Education Guide
Special Advertising Section, The January 2012 Issue
By Lorin Drinkard
Paving the path for your child’s academic success starts today.
ACE Academy
1808 Michael Faraday Court Reston, VA 20190
703-471-2132
www.ace-academy.com
Open house: Jan. 10, 10 a.m.
The Academy of Christian Education (ACE) provides a high-quality, academically accelerated education while honoring God in the classroom. ACE, a top-rated Virginia school by Johns Hopkins, is first and foremost a Christian institution. By learning about the Bible, memorizing scripture and singing praise songs in addition to studying math, grammar and other subjects, students ranging from preschool through third grade achieve a balance of both spiritual and educational development.
Now in its 15th year serving the Northern Virginia area, ACE continues to set the bar high for excellence in education, and students score an average of two to six grades above grade level on national independence tests. ACE, winner of international spelling and math competitions, partners with Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth for math and also offers Spanish, music, PE, art and computer courses.
BeanTree Learning
5303 Westone Plaza Chantilly, VA 20151
43629 Greenway Corporate Drive Ashburn, VA 20147
703-961-8222
www.beantreelearning.com
Call 703-961-8222 to schedule a personal tour.
For a place where children’s imaginations can soar and parents can rest assured their little ones will receive an unparalleled education, turn to BeanTree Learning. As a creative campus for children ages 6-weeks through 12-years old, BeanTree Learning provides a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on interactive, experiential activities through play at each of its two locations—Ashburn and Chantilly.
Age-appropriate education and care is available for infants through preschoolers, as well as outstanding academic programs for school-age children. BeanTree’s small classes for students of preschool age and older are each 30 minutes long and include specialty programs such as technology and Spanish, taught daily. A wide range of extracurricular activities like ballet and tae kwon do are also offeredby outside experts.
Brooksfield School
1830 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101
703-356-5437 ext. 2
www.brooksfieldschool.org
Next open house: Wednesday, Jan. 11. at 10 a.m.
At Brooksfield School, children become friends for life. Starting with pre-K and continuing through the 4th grade, the McLean school makes learning an adventure. In a world in which manners, civility and love of knowledge are quickly disappearing, Brooksfield offers families an alternative that combines the best of today with the best of yesterday.
Having first opened its door in 1987, today the renowned Montessori day school continues to ensure a stimulating and creative environment that nurtures the complete development of all students. Brooksfield offers a range of opportunities to children to grow into their potential and express themselves in a natural, spontaneous fashion. Extended school day is an option, plus an Outdoor Adventure Program, art, yoga and summer camp.
Burgundy Farm Country Day School
3700 Burgundy Road Alexandria, VA 22303
703-329-6968
www.burgundyfarm.org
Open house: Jan. 8, 2-4 p.m.
Burgundy Farm Country Day School believes that children learn best in an inclusive, creative and nurturing environment that engages the whole child. By using a hands-on approach to education from pre-K through grade eight, Burgundy cultivates independent thinking, promotes academic excellence and instills respect for diversity.
Located on a 25-acre former Alexandria dairy farm and on a second 500-acre campus in the mountains of West Virginia, Burgundy was founded in 1946 by a group of parents united by their vision of a small, cooperatively owned school serving an ethnically, racially and economically diverse student body. In 1950, the school became the first in Virginia to be integrated. Over 60 years later, Burgundy continues the mission of its founders: through work, exploration and play.
Congressional Schools of Virginia
3229 Sleepy Hollow Road Falls Church, VA 22042
703-533-9711
www.congressionalschools.org
Open house: Feb. 13.
Offering a warm, welcoming place of learning for families, Congressional Schools of Virginia educates approximately 375 children. The school’s mission is to prepare children, through an innovative and accelerated curriculum, and to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities they will face as global citizens.
Having celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2009, The Congressional Schools of Virginia continues to be a premier choice for families seeking the best possible education for their children. Comprised of three divisions, the school’s unique approach to education, from preschool through grade eight, is enriched with foreign languages, fine arts, athletics and more.
Exeter Academy
20 Main St. Exeter, NH 03833-2460
603-777-3597
www.exeter.edu
Call 603-777-3437 to schedule an interview.
With 1,000 students enrolled in grades nine through 12, plus post-graduate studies, Exeter provides a five-to-one student-teacher ratio and small class sizes in accordance with the Harkness method of education, where a teacher and group of students working together, exchanging ideas and information, at an oval table. This educational philosophy permeates the campus; everything is influenced by the respect, enthusiasm and challenge involved in learning together around a table.
Located less than 70 miles from Boston, Mass., the 670-acre campus of Exeter Academy boasts 130 buildings, including an observatory, two hockey rinks, 29 residence halls and the world’s largest independent school library.
