Please recommend your half day preschool for a 3 year old in DC

[Anonymous]

I'm starting to look in to preschool options for my DC who will be 3 next year, and am feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the options.....and the $$$! I'm a SAHM so would prefer a half day program. I'm aware of the DPR co-operative play program but would appreciate hearing about some other options in DC. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

NCRC is the fantastic. You will pay a price but you will not find a more professional, well run, or better school in DC.

[Anonymous]

Where in DC are you, OP?

[Anonymous]

Can't begin to describe how much we love, and feel loved at, St. Johns. Best decision we ever made.

NCRC is very different, but I've also heard good things about it. Look at Aidan as well if you're open to Montessori - we were very impressed when we went through their application process.

If you're in the Chevy Chase, DC, there are several good church-based preschools there. CCBC, CCPC, CCUMC, etc.

Good luck. If you want to do any of the competitive admit programs (like the first three listed above), you need to get started signing up for tours..

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for the responses. I will look in to all of the suggestions. We are downtown near Metro Center, so can get to most places quite easily. Capitol Hill would be good for us but so would somewhere on the red line.

[Anonymous]

Check out St. Columba Nursery School. They have a really great program. It is really great for boys. I have a son there and he absolutely loves it! The girls in his class seem to as well. They have the best playground in DC. The parents are friendly and totally laid back. I really can't think of a negative at all.

[Anonymous]

De Colores is nice.

[Anonymous]

So far we like Franklin Montessori, which is by the Van Ness Metro station.

[Anonymous]

Don't waste your time and money applying to St. John's - last year there were 21 parishioners and siblings (who get preference) for the 16 3 year old spots. They hold open one - yes, one - spot for a non-sibling, non-parishioner. Those are terrible odds.

[Anonymous]

I have also heard that the kids love St Johns but St. Johns is having leadership problems at the church (not the preschool though the two are linked) this year. The rector Albert Scariato was ousted this summer due to a power struggle at the church. The last I heard the school was trying to separate from the church so things may not be so stable there this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't waste your time and money applying to St. John's - last year there were 21 parishioners and siblings (who get preference) for the 16 3 year old spots. They hold open one - yes, one - spot for a non-sibling, non-parishioner. Those are terrible odds.

Agree the odds are tough, but they don't expect this year to be anywhere near as tight as last. Last year was record-setting and terrible for all involved. Highly stressful for those families applying with younger sibs, especially.

Yes, the Rector is changing, but that has very little impact on the school. We see the Rector or Assistant Rector once a month for chapel. There is no revenue or profit sharing, so I don't think the impact is anywhere nearly as bad as 10:41 makes it out to be. Besides, the school administration and vestry have a great, warm relationship.

[Anonymous]

We really loved Georgetown Montessori.

[Anonymous]

you could also check out Concord Hill if it's not too far for you