Montessori school · Sterling, Virginia · since 1996
Spend a day
with us.
A Montessori school for children six weeks to six years — infant, toddler and early childhood, kindergarten included. Scroll through a real day here, from the first hello at 7:30 to the last goodbye at six.
Six weeks to six years, under one roof
A gentle hello.
Families who need an early start drop off from 7:30. Children in Early Morning Care are offered a light breakfast — typically cereal and milk — and choose from a variety of quiet activities until class begins.
Into a room made for them.
At 8:30 everyone heads to their own classroom. From the sinks to the toilets to the tables, everything is made to fit your child — so they can do it themselves.
The work cycle.
A long, uninterrupted stretch of chosen work — the hallmark of Montessori. Children pick their work, take it to a table or a rug, and stay with it as long as it holds them. It’s what you’ll see when you visit.
Hover a photo to pick it up
The babies keep their own clock.
In the Infant room, sleep and meals follow your baby’s own rhythm — carefully observed and written down for you every day. Teachers speak in gentle tones, the pace is unhurried, and there is one adult for every three babies.
- 1 : 3adults to babies
- Dailyindividual reports, often with a photo
- TrainedMontessori Infant & Toddler teachers
- LR
- HA
Deicy, Yaqui, Nazli and the team — led by Deicy Lopez
Toddlers are terrific.
In a world scaled down to their size, toddlers paint, cook, water the garden, sing with friends and set the table. Parents are often surprised by how peaceful the room is — calm, without distraction, so concentration can grow.
Zar, Shazia, Massicilia and the team — led by Zar Amin
Everyone, together.
Circle time is when children share what’s important to them, sing songs, hear a story — and celebrate birthdays.
Through the week there’s more: Spanish (twice a week in kindergarten), Mandarin, yoga, music, movement and computer. Twice a year, parents of children three and up are invited to the winter and spring music performances.
Yasmin, Lisa, Jessica and the team
Lunch, then run, dig, climb.
Full-day children bring lunch from home or join the catered hot lunch program ($100 a month, with the menu sent home monthly). Then it’s outside — ample playground time for running, digging and climbing.
The long, golden afternoon.
Children in Extended Day choose between the Montessori materials and a big selection of toys. The staff plan cooking and art projects every week, and there’s more playground when the weather is good.
- MonSoccer
- TuePiano
- ThuDance
- ET
Kathleen, Nilly, Gonca and the team
A staff of forty
The people who’ll know your child by name.
Every lead teacher is Montessori certified. The whole staff is First Aid and CPR certified and takes classes every year. And more than half of them have been here for over ten years.
At pickup
What families tell us.
Choosing to send our three children to MCHL has been one of the best and most impactful decisions that we have made for them.
As a parent going off to work, I feel safe knowing that they are in a warm and loving environment and are surrounded by people who care for them.
Since that move, his language has skyrocketed, he identifies feelings and he shows a love of learning beyond his age.
We have enjoyed watching our two daughters grow from small toddlers in training pants to confident kindergartners… MCHL became a second family.
That was one day
Come see a morning for yourself.
Visits are on weekday mornings, so you can watch the work cycle with your own eyes and sit down with us to ask anything. Both parents are welcome. Pick a morning — our office will call to confirm.
- Enroll during an Open House and save $100 on the enrollment fee
- A second child receives 10% off
- 880 West Church Road, Sterling