Outdoor-based school in DC proper

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's "DC Proper"?

Address includes:

Washington, DC [zip code]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

You probably should have looked into this before buying your house. Unfortunately in this area, you cannot simultaneously demand a bespoke private preschool for your child and have a philosophical objection to a commute. Also if by "the Park" you mean Rock Creek Park, it's not really set up the way you might be thinking for something like an outdoors preschool. It's basically a ravine with a busy commuting road and creek running through it. Some nice spots for hiking but not like parks in California.

Actually, OP's kids are too old for it, but Franklin Montessori does use the Soapstone Valley in Rock Creek off of Albemarle street daily for its "Beyond the Walls Program" and the Audubon Naturalist Society has a nature preschool at Woodend. St. Columba's preschool is also very outdoor oriented.

Though public, Murch uses the outdoors as a classroom more than most schools's I've researched. Apparently a lot of parents are scientists.

Beauvior also makes use of the beautiful Cathedral grounds and Olmsted trail for recess and some science (daily while the playground was under construction; less now).

Is Franklin still doing its Beyond the Walls program? I thought the curriculum was changed after they left a kid behind earlier this year.

[Anonymous]

Jessica Lee came from California when she accepted the HoS position at Sheridan.

Mountain Campus definitely hasn't been sold.

Mountain Campus (which is in Virginia, not West Virginia) can be a great outdoor experience, but the kids start out going one night a year. Even the 8th graders end up spending at most 5-6 nights a year.

It isn't like they go out there every week.

It is a fairly rustic experience which is great if that is what you want. Some kids love it and some kids hate it with a passion.

[Anonymous]

Audubon Nature Preschool recently started a Forest Kindergarten program. It is not in DC proper, but isn't too far up Beach Drive into Maryland.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's "DC Proper"?

Address includes:

Washington, DC [zip code]

Then say "Washington." It's simpler and actually the name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jessica Lee came from California when she accepted the HoS position at Sheridan.

Mountain Campus definitely hasn't been sold.

Mountain Campus (which is in Virginia, not West Virginia) can be a great outdoor experience, but the kids start out going one night a year. Even the 8th graders end up spending at most 5-6 nights a year.

It isn't like they go out there every week.

It is a fairly rustic experience which is great if that is what you want. Some kids love it and some kids hate it with a passion.

When will they finish the new playground?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's "DC Proper"?

Address includes:

Washington, DC [zip code]

Then say "Washington." It's simpler and actually the name.

Exactly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's "DC Proper"?

Address includes:

Washington, DC [zip code]

Then say "Washington." It's simpler and actually the name.

Exactly!

this doesn't work in practice.

see, e.g., every single thread asking "Moving to Washington (with 2 kids) (with$600K budget), where should we live??"

Answer: Burke, Va! Olney! Falls Church! Hyattsville! Rockville!


our buburban neighbors are the ones who aren't sure what "Washington" or "DC" means. Ask an actual District resident for a recommendation for a sushi place "in DC" and he'll never respond, "oh, there's a fantastic place I know in Arlington."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - my partner and I both feel that a lengthy commute would sort of go against the outdoor philosophy we are going for so we're only looking in DC proper. We purchased a home in Forrest Hills adjacent to the Park (moving in May from the Bay area) and we're hoping for something close by. I'm a little surprised that there is not such a school in relatively close proximity! Definitely sounds like an opportunity for the right educator.

[Anonymous]

Potomac? Not in DC, but the bus system takes your commute out of the equation.