Aidan Montessori School in Washington

Posted: September 9, 2025

I have been working at Aidan for several years, and it has been such a meaningful experience. Ive learned so much from our dedicated and talented teachers, and Im constantly inspired by the collaborative and supportive community here. One of the best parts of Aidan is the shared growth mindsetwere encouraged to keep learning, improving, and helping one another succeed. I feel very accomplished as both an educator and a professional because of the opportunities Ive had here.

Posted: September 9, 2025

Posted: September 3, 2025

Being part of Aidan Montessori School has been such a meaningful experience for me. Every day I get to watch children discover new skills, grow in confidence, and develop a true love of learning. The sense of community here is so specialboth among the staff and with the familiesand I feel grateful to work in a place that values each childs unique journey.

Posted: September 3, 2025

Posted: June 9, 2025

Aidan Montessori has been an incredible part of our familys life. Both of our children have been there since toddler community and my oldest is now in 4th grade equivalent. The school offers a nurturing, intellectually rich environment where each child is deeply known and supported. The teachers are exceptional, the parent community is strong and welcoming, and the leadership is visionary, actively shaping Aidan into a world-class Montessori institution. We feel incredibly grateful to be part of this community and confident that our children are thriving in every way.

Posted: June 9, 2025

Posted: September 13, 2023

Aidan has exceeded our expectations in every way. We have 2 children who currently attend Aidans primary program. We started during the pandemica tough time to make friends and enter a community in generaland yet Aidan created a haven for them to learn and thrive in. We were attracted to Aidan by its commitment to meeting students needs, fostering diversity and imparting the values of grace and courtesy that are central to the Montessori approach.
Our sons definitely have different learning styles, with one being very content to work for long stretches on his own and on the same project, while the other is more likely to move from one project to another multiple times in a single work period. The Montessori method has worked well for both of them. Our eldest has thrived with the opportunity to independently explore different materials in the classroom and spend significant time working on a single project. Our younger son has really benefitted from the teachers guidance in helping him focus on one activity at a time, teaching him the steps to each process and encouraging him to calm his body so that he can focus on his work. Aidans teachers are caring, smart and attentive, and the parent teacher relationship has proven invaluable. When we have had questions, whether they have been about the boys learning or their behavior outside of the classroom, their teachers have been quick to respond and thoughtful in their feedback.
What has really set Aidan apart for us, though, is the overall community. The parents, teachers and administrators are all amazing, and they all care deeply about the school and the students. The school puts on a variety of events throughout the year, including a number of opportunities to learn more about Montessori education. There are also so many informal gatherings of parents and students, which are a great way for the kids to see their friends outside of the school and for the parents to get to know each other.
Overall, we couldnt be happier with our experience at Aidan.

Posted: September 13, 2023

Posted: August 18, 2023

We have been parents at Aidan for many years and are so grateful for the top-notch Montessori education and community of families, many of whom have become our closest friends over the years. The school has most definitely helped our children develop a deep love of learning on which to build the rest of their education. They didn't feel any burn out by middle and high school, like so many other students at independent schools have experienced. And despite the doubt that many parents have about the Montessori Method, our children (and all the others we know from Aidan) went on to have stellar grades and advanced placement in their next schools. Overall it's been a wonderful experience.

Posted: August 18, 2023

Posted: July 31, 2023

Aidan is a small but mighty AMI Montessori program in Upper NW Washington DC. The commitment to community is evident in every single classroom, where children are encouraged to follow their internal sense of learning, but at the same time, guided through all the curricula they need to progress through grades. The campus is very small, and the administration makes use of every square inch, including an open field across the street.

