CHMS was founded in 1999 and serves children age 18 months to six years and their families in Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia. CHMS provides a high-quality Montessori education to young learners that helps them develop independence, confidence, and socialization.
CHMS’ core values are the embodiment of its philosophy: practicing safety, strengthening community, building character, and adhering to Dr. Montessori’s principles.
CHMS is a full member of the American Montessori Society (AMS).
CHMS’s Arlington campus, located in the Old Dominion neighborhood between Glebe Road and Old Dominion Drive, serves toddler and preschool children aged 18 months to six years old. The one-acre fenced-in campus features one building with five classrooms and a large enclosed playground, and a large parking lot for drop-off/pick-up activities. Neighboring CHMS families access our campus via vehicle, bike, and on foot.
CHMS’s Alexandria campus, located in the Del Ray neighborhood at the intersection of Mt. Vernon, Commonwealth, and Hume Avenues, serves toddler and preschool children aged 18 months to six years old. The fenced-in campus features two buildings with five classrooms and a nature-focused playground. An on-site parking lot also accommodates drop-off/pick-up activities. Neighboring CHMS families access our campus via vehicle, bike, and on foot.
Sam has adjusted so well to CHMS. We are excited to see how he is developing his skills and language and new friendships. We love the activities CHMS has held including the monthly playdates. Thank you for putting these together. I also appreciate the love and kindness from the teachers. Sam's teacher sends such thoughtful emails helping to guide Sam through toilet training, etc. I never have worried during a workday about Sam, I know he is well taken care of and that he is enjoying school and learning.
Ella is our second child to attend CHMS. Ella and her brother are very different, yet have both had truly wonderful experiences at CHMS. This highlights that CHMS teachers challenge each child from where she enters school. CHMS fosters a positive classroom environment, which children bring home -- literally singing about peace and geography!
We have always appreciated the values at CHMS in terms of activating discipline, a love for learning, and building character in children. While we appreciate the Montessori method in terms of encouraging independent learning, we are happy that CHMS staff still provides ample guidance and appropriate boundaries in terms of both behavior and academics. After having one child spend her pre-elementary years here, we have complete trust that our second child will also be fully prepared for kindergarten.
Based on our child’s conversation, we can tell that the teachers at CHMS are thoughtful and nurturing. She is thriving at CHMS with the support of the amazing staff and teachers. She looks forward to return to school every Monday.
Aden was nervous about school at first but now every morning is excited to put on his CHMS uniform and head off to school. He lovingly talks about his teachers and his friends from class. Ever since Aden started at CHMS we have noticed his curiosity and personality blossoming.
Sophia's growth since at CHMS has been tremendous. She loves going to school and adores her teachers, and she says that she ``wants to stay at CHMS forever!``
