We love and trust Mater Amoris Montessori School! The huge wooded campus combined with the…read moreexceptionally practiced AMI Montessori education cannot be beat. Hiking trails, a creek, child-tended gardens, chickens, rolling hills for sledding, multiple playgrounds, and fresh air from being out in the countryside! Knowledgeable, passionate, hardworking, and kind educators who are experts in their craft in warm and inspiring classroom spaces filled with natural light. You could not find a more nurturing, stimulating, or respectful place for your child to grow. Alumni all over the DMV truly become misty-eyed when recalling their formative years at this school. We are in our fifth year at Mater Amoris, with children at the primary and elementary levels. As a mom of three and an AMI-trained Montessori guide, I am delighted that our family has found our place. We are excited and grateful about many more years to come at Mater Amoris Montessori School and in their wholesome and engaging school community!

Our kids started at Mater Amoris in 2018, and we have felt so fortunate to have this community be…read moretheir educational home in the years since. The school has many special traditions, an excellent Montessori curriculum, and wonderful faculty and staff. Our oldest is now on the middle school program for seventh and eighth graders, and is excited to tell us about his day which is a rare treat from a pre-teen! Our younger is in the upper elementary class that includes 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, and he is learning new skills daily while having the opportunity to help younger students while himself getting support from older students. The setting is idyllic and in winter the sledding hill is legendary. Highly recommend Mater Amoris.

Absolute gem of a school. We've had 2 girls that graduated from here and their academics and…read moresocialization have exceeded our expectations. They are ahead of their peers and more importantly have developed into caring and compassionate children. Both Ms Burkhardt and Mrs Jones are exceptional teachers who really care for their students. Our girls loved going to school here and we couldn't have found a better fit for them. Casa also has a wonderful before and after care program that is super flexible and provides a safe and fun environment outside of the classroom. This school has our highest recommendation and provides so much more flexibility and care than other preschools we've visited.

When we started searching for a preschool for our oldest daughter over 5 years ago, I stumbled on…read moreCasa on a local blog. We went to an Open House and within 5 minuted I knew this was where our kids would go. We met Mrs. Burkhardt and Mrs. Jones and could immediately tell how much they cared about the kids. We loved that it was a family run school and that their teachers and staff had worked there for decades. We put in an application on the spot and didn't look at any other schools. Our oldest daughter loved her 3 years and Casa and her younger sister couldn't wait to get to Casa. Now their brother is anxiously awaiting his turn. Casa is truly like a family. Our kids have had Mrs. Burkhardt, Mrs. Jones and Ms. Burkhardt and each one of them is a fantastic, caring teacher. Everyone at Casa clearly cares about all of the kids. I appreciate that they have pushed our girls to try harder and tailored their work to what they are interested in. I am always amazed at some of the work that comes home. My first grader is doing some of the same math that I see my 2nd grader bring home from public school. We consider ourselves so lucky to have found Casa. My daughter gets upset when I pick her up "too early" from school so that is how I know we made the right decision. We will be sad when our time at Casa is over, but luckily that is still a few years away!

We couldn't have asked for a better preschool experience. Ms. Ann and Ms. Dori were amazing. We…read moreonly wish we had started with them sooner.

A wonderful preschool offering programs for children ages 2-5. Small classes, caring teachers and…read moreoverall just a great learning environment. My child loves it! Highly recommended.

The best way to describe CLC is magical! We toured ALL of the preschools in the Olney/Ashton area…read moreand when we walked into CLC we knew in about 2 seconds that this was the preschool for us. This is my daughter's second year at CLC and my son will join the hummingbirds class next year. The staff is the top of the top. Every single person who works there knows my child and greets her by name every day, even the teachers she has not yet had. All staff have taken a genuine interest in getting to know my daughter and our family. They are incredibly skilled in teaching young children to love school and learn to become the best little people they can be. The teachers make learning fun and engaging through music, art, and play. while infusing academics in the most creative of ways. The staff is committed to making sure that my child's needs are always met and the communication between teachers, the director, and the parents is impeccable (conferences, responsive emails and phone calls, newsletters, and school-wide emails when needed) . They are extremely flexible with our needs in terms of aftercare with drop-ins available when I need it. They make activities fun and exciting for the children, such as a Valentines concert, Halloween parades and field trips in the community. The classrooms are clean, bright, fun, and inviting. The other families that attend CLC are as warm and welcoming as the school itself, we have playdates with friends we have made at CLC frequently. My daughter is excited every single day to get up and go to see her teachers and friends at school (not one complaint about attending ever). To put it simply, I wish my babies could stay at CLC forever!!