Posted: July 31, 2023

Posted: July 30, 2023

My husband and I have had four children at Aidan over a period of 20+ years, ranging from the toddler program to lower elementary. We have had a wonderful experience with teachers and staff members across all grade levels as well as the parent community at large. We have had two young children in the toddler and primary programs from 2020-23 and we have been impressed with Aidan's ability to help them develop socially and emotionally, sharpen their fine and gross motor skills, and foster their budding curiosity and a deep love of learning. The Aidan community is tight knit yet welcoming. It draws a diverse set of students from across the DMV and we are appreciative of the different backgrounds including an array of languages and cultures among students.

Posted: July 30, 2023

A truly magical school. We had our two children start in Aidan's Toddler program at 18 months, and it has been fantastic. The Toddler classrooms and teaching staff are incredible. They will potty train your child! Our experience has been wonderful and we have been blown away by the beautiful classroom environments that our children have experienced in Toddler and Primary. In a recent observation of the Primary classrooms we saw all the children moving through their workcycles in complete harmony, like clockwork. It was inspiring. We have loved the level of parent involvement in continuing to nurture the children's communities outside of the classroom. The school keeps to a strict Montessori curriculum and is really at the pinnacle of Montessori schools in the US.

Posted: July 30, 2023

Posted: July 29, 2023

Both of my children have attended Aidan Montessori School and between them they have received over 16 years of education at the school. Aidan is a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming school with amazing teachers, helpful parent resources, and a supportive community of families. It is an AMI school, meaning it takes the Montessori method very seriously, and it is deeply committed to preparing children to be productive and caring citizens of the world of the future.

Posted: May 15, 2020

It's been a mixed bag for us. Overall this school's approach to learning is very rigid and it discourages creativity and exploration. If you want a well-behaved, prim and proper child who knows all rules of conduct, this is the place for you. Dreamers not welcome.

Posted: May 15, 2020

Posted: November 30, 2019

We had a wonderful experience with Aidan over the years that my daughter was a student there.

Posted: November 30, 2019

Posted: October 1, 2018

This school has been great for our two children. Our daughter closed some learning gaps within one year of starting and has been thriving ever since. Our son has blossomed, made strong friendships, and is comfortable in being a gentle, sensitive old soul. Great push for Diversity and Inclusion over the past couple years.

Posted: October 1, 2018

Students in the elementary program do not have take home work, as they complete all work in class. The school day is 8am-4pm, and that is more than enough time to get all school work done. Home time is for fun, family, and independent reading!

Posted: October 1, 2018

Every single lead teacher is fully AMI certified and the school is fully accredited, and recognized as a top Montessori school in the DC area. The teachers are effective, as well as being kind, even keel, and lovely human beings.

Posted: October 1, 2018

Montessori education is built around peace, kindness, and interconnectedness that teaches children to be morally and ethically sound human beings. Aidan has a very strong program teaching children how to care for each other, themselves, and the environment. Mixed aged classrooms and cross program community service goes a long way toward this goal as well.

Posted: October 1, 2018

The new head of school has been fantastic. He made some key administrative changes, upgraded the facilities, and infused positive energy and light throughout the school and culture.

Posted: October 1, 2018

I think that Aidan does the best that it can in this area, but does not have dedicated special education staff. The Montessori program is designed to help ALL kinds of learners - with differentiated instruction, independent work plans, and a focus on following the child. However, if a child presents with Dyslexia or Dysgraphia, ADHD, or other higher need developmental issues - the school will look for ways to get the family outside support.

Posted: October 1, 2018

There is a bullying program that runs through the school counselor that is very comprehensive. Also, being a smaller school with a ton of staff there is very little bullying beyond the run of the mill student disagreements from day to day.

Posted: October 1, 2018

The Montessori approach is impressive in most places. At Aidan, it is extraordinary.

Posted: October 1, 2018

The teachers are great, both professionally and personally.

Posted: October 1, 2018

Between peace education, conflict resolution and social emotional learning, kids get what they need to be stars in social interactions.

Posted: October 1, 2018

Spectacular team, leading in an inclusive and effective way.

Posted: October 1, 2018

There's a school counselor and a learning specialist.

