ABOUT Aquinas and Old TownLocated in in Alexandria VA, Aquinas Montessori School has two campuses, Aquinas and Old Town. Aquinas Montessori School, located in Mount Vernon was founded in 1965. The Old Town Montessori School, located in Old Town was founded in 1987.Home About Aquinas and Old Town There are two primary classes at Aquinas School and two at our Old Town Montessori School. Children in each primary class range in age from 3 to 6 years. Morning arrival begins at 8: 30 AM. Children in the half-day primary class are dismissed at noon. Children in the full-day primary class and elementary classes remain for lunch and an afternoon session until 3: 00 PM. Before-school care is available at both schools from 7: 30 AM to 8: 30 AM. After-school care is available until 6: 00 PM for children of all ages at Aquinas.The elementary level consists of four classes, which will continue the development of the child, two classes for children ages 6 to 9, and two classes for children ages 9 to 12. The curriculum at these levels is expanded as widely as possible to enkindle interest in every area of culture, mathematics, geometry, language, history, geography, botany, zoology, earth science, chemistry, physics, art, music, crafts, drama, and physical education. The elementary children also participate in the Junior Great Books Program. Our purpose is to lead these children toward Dr. Maria Montessori's goal of "cosmic education, which is a complete vision of reality and man, and an ability to interpret both of them in their essence, nature, and reciprocal relationship." The work at each age group represents a continuous program so those parents enrolling their children should be committed to allowing them to complete each three-year cycle.Our principal Montessori teachers hold an AMI ( Association Montessori Internationale ) diploma in addition to their undergraduate or graduate degrees, and have completed a year of studies enabling them to understand the needs of children of this age, and to present effectively the programmed, self-correcting materials which Montessori designed. A language teacher presents Spanish to the primary children who are in the sensitive period for developing language skills. The elementary children with this background learn to converse, read, and write in Spanish. Latin is introduced during the third year in the lower elementary class and continues through the upper elementary level.The school year is from September to June, following, in general, the calendar for Fairfax County Public Schools. Aquinas School also operates a Montessori summer day camp program for children, 3 to 9 years, during June and July.We hope this information will be helpful. Please call the school for an appointment to observe one of the classes and speak with our administrative staff who will show you around the school and discuss the possibility of entrance.Aquinas Montessori School 8334 Mount Vernon Highway, VA 22309 Alexandria Tel ( 703 ) 780" 8484 Fax ( 703 ) 360" 2875Old Town Montessori School 115 S. Washington Street, VA 22314 Alexandria Tel ( 703 ) 684" 7323