Auguste Montessori School

Posted: September 4, 2024

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From the moment we stepped into Auguste Montessori, we knew we had found something truly special. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, radiating a sense of community and belonging that is felt by all who enter. We are consistently impressed by the exceptional quality of education and the nurturing environment that Auguste provides.

Valerie, and all of the educators at Auguste, are nothing short of extraordinary. Each teacher brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to their role. They create an engaging and stimulating learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and discover their interests at their own pace. The teachers are not mere instructors; they are mentors and guides and role models and emotional supports who foster a lifelong love of life and learning and growth mindset. Their commitment to each child's individual growth is evident in the personalized attention and support they provide, ensuring that each student feels seen, heard, and valued.

Auguste beautifully integrates academics with hands-on learning--the Montessori approach encourages students to take ownership of their education and fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Another of the standout features of Auguste is its quiet dedication to socio-emotional learning. Valerie recognizes that happiness, fulfillment, positive mindset, sense of self, confidence, and academic success are all directly related to the development of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills. Through the gentle, respectful spirit expertly modeled and maintained by Valerie and the other teachers, students learn to navigate their emotions, develop empathy, and cultivate strong relationships with their peers. The emphasis on community and collaboration is palpable--a caring, safe space for children to express themselves and grow into confident individuals. It was heartwarming to witness our son's emotional growth and resilience derived from Auguste's holistic approach.

Auguste is a gem. It is a place where children are not only educated but are also nurtured into compassionate, curious, and capable individuals. We are incredibly grateful for the wonderful teachers, the enriching Montessori approach, and the focus on respect, community, and emotional learning that have all contributed to our son's development. Auguste truly prioritizes student well-being and growth, and is a place where every child can thrive and discover their fullest potential.

Posted: January 19, 2023

There is an expectation of Montessori School and Auguste *exceeds* those expectations. The school director and her staff are kind, welcoming, experienced, and nurturing. My children have made lifelong friends there, and their Auguste education prepared them well for DC public school.

The classrooms are conducive to a fun learning experience with views of the outdoors, windows that open for fresh air, and space to play, dance, sing, count, read, share, and create.

My family is grateful to have Auguste Montessori School as the first foundational education experiences for our children.

Posted: January 19, 2023

Posted: November 8, 2022

Auguste is a special place! I was fortunate to have both my children attend this school and there are so many things I love about it. Here are a few...

- The director and staff are excellent. There is virtually no staff turnover from year to year so my kids formed strong bonds with all the teachers.
- The community around the school is strong. The director cultivates a strong sense of community that extends beyond the school years, inviting "alumns" back to help teach, and including prior families in yearly celebrations.
- The school fosters a sense of caring for each other. If a child stays home sick for example, they call the kids and sing for them to help cheer them up.
- I loved the mixed-age classroom. My little ones learned so much from the older kids, and then when they were older, they learned to help teach and care for the younger ones.
- The school focuses on education fundamentals. Both my kids were good readers with good math skills, and totally ready for kindergarten.

I really can't recommend this school enough.

Posted: November 8, 2022

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Posted: April 10, 2019

Auguste is a truly unique school that we feel incredibly fortunately to be a part of. I don't think there is a single parent who has had a child there that doesn't wish they could keep them at Auguste through the remainder of their schools years!

Posted: April 10, 2019

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Posted: May 29, 2018

I feel so fortunate that I have found Auguste for my son. I could not have wished for a better school and happy to be part of the Auguste community.

Posted: May 29, 2018

The teachers tailor the lessons effectively for each child at their pace, which helped my son to flourish tremendously.

Posted: May 29, 2018

The staff is amazing, caring, and very knowledgeable with the Montessori method. There are different Montessori schools but what sets this school apart is the dedication, personalized attention, and care these teachers provide.

Posted: May 29, 2018

You feel a sense of peace that your child is getting a wonderful education but also learning to be contributing members in the society. The school embodies and teaches the kids to be respectful, have empathy, and the older kids mentor the kids in a nurturing way. I could not wish for a better school for my son and wish Valerie would start an elementary - high school.

Posted: May 29, 2018

Valerie is not just an amazing Director and Teacher, but she leads the teachers to create a Community environment where children thrive and build strong connections with their peers. Valerie addresses concerns immediately and thoughtfully.

