About Us
Children’s House Montessori School of Reston is a small, family-oriented school located in a peaceful wooded setting in Reston, Virginia. We believe that a child’s first school experience should be filled with curiosity, exploration and opportunities for independence. We offer half-day and full-day Montessori programs for children 3 years of age through kindergarten.
Welcome to Children’s House!
We are so happy you found us! Thank you for considering Children’s House for your child’s first school experience. Working with young children has brought us years of joy and fulfillment. It truly is a privilege to do the work we do and we take our responsibility to the children in our care very seriously. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to the Children’s House family.
Keturah & Helena
Facilities & Location
Our two classrooms have large windows that look out onto our beautiful, natural playground. With plenty of open work space and small class sizes, there is lots of space for independent work as well as small group activities. The children work in separate classrooms during the morning and are together for playground time, and the afternoon activity period.
Our wooded playground provides endless opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and our authentic Montessori program guarantees that your child will be part of a thriving, mixed-age classroom.
Children’s House Montessori School of Reston is just minutes from the Reston-Wiehle Metro station. We offer parents a small, family-centered community and a convenient commuter location. Although we are located in the lower level of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston, we are not affiliated with the church.
Philosophy & Mission
At Children’s House we are dedicated to providing an engaging learning environment. We encourage our students to make choices, ask questions, and solve problems. Children who actively engage in the learning process, become enthusiastic seekers of knowledge.
Our goal is to foster relationships that connect our community and create a learning environment that ignites curiosity. We live by our mission, “to plant the seeds for a lifelong love of learning,” and treat our commitment to each child and their family with the utmost respect.
We follow the teaching philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, founder of the Montessori Method and visionary educator who believed that children should be taught with respect for the individual and his or her own needs. “Follow the child,” she said. And we do.
Meet the Children’s House Teachers
Children’s House Montessori School of Reston is licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services and is a full affiliate member school of the American Montessori Society (AMS).
All lead teachers are AMS certified and bring years of training, teaching, and experience to their classrooms. We maintain a ratio of one teacher to every ten students.
Ms. Keturah
Owner / Director / Montessori Teacher
“Owning my own Montessori school was a dream of mine for many years that finally came true in 2003 with the opening of Children’s House. It is so satisfying to work with the families and staff that have been drawn to our special place. It is obvious that each child, parent, and staff member brings their talents, creativity and love here, making me proud to be the owner of Children’s House.”
Education: B.A. in Child Development, University of Alabama
Montessori Credentials: Early Childhood (AMS) / Montessori World Educational Institute, San Louis Obispo, CA / Completed the Course for Montessori School Management at the Center for Montessori Teacher Education in New York
Keturah’s career in early childhood education spans more than 45 years. She has served as a field consultant for interns taking their Montessori training, has been in the Montessori classroom for more than 30 years, and has worked in a “traditional” preschool setting for several years as well.
Keturah has been married to Henry Collins for 52 years and they have two grown children. Henry’s career in the U.S. Army provided the opportunity to live in Germany, Korea, and Norway, and travel extensively in Europe and Asia. Keturah enjoys sharing these cultures and experiences with the children in her classroom. She also loves nature and teaching understanding and appreciation for all living things.
Ms. Helena
Assistant Director / Montessori Teacher
“I enjoy being a part of creating a community of young learners that are inquisitive, confident, kind, and who are excited about their school day. Every day at Children’s House Montessori School I see exceptional teachers nurturing and guiding each child to develop fully into the person he or she is destined to be. I am excited to be a part of the CHMS community!”
Education: M.A. in Education and a B.A. in Child Development from Concordia University
Montessori Credentials: Early Childhood (AMS) / Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies, Silver Spring, MD – 2004
Helena is the assistant director at Children’s House and the lead Montessori Teacher in the Sunset Room. Helena has served as a teacher trainer and consultant, school director and curriculum coordinator, as well as an education degree faculty member.
Originally from England, Helena considers herself a citizen of both the US and the UK, enjoying both sweet tea and a cup of tea, preferably in a china cup!
Ms. Amanda
Certified Lead Teacher
“Discovering the Montessori method was pure serendipity. I felt immediately at home and that I had found a way of educating children that seemed so natural to me. Nothing brings me more joy than watching children grow, learn, and discover all they are capable of. What a privilege to be a part of that!”
Education: Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Credentials: Lead Teacher Certified (Virginia Department of Social Services)
Amanda has over 20 years of experience working with children, including 8 years in the Montessori classroom, 5 years in traditional preschool classrooms, and as an early elementary literacy tutor.
In her spare time, Amanda enjoys sewing, baking, crafting, but mostly spending time with her husband, Ed and her two daughters, Grace and Leah.
Ms. Jyothsna
Montessori Assistant
“I became inspired to be a Montessori teacher ever since one of my daughters attended the program. I love seeing how independent the children become and watching them grow. Their capabilities are amazing. I am so glad to have the opportunity to work with this age group. I am very excited to be part of the Children’s House community!”
Education: Northern Virginia Community College, George Mason University /Computer Science
Ms. Jyothsna has been working in preschool environments and Montessori schools for more than 6 years as an Assistant Teacher.
After marrying her husband, she came to the US in 1994 and completed her education. She has been married for 28 years and has four children, three daughters and son.
Ms. Jyothsna loves spending time with her family, painting, and hiking in her spare time.
