Concord Hill School

Posted: March 7, 2021

Both of my children attended Concord Hill from 3-years-old thru 3rd Grade between 2006-2014. I have since returned to serve as on the Board of Trustees at this "small but mighty" school, so that I can give back to the place that gave so much to my children and our family. At CHS, every child is known and embraced for who s/he is, every teacher and faculty member knows the name of every child at the school, and the low teacher-to-student ratio creates an unbeatable atmosphere for learning and growth during these early formative years. The new Head of School, Nate Dennison, has both the vision, the energy to make Concord Hill THE school for early childhood education in the greater Washington, DC area. As I send my oldest child off to college, I believe that our decision to send her to CHS to start her education is the best decision we ever could've made for her!

Posted: March 7, 2021

Posted: March 7, 2021

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Posted: March 4, 2019

Posted: March 4, 2019

The teachers at Concord Hill are what really make this school special. Most of the teachers have been there a decade or longer. They really care about the children's complete development - academic and emotional. The specialists for reading, math, and science really make the student-teacher ratio closer to 7-1 for these critical areas.

Posted: March 4, 2019

Emotional development is probably the school's strength. We have seen our son develop from a self-centered 4-year old (typical) to a wonderful leader brimming with confidence, but also having respect for others.

Posted: March 4, 2019

Posted: March 4, 2019

Small classes and specialists allow them to focus on the individual academic needs of each child.

Posted: March 4, 2019

The emphasis on emotional development at all ages seems to tackle any bullying issues before they even begin. We have not experienced anything approaching some of the bullying stories we have heard about elsewhere.

Posted: March 4, 2019

When we moved to Bethesda, the plan was to attend public school and take advantage of the great schools in the area. As we were looking for a school for our 4-year old, we found Concord Hill. We have never looked back, and have also enrolled our second child. The school has the perfect combination of academic and emotional development. I was skeptical of play-based learning at first, but have come around to see how valuable it is in developing children with confidence and incredible social skills. The strong academics were also a must for our family, and CHS excels there too.

Posted: March 3, 2019

Our experience has been great. CHS has been great academically for our girls, in large part due to the school's ability to deliver a well-rounding diverse curriculum, with small group focus on reading and math skills. The leadership understands the unique value of Concord Hill, effectively budgets resources to keep tuition at a reasonable level, and focuses resources on teaching rather than new buildings and fancy facilities.

Posted: March 3, 2019

As current parents of two girls at CHS, we are very happy with the teaching at the school. While the school has a focus on social emotional development, there is also academic rigor underpinning the curriculum. Our girls are developing as very thoughtful and friendly kids, which we feel derives from the approach at CHS. Additionally, due to the great student-teacher ratio, both girls get small group instruction in reading and math with other students at similar skill levels.

Posted: March 3, 2019

Posted: March 2, 2019

I can't express how happy I've been with Concord Hill. I feel like I was able to give my daughter and son a gift that they will cherish the rest of their lives. Made me a real believer in the power of early child education. While I wish it didn't stop at third grade, that singular focus on early child is what makes the school so effective.

Posted: March 2, 2019

Always felt like the right amount. Not overburdening but reinforcing (and allows us to know what is going on in the classroom). Kids never complain about it!

Posted: March 2, 2019

This is one of the biggest strengths of Concord Hill--the teachers. Incredible combination of warm and nurturing while really challenging students to improve both academically and personally. They really know my kids--every conference is like talking to someone who has grown up side by side with our kids.

Posted: March 2, 2019

A real focus here on the whole student, I love the importance they put on social behaviors and how supportive the students are of each other. it's amazing to see how much the whole class gets along with each other.

Posted: March 2, 2019

Lots of visibility for parents and the leaders do a great job of fostering a community. Met lots of other parents through events that became lasting friends.

Posted: March 2, 2019

They do a nice job of breaking into smaller groups for reading and Math. Continue to challenge students regardless of skill level, while keeping students (and parents) from understanding which level group the students are in.

Posted: March 2, 2019

Never had an issue with this with either child nor heard about it. Kids are so well known by teachers that it's hard for this behavior to occur.

Posted: February 27, 2019

Homework is limited in the younger years as it should be, then slowly ramps up as the teachers help the children develop the good study habits and responsibility for their assignments that they will need as they get older.

Posted: February 27, 2019

The school has an amazing number of talented faculty, especially for such a small school. My kids have two full-time, experienced classroom teachers, plus truly talented art, music, technology, science, math, and reading specialists, and a dedicated librarian, school counselor, and gym teacher. Because the school is so small and focused only on early childhood, the teachers truly get to know each child personally. As parents, we love getting very detailed report cards that touch on all aspects of their development, and we love how responsive the teachers and administration are to any concerns or questions we have. The classrooms are joyful and purposeful, and the teachers are warm and nurturing while also ensuring that the children are engaged and respectful of their learning environment. My children have loved all of their teachers at CHS, and they have developed a real love of learning. We feel the curriculum is stimulating and appropriately challenging, and the small class sizes allow the teachers to meet the kids where they are and help them grow.

Posted: February 27, 2019

The school has a strong social-emotional curriculum and there is a lot of focus on kindness, respect, and friendship. The children are gently guided to resolve conflict in a peaceful way and develop very sweet friendships with each other. The school community is also very welcoming to all families and the parents are warm and friendly to each other.

