I recommend this school to everyone that is looking for a serious and true Montessori program. In…read moreMD any school that claims to be Montessori has to be approved by the state and has to have at least one Montessori-trained teacher. However, I have heard parents complain sending kids to Montessori is a waste of money because it's just a name to sell the school. So, not all state-approved Montessori programs have good quality of education. So being aware not all schools are the same, I toured 3 Montessori schools: Lone Oak, Manor and the Woods Academy. I found the Lone Oak Montessori on AMI website and Woods academy on AMS website. Manor was recommended by other parents and it seems to be a popular choice when it comes to Montessori preschools in Bethesda area. I took my 3-year-old son with me to all the tours and he loved the Woods the best because we were allowed to walk into the classroom and had very brief interactions with the students and teachers, to observe and also play some toys in the classroom while parents were talking to the director, Mrs. Gerber- who is very knowledgeable and experienced about Montessori programs and part of the reason we chose Montessori is because of her expertise and experience. After the tour, my son wanted to go back the next day because the classroom was just so fun and interesting for little kids. My son is happy every day and cannot wait to tell me what he learned in school. The teachers encourage independence, good manners, trying new things/food, healthy snacks, and creativity. They are caring and loving but also very firm when giving instructions. My son learns new things/facts each day and not just merely playing with expensive toys. For instance, he came home one day start singing "The family of the Sun," and talked about all the facts he learned about planets and I was amazed. And three weeks later, he started to learn the sounds of alphabets and try to read! The teacher told me she would advance any student if s/he is ready so there is no need to wait till 4 or 5 to learn how to read. The other pluses but not major factors are- 1) facility, it's a school so it has it's own gym, music/art classrooms, library, and playground. It's very spacious, clean and well-maintained. 2) it has PE, music and art classes once a week for 30 minutes. The school has a very strong art program. 3) faculty and staff are very friendly and they know student by names. I felt that students are given a lot of attention because of its small classroom size. The only downside is the tuition. It is about $2K more than other schools I checked/toured. We've been happy with our choice and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good preschool in Bethesda. If you want more information about the Montessori program, check out the blog: http://woodsmontessori.blogspot.com/

This is a very good private school in the Potomac and Bethesda area. I went here for Montessori…read morethrough 8th grade and loved my experience here. There were incredible resources and the teachers were awesome! I definitely recommend looking here for your child.

Beware of this company! Our kids were at a sister school owned by the same parent company, Metro…read moreMontessori, which was SHUT DOWN on only a few weeks notice, leaving parents, teachers, and kids scrambling. It was discovered that company had known for a long time that the school would have to close (bc so many families left due to unaddressed safety issues that enrollment was too low to continue operation). But, Metro hid this from everyone until mid-July. By that time, many other schools were full, primary positions for teachers were already full, etc. We literally only had days to find a replacement school placement. This company doesn't care about your kids - they just want your money. Think twice before giving it to them!

We had to take our daughter out of this school because she was very unhappy. She came home with…read morenail marks on her arm twice. When I ask her first time she told me her teacher hold her too strongly near her shoulder and she has been doing that with frequency lately. First time her teacher apologized, second time she denied it saying that my daughter was imagining this without any explanation of how she got them. She had to spend long period of time in what they called 'time-in' and was not allowed to ho to recess if she spoke or moved around during circle time. The teacher gave us a really hard time at the begging because she had a potty regression. Since the new director joined the school in 2019 this school has been changing most of their teachers and other personnel almost per year. That says a lot about a place ... Now my daughter is in a new preschool, happy and without any of the problems this teacher was complaining

