Congressional School in Falls Church

Posted: November 7, 2024

We've been a part of the Congressional School community for 8 years - from the infant and toddler program into middle school. At each new year, my children are proud of their school, feel deeply supported by their teachers, coaches, and administrators, and are thriving academically and socially.

Posted: November 7, 2024

Posted: November 5, 2024

Congressional is a wonderful school for each of our three very different children. We love the facility and administration.

Posted: November 5, 2024

Posted: October 23, 2024

I have two kids, currently in 8th and 4th Grade, and we have been at the school since 2016. The school has two separate "main" buildings, one for infants through Junior K, and one for K-8th grade. We were originally attracted to the school because it was on the way into downtown D.C. and it was really great for two parent working families, since they offer care from 7 AM until 6 PM with their extended hours (open to all families.) We were also attracted to their great outdoor facilities with woods, a creek, various outdoor facilities, and a large aquatic center plus horseback riding facilities. My son was an advanced learner so I really wanted to find a place that would get to know him and tailor to him as an individual learner and the school has really excelled at this, all the way for him from K-8th. The teachers and administration are generally very caring individuals who are motivating and want to bring out the best in each child. I definitely feel that the teachers are very communicative and open to partnership with the families, as well as active and engaged members of the community. The students are overwhelmingly very respectful, polite, smart, curious, positive, and happy kids. The other parents at the school are friendly, engaged, and impressive people, but very down to earth. This school is academically challenging but not in a high-pressure or high stress environment. My son's junior high-level teachers are all amazing; and the school's current drama/improv teacher is absolutely incredible and has done a fantastic job of bringing the entire school community together for large events like the school musical, which we all look forward to. I am so glad we ended up at this school and really grateful for the experience we have had there. If I had to choose one single word to describe our experience at the school it would be "community," and I am proud to be a part of it.

Posted: October 22, 2022

I have had two kids at the school since 2015. The school is absolutely amazing. They recently put in a new aquatic center which they have gotten good use out of until it got to be the off season. The teachers are very caring and they get to know each child very well on an individual level. Its a great mix of experienced teachers and younger/newer teachers. They push my kids academically but not in a way that is stressful or too much work for them. (Again: they get to know each child on an individual level.) I love their emphasis on using the outdoor space for learning. The horses on campus are such a special treat. The community is very close knit and fun. Any behavioral issues amongst the children are dealt with immediately and properly. Communication: the teachers and staff are very responsive and its an open line of communication. All in all I have nothing bad to say about the school. We love it there.

Posted: October 22, 2022

Posted: June 6, 2021

The Head of School is an amazing and thoughtful leader. Hes implemented new programs that are really beneficial to the students. The teachers are knowledgeable, engaged, diverse and fully committed to each childs academic and emotional development. The curriculum evolves based on the students needs. For math, there are different tracks to take based on each childs aptitude and knowledge level rather than a one-size fits all approach that some schools offer. My child has been at this school for 10 years and we cherish the experiences, growth, academic success and lasting memories. Superb education!!

Posted: June 6, 2021

Posted: February 17, 2021

Highly recommend this school. The teacher has found a place for my son. She has developed a plan to help him thrive. I didnt find this with the other schools we looked at. Go Congressional!

Posted: February 17, 2021

Posted: December 19, 2019

This is our first year and so far we are blown away by the difference between this year and the last year at our child's previous, Montessori-based school. It has been a great fit for our academically curious and gifted child who also has a severe learning difference, dyslexia.

Posted: December 19, 2019

There is far less homework than at my daughter's previous Montessori-based school, and the work itself seems more functional--not "make-work." Also, the school tells students and parents that if any given assignment is taking too long (25 minutes or more), the child should stop and email the teacher about how far they got. My child has severe dyslexia and homework used to be a nightmare of meltdowns taking hours. Now she is done in 30 minutes to an hour, including breaks, and some days (and most weekends) she has no homework at all other than 20 minutes of reading whatever she wants to read.

Posted: December 19, 2019

The teachers are dedicated to doing the best for each child, and are actively involved in figuring out what each child needs. The school integrates technology, creative methods, and traditional methods. Individual and small group projects are used frequently for effective hands-on learning. The kids are taught how to organize and how to break down tasks starting in early grades, so that they can build on these foundational skills as academic demands increase as they get older.