Posted: February 27, 2019

The new Head of School who is starting this summer has met with parents and faculty throughout this year to gather input and get to know the school well before he officially begins his job. He is experienced, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about leading the CHS community, and he will have the support of the many long-serving and dedicated administrators, staff, and faculty.

Posted: February 27, 2019

Teachers and the administration are kind, supportive, and focused on supporting all children to the best of their ability.

Posted: February 27, 2019

This has not been much of an issue to our knowledge, perhaps because the school focuses so much on kindness and inclusion, and any issues are addressed before they get out of hand.

Posted: February 27, 2019

Excellent. We really like that it is a small school focused exclusively on early childhood, which we have found to be an ideal environment for our kids. Every adult in the building knows every child by name, and that has made our young children feel like CHS is their second home. They love going to school every day and have developed a genuine, enthusiastic love of learning. The small classes and very low student-teacher ratio allows for each child to get personalized attention. This is particularly valuable for reading and math instruction, where the children are broken up into very small groups and get very focused, differentiated instruction each day starting in first grade. The kids "graduate" in third grade very well prepared to do well in their next school, and they are sought after by other independent schools for fourth grade. The school is very helpful with outplacement for those who choose to continue in independent schools (some families choose to go to public school for fourth grade after getting this solid foundation at CHS). Overall, we couldn't be happier with the experience our family has had at this school.

Posted: August 23, 2018

I have found leadership to be very responsive to my occasional concerns. However, the school has a philosophy and is not going to change course on certain things just because of one parent complaint. So, if you are a parent who thinks that your child should be reading in Kindergarten, no matter what, this is not the school for you. Reading is taught in 1st grade, with a LOT of literacy and writing activities before that. The result is that some kids are reading independently in K, and many others (including my two kids) were not. However, by the end of 1st grade, they ALL are reading, and any possible deficiencies are being addressed. My 11 year old is a voracious reader (as in, I have to confiscate all flashlights from her room at 10pm, or else she would be up reading all night), and now just laughs at the idea that there was ever a time when she couldn't read.
As my kids get older, I realize the wisdom in not pushing the academics too early. Kids have many, many years ahead of them filled with demanding school work and having to do stuff that they don't want to do. But if they can have a few extra years where they learn the satisfaction of exploring their interests and learning through play, they are very lucky.

Posted: August 23, 2018

Not much experience with this, but from what I have heard, the school will work with you and any outside consultants that may have evaluated your child.

Posted: August 23, 2018

The new RULER program that addresses social-emotional learning is really impressive. It helps children understand and label their big emotions, and really learn to talk about them. This doesn't mean that a child will never feel bullied by another kid, but it helps them learn how to react to those inevitable confrontations. Then the school addresses the other child's bullying behavior.

Posted: August 23, 2018

Exceptional! My 6th grader, who entered Kindergarten as a very shy child, blossomed at this school, and was very well prepared for her next school. The opportunities for public speaking and performances really brought her out of her shell, and the teachers got to know her and appreciate her interests and personality. My younger child also adores her school, and is already asking if CHS can allow her to stay past 3rd grade. It is a wonderful environment for young children, which has also found really exciting ways to innovate, as evidenced in the new maker space.
However, I really wouldn't look at the ratings I would just visit. If you find yourself talking about the "academics" that your 3 year old requires, this might not be the place for you.

Posted: August 23, 2018

There is no homework until 1st grade, at which point they introduce homework in very incremental steps. It is not onerous, just meant to practice skills that the students have learned in class. By 3rd grade there may be a bit more homework but it is all related to class work, and is not busy work.

Posted: August 23, 2018

With such small classes, the teachers really get to know all of the kids. I am always impressed by the things the teachers have picked up on by the time our first conference takes place. They all love teaching and really enjoy that they are able to have some autonomy in what they teach, depending on the interests of each particular class.

Posted: August 23, 2018

Both of my kids are able to articulate their feelings and empathize with others. They get to know their classmates so well, and really learn to appreciate their interests and quirks.

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Posted: August 21, 2018

Our family is having a great experience at CHS. It is a warm, supportive environment with teachers, staff, and leadership that truly care about my child. We've found teachers, staff, and leadership to be very responsive. The science/math and reading specialists are absolutely amazing. There is a strong focus on providing a high quality education in a nurturing environment.

Posted: June 7, 2018

They will talk to you about problems, but do little about them. The head of the school is leaving and an office administrator is being left in charge, who does not want to deal with issues.

Posted: June 7, 2018

We thought that with small classes, the children that were ahead of others or with other needs would get some special attention, but did not find that to be true. Talking to several other parents, we found that several felt that their children regressed academically from what they learned in day care.

Posted: June 7, 2018

They are willing to talk about it, but rarely do much about it. This has been an ongoing issue.

Posted: June 7, 2018

Very disappointing. We looked at the ratings prior to sending our child to this school and it looked good on paper. It has been a big disappointment in so many ways - poor academically, bullying, lack of attention to special needs.

Posted: June 7, 2018

Posted: June 7, 2018

Teachers do little to help students that are more advanced. The curriculum was not challenging, and my child learned more in day care before she came to this school. When we talked to teachers, they said they would work with our child on more advanced skills, but rarely did. Very disappointing.

Posted: June 7, 2018

The school spends a lot of time talking about these issues (to the neglect of anything academic), but does not work to enforce these things with students.

Posted: January 21, 2014

Concord Hill is super. Since it's so small, not only do all the teachers know my daughter and son by name, but also know their personalities. We love the individualized attention and great teacher-student ratio (each class has 2 real F/T instructors.