We're finishing up our fourth year at PGDS, and my son is going to start soon (my nephew is there…read moretoo). I can't say enough good things about this place (and I even waited four years to write a review just to be sure). For starters, though, there is a good chance you need to know this: the preschools in this area are fantastic. Your child will be fine, and you're doing a good job. I looked at 12 schools before choosing this place for my daughter who has a September birthday and misses the MCPS cut off (little did I realize how big a deal this is). I almost didn't consider this school because it has a Christian affiliation and my family is half Muslim and also not religious. Surprisingly, I found this school to be just the right amount of religious (do charity, be a good person, take pics with Santa) and non of the crazy things I thought it would be (like the documentary Jesus Camp). I was also surprised to find that the student body was very ethnically and even a little religiously diverse. When I was looking at schools, I really wanted a preschool as opposed to a daycare, and that is what this school is. My daughter would start class in September and stay there and have the same teacher all year. (Camp was more flexible, but we also loved that experience too!) The teacher retention at this school is incredible. Another thing, they are not strict about potty training by a young age in order for your child to move up a grade. (This is an important thing, but I didn't realize it would be when I was looking at schools.) So, back to my point about the September birthday, this school has a fabulous transitional kindergarten for kiddos born too late to go to MCPS, but too old to be in pre-K again. It was the perfect thing for my kiddo, and I'm grateful that her teachers (in all the grades) focused on not just learning but fun, kindness, understanding emotions and being a good community member. The families that attend here are fun too, and an added bonus to my daughter making friends is that I did too.

My son has attended PGDS from 3 years old - Transitional Kindergarten. My daughter is currently…read moreattending Pre-K here. I am so glad I found this school. The most important factor to me is that I feel comfortable leaving my kids here and I know that they are in good trusted hands. All the teachers they have had so far are amazing. Our favorites are Miss Gina, Leslie, Indira and Megan. The office staff (Bekah, Jackie and Angela) are very accommodating to our needs. Miss Karen who runs the aftercare is a gem. My children come home with a good balance of learning and playtime. There is a good mixture of History, Geography, Math, Science, and Reading in the curriculum. Their facility is clean. Their tuition rate is competitive as well. My daughter gets extremely excited when she knows she is going to school. The only con is that their Spring and Winter breaks do not align with MCPS.

When I lived in Bethesda when my son was 3 years old, I toured Harbor School along with 40 other…read moreBethesda area schools (that's not a typo, actually 40), and Harbor school was my favorite of the 40 for early childhood education. I have 17 years of experience as a recruiter (mainly Microsoft, now Nike) and am honed in evaluating talent -- with schools, checking everything out, the student art on the walls, how the kids look, how the teachers interact with the children, how the environment feels, all of it. Harbor School is a special place in that the teachers are really exceptional -- exceptional care for the students, expertise, there's a healthy genuine feel to the school, the students look good. It's not a fancy hyper modern place, but note that it also doesn't come with a fancy hyper modern 40k tuition price tag. The school is real, and I think a gem. Sadly for us, we moved too far away from it, in Middleburg VA now. Our 6 year old is a bit school avoiding and so I recently called up Harbor School, where our dear friends with a 6yr old and 3 yr old attend, and I asked Andrea if she would be willing to tour me and my son again, let him be in the classroom of his best friend, let him see how his younger friend, the 3 year old, is also in school. She was gracious in allowing it, I spent a beautiful 15 minutes in the pre-k class, 2 students productive and engaged at each station. The 2 teachers were lovely, on the ball, inclusive to my son, it was just a wonderful visit. One of the teachers with 27 years of experience at the school. We got to see the art room, music room, the maker room with loads of hands-on crafts, and we spent 15 minutes outside at the playground in the back -- lovely space. You could pay more for a school, and help fund facilities that go with it, but common sense would advise checking out this lovely school that has keen focus on what matters most: recruitment of wonderful staff. I also valued the small teacher to student ratio I saw, which set the whole thing up for success. In terms of kindness/sensitivity/expert knowledge at the younger years, I'm definitely impressed with Harbor School. End of day, I think a young child benefits most from being surrounded by excellent compassionate teachers vs a shiny perfect gym that some schools with higher tuition offer. Apparently Harbor School is moving in a year, but I think this is a school that would be worth chasing after wherever nearby they relocate to. Being at Harbor School again yesterday I literally contemplated could we reasonably do the drive from Middleburg...sigh. But for Bethesda area parents you're in a lucky situation feels like to me, wherever they move, because they are taking their teachers and philosophy and humane student:teacher ratio with them.