There are quite literally not enough words to describe how much we love and appreciate every aspect…read moreof this center. When you are looking for a center, if the administrative staff is beyond communicative, if teachers love your child as they love their own, and if the energy that seeps forth boasts of creativity and engagement at all times, you know you've found the perfect place, and that place is Rock Spring Children's Center. It's hard enough knowing that you have to leave your child over the course of a day, but to know that you have the best care possible for your child during the day helps alleviate so much of that stress. The Center does not just say they love children, what they want to do to improve or how the work aligns with the mission, but they show EACH of these things, with intention, every single day. And while I'm talking about the overall feel and experience of the center, there are so many additions that really take it to the next level. The offerings of ballet, karate, an amazing plyometrics program, and music, all of it offered from phenomenal external entities as a formal class that help keep your weekends, a little more open. And for more ease, if you struggle to pack lunch every day, a catered lunch option is available. There is differentiated instruction that allows for all students to feel safe and seen. And did I mention the engagement and love of teachers, and administration? The list goes on. TLDR: There will never be a center as phenomenal as Rock Spring Children's Center!

We have been at rock spring for several years for both of our kids and are very happy with the care…read moreand education they have received. Teachers are excellent, loving and nurturing. Most teachers have been here for years which says a lot about the culture of this institution. Classrooms are beautiful, and tailored perfectly for each age group. We will forever be grateful to Rock Spring for taking such good care of our kids.

Our son has been at English Village ELC since he was four-months old in early 2019. I cannot tell…read moreyou how happy we have been with his care. One of the ways you know this is a good place is the continuity of the staff. Most have been there for the entire time our son has been there. He recognizes and loves all of them. Likewise, he has grown so much in the time he has been there, and now knows all his letters, colors, how to count to 20, and so much more at just two-years old.

My husband summed it up already, but our son was at English Village for two years and it was…read morewonderful. The owners and employees are kind and professional, communicative, and the level of care our son received was top notch. I recommend them to anyone looking for childcare!

I love that children are playing outside for hours! Beautiful Nature/based preschool!read more

From the owner: Art, Nature, and Languages (Russian-Spanish) are a part of our everyday curriculum!…read moreArt classes for toddlers and preschoolers! Nature-based Preschool!

When I lived in Bethesda when my son was 3 years old, I toured Harbor School along with 40 other…read moreBethesda area schools (that's not a typo, actually 40), and Harbor school was my favorite of the 40 for early childhood education. I have 17 years of experience as a recruiter (mainly Microsoft, now Nike) and am honed in evaluating talent -- with schools, checking everything out, the student art on the walls, how the kids look, how the teachers interact with the children, how the environment feels, all of it. Harbor School is a special place in that the teachers are really exceptional -- exceptional care for the students, expertise, there's a healthy genuine feel to the school, the students look good. It's not a fancy hyper modern place, but note that it also doesn't come with a fancy hyper modern 40k tuition price tag. The school is real, and I think a gem. Sadly for us, we moved too far away from it, in Middleburg VA now. Our 6 year old is a bit school avoiding and so I recently called up Harbor School, where our dear friends with a 6yr old and 3 yr old attend, and I asked Andrea if she would be willing to tour me and my son again, let him be in the classroom of his best friend, let him see how his younger friend, the 3 year old, is also in school. She was gracious in allowing it, I spent a beautiful 15 minutes in the pre-k class, 2 students productive and engaged at each station. The 2 teachers were lovely, on the ball, inclusive to my son, it was just a wonderful visit. One of the teachers with 27 years of experience at the school. We got to see the art room, music room, the maker room with loads of hands-on crafts, and we spent 15 minutes outside at the playground in the back -- lovely space. You could pay more for a school, and help fund facilities that go with it, but common sense would advise checking out this lovely school that has keen focus on what matters most: recruitment of wonderful staff. I also valued the small teacher to student ratio I saw, which set the whole thing up for success. In terms of kindness/sensitivity/expert knowledge at the younger years, I'm definitely impressed with Harbor School. End of day, I think a young child benefits most from being surrounded by excellent compassionate teachers vs a shiny perfect gym that some schools with higher tuition offer. Apparently Harbor School is moving in a year, but I think this is a school that would be worth chasing after wherever nearby they relocate to. Being at Harbor School again yesterday I literally contemplated could we reasonably do the drive from Middleburg...sigh. But for Bethesda area parents you're in a lucky situation feels like to me, wherever they move, because they are taking their teachers and philosophy and humane student:teacher ratio with them.