At Exeter, exacting inquiry and thoughtful discourse foster the life of the mind, instruction and activity promote fitness and health, and the daily interactions of a residential school nurture integrity, empathy and kindness.
Fairfax Christian School
1624 Hunter Mill Road Vienna, VA 22182
703-759-5100
www.fairfaxchristianschool.com
Open house: Jan. 24, 9 a.m.
The legacy began in 1961 with a vision of the highest academic standards taught from a wholesome, Christian worldview. Over the past 50 years, the Fairfax Christian School has provided generations of students with an academic foundation that has allowed them to attend top universities and colleges around the world.
As a premier university prep school, the Fairfax Christian School offers students ranging from 4-year-old kindergarten through grade 12 the opportunity to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum and experience a fulfilling student life.
From McGuffey Readers in kindergarten to an Advanced Placement curriculum in high school, students gain a full educational experience grounded in a Christian perspective.
Highland School
597 Broadview Ave. Warrenton, VA 20186
540-878-2700
www.highlandschool.org
Open house: Jan. 8, 2 p.m.
By presenting a demanding academic and co-curricular program, Highland School in Warrenton leads students to develop the skills and character essential to meet the challenges of college and leadership in the 21st century.
Highland, an independent, co-ed school serving students from pre-K through grade 12, provides an environment that fosters academic and personal growth. Students are offered a rigorous and varied academic program, exposure to the fine and performing arts, and the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of athletics. A diverse range of electives is available in the Middle and Upper Schools, and includes music, studio art, drama, journalism and photography.
Ideal Schools
44675 Cape Court, Suite 105 Ashburn, VA 20147
703-956-5020
www.idealschools.org
Call 703-956-5020 to schedule a visit.
Opening in 2008, Ideal Schools is Loudoun County’s first co-ed secular private high school. At Ideal Schools High School, students work with experts on innovative, educational and meaningful academic studies in a small, supportive community where the students’ ideas, interests and highest aspirations matter.
The heart of the academic program aims for enduring understanding, not simply superficial recall, by having students solve complex problems instead of sitting and listening to direct instruction. Following in the path of the high school, Ideal Schools will add the first middle school for gifted students in Loudoun County in September.
LearningRx
8321 Old Courthouse Road Vienna, VA 22182
703-462-9570
www.learningrx.com/tysons
Call 703-462-9570 for an assessment.
To provide assistance in the learning process and how students’ brains function, LearningRx, part of a successful network of brain training centers, implements aspects of brain training. By improving cognitive skills, students can reap dramatic benefits.
At LearningRx, brain training exposes each student to a customized series of intense mental workouts. To perform these workouts, the brain is forced to strengthen, reorganize and even create new neural pathways. LearningRx is not a tutoring program—they train the brain. Instead of just re-teaching material, brain training increases a person’s ability to learn, forever. Students at LearningRx experience an average of three years of reading improvement in as little as six months; plus, brain training raises IQ by an average of 15 points.
Randolph-Macon Academy
200 Academy Drive Front Royal, VA 22630
540-636-5200
www.rma.edu
Open house: Feb. 20, 10 a.m. and noon.
Randolph-Macon Academy, a co-ed day and boarding school for students in grades six through 12, is more than just a military prep school. Located on a sprawling 135-acre campus in Front Royal, Randolph-Macon prepares students for college by offering a solid foundation in knowledge, leadership and character.
With an average classroom size of 14 students, teachers provide personalized attention and individualized care. That, paired with rigorous coursework, challenges students to reach their potential.
In the Air Force Junior ROTC program, students learn to be good citizens and great leaders. At Randolph-Macon, they believe in a values-based education. Their mentoring program and long association with the United Methodist Church help students become young men and women of strong, positive character.
Westminster School
3819 Gallows Road Annandale, VA 22003
703-256-3620
www.westminsterschool.com
Open house: Jan. 8, 2-4 p.m.
Westminster is an independent, co-ed day school serving students in kindergarten through grade eight. By providing a strong foundation in the history, literature, art and ideas of Western Civilization, Westminster emphasizes a classical education. Its academic program is based on the belief that children between the ages of 5 and 14 are naturally dominated by curiosity and enthusiasm for life, and want to understand the world around them, discover how they fit into it and show what they can do. To that end, Westminster presents a diverse, challenging curriculum in a purposeful classroom environment, which emphasizes thorough mastery of subject, high standards of achievement, good study habits and personal responsibility.
Trending in NoVA
Subscribe & Save
From restaurants and shopping, to local events and activities, our monthly magazine is a must-read for anyone living or working in NoVA.
Subscribe