Posted: October 1, 2018

Has a policy with reporting forms and flow charts right on their website. Issues are taken very seriously and efficiently.

Posted: October 1, 2018

Spectacular mission, teachers, administration and parent population.

Posted: September 24, 2018

Our child was not assigned homework in the one year at Aidan.

Posted: September 24, 2018

Our child progressed academically in one year at Aidan.

Posted: September 24, 2018

Values are not a priority at Aidan.

With leadership under the present Head of School, Aidan was no place, socially and culturally, for our child. We did not expect to encounter such regressive attitudes in the classroom or head office at a school with the profile and reputation of Aidan. We found the values, beliefs, and opinions he represented untenable, and we found ourselves feeling unvalued and unwanted.

Our patience, belief, and trust in a respected institution to do the right thing by our son over a seven-month saga was twice met with invitations equivalent to pound sand, resonant with the sort of unapologetic rejection of equity and justice that characterizes much of our present social climate. Aidan as a beacon of the metropolitan Washington, DC community can do better.

Our family decided to attend school elsewhere, and the difference in tone and values in our new school with a true community is already night and day. We know what we require as a family is possible.

Posted: September 24, 2018

I regret that our familys experience at Aidan this past year was a mixed one which deteriorated as the year went along. Under the current leadership, Aidan is not a place we would recommend to any family. Input provided to us, too late unfortunately, over the past year from other Aidan parents, past and present, confirms that we are not alone.

Posted: June 1, 2018

Excellent. Aidan is one of the best small private schools in Washington, DC.

Posted: June 1, 2018

Aidan Montessori has a "pressure free" homework system for students in the upper grades - it guides parents on how to work with their children at home, while not making parents "enforcers." This has worked very well for our two children.

Posted: June 1, 2018

The teachers at Aidan are kind, intelligent, well educated, and very well trained. All the lead teachers are AMI Montessori certified and the school does a lot of professional development to keep them at the top of their game.

Posted: June 1, 2018

The Montessori lessons and structure is set up around principles of peace and inclusion - which extends beyond the curriculum and into conflict resolution, relationship management, and character building. This is an integral part of the program - and a primary reason we chose Aidan Montessori.

Posted: June 1, 2018

There is a new admin team as of the last couple years and they are really on top of things. They are extremely responsive, and fantastic with communication. The administration is also open to parent and student feedback and able to be flexible and supportive wherever they can be. The administration heard the parents need for a Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion group and has worked hard to create space and an opportunity for the community to grow in this area.

Posted: June 1, 2018

I think it depends on the need of the child. They do not have a special education department, but they do have a coordinator who can help get testing or support through DCPS.

Posted: June 1, 2018

There is a bullying response system in place that seems to be effective. There does not seem to be much bullying, but rather just the daily relationship management that children have at this age. There is a full time school counselor on staff that supports small group communication and processing of feelings and navigation around friendships that has been so helpful for our daughter and our son. This has been a real plus.

Posted: March 18, 2018

This does not apply to our child's experience.

Posted: March 18, 2018

Our son attended the toddler program for one semester. After a 3 month long summer break, his teacher informed us that your son can no longer be with us without any prior consultation or explanation. That was a sudden and final declaration. She also encouraged us to keep quiet about this and she wanted to make it sound like this is something we had decided on our own. This happened a few days into the fall semester, and in our meeting the previous semester she never shared any serious concerns about our child. We tried meeting with her a second time to gain a better understanding of the reason for this sudden, unilateral declaration that our child was no longer welcomed in her class. We only got vague, unclear explanations such as : he does not return a box of toys to the proper place, he needs reminders to go to the bathroom, it is just something, I cant put my finger on what it is, but this is not the right place for him Our son was at this point 2 years and 3 months old. She also suggested that he should see a specialist, but again, she has given us no clear information. We saw his pediatrician who did not find any need for a specialist. So we asked the teacher how often a child is dismissed in toddler program in similar circumstances, she replied that this has never happened before in her long career as a Montessori teacher. Put yourself in our shoes, after a long summer break you are suddenly told your son can no longer attend her class without any prior consultations, any tangible explanations and this happened only once in her long career. What she seems to tell us is that there is something extraordinary wrong with our 2 year old son, but she refuses to give us any clear answers. We are still wondering what really happened. At this toddler program, parents are not allowed anywhere near the classrooms, you leave your child to the assistant teacher by the gate. There is one exeption where parents get to look through a tiny one-way window and observe the classroom for a short time, otherwise we did not know anything about what went on in there.