A wonderful, caring school. It's a great foundation for young learners. The teachers are very…read moreexperienced, caring and kind. Students are embraced. Each child gets a lot of individual attention. They feel accepted and comfortable, so they truly learn and form meaningful relationships. The student-teacher ratio is amazing and makes such a big difference. They are up to date on growth mindset, mindfulness, hands on learning, flexible classroom space and sitting options, inquiry based learning, use of technology, etc. It's a traditional school with an innovative learning program. It has structure, but it is personalized and flexible to accomodate each student. We are in our final year at the Harbor School and very sad to be leaving this wonderful place.

Great and affordable cooperative nursery school with helpful, caring, and nurturing preschool…read moreteachers and staff! Highly recommend Rockville Community Nursery School (RCNS)!

What a wonderful co-op preschool! My son is in the 3's class with Ms. Sofya this year and we…read morecouldn't be happier! What we love about this school is that they offer a 5 day/week program with an aftercare "lunch bunch" option. (They also have a 2, 3, or 4 day per/week option). So, my son has school from 9:30 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. Monday-Friday. I don't think that any other co-op in Rockville has this much schooling for the 3's age group. Another great thing about this preschool is that they have the option to BUY OUT of the co-oping duties! This year is especially busy for my family because we also have an 8 month old baby and we are very limited on time. (I love this school's flexibility!!) RCNS' location is beautiful. It is surrounded by wonderful green space and a fun playground! My son enjoys playing there with his friends when his aftercare is finished. (During this time, I enjoy socializing with the other parents!) In all, I would highly recommend this preschool for parents looking for a co-op with a more flexible schooling option! We are so happy that we decided to come here!

Our family has had the incredible fortune of having both our kids attend Falls Church Preschool &…read morePre-k (Falls Church Location) over the past 5-6 years, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Both my children have attended for the past 5-6 years, and every single year has reinforced why we chose this school in the first place. From the moment you walk in, you can feel that this is a place built around genuine care for children -- not just a place that watches them, but one that truly loves and nurtures them. The teachers are, without exaggeration, incredible. They are patient, warm, endlessly encouraging, and clearly love what they do. Our kids have always come home excited to talk about their day, which says a lot about how engaged and happy they feel in the classroom. Every teacher we've encountered over the years has treated our children as individuals, celebrating their personalities and helping them grow at their own pace. Academically and developmentally, the program is exceptionally well-rounded. The kids are exposed to a wonderful mix of cultural activities, practical life skills, and physical education, all woven into a curriculum that keeps them engaged and constantly learning. They even take French lessons, which has been such a lovely bonus and has sparked genuine curiosity in our kids about language and other cultures. The school also puts on the most adorable productions -- dance recitals, music performances -- and you can tell real time and heart goes into preparing the kids for these events. It's clear the staff wants every child to feel proud and included, regardless of skill level. It has been fun to see my children during the first one to the last one and see how they come out of their shell more too. Physical activity and outdoor time are also a big priority. The kids get to play outside frequently, including daily time outside to the nearby park, which gives them plenty of fresh air, movement, and unstructured play time -- something we really value. One thing that stands out most to us also is how seriously the school takes safety and security. Every policy and procedure feels thoughtfully designed with the children's well-being in mind, from secure drop-off and pick-up protocols to how the classrooms and outdoor spaces are supervised. As a parent, it's reassuring to know that safety isn't an afterthought here -- it's built into everything they do. This has been especially meaningful for us because our son has a food allergy. The school has been outstanding in how they manage it -- from clear communication with staff, to careful attention during snack and lunch times, to making sure substitute teachers and staff are all aware and prepared. We've never once felt anxious dropping him off, which is not something we can say about every environment he's been in. On top of all of this, communication from Mrs. Elena has been excellent throughout our entire experience. Whether it's daily updates, event reminders, or larger updates about policies or schedules, we've always felt informed and included as parents. Overall, this school has played such a meaningful role in our children's early years. I felt compelled to write this review, which I don't do often, given how awesome this school and teachers are! We are endlessly grateful for the teachers and Mrs. Elena (and Ken) for an incredible school they've built, and we would recommend this school without hesitation to any family looking for a nurturing, safe, and enriching environment for their children. My son graduates to Kindergarten at the end of August and I very sad to leave as we have grown so close!

