Sunset Hills Montessori School - Letter from the Founder

Thank you for your interest in Sunset Hills Montessori School. We hope that the information on this Web site will answer many of the questions you may have about the school. If after reading this information you are interested in considering us for your child, please call and make an appointment to observe a classroom in session.

We opened September 8, 1994 with a program for children ages 2-1/2 to 6 years of age (preschool/kindergarten level.) Our building (4,351 square feet) is very bright and open. The center of the building has a story and a half ceiling with skylights on three sides. The building also has many floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors. Ten thousand square feet of our half-acre site has been fenced in and equipped to provide a wonderful outdoor environment for the children. We have a 16 square foot tree house that is 5-1/2 feet off the ground and has a 14 foot slide!

In September of 1996 we opened an elementary program. We currently have first through sixth graders. We will continue to expand our elementary program until we are enrolling grades 1 through 6.

Sunset Hills Montessori has been open over ten years now, and the staff and I have extensive experience in Montessori education and child care. The Montessori teachers are degreed and certified. All of our head teachers (and one assistant teacher) are American Montessori Society (AMS) certified. Please see the section COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS for further information about certification.

I have been an American Montessori Society (AMS) certified Montessori teacher on the 3 to 6 year old level since 1981 and have been a teacher trainer and workshop presenter for the AERCO Montessori Teacher Training Program (an AMS Accredited training program). I attended training at the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies to be certified to teach Montessori 1st through 6th grades as well as the preschool/kindergarten level. In the fall of 1983 I incorporated Reston Montessori School. I had a small school in my home during the 1984-85 and 1985-86 school years after Fairfax County Zoning turned down my first school for lack of one parking space. In August of 1986, I reincorporated to form a partnership with another Montessori teacher and we co-owned Reston Montessori School for 8 years. I sold Reston Montessori School to my former partner in the spring of 1994.

Our Head of School is Brooke Johnson and Greg McCracken is our Director of Elementary. Please do not hesitate to call either Brooke or Greg with any questions. We will be happy to talk to you and meet with you as often as necessary for you to feel comfortable with your decision regarding your child's education. We want parents to choose Sunset Hills Montessori School for the program, not just for the hours and the location. The best education for your child is our first concern, as I know it is yours.

Sincerely,

Eileen Dowds Minarik