Posted: May 29, 2018

My son has focus issues and the school has been so supportive and patient, working with him. He has improved so much this year because of the caring environment at Auguste.

Posted: May 29, 2018

The school is very effective with bullying, they don't scold the students but they have a firm and caring approach, while working together with the students families. It's a team approach.

Posted: April 4, 2018

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Valerie is the toddler/ young child whisperer. She is amazing. Auguste is a very special place. I cannot say enough about it.

Posted: April 4, 2018

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Valerie O'Connor is exceptionally her understanding of young children and also the Montessori methodology.

Posted: April 4, 2018

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No homework given to the students as they are too young.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Auguste teaches are kind, loving and knowledgeable.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Auguste have my son the most wonderful three years of Pre-K. He developed compassion, respect, honour - from seeing it in action every day.

Posted: April 4, 2018

Exceptional. I wish Auguste could go through at least 1st grade!

Posted: April 4, 2018

Auguste is a truly wonderful place for your pre-schoolers to grow and develop. My son attended and my daughter still attends the school and they both love it. The director, Valerie, and her staff are super dedicated and wonderfully helpful to both kids and parents. Obviously with things regarding to school, but also trying to help (and mostly succeeding) wherever they can in other aspects of bringing up one's children. This goes from help with after-care, checking in on parents who are going through a rough time, etc. It's a truly wonderful community. Bruno

Posted: April 4, 2018

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Posted: April 4, 2018

There is much to love about Auguste. First and foremast, the director Valerie and her staff are exceptional. My son has thrived under their guidance, and I'm amazed at the progress he's made, both in terms of what he's learning, and his behavior.

I love the smaller size of the school, and the sense of community that goes along with that.

I also love that the offer a 3 day mornings program, which was a great way to ease my son into a school environment.

We feel so lucky to have found Auguste!

Posted: April 4, 2018

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Posted: June 22, 2016

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Posted: June 22, 2016

Posted: June 22, 2016

Auguste is a very special place. My sons had wonderful experiences there. I appreciate that the school focuses on meeting the kids where they are, and focus on building skills by doing the tasks they are trying to learn. I have always been amazed at how Valerie understands and connects with every child at the school.
There is so much to say why this place is wonderful, the variety of lessons the school teaches, and the art/music the children learn. I strongly and highly recommend this school.

Posted: November 7, 2014

My three sons all went to Auguste Montessori from ages 2-1/2 - 6. Valerie has a wonderful way with kids, especially with boys in calming them down and getting them focused and interested in learning. We continue to stay in touch with Valerie as have all the graduates from the school. It is a nice community of parents. I highly recommend this school to any parent that is interested in the Montessori method and as a pre-curser to elementary school.

Posted: October 3, 2014

Enrolling my kids at Auguste Montessori was the best thing that happened to us in DC. Moving from a different country, a new school could be a challenge, but everyone there was so welcoming that my entire family felt at home right away. Valerie's ability to open the way for kids to develop and learn, while respecting their individuality is amazing and makes the difference! The love and caring is present in the entire staff and it ensures a great environment for kids to grow and learn. My kids have great memories of Auguste and were very happy there. I couldn't recommend more!

Posted: September 10, 2014

There is really something special about this small, warm and lively school. We had our two kids enrolled there during two years and it was a very enriching experience - not only for them, but for us parents too! The school's director, Ms O'Connor, is truly a gifted educator. She can capture each child's limitations and potential, and with a very unique touch, helps them discover, learn, create, and interact socially. We are grateful for having found Auguste Montessori and would definitely recommend this school!!!

Posted: April 29, 2014

When touring schools, only at Auguste did we immediately feel a sense of family and a true dedication for the joy of learning. Our daughter attended the initial visit with us. Seeing her engage so well assured us that we were choosing the best place for her. We like the small community (approx. 30 children) and diversity of students. The school's Director Valerie O'Connor is gifted. She is also the primary educator. She has a natural warmth, attentiveness, and calm about her, and a happy and playful spirit. Valerie is available for questions or concerns, and we appreciate her accessibility. We love that the Montessori program intermixes children of all ages, the younger ones learning from the older ones, and the older ones feeling pride and responsibility as they guide the younger. The activities are structured but the children are always free to make choices, the atmosphere is calm and purposeful, and always fun and engaging. Our daughter loves art and music and she has many opportunities to explore these daily. Our daughter runs down the sidewalk to school each morning, beaming. We could not ask for more and are so grateful to have discovered this truly special and unique school.

