ABOUT OLD TOWN (OTMS)

Old Town Montessori (OTMS) is an established private school of 33 years located in a historic neighborhood of Old Town Alexandria, VA. The building is a charming and perfectly restored townhouse, with a generous yard with play equipment. It is a short 15-minute drive away from our larger Mt. Vernon campus, “The Aquinas”.
Old Town Montessori school is “Recognized” by AMI - Association Montessori Internationale, which is the highest standard in Montessori education. Old Town Montessori is a non-sectarian school and we admit all children regardless of race, creed, color or origin.

Ages 3 to 6
There are two primary classes at the Old Town Montessori School. Children in each primary class range in age from 3 to 6 years. The Primary Curriculum is a fully comprehensive three year program where the child learns to compare, classify and clarify the world around them. Materials and curriculum center around Practical Life, Sensorial Explorations, Language, Math, Geography, History, Biology, Science, Art, and Music.

Arrivals and Dismissals
Morning arrival begins at 8:30 AM. Children in the half-day class are dismissed at noon. Children in the full-day classes (5 & 6 year olds) remain for lunch and an afternoon session until 3:00 PM. After-school care is available until 6:00 PM for children of all ages.

Our teachers
Our principal Montessori teachers hold AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) diplomas in addition to their graduate degrees, and have completed the studies enabling them to understand the needs of children of this age, and to present effectively the programmed, self-correcting materials which Maria Montessori designed.
Every classroom is supervised by two adults, one teacher and one assistant.

Other languages
A language teacher presents Spanish to our full-day children (5 & 6 year olds) who are in the sensitive period for developing language skills.

Hours
The campus is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM.
School morning arrival begins at 8:30 AM. Children in the half-day class are dismissed at noon. Children in the full-day classes (5 & 6 year olds) remain for lunch and an afternoon session until 3:00 PM.
AfterCare is available until 6:00 PM for children of all ages.
For information about closings and delays please visit our Closings and Delays page.
The school year is approximately 9 months, from September to June, following, more or less, the calendar for Alexandria City Public Schools.

Summer Camp
The Montessori Summer Camp is operating on the Aquinas grounds this summer and all Old Town Montessori children are invited to join. A typical day for a 3 to 6 year old includes experience in a Montessori classroom, where the child manipulates a great variety of developmental materials. There are nature and art activities, stories, songs, and games. The Aquinas heated pool ranges in depth from two and a half to five feet. This non-threatening size offers beginning and novice swimmers an opportunity for great success in a safe environment. Even the youngest swimmers feel comfortable in the shallow end and make remarkable progress in just a few weeks.