Down to earth, play-based, preschool and non-elitist private school recs for Bethesda/NW

[Anonymous]

I honestly wouldn't move to Bethesda - move to NW. The natural for you would be School for Friends, then Sheridan or Lowell. there's also the Barrie School, which is Montessori.

If you're willing to live in VA, there are many great public schools. More choices than I know what to do with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi -- I am someone looking for essentially everything the OP is looking for (although open to a "flexible" montessorri as well) and felt I knew the short-lists, Lowell, Outdoor Nursery, School for Friends, Harbor, maybe Takoma Children's for playbased, and Apple, Manor or Franklin for Montessori.....BUT I think we will be moving from CC out to Rockville in the next 6 months and I'll need to start my research all over again. Any Rockville folks that can help me?

I'm in Rockville and am looking for schools similar to the ones listed above. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I am director of Chevy Chase Reggio, a Reggio-Emilia inspired preschool for children 2-5 years old. The OP to this thread (all the way from last year) certainly summarized some of the wonderful things about the Reggio Emilia approach. We are having an open house on November 7 from 10 am to 2 pm. Please visit and bring your child. We are at 6705 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD. The website is www.ChevyChaseReggio.com and you can reach me at [e-mail]. Hope to see meet you. Patricia

[Anonymous]

We're at St. John's in Georgetown (Reggio) and love it. Yes, it is housed inside a church, but is very independent. The kids go to chapel once a month, but so far they've been read a (secular) story and have sung some (marginally secular) songs. I'm not bothered by it. Beyond that, the activities and emphasis are very progressive.

[Anonymous]

Suburban Nursery School. A small coop in Bethesda. Awesome place and it offers sibling sitting. We've been there 6 years (2 kids) and have loved every minute!

[Anonymous]

Little Folks is Georgetown is terrific. It's not Montessori, but they incorporate some of the basics of the method (mixed-aged classes, a fair amount of self-directed work, many of the Montessori toys). It's secular and private as well.

[Anonymous]

Consider Outdoor Nursery School in Chevy Chase, MD. Not Reggio but meets your other criteria and is IMO what preschool should be.

[Anonymous]

Are there any other Reggio inspired schools in the DC/MD area? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

DC JCC on 16th in Dupont Circle is Reggio-inspired. If you go now, you will see a gallery of the children's art work on display.

Fantastic preschool. Non-elitist in the sense that although the parents tend to be very well educated, they mostly live in Dupont/Logan and work for not-for-profits.