Posted: April 28, 2014

My two children graduated from Auguste in the past few years ... and we were all sad to say goodbye. Auguste is a magical place. I have never felt so certain that my children were in good hands ... cherished, respected but also challenged. Valerie, the Director, not only has a way with children -- she has a way with people -- and it flows through the staff, the parents and everything else at the school. My children developed early math and reading skills there, but, even more, they learned to trust and respect themselves. They also gained a sense of responsibility to one another and, in many ways, I credit their close relationship to the time they shared at Auguste. Even after years (and several teachers and schools in between) my children still ask to visit Auguste as "graduates" (the Director encourages children to return to help teach the younger ones). Each time my kids visit, they return with a renewed sense of pride and connection. I truly believe this school will live in their hearts always and could not recommend this school enough.

Posted: June 24, 2012

Our son just completed his first year at Auguste and we absolutely loved our experience there. The school's director is a wonderful person and has a special gift with children. She's very accessible and makes sure parents are well informed about their child's progress. The teachers are warm and caring as well. I love that parents have many opportunities to get involved in different aspects of school life. In addition to a great environment, the school offers a strong academic program that focuses on building solid basis in math and developing reading/writing skills. Our son simply loves going to school every day and we couldn't be happier with our choice.

Posted: June 12, 2012

Our child has just completed his second year of Auguste Montessori and I cant say enough wonderful things about the director, the teachers and the curriculum. The director sets a tone of openness, caring and respect for each student as well as the parents. Our child loves going to school every day and is learning reading, writing, math, geography as well as concern and respect for others. In addition, the school emphasizes empowering each child with making their own decisions and internal control, two key aspects that contribute to positive emotional development. The day also includes optional outside playtime at the Murch school across the street. If you are a proponent of the Montessori system (which we are), this school is an exceptional choice.

Posted: February 15, 2011

Two of my children have graduated from Auguste Montessori (in 2006 and 2008) - they are now above-grade level students in Montgomery County. I cannot say enough about this school, the director, and our experience. My impressions of this school during our initial visit was that the rooms were very bright (from sunlight!) and orderly. The school is on the second floor and not run in a basement like most pre- or nursery schools I had visited. A room full of children were amazingly focused, happy, and well behaved. The director is very warm and welcoming. She is very sensitive to the children's individual needs and strengths. The assistants and director provided a safe and caring environment for both my children. My kids are both avid readers (a testament to the director's teaching them at an early age), and they were both able to write cursive by age 4. Math, geography, art, music, among others, were also integral parts of the Montessori curriculum, as well as outdoor recess. Upon graduating from this school, my children were well prepared for school. They learned how to respect others and be kind.

Posted: February 14, 2011

Our family cannot say enough good things about our experience at Auguste Montessori. The Director, Valerie O'Connor, provides a safe, warm, and nurturing environment for all the children. Each child is seen as an individual and given the proper attention and direction to learn and grow in a happy, healthy, and positive way. Our three children thrived at Auguste thanks to Valerie and her passion for teaching and her love for our children.

Posted: July 20, 2010

Auguste Montessori is a blessing to our children who attend the school and to our community. The director maintains a culture of respect for self, for others, and for the environment, true to the Montessori tradition. Montessori is not the right choice for every family. But if you want your child to develop a love of work and learning based on self-driven exploring, guided by professionals trained in child development, then we highly recommend Auguste Montessori.

Posted: July 18, 2010

Our family has had a wonderful experience with Auguste Montessori. Both of our children have really thrived here. The atmosphere is more like a family than a school. When your child is having problems either at school or at home the director is happy to work through them with you as a parent to fix the problem -- including you in what she is doing in the classroom and working with you on solutions that may help at home. They also are very adept at nurturing each child's intellectual curiosity and helping to grow socially. I can't recommend it highly enough.