This is an excellent art school for my daughter, Jessie! She has done some wonderful pieces since…read moreshe got here. Her teacher Mrs. Andreia is a wonderful art teacher. And I'm super fortunate for having my daughter here.

I've been extremely happy with US Arts. Our children have been taking classes there for nearly…read morethree years, and we've been consistently impressed by the curriculum, the well-structured lessons, the high quality of instruction, and the school's efficient management. Our kids have very busy schedules with many extracurricular activities, but US Arts has been incredibly flexible with scheduling regular classes and makeup lessons. The availability of classes throughout the summer also makes it easy to continue learning year-round. Overall, we feel that the program offers exceptional value and is well worth the investment.

Last year I took the "Tile, Grout, and Thinset" class with the DIY Academy. It was a fantastic…read moreexperience and it gave me the confidence to fix up one of the smaller bathrooms at my house. With my master bathroom repair-and-renovation looming, I wanted to expand my knowledge base more, and Rich and the DIY Academy were once again there to help. Instead of a class, I participated in the volunteering arm of the program and assisted in the demolition and subfloor preparation of an actual master bathroom. It was a whole day of cutting, grinding, smashing, and trashing, but it certainly affirmed the old maxim, "The best way to learn is to do." A lot of times it seems educators in any field see fit to show and tell, but not so here. Rich was always there to supervise and provide support, but it was apparent that he was dedicated to having the student learn by action and not by observation. His methods provided a great blend of experience-based learning and direct instruction. Being able to take part in each process necessary to strip a room down to its bones eliminated two obstacles that scare off most homeowners from attempting to do their own renovation work. First, it removed the mystery of a home's construction: every layer of material holding the old bathroom together could be seen and held. Second, it provided some level of expectation: now having seen how the various surfaces and materials are held together, I know my own bathroom's construction will not be terribly far off. This all works together to establish a sort of baseline muscle memory for the work to be done in the future. This was another great experience with DIY Academy and I hope more such opportunities arise in the future!

What an energizing place...a space for community to gather, learn, grow. I went to a fall festival…read moreof sorts at the Grounds of Livev and it was lovely. Plenty of parking, then a short walk down a path led into this pasture where there was a band playing and lots of unique vendors set up. I also walked around the grounds and it was so calming and peaceful. Met the co-owner Celeste and she's a powerhouse! So cool how she and a partner built out this concept--looking forward to coming back for more events.

The Grounds of Livev is a community space in the heart of Oakton where you can connect with over…read moreart, cooking, yoga, meditation, and much more! The state of the world and motherhood has heightened my anxiety over the past few months so I was feeling completely frazzled and fried when I walked into my block printing class. Two hours later ... I felt like an actual person again! The experience was a lot cheaper than a therapy session and to be honest, a whole lot more fun. There is something about learning something new, making art (good or bad!), and connecting with neighbors of all walks of life that really fills your cup. The comfy little cabin, green pastures, and little menagerie of horses, baby goats, and llamas helped as well. The Grounds of Livev just opened with plans to expand into an event space, gardening center, and more over the next few years. I am so excited to have found such a wonderful little space that is not too far from home to relax, learn, and grow. We got to meet the owner and several of her family members, and they are very passionate about creating a space for the community. They offer classes for children and adults, so there truly is something for everyone here.

Dark Horse Theatre Company is one of those rare spots that nails both the entertainment and the…read moreatmosphere. The improv shows are clever and hilarious, the performers clearly have real chemistry and skill. And what keeps us coming back is how welcoming everything feels. No negativity, no aggressive humor, just good people making each other laugh. If you want to support local theater that's actually doing it right, this is your place. Whether you're a comedy lover or just looking for a fun night out in a space where you feel genuinely welcome, Dark Horse delivers.

Great little theater in the round. I enjoyed the play about…read moreMatthew Shepard. I would go back again to see more plays.

My wife and I signed up our son for two summer camp classes. One for minecraft and one for Roblox…read more My son loved it sooooo much. Everyday he would talk about what he did at camp and what he planned to do tomorrow at camp (it was a coding/design camp). My son loved how the counselors were teenagers who shared the same passion as him and coached him on how to develop maps better. Very nice faculty too where adults can sit in a hallway with a huge glass window and can see what the kids are all doing without disturbing them. Great faculty and staff!

We are so grateful we found Mother's Touch. We've been bringing our daughter here for over a year,…read moreand from day one, we've felt confident that she is not only well cared for, but truly loved. As a parent, there's nothing more reassuring than knowing your child is spending her days with people who genuinely care about her. Every afternoon, we pick up a happy little girl, and that peace of mind is priceless. We also appreciate the structure and consistency they provide. She has a great balance of playtime, naps, outdoor activities, learning, and downtime throughout the day, and it's clear she thrives on the routine. Having meals and snacks provided is another huge benefit and one less thing to worry about as busy parents. The daycare is always full, which speaks volumes about the trust families place in them. After more than a year here, we're so happy with our experience that we'll be keeping our daughter here for another year. We feel incredibly fortunate to have found such a warm, caring place for her to grow and thrive.

We cannot recommend this daycare enough! Afrooz and her amazing assistants have created a warm,…read morenurturing environment that feels like family. The care and attention each child receives is unmatched. Afrooz and her team are genuinely invested in the development of every child. Our kids have learned so much socially, emotionally, and academically here. What truly sets Mother's Touch apart is the personal connection. Afrooz and her team go above and beyond to ensure each child feels loved and supported. They communicate openly with parents, celebrate milestones, and create such a positive and safe space that it feels like an extension of home. We often have to convince our kids to go home at the end of the day because they don't want to leave! We are so grateful for everything Mother's Touch Daycare has done for our children and highly recommend it to any family looking for exceptional care. Thank you, Afrooz and team, for everything you do!

Dear Learning Paths Dominion Valley!…read more We wanted to reach out and say thank you to the Baby Steps II teachers and the Administrative staff at Learning Paths Dominion Valley! We love the attention to detail and the fun ways our daughter is kept engaged! The overall communication is great and it is apparent the team has a very strong leadership with Ms. Tina! We loved this daycare so much we have recommend it to all of our friends in the area with small children. Thank you again for everyone's hard-work and genuine love for our child!

I have been working at Minnieland Academy at Dominion Valley for 9 years now. When I tell you that…read morethis learning facility is amazing, it's more than just words. The staff, families, and most importantly, the children, have helped me grow and become the best version of myself. I have learned so much in my time here that has helped me not only in my career, but in my personal life as well. I have built lasting friendships and relationship with some of the families and staff, and it always warms my heart to see these children's smiling faces every morning. This is the most gratifying career I could have chosen, and I cannot imagine doing anything else or being anywhere else. The love and kindness that radiates from the teachers here is beyond measure. The pride they take in their jobs as educators is expansive. I am so proud to be a part of this team

Amazing teachers. My kids have been going here since they opened love their teachers at this…read moredaycare.

Great price Celebree School of Bristow has been an amazing…read moreexperience for our family. The teachers are warm, patient, and genuinely care about every child. The classrooms are bright, clean, and full of hands-on learning activities that keep the kids engaged all day. Communication from the staff is always clear and consistent, which gives us a lot of peace of mind as parents. We've watched our child grow in confidence, independence, and curiosity since joining Celebree. It truly feels like a second home where the staff knows each child's personality and helps them reach their full potential. We couldn't be happier with the care and education our child receives here!