Posted: December 19, 2019

This is our first year, and the first year for the new head of school. So far we like him, his outlooks, and his goals for the school. The head of the middle school is fantastic. By the end of the first week he knows the name and face of every child and parent.

Posted: December 19, 2019

My daughter has severe dyslexia but is also gifted. The public schools cannot handle this combination. At Congressional, she continues to be academically challenged in her strengths and supported in her areas of weakness. Instead of going to foreign language, she and the handful of other students in her grade with learning differences of varying types have a class in the learning center, where the director works with them together and individually on personal goals, which range from reading, spelling, and typing to study skills, self-advocacy, and problem solving. The learning center is absolutely fantastic and the director works hand-in-hand with all of the teachers so that any accommodations are handled smoothly and everyone is on the same page and working toward the individual goals of each student.

Posted: March 21, 2019

Teachers do assign homework that can be completed during EHP, after school waiting for parents to pick them up.

Posted: March 21, 2019

I have augmented my child's learning with YouTube videos and his grades improved.

Posted: March 21, 2019

The school has an over emphasis on pandering to others instead of just treating everyone with respect.

Posted: March 21, 2019

The school will break classes up into two classes the fast learners and the slow learners. The fast learners have a slightly more rigid curriculum than slower class. We have to augment with formal after school tutoring as the school wastes too much time on Singapore Math without results.

Posted: March 21, 2019

Straight away the school has gone down hill since the exodus of the previous head of school. The school has been on a hiring kick with a large emphasis on diversity and inclusion even if it means hiring diverse people with a Masters or Doctorate degree but very little tangible experience. The new head of school boasts of working toward more diversity in faculty selection so I think this will be a strong value for a long time to come.

Posted: March 7, 2018

Before attending Congressional, our son was in a traditional daycare setting. We were very pleased with our experience and felt the staff cared for him as if he was their own child. While there was a curriculum framework, we recognized he would benefit from more formal and deliberate instruction for preschool.

As an October birthday, it would be challenging to enroll him before turning 3. At Congressional, they accept students at this age with the understanding that they will likely have a second year of preschool, which we were very comfortable with.

For us, a major differentiator at Congressional is that all of the preschool and junior kindergarten teachers have degrees in early childhood education, and some have advanced degrees. This is very different from the traditional center where only the director may have a post-secondary degree.

On the first day of school, I think we were more nervous that he was. At the end of that day, we knew we had made the right decision. He was more animated, engaged, and conversant than he had been in some time. He continued to flourish throughout the first few weeks and over the entire year.

Even on days when he wasnt at his best as it is with any young child the teachers met him where he was at and found ways to channel his energies in a constructive way. Now in his second year, we are thrilled with his growth and the empathetic leader he is becoming. We look forward to his continued social, emotional, and intellectual growth at Congressional.

PS its an amazing community, too. There are great programs, events, and activities throughout the year geared for students, families, parents, grandparents, and extended family, too. That will have to wait for another review . . .

Posted: March 7, 2018

Posted: January 21, 2018

We are having a wonderful experience at Congressional School. This is a school that truly cares about the children's development, progress and emotional well being. There is emphasis on the academics but also on the need for children to play, to move around, to explore. The curriculum is imaginative, thoughtful, and child-centric. The teachers give the children a sense of security and a perfect environment in which to learn in a supported manner. I highly recommend Congressional School.

Posted: November 21, 2017

We looked at several schools, private as well as our local public elementary school, prior to enrolling our child at Congressional. Congressional was not really on our radar initially, but once we took a tour and spoke with the wonderful admissions coordinator, we knew it would be a great fit for our child. The supportive and tight community, balance of academics and character development, small class size, space and time for outdoor play and exploration, and goal of keeping up with the latest research as to how kids learn (again, to be great learners and kind, respectful people overall) make this school more than we could have ever hoped for. Communication with our childs teachers has been consistent and easy, and the administration has made efforts to personally reach out and answer questions and provide support if needed. Our child seemed to feel at home within days of starting, and we couldnt be happier with all of the progress weve already seen. While our child likely would have been fine at many of the schools we considered, we have no doubt shes absolutly thriving because of what Congressional offers.