Posted: March 18, 2018

The school did not give us any chance to see if it develops strong character because Aidan dismissed our child without any prior consultation or any post explanation.

Posted: March 18, 2018

After failing to gain any tangible understanding of what happened to our son by talking to his teacher, we reached out to the principal. We thought for sure that the school must have some proper procedures in regards to such extraordinary circumstances. We got no further in our quest for answers. He did not provide any additional insight into why he was dismissed. Furthermore, he refused to inform us about the process of the decision making and under what criteria. So it appears the teacher can make such a decision completely on her own and there is no accountability to parents. Left completely dumbfounded, we still demanded further explanation. We requested a written report from the principal, where he explains in detail what led to our sons dismissal. And here is where it gets even worse..... He mentions behaviors observed in our son that no one affiliated with the school has ever mentioned to us before; behaviors that our pediatrician finds to be completely untrue. He now writes that our son waskicking his legs repeatedly...banging, shaking...avoiding eye contact... These descriptions make no sense to us or anyone else in regular contact with our son. So we can only assume that he is making up lies to make this sound like a valid argument for our childs dismissal. When we pointed out that the additional information he provided was absurd, he refused to elaborate on those claims, providing no clarity. He is hiding behind the legal contract parents sign when they send their child to Aidan: The principal can dismiss students for any reasons deemed appropriate. We asked him what the appropriate reasons are in this case, since we did not sign the contract allowing him to dismiss our child for no reason. His final answer is that it is not productive for him to go into any further details about this, even though we are effectively begging him to give us some clarity.

Posted: March 18, 2018

On one hand, this is the very first time that the teacher dismissed a toddler in her long career as a Montessori teacher, so we assume that something must be extraordinarily different about our child. On the other hand, she just notified us out of the blue after the long summer break that our child could no longer be at Aidan. The teacher and principal refuse to give us any reasons or explanations, so as far as we are concerned, the school does nothing for children with learning differences, or any other differences, for that matter.

Posted: March 18, 2018

This does not apply to our case.

Posted: March 18, 2018

If there was an option of giving no star or negative star, we would. We were initially very excited that our child was able to attend Aidan. We invested a lot of money in sending him here as we believed it to be a welcoming, nurturing place. As concerned parents we feel lied to and rejected. We would never recommend this school to anyone based on our experience, because your child may well be dismissed without any warning, consultations and explanations, non-whatsoever.

Posted: March 18, 2018

Extremely disappointing. We had high hopes for the toddler program, felt fortunate to find a space there for our son and invested lots of money in this as we thought it appeared to be a nurturing and welcoming environment.
We are stunned by how we have been treated by the teacher and principal. As concerned parents to a 2 year old child we are left with no clear explanation by anyone for his sudden dismissal. When we demand further explanation we are lied to and we feel our concern is simply not acknowledged.
What are they not telling us here? Dont we deserve to know as parents?
We will always wonder what truly happened and would never recommend this place to anyone.
Luckily our son is now happily attending another school where mysteriously enough no one have yet noticed his extraordinary behaviors.....

Posted: March 18, 2018

My experience is with the toddler program, they dont have homework.

