Any experiences with Chesterbrook Academy of Vienna..

[Anonymous]

Hi- has anyone heard or have experience with Chesterbrook Academy in Vienna (off 7- next to Beulah)? We are considering an all-day school for our soon to be 4 year old.. we also have a 2 year old and were hoping to put both together but it looks like we'll have to wait a year since DC is too young for all day at a private school. If I'm wrong, please let me know- we can travel near Vienna if we can put them both together. I'd rather not put them in separate schools.. thanks

[Anonymous]

Have you visited it? I didn't have a good experience when I looked at it, but I know a family who sent their kids there and liked it. I would look at Green Hedges - they have full-day extended care for PS and upper grades. You also look at Tysons Corner Children's Center on Spring Hill Road.

[Anonymous]

Up until a year or so ago that school was known as Town and Country. I have known families who enrolled their children and the school, but none stayed longer than 2 years.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thanks.. I am leaning towards waiting a year since my youngest will be 3 then (though I would need some place with rolling admission) and my oldest would be almost 5 but not make K cut off age.. any recommendations for this scenario? I'll take any good private school near Vienna/McLean, great Falls, Oakton.. would also need after care (so whole day though who knows- maybe my work will be part-time by then)..

[Anonymous]

I would look at Green Hedges, as I recall they also have a preschool. You could also look at Flint HIll in Oakton, though I do not recall if they offer preschool.

I have known several families that really enjoyed their experience at The Montessori School of McLean. I believe entry age for that school is 3.

[Anonymous]

Had my son at Chesterbrook Academy at 4 years old for pre-k only. Good school, he is well prepared for kindergarten. Recommend it. I assume most people do 2 years, preschool and pre-kindergarten, ages 3 and 4 respectively. My friend has just pulled her children out of Green Hedges. The teachers did not listen to her concerns and her son was miserable because the bad behavior of the children. It's funny how people voice opinions about schools their children have never attended, or they know nothing about.

[Anonymous]

The current director of Town and Country (oops, Chesterbrook Academy Vienna) is wonderful and so is the 1st/2nd grade teacher. They also have bus service and extended day.

Also, you might look at Village Green in Great Falls. It's a pretty great place through K.

Or Brooksfield Academy in McLean - many happy families there.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, this is a bit late but they are actually having and open house today from 10-1.

My DS went there last year and will continue this year. Overall we are happy with the school. Like anywhere there are good things and bad. The quality of the core day (9-4) is good. We were very happy with our teacher and assistant teacher. We have heard good things about the teachers DS will have next year. One thing I really like is that the Chesterbrook community is very international. We have children from many different countries and backgrounds attending the school. Another thing I like which they don't really advertise is the after school enrichment opportunities. In the Fall and Spring they have different classes M-Th that you can pay extra for. They are very reasonable (works out to $10-15 per class) and there is a good selection - art, drama, sports, karate, etc. These are all done by outside vendors. It just makes my life easy and DS gets to do more fun stuff.

As pp stated most kids go for 2 years (preschool and pre-k). They do seem to be getting more K's as people want full day. Then kids mostly go off to their local public school or a private one that goes beyond 2nd grade. This year there were only 6 or 7 kids in the 1st/2nd grade class. I hear the teacher for that is fabulous and the parents loved the small class.

To OP's question, they started one class of 2yo's last year. Children do not have to be potty trained for that class. My child is older so I don't have all the insight into that class. What I would say based on my limited observation is that I would consider it for either a 1/2 day or full day (9-4) without before and after care. The before and after care would be combined with 3 and 4 year olds and I don't think there are enough staff to adequately watch a 2yo. The teachers seemed good in that room. I have seen the assistant in that room in action quite a bit. She is very loving and the children all seem to like her.

I hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

A good friend of mine had her older DD here for K-2. She is going into FCPS GT program for 3rd. (I believe this is a very common exit route from that school.) Her younger son was in preK last year and will be in K next year. She loved it, especially the 1/2 class.

[Anonymous]

PP. I know the nice family you are referring to...the DS was in my DS's class. So yes, true and accurate information.