My son has loved his time in daycare here. It's a warm and welcoming environment with attention to…read moreroutine, playtime, and enrichment through daily activities as well as imaginative play. I've never seen him adapt so quickly to a childcare center - or be so proud of his budding skills (putting shoes on, packing his book bag). We especially love the great use of the local park for their outdoor time. All the teachers are professionals and form great bonds with their students.

We just graduated from Manor, and we couldn't be happier with our experience. Our daughter started…read morein the toddler program when she was 2 and then spent two years in primary. It's hard to believe how much she has grown since the day she walked in! The teachers were all incredible. My daughter still talks about how much she loves them. The academics here are amazing, as well. I feel like my daughter is way ahead of some of her peers, reading before she's even entering kindergarten. The administration has also been wonderful. The front office is always so friendly and helpful. What we loved most was that this felt like a place where our daughter was known. I've met a lot of friends myself through Manor, as well. We are so grateful for the years we had here and would recommend this school to anyone!

Manor has been such a great fit for my daughter. The teachers truly care about each child and take…read morethe time to understand their personalities and how they learn best. You can tell they genuinely want every child to succeed and feel confident. My daughter absolutely loves Miss Maureen and her assistants. She talks about them all the time, and it's obvious how much Miss Maureen cares about her students. We're honestly not sure what we're going to do without her when our daughter graduates! Knowing she has had a teacher who has made such a positive impact on her means so much to our family. We've been so happy with our experience at Manor and would recommend it to any family looking for a warm, caring, and true Montessori school.

How my heart sings when I think of Geneva Day School! The warmest, most kind, caring, and…read moreconscientious environment for little scholars to learn and grow. . . Am proud to have family as "graduates" of both the preschool and extracurricular activities. Am thrilled to have visited on many occasions, most especially for family events. I love the emphasis on Art, Mindfulness, Environmental Education, and Physical Education. Such traditional, pre-academic training (known to us as the "Geneva Method") is shaped by passionate professionals who love what they do and, yes, love the children. . . I am especially touched by the beautiful curation of Monarch Butterfly gardens; this Maryland Green School campus promotes environmentalism and invites exploration at every turn. . . I cannot recommend more highly this hidden gem of Potomac. Much gratitude for all you do!

Geneva day school is an expensive glorified daycare. My child is okay. But, I wanted to post this…read morereview to alert other parents because most have no clue what is going on in the school. I was impressed by the brochure and website. But, when I asked my child if you did this...or did you do that?....based on the brochure. Answer was no, no...nothing, none of those! So, they are very good at marketing with fancy flyers and brochures but sadly nothing is going on. If your child is underdeveloped....can i assure you it is likely due to this school. We had made this mistake before when we thought oh...we are paying solid $$$, so probably kid will have solid fun and development. We paid solid $$$, but we got just minimum daycare from Geneva. We have seen some really good programs....so we have very good perspective on when schools are just for minting money and when school really put 100% or 200% effort to help with child development. Cmon guys....it is not hard. At least, do what you say in your brochure. How hard is it to give some bubbles, playdoh, slime or bug catching kit to kids? They cost pennies. If you will just leave the kids in the playground for free play all day....that does not help with their development. My child just reported me that some kids were CRYING ALL DAY!!!! Seriously? Where is the money going?