Ms. Angel
Montessori Assistant
“I am very happy to be a member of the CHMS community. I was introduced to Montessori by reading books while raising my daughter. I believe if children are given the right environment and guidance, they can learn on their own and gain great confidence. Working with young children is something I love, and as a communicator and practitioner of the Montessori method, it is very meaningful to me. It is a natural extension of my role as a mother.”
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business English (China), Associates Degree in Education (Northern Virginia Community College)
Ms. Angel’s goal is to earn a Bachelor’s Degree and an Accelerated Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners and a license to teach at a public school. She enjoys being outdoors and watching the discoveries the children make on our natural playground.
Ms. Angel works in the Sunrise Room with Ms. Keturah and Ms. Amanda. She takes her role as Assistant Teacher very seriously and understands the importance of her work with impressionable young children. She strives every day to help the children develop their natural skills, as they grow and learn at their own pace.
Ms. Shoruk
Montessori Assistant / After School Supervisor
“The moment I stepped into the Children’s House Montessori School, I felt a sense of home. Working with young children is a career I feel passionate about. It brings me joy to discover the unique ways children explore the world around them! During my studies, the Montessori philosophy always resonated with me. I am grateful to have the opportunity to grow with the Children’s House Montessori School community!”
Education:Bachelor’s Degree in Integrative Studies specializing in Early Childhood Education. Working on a Master’s Degree in Education at George Mason University leading to licensure for PreK through Grade 3
Ms. Shoruk has worked with children since 2012, as a teaching assistant, after school program director, a nanny and a tutor. She begins her day in the Sunset Room and ends her day supervising the after school program.
During her free time, she loves to go running, hiking, and biking. She also enjoys traveling to new places and making new discoveries.
Ms. Arlene
Spanish Teacher
“I feel blessed to be part of a school that gives so much love and care to the children and families and, in turn, the greatest reward is receiving that love from the children every time I step into the school for Spanish class. It makes my heart smile all the time.”
Education: B.S. (Business) from Eastern New Mexico University
Ms. Arlene is a native New Yorker (Manhattan) of Puerto Rican descent. She is married and a mother of two sons: a college senior and a high school freshman. Ms. Arlene is a cantor at St. Joseph’s Church in Herndon, VA and has loved singing and music ever since she was a child. She also enjoys being out in nature, cooking and spending quality time with her family.
Ms. Arlene discovered Montessori through her oldest son, who attended a Montessori school from preschool through kindergarten. She spent many years volunteering in her children’s schools, and experienced, first-hand, the wonders of how a child learns through discovery and fun. She describes her experience at Children’s House as “life-changing” and looks forward to her weekly classes with the children.
Ms. Cinthia
Office Manager / Admisions Director
“One of the best decisions I have made as a parent when my children were very young was enrolling them in a Montessori program. At Children’s House Montessori School, I am fortunate to experience the Montessori environment I love so much. It is a privilege to be part of such a committed and all-around awesome team of individuals.”
Education: Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, George Mason University
Cinthia Drake is the Office Manager and Admissions Director of Children’s House. She worked for 3 years as an administrative assistant at World Wildlife Fund and 8 years as a Montessori Assistant Teacher at Montessori Country School in Herndon, VA, leading her to love the Montessori philosophy.
Cinthia was born in Sao Paulo, and grew up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She came to the U.S. with her family in 1989 and married in 1992. She has two children: a daughter who graduated from VCU and works at Walt Disney World and a son who is working towards his Associate Degree at Northern Virginia Community College. Both of her children attended a Montessori school for pre-school and kindergarten.
What We Offer
Curriculum
We offer an authentic Montessori program, complete with math, language, practical life and sensorial materials.
Our cultural curriculum includes art, science, geography, peace education and nature studies.
Kindergarteners enjoy additional art, practical life, and cultural lessons, in addition to advanced math and language.
Programs
Preschool (3 by September 30)
Children who are 3 by September 30 can join us in our preschool program. Preschoolers participate in classroom activities in the morning and take a nap in the afternoon. There are four pick-up times for preschoolers: 11:15, 12:30, 3:00, and 5:00. Children stay in their age group for the duration of the school year.
Pre-Kindergarten (4 by September 30)
Children who are 4 by September 30 are eligible for our pre-k program. Prekindergarteners participate in classroom activities in the morning and enjoy a 30 minute rest in the afternoon. Following their rest period, they resume classroom activities. There are two pick-up times for this group: 3:00 and 5:00. Children stay in their age group for the duration of the school year.
Kindergarten (5 by September 30)
If your child will be 5 by September 30, they are ready for our kindergarten program. Kindergarteners participate in classroom activities in the morning and the afternoon. They receive kindergarten-specific lessons in the afternoon and participate in three field trips during the course of the year. There are two pick-up times for kindergarteners: 3:00 and 5:00.
Small Community
We are a small school community and we love providing opportunities for our families to get together! We have several family events during the year, such as a picnic, Thanksgiving pot-luck, and Parent Day, as well as Parent Education events sprinkled throughout.
Learn about these activities and more on our Parent Resources page.
Schedule a Tour
All tours remain virtual at this time. Use the button below to schedule your tour through our Facebook page or give us a call at 703-481-6678. We look forward to seeing you (virtually) and answering whatever questions you have about our program.