This is a true pearl of a school. I did a lot of research before choosing it for my son, touring…read moremany of the nearby preschools (e.g., Norbeck Montessori, Chesterbrook Academy, Children in the Shoe), and while I liked certain aspects of those schools, I just LOVED this school from the moment I walked through the door. Lots of pros and just a few cons. Pros: Teachers: Are wonderful. Full of energy and enthusiasm. Many of the teachers have also been there for many years. Two of the teachers in particular, Mrs Zechar and Mrs Harper, who are in the room for the 3-years olds, have been teaching at the school for more than twenty years and their experience shows. They are extremely patient and good at dealing with any issue arising. Director: Is fantastic. Lots of positive interactions with parents and children alike. Classrooms: Really like their set-up. In contrast to most other preschools, they have separate classes for 2, 3 and 4 year olds (with 3 and 4 year olds merging for aftercare). Also in contrast to many other preschools, classroom sizes are small with a maximum of 15 kids per room with 2 teachers. Playground: Is good. It is fenced in and away from any large roads or neighbors. It is also relatively large, with different activity zones. Program: Very flexible. They offer 2, 3, or 5-day options and various part/ full time options. Price: OK. It is not cheap but - at least for the full-time program that my son is enrolled in - the price is comparable to, or even lower than, prices of most other schools in the area. Cons: Not many. The main one, at least for me, is that the school does not offer a 12-month schedule, which can be a problem for households with two working parents. On a final note, while the school is sharing grounds with a church, it is not actually affiliated with that church.

Just an excellent learning environment. Our daughter just LOVES to go to school each day and has…read morereally thrived at Hilltop. Staff and teachers are truly dedicated to the children and really strive to keep the parents informed about their child's learning and progress. We plan to send all of our children there in the future and highly recommend it!

I can't imagine there's a better preschool in the Clarksville/Columbia area. Obviously every…read moreparent has their own list of "wants" and "needs" when shopping preschools - their own list of the features that are most important to them. Most importantly for my wife and I was to find a school where our 2-1/2 year-old would be happy, learn social skills, and would learn the fundamental skills needed to function in a classroom setting (preparation for kindergarten). It was also critical that we find a place where we would never feel guilty or apprehensive about dropping our kids off at school. We found all this and more at Hilltop. The most important things to note about Hilltop are... Small School - There are two classrooms and each one has a max of roughly 15 children. Small classes means lots of one-on-one interaction with the teachers, which any educator will tell you is extremely beneficial (especially for young children). Learning Activities - It is a school after all - so it's pretty important that they follow a really well-conceived philosophy and educational curriculum. Every day we receive notes from the teacher about what our child learned that day, sample assignments he worked on, etc. Low Staff Turnover - At other schools and daycares we've witnessed a constant churn of teacher turnover. The teachers at Hilltop have been there for years and are part of the fabric of the school. Family Atmosphere - So many families have their 2nd or 3rd children enrolled, so we've gotten to know each other and have formed great friendships. When I drop my son at Hilltop it feels like I'm leaving him with close friends/family. Credentials - Hilltop is accredited by the MD Board of Education and each teacher and staff member has all their MD creds (I'm not that familiar with all the credentials, so you'd have to check with them for more info on this). Secluded Location - While the school is right off Rt 108 in Clarksville (near the River Hill shopping center) it's also tucked away behind a Methodist church. Its location is nice for security reasons - and there's also something nice about being on a church campus. What more can I say? We are a Hilltop family and absolutely recommend this preschool to anyone trying to make the difficult decision of where to send your child for preschool.

