Feedback on St. Luke's Catholic preschool and Country Day School?

[Anonymous]

Hi there! Appreciate any feedback on St. Luke's Catholic preschool and the Country Day School in McLean / Langley? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi there! Appreciate any feedback on St. Luke's Catholic preschool and the Country Day School in McLean / Langley? Thank you!

They are very different schools. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Have you visited the schools?

I don’t have experience with St. Luke’s preschool, but my understanding is that unless you are a church member it’s very hard to get a spot. They gladly accepted our application knowing full well that they would not have a spot for non-church members. I would make sure to ask lots of questions before you apply to confirm space and availability.

Country day has great facilities, the quality of teachers has decreased over the last couple of years. Historically teachers had masters degrees and was very well versed in early childhood education. Many of the new teachers are very young with limited experience and no masters. It is very expensive, I’m not sure it is worth the price tag anymore. You have to apply and submit essays, which is ridiculous for a preschool. They make it seem like it’s very competitive, I’m not sure if it really is. You should visit one of the open houses, to make sure it is the type of vibe you’re looking for. Most of the families have significant amount of wealth.

[Anonymous]

Other preschool options in McLean include:

Brooksfield School on Kirby Rd
Lewinsville Montessori on Great Falls St
Montessori School of McLean on Kirby Road
Westgate Children’s Center on Great Falls St

Lewinsville and Westgate rent space in the same Fairfax County building, but are entirely separate (and different) schools. Each has its own fenced outdoor play area.

[Anonymous]

I believe that Brooksfield is closing. Country Day is a nice school but there have been some issues through the years. I think its a bit teacher dependent on how good the experience is. I cannot comment on St. Lukes

[Anonymous]

OP: Any idea what the issues were at Country day?

[Anonymous]

Brooksfield's web site says they are open and their admissions web page remains active. They have a busy drop off line in the mornings.

Why would anyone think they are closing ?

[Anonymous]

They lost their lease for next year is what I heard. There was a post in the neighborhood listserve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They lost their lease for next year is what I heard. There was a post in the neighborhood listserve.

Is that Episcopal church closing? I drive by on Sundays and they superficially appear to have declining Sunday service attendance.

I am mindful that the Methodist church has closed 2 of their churches in McLean. One of the closed Methodist churches (which also was on Kirby) was sold to a different Montessori school. Charles Wesley church, closer to McLean HS, appears to be closed and in some kind of mothball status.

[Anonymous]

Country day is sadly not what it used to be. They’ve had turnover with admin and teachers are so inexperienced and absent/high turnover. Not happy with our family’s experience and many other families are extremely upset.

[Anonymous]

Brooksfield School is not closing. They are relocating to Lewinsville Presbyterian Church (Chain Bridge Rd at Great Falls St) starting Fall 2025.