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Top Montessori Preschools Near DC

There are many great options for Montessori preschools near DC. Photo courtesy of Fiore Montessori School
There are many great options for Montessori preschools near DC. Photo courtesy of Fiore Montessori School
10/21/22 - By Jennifer Marino Walters

Few decisions can cause parents more agony than picking out a preschool. That decision can be even harder for DC-area parents because there are so many great preschools near DC to choose from, from dual-language and immersion programs to play- and nature-based preschools. And if you've got your heart set on a Montessori program, there is no shortage of Montessori preschools near DC.

Montessori is an educational philosophy developed over a century ago that encourages independence and self-directed learning. Classrooms are typically mixed-age, with younger students learning from older ones, and outfitted with specific learning materials. Specially trained teachers observe and facilitate the learning.

Here are some of the top Montessori preschools near DC, including programs in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District itself. For more solid preschool options, check out our list of 15 popular preschools near DC. If you want to extend your child's learning beyond preschool, visit our Guide to Classes for Kids Near DC.

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Montessori schools offer many opportunities for self-directed learning. Photo courtesy of Aidan Montessori School
Montessori schools offer many opportunities for self-directed learning. Photo courtesy of Aidan Montessori School

Top Montessori Preschools in Washington, DC

Aidan Montessori School

Woodley Park
This small Montessori school in Woodley Park offers programs for kids ages 18 months through grade 6. The preschool program for ages 2.5-6 runs from 8:30am-3pm and focuses on practical life, sensory development, art, music and movement, math, language, cultural studies, grace, and courtesy. Preschool students can also attend the after-school program from 3-6pm.  READ MORE

The Children's House of Washington

Georgetown
CHOW, a Montessori preschool in the heart of Georgetown, is committed to establishing the intellectual, emotional, and physical foundation that will develop the skills for children ages 2-6 to become self-directed learners, flexible thinkers, and creative problem solvers. READ MORE

Montessori School of Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase
This 12-month accredited Montessori school teaches a culturally diverse community of learners in its Toddler (ages 18 months to 2.6 years) and Primary and French Immersion (ages 2.6-6) programs. Art and physical education is also part of the curriculum. The school is open 7:30am-6pm and offers flexible hours for working parents.  READ MORE

Small Savers Montessori

Foggy Bottom
Small Savers Montessori offers full-day (8:30am-5:30pm), year-round programs for infants age 12 weeks through children age 5. The school has an open-door policy that encourages parental visits and involvement. The preschool has a mixed-age classroom where younger kids learn from the older kids in the areas of practical life, sensorial, language, math, science, geography, and culture. READ MORE

Georgetown Montessori School

Georgetown
Georgetown Montessori's staff of multilingual teachers and assistants teach an international population of 40 students. The school offers both half-day (9am-12pm) and full-day (9am-3pm) programs for kids ages 20 months to 6 years. Students are free to move around, are stimulated by purposeful learning activities of their own choosing, learn to discover and correct their own errors, and are treated with respect and trust. READ MORE
Mixed-age classrooms help younger kids learn from older ones. Photo courtesy of the Montessori School of Chantilly
Mixed-age classrooms help younger kids learn from older ones. Photo courtesy of the Montessori School of Chantilly

Top Montessori Preschools in Northern Virginia

Montessori School of Chantilly

Chantilly
This highly accredited Montessori school offers programs for infants through kindergartners at its two campuses in Chantilly. Teachers provide opportunities for kids to learn and grow at their own pace while helping to build a solid foundation for their well-being and future success. The school's preschool curriculum includes phonics, speech, vocabulary, computer exercises, outdoor activities, and more. READ MORE

Fiore Montessori School

Vienna
This AMI-accredited Montessori school offers both half- and full-day preschool programs for ages 2.5-6 at two Vienna campuses. The Beulah Road campus includes a professionally designed garden, four classrooms, and a wooded area, while the Leesburg Pike campus has 4.5 acres of land and a pool. Fiore also offers a toddler program for ages 16 months to 3 and an elementary program for ages 6-12. READ MORE

