THE BETHESDA
MONTESSORI SCHOOL
40 years
WELCOME TO BMS - OUR 40th YEAR
Kindergarten Graduation and All School Party is Friday, June 2 10am - 11:30am. We ask all students and their families to join us for this fun event.
Our Montessori Program
Our students enjoy art, french and professional music classes, science, and entertainment programs and, of course, the leading traditional Montessori program in the area.
BMS offers Pre-K and Accredited Kindergarten for 3-6 year olds, 8am - 6pm daily. 1-on-1 & group lessons, creative play, spacious indoor and outdoor facilities. Day Care and After School Activities include Soccer, Tae Kwon Do, Yoga, Athletics and Music.
2022 Washington Parent Finalist BEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL
2021 Washington Family's BEST MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Interested in an onsite personal tour? Contact us at admissions@bethesdamontessori.com
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ABOUT US
The Bethesda Montessori School, established 40 years ago, in 1983, by our founder Mrs. Gertrude A. Burr, cooperates with the Washington Montessori Institute and is staffed by AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) and AMS (American Montessori Society) trained teachers. It is fully licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education, and Montessori Schools of Maryland, and is a member of the North American Montessori Teachers Association and other educational organizations. It maintains an accredited Kindergarten Program. It leases its facility from the Bethesda Presbyterian Church, but it has no religious affiliation with the church. It is centrally located in the heart of the Bethesda business district on Wilson Lane near the intersection of Old Georgetown and Arlington Roads, three blocks from the Bethesda Metro station.
The Bethesda Montessori School also offers a robust day care program, opening at 8am and closing at 6pm to accommodate the needs of all families. On-site sports and after school activities occur both inside and out, utilizing our spacious facilities, playground and lawn. These options provide children 3 - 6 years old with a variety of experiences; academic, physical and creative.
A traditional Montessori school, it adheres to the teachings and principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. The school is fully equipped with the Montessori materials as well as many handmade items to stimulate the child's mind and creativity. Music, Art and French instruction are integral parts of the Montessori program. Our rooms are bright and cheerful. The long-term, experienced staff is dedicated and caring. It is the hope of the school that each student will grow in knowledge, self-reliance, confidence and social graces.
AT A GLANCE
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We've been providing safe and healthy care for children for the past 40 years. We have operated in-person, five days a week, since the beginning of the pandemic. Stop by to view our large indoor first floor spaces with natural lighting in all rooms and generous playground and lawn areas. We are mask-optional at this time. Email Head of School Kristie Galic at admissions@bethesdamontessori.com for specifics about our current policies.
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The primary Montessori program admits children from 3 to 6 years of age (children must be 3 by the first day of school of their start year, and fully potty-trained). Our three classes are made up of mixed ages of children, 3, 4 and 5 yrs old. For the child entering at 3 years old, the complete program is three years in duration (2 yrs Pre-K & 1 yr accredited Kindergarten). Children are strongly encouraged to complete the cycle through their kindergarten year in order to derive the maximum benefit from their learning experience. Compare our Kindergarten class sizes to your local elementary school - learn about our 1/5 teacher student ratio.
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All children will take part in our weekly Art class. Children 4 years and older will participate in French Instruction twice a week, and Music Instruction once a week. Our french class is taught by a native speaker, Madame Quitterie Fialon, and our music class is taught by a professional music instructor, Mrs. Yustina Park.
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We offer care for your children from 8am to 6pm each day. All children attend our academic program from 9am to 12 noon, at the minimum, Monday through Friday, from September to June. 3 year old children who stay with us past 12 noon will join our lunch, recess and nap time in the afternoon. Prekindergarten-age children (4 year olds) and children entering their kindergarten year (5 years old) have advanced Montessori studies until 3pm.
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An after-school / after care program is offered until 6pm, for children of all ages. We also offer after-school activities such as soccer, music, yoga, tae kwon do, jump bunch, language programs, and other great physical and creative opportunities from the 3-4pm hour for an additional fee. Before-school care is available from 8am to 9am upon request. We have a four week summer camp run by our Montessori teachers, that begins immediately following the final day of the school year for BMS students only.
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There is no discrimination made in the selection of students or staff on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Our student body is extremely diverse, serving families and employing staff, from around the world.
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Application and fee schedules are available on this Web site, or you may request them by email or phone. Enrollment is completed on a first come first serve basis, preference is given to 3-year-old siblings of current or alumni students. Applications may be submitted no earlier than one year in advance of requested enrollment, and we will begin offering spaces as early as mid-December for enrollment the following September. After that date, applications are considered as space allows and classroom balance necessitates.