Posted: November 21, 2017

Posted: October 31, 2017

This is my daughter's first year with Congressional. We transferred her from a Fairfax County Public School because we were unhappy with the lack of communication from the teacher and staff. Additionally, our daughter had become increasingly anxious about her previous school due to unresolved bullying issues.

This year at Congressional has been a night and day difference for her, and for us. The exceptional attention from her great teachers and staff, the degree of communication we receive weekly, and the accessibility of Congressional Staff has been tremendous. Our daughter went from dreading every day at school to looking forward to it; from crying over challenging homework to tackling it head on right after school. While I certainly can't say enough about the quality of the education she is receiving, even it is over-shadowed by the increased confidence, security, and positivity our daughter has already developed within this, her first year.

Posted: October 31, 2017

Posted: October 12, 2017

When I was looking for a new school for my children, I approached each school with a listaverage class size? specials (art/PE/music, etc.) offered frequently? matriculation to good high schools? ability to handle my children if they turn out to be geniuses, or if its discovered that they struggle and need extra help? well qualified teachers? happy students? a lot of parent involvement? Blah, blah, blah. I was so smug I had a LIST, and if I could answer each question with a YES, then I won the prize of sending my children to the best school! Many of the independent schools I visited met most of the criteria on my super special list, and I felt like I had some good options. Then I visited Congressional School, and I realized that while my list was a good start, I had NO IDEA what I COULD be asking for in a school. Its like drinking instant coffee and being perfectly happy with it until someone introduces you to a French press. Or those really cute videos of babies who get glasses for the first time and giggle uncontrollably at the sight of their parents faces. They had no idea what they were missing, and neither did I. I had no idea that a school could be so amazing! Needless to say, Congressional has far exceeded my expectations. My children are excited and happy every morning to go to school, and I ALWAYS feel that the faculty and staff are excited and happy to have them there. Its hard to adequately describe the community at Congressional. I heard a lot about it during the application process, but I didnt really get it until I was there to see the day to day operations. Its truly special supportive and friendly, but not annoying or intrusive. The campus is unreal. Its 40 acres of fun (a creek, horses, ropes course, pools), and the teachers do an excellent job of using it to reinforce what they teach in the classroom. Im also thrilled that they offer a great extended hours program and after school activities. For families with two working parents, its nice to have one stop shopping, where children can go straight from school to horseback riding/chess club/soccer without having to find a nanny to transport them from one place to another. Its also great for parents with multiple children, because we all know its impossible to be driving your daughter to ballet while your son is expected at karate AT THE SAME TIME. We ended up looking at independent schools mostly because we werent thrilled with our public school option. I am so happy that we didnt move to a neighborhood that had a public school that I liked, because we probably would have gone that route and would have no idea what we were missing at Congressional. I feel lucky to be part of such a remarkable place.

Posted: October 12, 2017

Posted: September 21, 2017

I have two children in Congressional and this is our second year at the school. We are extremely happy with the choice that we made to send our kids to Congressional. Our son has always been very academically advanced for his age and I was having trouble finding a school that would meet his needs so that he would be challenged, not bored, but also not overwhelmed. He has been lucky to have very experienced teachers who noticed his needs on their own and worked to address them, pretty much immediately. The teachers and staff really get to know all of the students on a very individual level; even the specialist teachers (art, P.E., music) who only see my two year old once a week or so really seem to know her personality, her likes and dislikes and strengths. I am very impressed at the quality of the faculty and I really like how I feel like they are very open and communicative with me. I feel like I can talk to or email the teachers and faculty any time and we really have an open dialogue. The feeling of community at the school is another thing that I like; all of the kids (and their parents) that we have encountered are extremely nice, polite, and enthusiastic about learning. My kids are excited to go to school in the morning; that is priceless to me. The last thing I will mention is that the campus is gorgeous, I love the thought of the kids having a lot of outdoor time (which they do) in such a peaceful and natural setting. Even the very smallest kids take little "nature hikes" (walks around the campus) and they go visit the horses, etc. The setting and surrounds are really impressive and I like the fact that they have a large indoor gym, a large cafeteria space/multipurpose room as well as a smaller gym so even during bad weather there is a chance for physical activity. Indoor space to run around in is something else that was important to me. The fact that the school can, in nice weather, hold pool parties and pony rides and things like that right on campus just makes me wish that I had gone to a school like this! Anyway, we are really happy at Congressional and I would definitely recommend this school to others.