A wonderful, caring school. It's a great foundation for young learners. The teachers are very…read moreexperienced, caring and kind. Students are embraced. Each child gets a lot of individual attention. They feel accepted and comfortable, so they truly learn and form meaningful relationships. The student-teacher ratio is amazing and makes such a big difference. They are up to date on growth mindset, mindfulness, hands on learning, flexible classroom space and sitting options, inquiry based learning, use of technology, etc. It's a traditional school with an innovative learning program. It has structure, but it is personalized and flexible to accomodate each student. We are in our final year at the Harbor School and very sad to be leaving this wonderful place.

My kids don't actually go to the school, but I walk by this property pretty much every day on my…read moreway to work. The staff seemed like they are on top of it, and the kids always seem like they're having lots of fun! Just wanted to shout out a local school!

My 3.5-year-old twins have been attending BCDS in the past 18 months, and it has been a blast! The…read moreprincipal and teachers are very loving, caring and full of energy, especially Ms Bionca, Ms Suzy, Ms Lorena, Ms Nicole, Ms Isabella, Ms Briona and many more! They took so much care of my girls, always ready to share about statuses, progress, issues, and tips/guidance with parents! Originally we selected the school because it was just walking distance from home, but then we realized how convenient it is. it offers nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacka, have before and after care, and never close (except federal holidays)! that's critical for busy working parents! My girls loved their teachers so much and a lot of enrichment programs offered in school so we don't have to send them elsewhere to take dance, Karate, or soccer! lots of holiday events and even swimming/water fun during the summer! High recommend to all!

we have had our daughter here since the school opened. We love being able to drop her off at 7 AM…read moreand know she is safe throughout the day. It's such a clean school having just opened less than two years ago and the team seems to guide the kids to such good rules for living. She is only 18 months but is such a good little helper at the house. We love that she has had an awesome sleep schedule since starting. She also has not gotten sick much from School, which seems to be the thing parents worry about the most.

I have both of my kids at Guidepost Bradley Hills right now - one in the infant class and one in…read morethe 3-6 class - and we've had a really great experience overall. There was some staff turnover in my older child's classroom last school year that wasn't ideal, but the current team is fantastic and seems really committed for the long haul. The teachers are caring and attentive, and it's amazing to see how much progress both kids are making, especially when I compare to peers at other schools. My 3y/o is writing words already(!), and my infant is getting way more attention and support through bottle-feeding transition, crawling, teething, etc. than we ever got at my eldest's first school. 7a-6p hours are great for us (both working parents), and above all, both of our kids are happy and genuinely thriving here. As a parent that's all I can really ask for.

I highly recommend Bethesda Prep Over 2 years I looked for…read morean excellent preschool for my son and I found that here. The Directors Melissa and Sonia are AMAZING, always welcoming, very kind, open to help us with our son needs. The whole team of teachers is beyond amazing too! they are very professional, very caring, supportive and always looking for what is best for the kids, but most importantly the method that they use to teach is very appropriate for each age. Their curriculum is Excellent, all the activities that are included and plan daily are great and also fun for the kids. Since my son started I can see how much he advanced in knowledge, skills, and socialization. My son is loves it here and loves his teachers and I believe that this is the best reference to know the excellency of this preschool. I can't be more happy and grateful for finding this wonderful and lovely place! Is 100/10.

We absolutely love this daycare and more importantly, our child loves it! From the very first day,…read morethe staff made us feel welcomed and supported. Every morning, my child is excited to go, which speaks volumes about the care and positive environment they provide. The teachers are kind, patient, and truly invested in the kids' growth and happiness. We've seen so much development, socially, emotionally, and academically since our child started here. My 3 year old son comes home smiling, singing songs, and sharing little stories about his day. We're so grateful for the nurturing atmosphere and the peace of mind that comes with knowing our child is safe, engaged, and genuinely happy. Highly recommend!