I recommend this school to everyone that is looking for a serious and true Montessori program. In…read moreMD any school that claims to be Montessori has to be approved by the state and has to have at least one Montessori-trained teacher. However, I have heard parents complain sending kids to Montessori is a waste of money because it's just a name to sell the school. So, not all state-approved Montessori programs have good quality of education. So being aware not all schools are the same, I toured 3 Montessori schools: Lone Oak, Manor and the Woods Academy. I found the Lone Oak Montessori on AMI website and Woods academy on AMS website. Manor was recommended by other parents and it seems to be a popular choice when it comes to Montessori preschools in Bethesda area. I took my 3-year-old son with me to all the tours and he loved the Woods the best because we were allowed to walk into the classroom and had very brief interactions with the students and teachers, to observe and also play some toys in the classroom while parents were talking to the director, Mrs. Gerber- who is very knowledgeable and experienced about Montessori programs and part of the reason we chose Montessori is because of her expertise and experience. After the tour, my son wanted to go back the next day because the classroom was just so fun and interesting for little kids. My son is happy every day and cannot wait to tell me what he learned in school. The teachers encourage independence, good manners, trying new things/food, healthy snacks, and creativity. They are caring and loving but also very firm when giving instructions. My son learns new things/facts each day and not just merely playing with expensive toys. For instance, he came home one day start singing "The family of the Sun," and talked about all the facts he learned about planets and I was amazed. And three weeks later, he started to learn the sounds of alphabets and try to read! The teacher told me she would advance any student if s/he is ready so there is no need to wait till 4 or 5 to learn how to read. The other pluses but not major factors are- 1) facility, it's a school so it has it's own gym, music/art classrooms, library, and playground. It's very spacious, clean and well-maintained. 2) it has PE, music and art classes once a week for 30 minutes. The school has a very strong art program. 3) faculty and staff are very friendly and they know student by names. I felt that students are given a lot of attention because of its small classroom size. The only downside is the tuition. It is about $2K more than other schools I checked/toured. We've been happy with our choice and would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good preschool in Bethesda. If you want more information about the Montessori program, check out the blog: http://woodsmontessori.blogspot.com/

This is a very good private school in the Potomac and Bethesda area. I went here for Montessori…read morethrough 8th grade and loved my experience here. There were incredible resources and the teachers were awesome! I definitely recommend looking here for your child.

Great school, caring teachers, and quality activities. Our son is starting his 2nd year and we have…read moreseen great changes in him. He knows his letters and numbers and is socializing great with kids his age. We plan on sending our daughter next year. What my wife and I really love about the school is the teachers, who genuinely care for the kids. We also like the other children and parents. It's a great and positive environment.

New Day Preschool is a small school but it has fantastic teachers! A big concern I had after…read moremoving here from Chicago was how competitive it is to be in the Wootton high school district. But the Pre-K teacher has not only made school fun, but really prepared my son for kindergarten. The 2 year old and 3 year old teachers are so patient and caring! They have curbside drop off and pick up, it's SO convenient not having to take my baby out of the car twice a day especially when it's cold outside! They have Chapel with the Pastor twice a month, where they learn Bible stories, sing worship songs, and donate money to buy mosquito nets for children in Africa. The tuition is really reasonable compared to many other preschools in this area. I'm excited to send all of my kids here!

The Brooksfield school provides a welcoming environment for children in a small and personable…read moreatmosphere. We have looked at other comparable schools in the area and were impressed with Brooksfield due to its smaller size and friendly staff. The school is well run and our child loves going there.

Our son has benefited greatly from his years at Brooksfield School. The educators are exceptional…read more- personable and caring, encouraging each child to learn and grow. My son was consistently exposed to a myriad of topics that were not on the curriculum at his associated public school. His education was differentiated based on his strengths and opportunity areas. The curriculum is so well rounded! Art, art history, movement, meditation, gardening, music and rhythm, reading, spelling, mathematics, manipulatives, etc. He learned independence, social skills and practical skills along with strong academics. All this within a welcoming school and parent community.

Very excellent school for learning and interacting!!! Great teachers. Great students and…read moreenvironment.

My little girl is in the pre-school here and she LOVES it. Like runs to school when she gets there,…read moretalks about wanting to go on the weekend loves it. The teachers there are so wonderful and caring, and it has been a delight for our whole family and so enriching and positive for my little girl. The school as a whole has the smaller, family oriented feel and there are two teachers per classroom for pre-k. It's a great transition for kiddies who haven't been in daycare before, and our teachers Mrs. Young and Ms. Glerum are the best!