School (PK3-Kindergarten) is a joy-filled place where boys and girls can safely act their age. Here, we measure children’s progress by their openness to learning, and not necessarily by their immediate ability to learn. We give more hugs than tests; we nurture instead of lecture; we seek to understand this miracle who is someone’s son or daughter before we personalize our approach to teaching him or her.
The Daisy Lane School is the very beginning of a child’s lifelong journey of self-discovery and enlightenment – that very human quest to become The Best You – and it is the best beginning.
Student Ages:
Preschool through 8th grade
Virtual Open House:
April 8 at 9 a.m. Register at htrinity.org/visit-holy-trinity.
BROWNE ACADEMY
Browne Academy is a diverse independent day school committed to developing the whole child through extraordinary teaching, exceptional academic programs, and a nurturing community.
Highly qualified, engaging educators teach an inquiry-based curriculum to the school’s youngest students. In addition to core classes, the preschool and junior kindergarten curriculum includes art, library, music, Spanish, and PE. Recognized as a Purple Star Distinguished School, Browne is committed to and supportive of military students and families. The school holds VAIS accreditation and is a member of the AISGW, NAIS, and VCPE. We offer year-round opportunities through our camp programs.
Student Ages:
Preschool through 8th grade
Virtual Open Houses:
November 11, 2020
December 6, 2020
January 13, 2021
January 30, 2021
February 27, 2021
March 9, 2021
April 15, 2021
May 29, 2021
ROCK CREEK MONTESSORI SCHOOL
The Rock Creek Montessori School, located in a beautiful wooded setting in Silver Spring, MD, serves children from 18 months through kindergarten using the philosophy and curriculum of Dr. Maria Montessori.
The main goal of the program is to help children develop a rapport with their environment and to support them as they develop physical, social and intellectual independence. The teacher follows each child’s progress and presents carefully designed lessons and materials on a one-to-one basis as the child is ready.
Student Ages:
18 months through Kindergarten
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FAIRFAX
Montessori School of Fairfax is deeply committed to providing an environment in which children may grow into caring, respectful, and responsible adults.
The mission of Montessori School of Fairfax is to provide the right learning environment for each stage of a child’s development as they progress through our school. We adhere to the guiding principles of the Montessori Method, are dedicated to providing education that fosters engaging children who love to learn and who are happy and respectful of others, and who show compassion in a world full of diverse ideologies.
Student Ages:
18 months through 12 years
Notable Dates:
Tours held each Wednesday at 9:30
Year-round Montessori curriculum
TAKOMA CHILDREN'S SCHOOL
Takoma Children’s School (TCS) is a progressive year-round preschool serving 2–to 5-year-old children and their families with full-time and part-week options. The school is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and committed to a play-based approach to children’s learning. Their school’s outstanding teachers and staff provide a nurturing, safe, and fun-filled environment that fosters creativity and a deep love of learning through play and exploration.
TCS values each child’s unique needs and contributions and fosters social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills that children will need and use throughout their lives. The TCS family is committed to celebrating and reflecting the diversity of the community. Children leave TCS having fully experienced the joy there is in learning alongside other children and committed teachers.
Student Ages:
2 years to 5 years (must be 2 yrs old by Sept 1 of the school year to enroll)
Notable Dates:
Tours starting in December 2020; Application deadline February 28, 2021
CONCORD HILL SCHOOL
A leader in early childhood education since 1965, Concord Hill School nurtures and inspires children to embrace and enjoy learning during the early childhood years.
Our Five Core Values guide our dynamic academic and social curriculum, anchoring our teachers, students, and parents in an inclusive and joyful community.
Student Ages:
Age 3 through Grade 3
Virtual Open Houses:
January 9, 2021: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
ROCHAMBEAU THE FRENCH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Starting at 2 years old and continuing through 12th grade, students at Rochambeau receive instruction in both English and French, and can start a third language as early as elementary school (Arabic, Spanish). Students represent more than 80 nationalities and communicate in over 25 different languages.
As the only accredited French school in the Washington, DC, area, Rochambeau proudly enrolls children without any knowledge of French until the 4th grade. Graduates of Rochambeau go on to study at top universities in the US, Canada, UK, France, and all around the world.
Students receive their US high school diploma at the end of 11th grade and the French Baccalaureate at the end of 12th grade. Starting in 2021, Rochambeau will also offer the IB dual language diploma.
Student Ages:
2 years through 12th grade
Notable Dates:
Pre-school Open House: November 7, 2020
Elementary Open House: November 11, 2020
SCHOOL FOR FRIENDS
School for Friends is a Washington, DC preschool that provides a loving, caring, and supportive program for children ages 18 months to five years.
For over 39 years, our curriculum has reflected the Quaker values of cooperation, equality, and nonviolence. Our developmental program focuses on helping children solve problems together, resolve conflicts, think independently and make choices.
School for Friends is accredited by NAEYC and is a member of Friends Council on Education.
Student Ages:
18 months – 5 years
Notable Dates:
Virtual Open Houses:
November 17, 2020
November 24, 2020
December 15, 2020
January 12, 2021
January 26, 2021
Admission Deadline: March 1, 2021
LEARNING LEAF CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Learning Leaf is a unique Child Development center (Infants through Pre-K) located in the West End/Georgetown area of DC.
Learning Leaf uses the Reggio Emilia Approach to learning as well as bilingual offerings, extracurriculars, nutritious customized meals, individualized care, and high teacher to student ratios. Learning Leaf prepares children for life after preschool and beyond. Open Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 6 PM.
Student Ages:
6 weeks to Pre-K
Notable Dates:
Rolling admissions
Acorn Hill Waldorf Kindergarten & Nursery
Beauvoir, The National Cathedral Elementary School
British International School of Washington
Broadcaster’s Child Development Center
Children’s House of Washington (C.H.O.W.)
Embassy Row Child Development Center
Montessori School of Washington
National Child Research Center (NCRC)
Saint Albans Early Childhood Center
Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center
The Franklin Montessori School Forest Hills Campus
Aspen Hill Cooperative Nursery School
Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences
Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church Nursery School
Camp Olympia Country Day School
Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School
Children’s Manor Montessori School (CMMS)
Glenbrook Cooperative Nursery School
Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School
Montgomery Montessori Institute / Teacher Education
Rochambeau – French International School
Saint Luke Christian Day School
Sandy Spring Friends School (SSFS)
Spring Bilingual Montessori Academy
Children’s House Montessori School
Children’s House of Washington (C.H.O.W.)
Children’s Manor Montessori School (CMMS)
Montessori School at Goose Creek Preserve
Montessori School of Alexandria
Montessori School of Cedar Lane
Montessori School of Holmes Run
Montessori School of Northern Virginia
Montessori School of Washington
Montgomery Montessori Institute / Teacher Education
Spring Bilingual Montessori Academy
Sunset Hills Montessori School
Hi! You missed Children’s House of Washington Montessori in Georgetown 🙂 They’ve been around for nearly 40 years with rave reviews. Both of my kiddos attended. Truly amazing school!
Thank you for letting me know, and so glad to hear about your positive experience! Nothing better than testimonials from parents. I just added them to the DC and Montessori tabs 🙂
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