We have sent both of our children here starting from 18 months until 5 years old. Our children love…read morethe teachers and staff, which makes us so happy with our choice for childcare. The teachers are great communicators; they call you with urgent issues during the day, give you brief updates at pickup and are always happy to answer questions. In addition, they have parent teacher conferences (for toddlers!) to keep us in the loop. If you ever get a chance to observe the classroom, it's amazing how one teacher that can control so many kids in silence with only sign language, even though they are all working independently. We highly Recommend JBS

If there is a zero star option, this is what this school deserves. No respect for the child or his…read moreparents, no engagement with the family about their child progress. I have not seen any educational or moral progress with my child. Teacher level of education and capability to teach is zero. One year of what they called education, my child still writes the Z inverted. The teacher did not have a capability to correct that!!!!!! I had been in international Montessori school when I was a child, the level of emotional and social support was beyond amazing, while julia brown has nothing to do with emotional and social support. I have no idea how Montessori allowed them to run under their name with such poor standards of education and engagement with the child, never mind the gloominess of this school, old furniture, no modern methods of learning, my child continuously expressed how unhappy he was there. Kids don't lie!!!!

Winchester has been a godsend for my son and truly a hidden gem. He's grown up here at Winchester,…read moreand all of his teachers have provided a perfect blend of flexibility and challenge to help him grow. Incredibly accommodating while always believing and reminding him (and us!) that he can work at and try new things even if they seem intimidating at first. They've taken the time to know and understand him, and know when to push and when to just let him do his own thing if that's what helps him. Love the small class size and the fact that most of its teachers have been there for over a decade and are clearly committed to the school and its students. It's also a family-owned business whose owners are actively involved and clearly doing the work they do because they care about children and their families, not to try maximize profits. Prices are very reasonable compared to many of the other schools in the area that charge way more, and with much more affordable aftercare and summer care options that we need as working parents. This school is definitely worth a second look, especially if your kid needs flexibility and some extra attention.

We've been part of The Winchester School family for a long time -- our older child started here…read moreover ten years ago, and now our younger one is having the same amazing experience. What's incredible is that so many of the same teachers and staff are still here! It really shows how much they love what they do and how strong the community is. The teachers are caring, patient, and make every day fun and engaging. I also love that the school uses a monthly tuition model instead of big lump payments. It makes things easier for families and feels very thoughtful as a way to ensure everyone has access to quality early childhood education. For anyone in the Silver Spring or Aspen Hill area looking for a school that truly feels like home, Winchester is a wonderful place to be.

We love Primrose Layhill! The owner and staff are wonderful, supportive, and work with you to…read moreensure your child's success. Curriculum and instruction are strong. They celebrate diversity with many cultural events. They provide healthy meals. Great communication with families. Plus the facility is new and clean.

From the owner: Primrose School of Silver Spring at Layhill is an accredited daycare located in the Silver Spring…read morearea that offers infant, toddler, preschool, pre-kindergarten and after school programs. For over 40 years Primrose preschools has been a trusted household name and a nationally recognized daycare provider committed to forging a path that leads to a brighter future for all children.

My husband and I decided to enroll our daughter in the St. John's Episcopal School Pre-K 3 class…read morewhen traditional child care was not working for us. I assumed that we would enroll her in St. John's for the two years of Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4, and when the time rolled around for kindergarten, we would place her in a Montgomery County public school (as Montgomery county is recognized for its excellent schools). However, the teachers and staff at St. John's have made our decision to stay with St. John's well worth it. Our daughter, and now our son, have met wonderful friends, and enjoy participating in all of the activities that the teachers and staff painstakingly take the time to plan. From a parent's perspective, we love the small class sizes, and the fact that the teachers make our children comfortable and happy. Additionally we have witnessed firsthand the success of the school's work on character development, as all of the students are exceptionally polite, and friendly. Not only has St. John's provided a warm, safe, and fun environment for our children, but it also does not hurt that our children have really excelled academically during the course of their education with St. John's. We love the school!

From the owner: We believe in graduating students of academic excellence -sound in character and with enduring…read morefaith. Even though we go up to 8th grade, this starts in our preschool.