Posted: November 26, 2016

My 9 year old daughter transferred from the Arlington County Public School system. She is much happier at CS. She claims the students are nicer, share things and take learning seriously. The teachers are wonderful. Our 4th grade teacher gives a weekly update and projects, tasks and homework are viewable online. The head of school projects a very professional image and lends hope via her natural sense of leadership.

Posted: October 27, 2016

Congressional provides a challenging atmosphere that allows students of all abilities to exceed their potential.

Posted: August 8, 2016

Congressional School is an exceptional school. There is so much I can tell you about their strong record of academic excellence and their curriculum, but Ill let you read other peoples reviews about that. Most importantly to me, my two girls are always excited in the mornings when they arrive at school and are always smiling when I pick them up, except maybe on mac n cheese lunch days. Next, its a very dad-friendly school. Im a dad who has to drop off in the mornings and pick up in the evenings every day, and Ive been doing that for 8 years now since the kids started in Bright Beginnings and Sr. K. If it wasnt for the always-helpful teachers and extended hours staff keeping me straight, I would be fired from my dad job. The teachers are very approachable and have been accessible by email after hours for homework panic questions. Around 4th grade, homework becomes a real bear, but not for the kids, just me trying to help them. Commit the following four words to memory and life will become a bit easier, go ask your mother. The technology the kids use every day to complete class work and homework is incredible. Im amazed by how much my children have learned. Their good grades and high scores on the dreaded standardized testing reflect the quality of their education. The Admissions Director, the accounting team and even the facilities team, communicate with you and provide support. The Head of School is great. She even knows our names and makes a point to say hello every time we see her. Congressional is just such a great community for both kids and parents. In addition to sporting events, there are lots of events throughout the year that bring families together. Did I mention the 40 acres of land, the creek running through the campus, the horses, the huge pool, the climbing wall, the woods, and the awesome summer camps? Too good to be true? Absolutely not. Affordable? Definitely, and financial aid is available too. The last point I would like to touch on is the sense of security the school provides me and my family. From the time I drop off to the time I pick up, I know my girls are in a super-safe environment. The school takes entry, exit, and child sign-out very seriously. Sure, you have choices, but Congressional School will be at the top of your list after you visit and see for yourself.

Posted: August 8, 2016

I am a parent of two children currently at Congressional, including a middle schooler who has been at the school since pre-school. I am thrilled with the caring and supportive community Congressional has provided throughout our time there. Our child has done very well academically as a result of wonderful teachers, including excellent results on nationwide standardized tests and academic contests. There have been transitions, but in my view, the school is all the stronger for them. I am thankful for the experiences our family has had at Congressional and would recommend it highly.

Posted: August 8, 2016

Everyone does a very nice job, and there are some really star teachers among the current faculty.

Posted: August 8, 2016

Posted: March 15, 2016

My daughter has attended Congressional for the past 6 years and it has been a wonderful experience. The teachers are truly special and the environment is warm and welcoming. Academics are strong but also flexible enough to accommodate individual needs. We have had a great experience there.

Posted: March 15, 2016

Posted: March 13, 2016

I am a parent of children in the Early Childhood Program and Lower school. Congressional has been a great experience for our children. The teachers are all amazing. They show a depth of understanding and caring that you cannot find easily. They value the relationship with parents and incorporate parents into the classroom. Our children have anything they could possibly need. The teachers use numerous techniques to ensure my kids understand the lesson and can build on it. They call parents with good news. My children come home with knowledge that is applicable and feeds their curiosity. They use the campus to explore, teaching kids inside and outside the classroom.

One of my children was having difficulty with recognizing letters. Knowing my child loves volcanoes, his teacher made a book of volcanoes for each letter of the alphabet. No one asked her to do this, but she did this for my son. I have seen teachers do this over and over for different kids.

