inspired by elementary learners…
a small group of families and educators is working towards a new vision of a one-room schoolhouse in the heart of northwest Washington, DC. Grounded in authentic Montessori philosophy, the program will leverage Washington, DC as our classroom, helping 6-12-year-olds explore new places, build essential skills and virtues, develop their talents, and contribute to their communities while preparing for adolescence and middle school.
“Our care of the child should be governed...by the endeavor always to keep burning...that light which is called intelligence.”
Interested in learning more? Please read on for more information and our waitlist.
“Of all the skills nine years of Montessori education gave me—critical thinking skills, social skills, kickball skills—the most lasting has been a sense of my place in deep geologic time... You’re six or seven years old and you’re being asked to measure the brief, warm, intensely complicated fingersnap of your life against the absolutely incomprehensible vastness of time. The sense of luck that made me feel—to be here at all!—has never left me. It permeates my writing, my attitudes toward natural resources, and my relationship with my sons... We all share this one big clump of iron and magnesium and nickel whirling around the sun and it is the one thing we will bequeath to our children. So why not be as deeply curious about it as we can? Why not try to understand what is happening to it in the pitifully brief time we’re here? Looking back, I believe Montessori was one of the strongest influences in my life nudging me toward this kind of curiosity.”
Program Launch
We anticipate opening when at least 15 dedicated founding families are committed to beginning this journey. Children ages 6-10 (grades 1-4) will be eligible to enroll during our first year. Our hopeful start date is September 2022.
Location
The search is on for a schoolhouse convenient to area parks, going out destinations, and public transit. Please join our waitlist below so that we can keep your family’s neighborhood in mind as we plan for a future location.
Calendar
We will offer an all-day Montessori experience from 8am-6pm on a September-June timeline with federal, winter, and spring holiday breaks.
Curriculum
The elementary Montessori curriculum is unlike any other. Through stories, demonstrations, lessons, and dozens of materials, we weave art, geography, history, language, math, music, physical education, and the sciences together in a beautiful, engaging environment that encourages freedom of activity, peaceful collaboration, and responsibility for self and community. Children frequently follow their interests by engaging in great work, projects that require deep concentration and layered activities, and goings out that help them explore their world.
Athletics
Many students will want to develop their athletic abilities beyond our indoor and outdoor physical education program. We will share recommendations of area athletic programs for children who wish to engage in cooperative team sports.
Technology
Though we love innovation, we recognize that young learners are most in need of hands-on, real-world learning experiences. We will incorporate limited use of digital technologies to facilitate field learning, research, and portfolio development. Learning will be conducted virtually during unanticipated school closures, including inclement weather days.
Special Events and Parent Engagement
We will curate a program of special events and parent engagement activities based on our community’s interests.
Tuition and Aid
Tuition for the all-day program will range between $27,500-29,500 with discounts for sibling enrollment. We anticipate offering financial aid during our third year.
Diversity and Inclusion
We have a strong commitment to diversity. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, age, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or physical or mental disability status in the administration of our educational and admissions policies, employment policies, or other school-administered programs. We will make reasonable modifications to our policies, practices and procedures to promote equal educational opportunities for students with special needs.
The Transition to Middle School
What’s next? Adolescence is the next, critical phase for healthy human development and much care must be taken to prepare elementary students for a successful transition. With support from the Independent Educational Consultant’s Association, we will provide a guided transition out of our program and into area middle schools for all sixth year (11-12-year-old) students.
Founding Team
Our founding team will include highly trained, expert educators and assistants. Currently our feasibility study is being led by Zahra Majeed, MSEd, an independent educational consultant and experienced Montessori elementary guide. Zahra was recently recognized as an up-and-coming ‘Future of Work + Learning’ innovator by GSV Ventures. You can read more about her background here.
family waitlist
We look forward to getting to know you!
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