seeking preschools in NW (AU Park/Tenleytown)

[michelleh]

We just moved to the AU Park/Tenleytown neighborhood of upper NW DC and are looking for a preschool for our 3-year-old son for this fall. In addition to St. Columbus and St. Ann's Academy, what other preschools are in the neighborhood? We're open to all types -- non-religious, moderately religious, Montesorri, not Montesorri.

[Anonymous]

Franklin Montessori on Conn Avenue near Van Ness Metro - www.franklinmontessori.com - 2 1/2 through K
National Presbyterian School on Nebraska Ave - www.nps-dc.org - nursery through 6th grade

[Anonymous]

Metropolitan Methodist on Nebraska; Westmoreland Children's Center on Mass.; and Washington Hebrew Congregation. You should contact these places a.s.a.p. I think many of the deadlines for applying have passed.

[Anonymous]

Spring Valley Montessori on Mass. Ave; Auguste Montessori; I think the Turtle Park also has a preschool.

[Anonymous]

The Livingston Park also has a DC Rec. co-op. And Chevy Chase community center, same thing.

[Anonymous]

chevy chase plaza, CCBC (near friendship heights)

[Anonymous]

My personal experience is that Spring Valley Montessori on Mass. Ave is not an idea school, well, for parents. Let me explain: my child was there, and liked it; most teachers were quite nice. The problem is the principal/director. She's very defensive, and can be abrassive if as a parent, you have a question about an event, or an incident that occurred at her school. She smiles when talking to you, but her words are cold, and attitude lays on the surface.

Also, we just paid second half tuition in December 2007 for this semester, as per her instruction. But barely two weeks later received a letter saying that if you want to continue securing a spot for your child for the next semester, you must pay a non-refundable fee of $750 by mid January 2008. I spoke to other parents in the same school, and found out many are disgusted by this "shake-down" method. I fully understand that a school needs to fill up its spots, and wants parents to committ early. But come on, a non-refundable fee of $750? Compare with other schools, Spring Valley Montessori takes more days off, longer holiday breaks. Plus, they have this late opening, meaning one or two hours delay policy for snow, and RAIN! They certainly have very few attendancy for "late opening" since their regular program is only from 9am to 12 noon, extended stay program lasts until 1pm. So most parents don't want to bother to send their children on these days. Luckily, I do have a full time nanny at home, so it's OK to keep my child at home while I go to work.

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous]My personal experience is that Spring Valley Montessori on Mass. Ave is not an idea school, well, for parents. Let me explain: my child was there, and liked it; most teachers were quite nice. The problem is the principal/director. She's very defensive, and can be abrassive if as a parent, you have a question about an event, or an incident that occurred at her school. She smiles when talking to you, but her words are cold, and attitude lays on the surface.

Also, we just paid second half tuition in December 2007 for this semester, as per her instruction. But barely two weeks later received a letter saying that if you want to continue securing a spot for your child for the next semester, you must pay a non-refundable fee of $750 by mid January 2008. I spoke to other parents in the same school, and found out many are disgusted by this "shake-down" method. I fully understand that a school needs to fill up its spots, and wants parents to committ early. But come on, a non-refundable fee of $750? Compare with other schools, Spring Valley Montessori takes more days off, longer holiday breaks. Plus, they have this late opening, meaning one or two hours delay policy for snow, and RAIN! They certainly have very few attendancy for "late opening" since their regular program is only from 9am to 12 noon, extended stay program lasts until 1pm. So most parents don't want to bother to send their children on these days. Luckily, I do have a full time nanny at home, so it's ok to keep my child at home while I go to work. I can only imagine how difficult it would be for the parents who are not prepare for such days.


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[Anonymous]

FWIW, I visited Spring Valley Montessori shortly before it opened and chose not to apply because I found the director to be very cold and not particularly responsive to my concerns I have also seen the children at Turtle Park on many occasions, and I have not been impressed with the quality of teacher supervision.

[Anonymous]

I met someone who's child was at Spring Valley and the school did not pick up on a learning disability that St. Columba's later (the next school year) saw immediately....

[Anonymous]

is st columba easy to get into for a family living in the neighborhood? any feedback?

[Anonymous]

Not for the morning sessions, there are many many siblings, and parish members get priority. The afternoon sessions are easier to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I met someone who's child was at Spring Valley and the school did not pick up on a learning disability that St. Columba's later (the next school year) saw immediately....

I have to add to this thread about Spring Valley Montessori. I visited there last year and I was horrified by the director's demeanor. I visited nine schools - all with way stronger reputations than SPM - and I've never seen anyone as cold and strangely snobby as the director there. After leaving the open house, I had to laugh because my playroom is larger than her whole facility - and has more interactive toys and art too.

I would hate to think of my innocent child being introduced to the real world through her and her school. I still feel very strongly that something was very wrong there.

[Anonymous]

PP, We didn't even get that far! After my three attempts to email and phone for more info went without response, I gave up even trying to find out about Spring Valley.

DS currently goes to Montessori School of Chevy Chase. It is a low key school with a strong community feel, a very nice mix of ethnicities and cultures, and a warm teaching staff. We're quite happy there.