There may be some changes in the admin side of the school, but none of that has affected my child's experience nor mine as a parent.

Our first experience with the school was with the summer camp. I highly recommend this method. It gives you a great idea of what the school has to offer and the level of excellence, from activity to fun and safety, that your child will experience. After one week of camp, you will wish you could attend Congressional!

Posted: October 1, 2015

I am a parent of a preschool student at Congressional. Although my experience is limited, I like everything so far about Congressional. It has a sprawling campus for a young exploring mind. The administration and staff have strived to personally connect with me and I get a daily email report of my child's school activities. The strongest indication that this is the right place for my child is that he tells me loves school and is eager to begin each day at Congressional.

Posted: August 21, 2015

My family was very disappointed with Congressional. They are not as academically advanced as they claim to be and the Administration is unreceptive and unwilling to listen to any concerns. Unfortunately, many families have left this school for similar reasons.

Posted: November 9, 2014

Congressional has a great academic program with dedicated teachers and administrators. Our two kids have been at Congressional for 3 yers and I appreciate that the teachers have helped them to become independent and imaginative thinkers. Although the program is accelerated, the teachers are also mindful of the fact that kids may learn differently. The early childhood programs also focus on teaching kids how to be good people, with an emphasis on empathy and social skills. We are looking forward to many more years in this nice cummunity.

Posted: September 11, 2014

We have been at CSOV for 4 years and are very happy with the academic experience, the class sizes, the overall program and the teachers. It is very friendly & nurturing with a gorgeous, wonderful campus and an inclusive community feel. The times when I have had questions or want to give feedback I have felt the teachers and administration are very responsive to parents and attuned to the needs and characteristics of each individual child. Previous reviewers note that there have been administration changes -- I think that is par for the course in any school. My oldest raves about his math class that has 6 students. I believe that small class sizes are a huge plus, it's certainly part of the reason that we have selected private school. The school works very hard at a well-rounded experience to include events such as an ice cream social, pool party & BBQ where administrators do the grilling, and informative back to school nights. I think CSOV is doing a great job with tweaking and revamping components of the curriculum to include the 1:1 iPad program for middle schoolers. I think that is very well-managed with great educational resources for the students. It's worth a visit, for sure.

Posted: September 10, 2014

Our daughter had such a fabulous start here at CSOV that we can't imagine another place better to begin her early school experience. From the minute you enter the campus, you sense a love of learning and exploration. The teachers and staff are always very present and available to nurture your child academically, intellectually, and emotionally. CSOV hosts a myriad of yearly events that foster a a great sense and caring of community. From the Back to School Pool party (yes a pool at school!) to the wonderful Fall Festival to the CSPO Ice Cream Social, there is always a time to gather your family and meet others and have a great time. When our daughter was in SrK, she attended an event called SrK Night Out. The entire evening after school was spent bonding with friends and eating ice cream (what child would not enjoy that!), and even crashing the 1st grade classrooms. She s thrilled with her new found 1st grader privileges, like swimming at school during PE and borrowing more books at the weekly library visits. We look forward to watching our daughter grow and are forever thankful to CSOV for the experiences that our daughter and family have so far!

Posted: June 19, 2014

My child has been attending Congressional for 12 years now and has just recently graduated. Up until about 7th grade, my daughter loved Congressional and always looked forward to going to school. In the beginning of 7th grade though, they got a completley new administration and totally changed the school. Many of the middle school and lower school teachers were fired and replaced. There isn't really a difference between 1st and 8th grade when it comes to discipline as well. Middle schoolers are asked to "take a break" which is a more mature way of saying sit in time out. Some of the teachers couldn't care less if their students succeeded and weren't very helpful. The math program for the middle schoolers is also a disaster. Although all of the students in my child's class were very smart they still had to go to Summer school in order to be prepared for high school. Even though the school as proof that their math program is horrible, they refuse to admit the fact that there are any flaws in the program. Overall, I would not recommend this school because of how much it has set my daughter back and because of how badly she and her classmates have been treated there.

