Oneness-Family School
Location
6701 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, Maryland
United States
Information
TypeIndependent
EstablishedMay 18, 1988; 35 years ago (1988-05-18)
Head of schoolAndrew Kutt
GradesPreschool through 12
Enrollment146
Average class size17
Student to teacher ratio1:12
Websitewww.onenessfamily.org

Oneness-Family School is an independent, coeducational day school whose lower-school campus is in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and its upper-school campus is in Kensington, Maryland. It offers a Montessori education for students age 2 through grade 12, making it the only private Montessori high school in the Washington, D.C., area.[1] A nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3)status,[2] the school is a member of the American Montessori Society and National Association of Independent Schools.

Patricia (Pat) Dubin is the chair of the board of trustees.[3] Andrew Genova, a former alumnus, serves as the treasurer.[3] Andrew Kutt is the head of school.[3]

History

Kutt was working at the Barrie School in Silver Spring in January 1988 when he first discussed the idea of founding a school with Barrie headmaster Tim Seldin. Oneness-Family School was incorporated in the District of Columbia on May 18, 1988, and held its first classes the following September with 10 students.

The lower school, pre-school through 8th grade, is located on the grounds of St. John's Episcopal Church, Norwood Parish, in Chevy Chase. In 2017, the school added a second campus, for high school students, at Grace Episcopal Day School in Kensington.[4]

Demographics

In 2017-18, the racial makeup of Oneness-Family School's K–12 students was 74.4% white, 10.2% Hispanic, 10.2% African American, and 5.1% Asian/Pacific Islander.[5]

About 40% of families are international, representing more than 60 countries.[6]

Academics

Keeping with Montessori principles, students learn in mixed-age groups instead of single-grade classrooms. Those include the Little Stars program for 2- and 3-year-olds, the Children's Peace Garden for 3-year-olds to kindergarteners, the Peace Arbor for grades 1 to 3, the Peace Academy for grades 4 and 5, the Peace Ambassadors program for grades 6 to 8, and the high school program for grades 9 to 12.[7][8]

The curriculum emphasizes global awareness and the study of other cultures.[9] Students annually celebrate the founding of the United Nations with diplomats stationed in the local area.[10]

In addition to traditional academic subjects, Oneness-Family School teaches nature experiences, meditation, yoga, and tai chi to help students work on self-discipline and relaxation[6] as part of its Self-Discovery curriculum.

References

  1. ^ Rogers, Bethany (5 January 2017). "Montessori School in Chevy Chase To Start High School Program in September". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  2. ^ "The Oneness Family School". Tax Exempt Organization Search. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "A Letter from our Board". Oneness-Family School. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  4. ^ "Get To Know Oneness-Family High School". Grace Episcopal Day School. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for Oneness Family School". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  6. ^ a b Glover, Mary Clare. "One-of-a-Kind Private Schools". www.washingtonian.com. Washingtonian. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Preschool-K: Ages 2-6". Oneness Family School. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  8. ^ "Elementary: Grades 1-5". Oneness Family School. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  9. ^ Corcoran, Joseph. "U.N. Day Celebration Brings Students, Diplomats Together". washdiplomat.com. The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  10. ^ "Diplomats Join Students to Give Peace a Chance". PRWeb. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
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