Posted: March 18, 2018

Our son attended the toddler program for one semester. After a 3 month long summer break, his teacher informed us that your son can no longer be with us without any prior consultation or explanation. That was a sudden and final declaration. She also encouraged us to keep quiet about this and she wanted to make it sound like this is something we had decided on our own. This happened a few days into the fall semester, and in our meeting the previous semester she never shared any serious concerns about our child. We tried meeting with her a second time to gain a better understanding of the reason for this sudden, unilateral declaration that our child was no longer welcomed in her class.
We only got vague, unclear explanations such as : he does not return a box of toys to the proper place, he needs reminders to go to the bathroom, it is just something, I cant put my finger on what it is, but this is not the right place for him
Our son was at this point 2 years and 3 months old. She also suggested that he should see a specialist, but again, she has given us no clear information. We saw his pediatrician who did not find any need for a specialist. So we asked the teacher how often a child is dismissed in toddler program in similar circumstances, she replied that this has never happened before in her long career as a Montessori teacher. Put yourself in our shoes, after a long summer break you are suddenly told your son can no longer attend her class without any prior consultations, any tangible explanations and this happened only once in her long career. What she seems to tell us is that there is something extraordinary wrong with our 2 year old son, but she refuses to give us any clear answers. We are still wondering what really happened. At this toddler program, parents are not allowed anywhere near the classrooms, you leave your child to the assistant teacher by the gate. There is one exeption where parents get to look through a tiny one-way window and observe the classroom for a short time, otherwise we did not know anything about what went on in there.

Posted: March 18, 2018

We feel that this teacher and the schools administration gave up on our 2 year old child without even explaining why. I cannot see that they contributed in any way to develop strong character in our child. They never gave us a chance to experience that.

Posted: March 18, 2018

This is a funny thing. On one hand our sons teacher found our child to be extraordinarily different from any any other toddlers she has ever had in her long career, and she believes our child needs to see a specialist.
On the other hand, she does not provide any reason why she thinks our 2 year old child is so different except his inability to return a box of toys and needing reminders to go to the bathroom, and his pediatrician finds nothing unusual about him.

But what is clear is that whatever these extraordinary differences are that she observed in our son in her classroom is that, 1. She refuse to tell us, and 2. She is most certainly not supportive of these differences, when she tells us that he is no longer welcomed.
So, NO in our experience this school is not supportive of students with learning or any other differences. We are of course not sure about the exact differences she found in our son because she refuses to tell us.

Posted: March 18, 2018

Bullying amongst students were not an issue in our case.

Posted: February 6, 2018

We have loved Aidan. Incredible teachers and support staff. It is a true community.

Posted: February 6, 2018

Posted: November 2, 2016

Emotional intelligence is taught throughout the school, from the daily use of the Yale RULER system in the classroom, to classroom charters, and even programs for parents.

Posted: November 2, 2016

Amazing administration! They are on fire and a great team.

Posted: November 2, 2016

The children work both independently as well as together. They learn team building, conflict resolution, and delegation from an early age!

Posted: November 2, 2016

The teachers at Aidan tailor their approach to each child, both in terms of their dispositions as well as their progress.

Posted: November 2, 2016

There is little homework. But in truth, the children create their own! My daughter is always wanting to do a little extra 'practicing' when we get home. The love of learning is palpable. We are pumped.

Posted: November 2, 2016

Our children love coming to school, learning with and from each other in a wonderfully warm and nurturing environment that offers independence, freedom and a thoughtful, responsive teaching staff.

But we also love the school as parents!!! Shhh. Are we allowed to say that? Best group of parents at any private in the DMV. Diverse, engaged, and hugely accomplished group of people. We are so grateful for the many friendships and working relationships woven into our lives by this school.

Reminds me of a saying my grandmother used to use about especially meaningful gifts:

It may be small, but love is all !