Posted: June 6, 2014

I am a student at Congressional and I honestly used to love it. When the new administration came in, everything changed. There is too much of a focus on equality; there is no communication between teachers, and it is overall unorganized and unprofessional. The curriculum has not prepared me for high school, and there is a big fuss about the Jason program, but we have only used that twice in all of science. I felt like the teachers consistently acted like they were above us and treated us like we were below them, and that is especially true with the administration. The head of school and dean of the middle school were rude and often avoided problems that they did not want to face. The athletics are not good and the class sizes are way too small. As a student, I have been treated years younger than I actually am and I do not believe that seventh and eighth graders should have the same limited privileges as first and second graders do. Overall I would not recommend Congressional to anyone until MAJOR changes are made.

Posted: May 27, 2014

Middle school needs a lot of work. The school has had a change of leadership and they are still trying to re-identify who they really are. Many families have left the last 2 years and class sizes are too small. Congressional used to stand for accelerated curriculum but not that is not the case anymore. Do your research especially with other schools before you decide.

Posted: May 3, 2014

I've been very favorably impressed by the quality of the work and depth of thinking demanded of students. The work is several steps ahead of what was being asked in his former Annandale private school in terms of conceptual thinking. The teachers make themselves available to help and seem really focused on each children. 5 Stars!

Posted: March 4, 2014

This is our first year at Congressional. We moved from another local private school hoping for improved academics and we could not be happier! I am very impressed.

Posted: October 27, 2013

This is my daughter's second year at Congressional and she usually greets me with, "My day was awesome. Did you know that..." She then proceeds to tell me about all that she is learning. I continue to be amazed by what she is studying as a 6th grader, from the accelerated math to French. I'm learning from her! The curriculum is demanding but the teachers are equally supportive and are available to assist, as needed. The other parents have been great as well. I was initially surprised that so many children had been there since preschool, but now I understand why. Once you find an excellent academic program that is also nurturing, there's no need to look further. I wish the school went to 12th grade! The tuition is significant, but it's a sacrifice we feel very good about.

Posted: October 6, 2013

Before enrolling our students in CSOV we did extensive research on regional independent schools. After touring several and talking with eight heads of school, we decided to enroll at CSOV. What was lacking at other private schools was a true leader. All the private schools had excellent academic heads, but only CSOV has a leader with business acumen combined with an extensive educational background. This is a HUGE difference. Like any organization, CSOV is a large non-profit enterprise and needs to be run as such. Yes, academics and child development are first and foremost, but if there s no fiscal discipline, no parent engagement, and most importantly, no executive leadership, the school and ultimately the students suffer. I was amused with the comment about the executive director being unemotional because as the head of the school, her job is not to get emotional. Her job is to run school and ensure our kids have the best education possible. Her job is to lead. But what I love most is the sense of community. Teachers, staff and parents know each other and care for each other. We re very happy at CSOV and look forward to many years.

Posted: September 29, 2013

I wish we had found Congressional sooner. This is the school of our dreams. I have two children here and they have never been happier. They love school now. The curriculum is challenging, they teach a year ahead, but the teachers so engaging and talented that the students absorb the material and thrive. CSOV is both technology based and nurturing. The students and teachers all use technology ( weekly teacher emails and Tweets) but the school uses 1 on 1 support and interaction to help students thrive in a nurturing environment that, no joke, promotes global thinking and compassion. There is also an amazing campus with several pools and horses. Some schools, like NySmith, focus only on academics but CSOV go beyond that to find what is unique in each child and use that to help them learn and develop in the most meaningful way to them. CSOV produces top students AND good, happy children. They can take a child who was struggling and make them a success and can take a great student and challenge them. We LOVE the school and so does every parent there I've talk to. It's probably the best k-8 education in Northern VA.