Cardinal Montessori School

Woodbridge
Cardinal Montessori, the oldest AMS Montessori school in Prince William County, offers programs for preschool through sixth grade. In its three preschool classrooms, kids ages 3-6 work together as a community to share, complete tasks, and clean up, with younger students learning from older students. The school day is 8:30-11:30am for ages 3-4 and full day for age 5.  READ MORE

Full Circle Montessori School

Arlington
Full Circle offers Montessori programs for kids ages 15 months to 13. Its preschool program for ages 3-6 is offered at three Arlington locations from 9am-12:30pm, with an extended-day option on Monday through Thursday until 2:45pm. Full Circle aims to support the development of the whole child emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically. READ MORE

Northeast Stars Montessori Preschool

Alexandria and Washington, DC
Northeast Stars offers highly individualized instruction in a warm, friendly setting. The DC school has two classrooms with an average of 13 students each, while the Alexandria location has one very large classroom with students divided up into smaller groups. Each DC classroom and Alexandria group is led by a certified licensed teacher and supported by an assistant teacher. Northeast Stars offers year-round, flexible-schedule programs for kids ages 2-6, including kindergarten-readiness and kindergarten programs. READ MORE
Kids will feel right at home at Rock Creek Montessori School. Photo by Alexandra Friendly, courtesy of the school
Kids will feel right at home at Rock Creek Montessori School. Photo by Alexandra Friendly, courtesy of the school

Top Montessori Preschools in Maryland

Rock Creek Montessori School

Silver Spring
Rock Creek, located in a beautiful wooded setting, offers five-day Montessori programs for children ages 18 months through kindergarten. The curriculum focuses on language, math, social studies, science, practical life, sensory development, music, and art. There are both half-day (9am-12pm) and full-day (9am-3pm) options, as well as before- and after-school care starting at 7:45am and ending at 4, 5, or 6pm based on a family's needs.  READ MORE

Family Academy of Bethesda

Bethesda
Family Academy of Bethesda provides early childhood education starting with infant care at 6 weeks and continuing to a Montessori program for ages 2 to 6. The Montessori program provides students with areas of discovery including practical life, sensory exercises, language, math, science, history, geography, and cultural activities. Both full-time and part-time programs are available.  READ MORE

Oneness-Family School

Chevy Chase
Oneness-Family School offers toddler through high school Montessori programs on two campuses in Chevy Chase and Bethesda. The primary program in Chevy Chase offers a toddler program for ages 2-3 and a preschool program for ages 3-6. Both half-day and full-day options are available starting at 8:30am, with before-care beginning at 7:30am and after-care ending at 6pm.  READ MORE

Butler Montessori

Darnestown
This accredited Montessori school offers toddler, preschool, elementary, and middle school programs on its nature-filled, 22-acre campus. In the preschool program, kids ages 3-6 perform real-world activities such as growing vegetables, collecting eggs at the organic farm, and preparing snacks in addition to learning math, science, handwriting, and more. The school day lasts from 8:45am-3pm.  READ MORE

Village Montessori School

Montgomery Village
Village Montessori offers an infant and toddler program, a 2-year-old program, and a preschool program with five mixed-age classrooms. In addition to a full-day schedule during the school year that uses a Montessori curriculum, there's before-and after-care; a week-to-week summer program; weekly music, art, and fitness instruction; and optional extracurricular programs for dance, soccer, cooking, piano, karate, and Spanish. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jennifer Marino Walters
Jennifer Marino Walters is the DC and travel editor for Mommy Poppins and the author of over 20 beloved children's books. A proud mom of three—plus twins!—she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and busy brood. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll find Jennifer cheering from the sidelines of a baseball game, supporting her daughter’s cheerleading squad, diving into a good book, or exploring new destinations. Connect with her on Instagram @jmwalters718.
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