Posted: October 28, 2016

We have been an Aidan family for several years now and have experienced the Toddler, Primary, and Lower Elementary programs. We have had a wonderful time. The teachers have been kind, thoughtful, and proactive about communicating and interacting with our family -- which has been great because your child is with the same teacher for each program (e.g. Primary is a 3-year curriculum). Our child -- and indeed our entire family -- developed a strong bond with each of our 3 teachers. In terms of academics, our child was reading fluently and doing multiplication and long division by the time he finished the last year of the Primary program (which is the K year at non-Montessori schools) - so we also have no quarrel at all with the academic rigor of the school! The after-school program is high quality and is basically outdoor Montessori; it also offers many additional classes (Chinese, Spanish, chess, art, sewing, soccer, etc.) if you want to sign your child up for them. The school also has a very supportive program for families that offers free seminars throughout the year on various aspects of Montessori education. The parent community is small but pleasant and tightly-knit - and there are multiple opportunities for parents to get involved and volunteer if they wish. The school has truly been a supportive and warm home for our family and we are very grateful for that.

Posted: October 28, 2016

The new head of school (started in fall 2016) has a lot of positive energy and is really making an effort to reach out to parents and staff and work with them to make a great school even better.

Posted: October 28, 2016

For a few years now Aidan has been implementing the RULER program from Yale, a program focusing on nurturing your child's emotional health.

Posted: October 28, 2016

We have had three teachers at the school (Toddler, Primary, Lower El) and have had strongly positive experiences with all of them. We also have found other staff at the school (such as the counselor, foreign language teachers, after school teachers, etc.) to be highly effective.

Posted: October 28, 2016

Our experience was there were no homework at the Primary level and a bit of homework at the Lower El level -- regular reading log, spelling tests, etc. Your child will NOT be doing multiple worksheets for homework every week.

Posted: March 16, 2016

Weve had an excellent experience at Aidan over the past decade. Each of our children joined as toddlers and will likely continue through upper elementary. The building is unassuming and tucked into a quiet Woodley Park neighborhood, but thats okay because the magic happens in Aidans bright, beautiful classrooms. Between our three children, we have, as parents, experienced eight different learning environments. Naturally, as with any school, there has been some variation and bumps along the way (Ive seen firsthand what some of the other reviewers mentioned). The constants, however, are the quality of the education; the focus on the children; and the passion Aidan teachers have for nurturing a love of learning in their students. We can honestly say that our kids love going to school every day. And that innate thirst to learn and explore never turns off not after school, on weekends or over the summer. Its a part of who they are and (I suspect) contributes to their overall confidence in learning and in life. Some reviewers have remarked about rigidity, but our experience has been that Aidans adherence to the curriculum is what defines it as an authentically AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) school. There has been some changing of the guard in faculty over the past few years, and while the retired teachers were some of the most revered in the Montessori world, I can honestly say that the new are probably some of the best in the country. There will also be a new head of school next year, whom the entire community seems very excited about. One last note: We happen to love the other families who attend Aidan. I suppose were of a similar mindset, having together taken a leap of faith in a method of education not considered mainstream, but they are a special group of people (kind, worldly, well-educated, successful but humble) and part of what keeps us at the school. All in all, we love Aidan. Its made us better, more mindful parents, and its given my kids an extraordinary foundation for learning and life.

Posted: March 16, 2016

Almost no homework is given, until the children near graduation (in which case they begin the process of transitioning to a secondary school).

Posted: March 16, 2016

Grace and courtesy, respect, and inclusiveness are all an integral part of the Montessori curriculum.

Posted: March 15, 2016

We've been at Aidan for many years, and I can't say enough good things about the teachers and community. My kids are learning to LOVE learning! The teachers show them how to be self-directed, to develop patience and concentration, and to find joy in learning itself--not just because they get a gold star. The elementary school is a shining example of how education SHOULD be. I could not be more thrilled. A new Head of School is coming in who seems skilled and energetic. I'm excited for the future!