Posted: September 26, 2013

We have been at Congressional for many years and have all three of our children here. What initially brought us to CSOV was the amazing 40 acre campus that is inside the beltway. It's an undiscovered gem in the DC area. What has led us to come back every year and tell everyone we know about Congressional is the amazing faculty and staff there. They are hands down, the most devoted group of educators I have ever come across. The small class size lends itself to a very hands-on, child-specific learning environment where they teach to each individual child. It has changed the course of our children's education for sure. The school went through an administration transition last year, and although there were many changes made, it has definitely been for the better. Both division directors and the new executive director have gone above and beyond to improve the school and make it an even better educational experience. Things like Singapore Math, Responsive Classroom techniques, 1:1 tech program and an impressive athletics program are just a few of the recent improvements. This school is a hidden gem. We have loved having our children here, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Posted: September 26, 2013

We have two children - in the early childhood program and in the lower school - who both absolutely love Congressional. We have been at the school now for about five years and our children's education, phys ed, summer camp, and other experiences have allowed them to grow in a safe environment where they feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them, where they are encouraged to try new things and are given a lot of care and attention by a superb faculty and staff. Recently the school changed administrations and this change, in its second year, it already adding to our positive experience with a new math curriculum being added, a new physical education program, teacher fellowships this summer, and many other positive additions to an already wonderful school. The school sits on 40+ acres inside of the beltway in Falls Church. The campus is used for community events, science classes (a creek runs through it) and other outdoor activities like hiking and ropes courses, which is an added bonus among everything else we enjoy about the school.

Posted: September 12, 2013

I am a former parent of this school and we have had our 2 kids at Congressional for several years but became increasingly unhappy. We do love the setting and teachers who are warm and this review is not about the teachers because they are mostly great. However, the administration appears unwilling or uninterested in addressing parent and teacher concerns. The new Executive Director is cold and unemotional -- all she cares about is more enrollment. When we had issues that we wanted addressed we had no one to go to even after several emails requesting a meeting with the administrators. If you pay about $22K per child, I would EXPECT service. It used to be better -- we were so disappointed in the school so we had to take out kids out.

Posted: February 18, 2013

I have two children at CSOV and have been thrilled since day one! Year after year we have been impressed with the teachers at the school -- their creativity , passion for teaching, and ability to teach to the individual child. The foundation of the school has been strengthened signficantly this year with the addition of three Directors and a new Head of School. The teachers are empowered and supported by the innovation of the school administration which plays out quietly in the backdrop, but has elevated the school and the day to day experience for our children. We are so fortunate to have our children at Congressional and cannot wait to see the new advancements that the administration and faculty come up with over the course of the next few years. I highly recommend this school for anyone looking for an accelerated curriculum that has depth and richness, not just pace of moving through the curriculum. Congressional offers students with opportunities to thrive and explore in small classes with exceptional teachers and peers!

Posted: October 9, 2012

Our kids switched from public school to Congressional in Fall 2011. It has been a very positive change for our family. Congressional has a tremendous teaching staff that is both very challenging and caring. There is a strong emphasis on academics that takes place in a nurturing environment. We are very happy that we made the change and can't see our children going anywhere else. The new Executive Director of the school who started in April 2012 and the new positions of Lower School Director and MIddle School Director are a very good fit for the school and the leadership team are moving the school forward in a very positive direction.

Posted: February 7, 2012

My child went to Congressional for both lower and middle school. It was a great experience, both academically and socially. Most of the teachers are the cream of the crop, and the atmosphere is warm and caring.

Posted: February 5, 2012

Our child is also in the Bright Beginnings program, and I can't speak highly enough about the program. Depending on the age of the child the ratios are anywhere form 1:3 to 1:4 which are within or above the required ratios. The program is fantastic, the teachers loving and caring, and our child is clearly thriving. Yes, they close for Christmas and snow days (as do all schools) However, when you are paying tutition for the. year at any school, they do not pro rate the tuition for snow days, holidays, teacher work days (which ar far fewer than public schools). This is true of any of the private schools in the area. Our child is in one of the top, if not the top program in the area, and we are grateful for every day she spends there.

Posted: January 29, 2012

When we first came to the school we could not have been happier. Over time though, it became clear that the Bright Beginnings program was simply an attempt to increase enrollment at the expense of children, parents and teachers. Though most of the teachers are wonderful and kind, the administration leaves a lot to be desired in their ability to recognize the issues and address them. CSOV has to decide if they are a school or a daycare (which closes for 1.5 weeks at Christmas and for 8+faculty days and various and sundry days of snow, lack of power, etc. all of which you pay for) and make changes accordingly. The hope resides with the new Executive Directior. I hope for the sake of the school, the teachers and families that she is successful in addressing the issues that have continued to plague the school.

