Oneness Family School

I can't recommend Oneness Family School enough. We have a 3.5 yar old there and our 2 year old will be starting in the fall. They have a great program for children age 2 through grade 8 (www.onenessfamily.org). The teachers are really engaged and nurturing. We love how diverse the student population is - full of culture and languages. Students preschool and older participate in many field trips around the DC metro area, as well as foreign languages, peaceful resolutions, outdoor education (field trips and overnights for older students), learning about oneself and embracing the differences that make us all unique and special. It is a perfect Montessori/Waldorf blend. Our son loves it and has really gained discipline and kindness that I know the teachers help encourage. More than the teachers, I love the other parents. Down to earth, interesting, diverse parents that all want their children raised in a positive, encouraging (yet challenging) environment.
--Submitted by a parent

Within minutes of our first meeting with Andrew Kutt, the Head of Oneness Family School (OFS), it was absolutely clear this was a special place. We visited several other schools before choosing Oneness yet Andrew was the only one to open our meeting by asking about our son. All the other schools opened and closed our meetings by telling us how wonderful they were. We got the company line. Not at Oneness. For example, during our meeting our son's teachers appeared (during their summer holidays no less) to visit with him, take him to his soon-to-be classroom, get to know him, engage him, make him comfortable, establish a connection. This same openness, creativity, collaboration, commitment to excellence, unwavering devotion to the child and to creating a demanding but entirely supportive learning environment are what make OFSl such a special school. Oneness offers high academic standards to develop outstanding students & a challenging curriculum focusing on community, conflict resolution & collaboration to develop broad-minded citizens of the world. With the active support of OFS, we are realizing our best hopes for our son's education & personal development. I highly recommend it
--Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a school that works in partnership with the students and the teachers in learning, look no further. This is a school where the teachers help instill that love of learning and where the kids can be themselves, from age 2 through grade 8. OFS provides an unique environment that stimulates excitement for learning the academics, as well as communications (learning what it means to be a good listener or a friend), performing songs for school events, and taking the learning outside the school doors to the numerous field trips. We tried to move out to our great public school twice, once after Kindergarten and once after 3rd grade and both times, we moved my children back to OFS. Additionally, the parent community will immediately embrace you...support, friendship and volunteerism! You've got to visit.
--Submitted by a parent

What a gem. We have two children currently attending OFS. At one point we moved one of our daughters to the ("perfectly fine Montgomery County free local") public school. We moved her back after one semester. And by the way, it is possible to love yourself, your school, your teachers, your body, and your world when you are in middle school. You just have to choose your community carefully. We can't really afford it and we don't live that near the school, but it's worth it all because the school has a real culture of kindness, something pretty rare in the DC area.
--Submitted by a parent

It is an alternative place of caring and attention.
--Submitted by a parent

We have two children who attend Oneness Family School and they love it. Our kids feel appreciated and challenged while they are there. Both of our kids feel they can become who they want to be while at the same time, the school teaches them how to care for others and to be global citizens, appreciating and accepting others. Our children have grown and benefited tremendously from the guidance and mentoring provided by Oneness teachers. As parents, we found the community a welcoming and embracing environment. We have been amazed at the strength of the academic curriculum. Oneness has been able to combine academic excellence while appreciating the arts and culture. OFS is a terrific school.
--Submitted by a parent

Oneness is a wonderful school, truly unique among Washington s private schools. Their academic program is very strong, first rate. Anytime you visit a class, you'll see the kids silently working away on their academics, moving independently from task to task, asking for help when needed, and giving guidance to their classmates when asked. The school's found a way to maintain their core principles of cooperation, self-respect and leadership throughout all levels. My children have blossomed in the last six years; they ve learned how to be responsible, how to lead and how to approach a problem with confidence and an open mind.
--Submitted by a parent

The Oneness Family School is a gem. It's international student body and emphasize on world peace and non-violent conflict resolution make it very unique. It blends key elements from Montessori, Waldorf and multiple-inteligence to create an exceptionally warm ind individualized curriculum. The teachers are exceptionally well trained and experienced.
--Submitted by a parent

The presence of Oneness in the lives of our three grandchildren has been a gift for our whole family. Beyond their learning to read and reason, to observe and compute, we delight in their growing awareness of positive problem-solving; of the larger world and its geography, languages and cultural traditions; in their respect for other people and for the earth around us, and for the importance of peacemaking. Our older grandson suggests a moment of silence before dinner. Our granddaughter thinks about why people are marching for peace. Our littlest grandson and his schoolmate come up with a way to avoid fighting over their favorite truck. As they ve learned, they ve helped us to think more deeply about the ideas we value and to explore them together in ways that continue to enrich us all.
--Submitted by a parent

We have sent two children to the Oneness Family School. Our intention was to start them in a school where they would learn a great deal from experienced teachers without a competitive, score-focused environment. Both children thrived at Oneness. The teaching is excellent and the curriculum does a thorough job on the academic side and also focuses on character development. The faculty truly get to know each child and provide superb advice to parents about how to support academic success. The best thing about the school is that our kids love it and look forward to going every day. The children there are bright and well-behaved. The school community is international. Our son and daughter have made great friends from many different backgrounds.
--Submitted by a parent