Posted: March 15, 2016

Posted: September 4, 2015

Our child attended Aidan for several years. It was deeply disappointing experience and we regret sending our child. While all the Montessori materials were there, the innovative and differentiated implementation of the Montessori pedagogy was not. We experienced rote and fixed use of materials, a disinterest in the unique capacities and requirements of each student (something we always believed Montessori excelled at), and an unsynthesized process to connect students from their Montessori experience to the high-performing public and independent schools they transferred to.

Our childs teachers had favorites and were uninterested in any extra effort to support students' learning beyond the basic Montessori materials in each classroom. Effective family engagement did not exist - no ways in which families could track the progress of their student or support classroom learning. Effective communication from teachers was nonexistent, and when the time came to apply out of the school there was no process, no support, and no guidance.

While Aidan appears to have a stellar history, our experience indicates a school resting on its Montessori laurels. Rather than being on the leading edge of innovation, which synthesizes classical Montessori with education research and best practices, Aidan operated with pedantic adherence to Montessori principles and a lack of responsiveness we found shocking. It was a terrible disappointment.

We understand there is administrative change on the horizon and we wish the school the opportunity to reflect deeply on what it wants its next iteration to be. We hope it can build on its Montessori roots a school that has robust academics, an authentic interest and insight into each family, and a welcoming community.

Posted: April 23, 2013

At the younger ages, Toddler and Primary level, this is a good school. Kids benefit from a warm environment, Montessori techniques and a strong community. But from then on, beware: the school is a steep drop off for first graders on up. The school adheres blindly to Montessori pedagogy without regard to its appropriateness for kids as they get older. If your child is smart, he will accelerate through the "materials based" curriculum but be restricted to using these materials even when they are no longer needed or useful. The small size of the classes mean that children often have only one or two kids the same age/gender to work and play with - a serious social development issue. The lack of outdoor space and physical education is a huge problem, as are sub-standard substitute teachers - a particular problem with aging teachers. They also do not test. That means that when your kid moves on to another school, he will be at a real disadvantage. The head of school is a self-promoter who lacks management and financial skill and is not even Montessori trained - all while insisting on strict adherence to it. Sadly, while early years are lovely, in the end, I cannot recommend Aidan.

Posted: October 26, 2012

I have been an Aidan parent for 7 years. At one point, I had 3 children at Aidan on 3 different levels (Primary, Lower Elementary, and Upper Elementary). My kids love this school, their teachers, and their peers. Although each of my children have different learning styles, Aidan has assisted them overcome their weaknesses while enhancing their strengths. With the dedicated attention of Aidan teachers, one of my children overcame a two year deficit in math and english when she entered the school to performing above grade level at graduation. Each summer, my children receive a personal letter from his/her teacher (not an email). My kids look forward to getting the letters in the mail. There are an abundant number of opportunities throughout the year to learn of each child's development. It really is a function of simply contacting the teacher. Somehow, they always have time talk and often take the initiative to share a few comments whenever they see me or my wife. School wide, I think the kids love learning and teaching. One of my kids learned simple greek expressions from one classmate; conversational french from another. (The school teaches Spanish and Chinese.)

Posted: October 18, 2012

Aidan has all the makings of a great school with one exception. I love the teachers that truly care and educate the kids, they montessori method instills an amazing love for learning that all my kids will have their entire lives because of the great teachers at Aidan. I do however believe that the adminstration is extremely political and the school leadership often misrepresents itself to appease and placate the parents but in reality has no intentions of actually changing things. There have been continual promises of expanded discovery programs with each increase of tuition -- yet no noticable improvements (in fact 2011 basically was babysitting). The last example that, ultimately made me seek a traditional school with a much more dependable leader was the fact that they intentionally waited until commitments were binding before they announced that they would have a 3rd upper elementary teacher in 3 years... sadly I had asked the head of school about the rumors before hand (in Apirl), and she denied it. After the fact, I found that they knew about the teacher's resignation months earlier... I love Aidan, but seems like Adminstation's bottom line is money.