Posted: August 8, 2011

CSOV continues to go above and beyond in how they manage our children's food allergies. Our children have a history of being severely allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, shellfish and sesame. Congressional has met us with full support and understanding every step of the way. From meeting with us regularly to establish a safe inclusive environment for our children, to installing hand washing sinks in the cafeteria to help facilitate hand washing to avoid any possible exposures. The nurses at CSOV are very knowledgeable regarding the proper management of children with food allergies and the teachers are so understanding, caring and accommodating they really make our children feel included and welcome. We would highly recommend CSOV for the wonderful enriching well-rounded education that our children receive but would also highly recommend it to those who have food allergy concerns as well. This school has shown us countless times that they not only understand how to manage a child with food allergies but they continue to amaze us on how they strive to strike a balance between safety and inclusion in our children's school environment.

Posted: December 8, 2010

A great education and learning experience for our son, who has been at Congressional for 6 years.. Great teachers, campus, and parent community... All in all, Congressional is a great school especially with the emphasis on an advanced curriculum, the care and attention students receive... Our esperience has been very positive with Math, Science, foreign language and arts.. The soccer program needs a little bit of improvement..

Posted: March 24, 2010

This is our 2nd year at CSOV and we couldn't be happier. The campus is beautiful, offering advantages that are hard to find 'inside the beltway' - horses! a pool! There are continuing improvements being made to the 40 acre campus. The teachers and staff are caring and dedicated. The accelerated curriculum is also an asset if you want your child to be challenged in all the right ways.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Falls Church City	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	1.6 mi
2	Leeway Overlee - N Arlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	2 mi
3	Broyhill Crest	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Annandale	VA	2.1 mi
4	Shreevewood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Falls Church	VA	3.2 mi
5	Cameron Station	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	4.1 mi
6	Shirlington	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Arlington	VA	4.3 mi
7	North Springfield	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Springfield	VA	4.3 mi
8	Twenty400	Apartment Complex	Arlington	VA	4.6 mi
9	Barkley	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fairfax	VA	4.8 mi
10	Willow Woods	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Annandale	VA	5.2 mi
11	Beverly Hills	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	5.4 mi
12	Stonehurst	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Fairfax	VA	5.5 mi
13	Burgundy Woods	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	5.8 mi
14	Greenwood	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Springfield	VA	5.9 mi
15	Wilton Woods	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria	VA	6.1 mi
16	Hayfield Farms	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Alexandria/Kingstowne	VA	6.1 mi
17	Reserve at Potomac Yard	Apartment Complex	Alexandria	VA	6.1 mi
18	Long Branch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Annandale	VA	6.1 mi

Base	Distance
Defense Health Headquarters Falls Church	2.5 mi.
Mark Center Alexandria	3.2 mi.
Fort Myer	4.8 mi.
Henderson Hall	4.9 mi.
Pentagon	5.9 mi.
Fort McNair	7.9 mi.
Bolling AFB Joint Base Anacostia	8 mi.
Coast Guard Headquarters DC	8.1 mi.
Washington Navy Yard	9 mi.
Marine Barracks Washington	9.2 mi.
Fort Belvoir	10.2 mi.
Walter Reed Medical Center	10.6 mi.
Andrews AFB	15.3 mi.
NRO Chantilly	15.5 mi.
Indian Head Naval Base	18.7 mi.
Quantico Marine Base	27.1 mi.
Fort Meade NSA	28.1 mi.
Dahlgren NSWC	36.3 mi.
US Naval Academy	37.4 mi.
Annapolis Naval Station	38.3 mi.
Coast Guard Curtis Bay	39.7 mi.
Fort Detrick	42.5 mi.

Congressional School

Falls Church, VA 22042

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#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	Annandale	Annandale	VA	2.6 mi
2	Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	2.7 mi
3	West Falls Church	Falls Church	VA	3.2 mi
4	Arlington	Arlington	VA	4.3 mi
5	Fairfax County	Springfield	VA	4.9 mi
6	Springfield	Springfield	VA	5 mi
7	Pentagon City	Arlington	VA	5.2 mi

Congressional School

Falls Church, VA 22042

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