The Del Ray Montessori School is a non-profit Montessori School located in the quaint Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia, we are associated and recognized by AMI/USA (Association Montessori International). Founded in 2011, we serve children ages 18 months through age 12 and their families in the DC metropolitan area.
Why schedule an Inquiry phone call?
We believe it is important for parents and caregivers to understand who we are as a school and how the Montessori approach can benefit your child, as well as your entire family. During our the call, we will share more information about child development, Montessori education, and our school in general, including our daily routine, parent participation and school communication.
Please complete the following inquiry form and we will be in touch. We look forward to connecting with you!
What if we want to visit the school? Do you offer tours?
Yes! Throughout the summer, we schedule individual tours. Please click below to connect with us! Your visit and experience in our space will highlight the love our teachers have for our students, as well as the beauty of a Montessori classroom and its materials.
How does your waitlist work?
DRMS does not have a typical waitlist, as our classrooms are mixed-ages and applications are considered based on the individual child and the needs of the classroom, rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. If we are unable to accept your child into any of our programs, your child’s application will be added to our waitlist of applicants.
How are final decisions made?
Children of DRMS staff and siblings of currently enrolled children receive priority in the admissions process. All applicants who submit their applications by February 1 are included in our first round of child placement. Decisions are made by balancing the classrooms by age, gender, and the individual needs of each child, as well as the overall needs of the classroom. We continue to accept applications past the February 1 due date as well.
Do I have to complete the steps in order?
All of the steps in our admissions process are available to access and schedule according to your schedule and interest. We encourage you to complete all the steps, including the inquiry and the school tour, to receive as much information as possible about our school and our Montessori programs. Once your application is submitted, you will be required to complete both the Parent Meeting and the Child Visit.
What are the hours of operation?
All of our programs are offered five days a week, and our hours of operation are listed below. We follow a traditional academic calendar, which begins in late August and concludes in early June.
Young Children’s Community: 18 months - 3 years
Half Day: 8:05 am - 12:00 pm
Full Day: 8:05 am - 3:15 pm
Primary Program: 3 - 6 years
Half Day: 8:05 am - 12:00 pm
Full Day: 8:05 am - 3:15 pm
Elementary Program: 6 -12 years
Full Day: 8:05 am - 3:15 pm
Does DRMS provide morning or after care?
We offer After Care for children aged 18 months to 7 years. After Care starts at 3:15 pm and has two dismissal times: 4:30 pm or 5:30 pm.
Does DRMS provide discounts for military families?
DRMS participates in Child Care Aware, which offers tuition assistance to active-duty military members.
What age or grade level children attend DRMS?
We serve children aged 18 months through 12 years, from Pre-K through 6th grade.
How many students attend DRMS?
DRMS has a current enrollment of approximately 50 students.
What schools do your students attend after DRMS?
Our students graduate from our Elementary Program and transition to a variety of schools in the area, including both public and private institutions.
Is DRMS accredited?
DRMS is recognized by AMI/USA, a world-renowned organization that offers the highest level of Montessori recognition to schools.
Additionally, DRMS is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education.
When are applications due?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. However, priority is given to applications that are received by February 1.
Is tuition assistance available?
Currently, DRMS does not provide tuition assistance. We hope we will be able to provide this to families in the near future.
Does DRMS provide snacks or lunch for children?
No. All children must bring their own healthy lunch and snack to school, consisting of protein, grains, fruits and vegetables. Processed and sugary foods are discouraged. We are also a nut-free school.
How are parents involved in the school?
Parents are involved in a multitude of ways at DRMS! First, we offer a variety of educational workshops that parents and caregivers can attend, ranging from Positive Discipline to child development, implementing Montessori principles at home, and understanding what your children are learning in the classroom. We also encourage parents to participate in the classroom through regular classroom observations and sharing skills and cultural celebrations or traditions with the children, or by serving as room parents. Lastly, DRMS is a non-profit school and regularly needs assistance with various parts of our development and growth. We always have committees available to join – such as gardening, events, diversity and equity, welcoming committee, and the Development Committee.
Our parent community is very involved, and they are the backbone of our school. Together, we form strong relationships and share a common goal and investment in connecting in honor of and in service to the children.
Do young children nap at DRMS?
Children in our Primary and YCC programs who are three years old and under and attend the full-day program are given a quiet space to rest each day. DRMS provides nap mats that children use while napping, and they are sent home each week to be laundered.
What movement and outside play activities are offered to the children?
All of our students go outside for an hour every day, rain or shine, in hot or cold weather - and every weather in between! In addition to the large playground we have for our children in our YCC and Primary programs, we also have a whole garden with raised beds, which allows for sensory exploration and gross motor activities. Children in the Elementary Program play onsite, and they also walk to Simpson Park daily for outside play and participate in a sports class on Thursdays. The children also spend time outside during class time to help with our children’s garden during the spring and fall seasons.
In addition to outside play, we offer a variety of movement-based activities for children who select this option during the morning or afternoon work cycles and may need to expend extra energy. These activities utilize materials that promote balance, strengthening, coordination, and gross motor movement, using equipment such as scooter boards, exercise balls, and balance disks. Providing our students with opportunities for a variety of movement-based activities within their classroom environments allows them to take movement breaks when needed, rather than only during outside playtimes.
Who is our staff photographer?
Casey Gammon. You can find more information about her work at caseygammon.com