Posted: June 28, 2012

I can hardly believe that anyone wrote a negative comment about Aidan's "senior" teachers! These incredibly dedicated, passionate teachers have 20-30 years of experience, many of which were spent right at Aidan. The love of children and devotion to instilling a love of learning and a breadth of knowledge is unmatched by the teachers I see in many of the other DC private schools. In fact, in my experience, many teachers in the other schools (including my son's) are narrow and tired. They might be younger (or not), but they seem fed up with the children and bored with the subjects. In fact, at my son's private school (unfortunately, he was not accepted into Aidan), the teachers seem to spend far too much time enforcing petty rules and far too little time appreciating and fostering the childrens' inquisitiveness or harnessing the absorbent mind. Aidan is a wonderful school. I went to a big, fancy private school. I wish I had gone to Aidan.

Posted: April 28, 2012

Lower elementary teachers are senior(meaning they should have retired at least 5 years ago). One specifically shows preferential treatment to the kids whose parents are on the board or big donors. So for normal families, your child will not get first shot at the exciting science project or get the extra time needed to master a lesson. It's a very expensive education for grades 1-3 that's just average. Most parents whose kids go on to competitive independent schools, heavily tutor so their kids are prepared. So most families apply to other schools after their 1st year. Only communication you will typically have with the teacher is during 2 conferences a year. Because of their age, they don't use email. So any progress or activities happening in the class you wait until the few times a year for the parent/teacher conferences. The afterschool program is very limited for elementary kids. Focus is on toddlers and primary(18month - 5 years). Many opportunities for parents to get involved. However, committee leadership is very political. Head of School hand picks leadership behind the scene. If I could do it again, I would not have wasted my child's time here.

Posted: August 9, 2011

Aidan is a wonderful community with wonderful teachers! We love the fact that children and teachers work together for three years in each level(except for toddler). The teachers really get to know the children and their insight is invaluable.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	The Willoughby	Condominium/Townhouse	Chevy Chase	MD	3.1 mi
2	The VIO	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Washington SW	DC	3.8 mi
3	Takoma Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Takoma Park	MD	4.8 mi
4	Twenty400	Apartment Complex	Arlington	VA	5.5 mi
5	Leeway Overlee - N Arlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	5.6 mi
6	Reserve at Potomac Yard	Apartment Complex	Alexandria	VA	6.1 mi
7	Shirlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	6.1 mi
8	Beverly Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	6.2 mi
9	Falls Church City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	6.9 mi
10	Forest Knolls	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	7.4 mi
11	Rivergate	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	7.8 mi
12	Henry	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	7.9 mi
13	Hillandale	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	8.1 mi
14	DuMont Oaks	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Silver Spring	MD	8.4 mi
15	White Flint	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Rockville	MD	8.6 mi
16	Fords Landing	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	9 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Georgetown	Washington	DC	1.1 mi
2	Washington DC	Washington D.C.	DC	2.8 mi
3	Arlington	Arlington	VA	3.6 mi
4	Capitol Hill	Washington	DC	3.8 mi
5	Silver Spring	Silver Spring	MD	4.8 mi
6	Pentagon City	Arlington	VA	4.8 mi
7	Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	7.9 mi
8	White Oak	Silver Spring	MD	8.1 mi
9	Old Town Alexandria	Alexandria	VA	8.3 mi

Base	Distance
Fort Myer	3.3 mi.
Pentagon	3.8 mi.
Henderson Hall	4.1 mi.
Fort McNair	4.4 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	4.6 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	4.7 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	4.8 mi.
Walter Reed Medical Center	5.7 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	6.3 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	7.4 mi.
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	9.2 mi.
Andrews AFB	12.2 mi.
Fort Belvoir	15.7 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	20.6 mi.
NRO Chantilly	21.5 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	24.2 mi.
US Naval Academy	30.8 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	31.7 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	32.2 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	34.3 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	40.3 mi.
Fort Detrick	40.6 mi.

Aidan Montessori School

Washington, DC 20008

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