Why should I send my child to your school?
Is the Griffin Academy a “feeder” school for Westminster School?
Do you provide transportation?
Are there special requirements for admission to your school?
What are the age requirements for entry?
What are the procedures for snack and lunch?
How long has your school been established?
What is the background of the preschool director?
Do the children take field trips?
What enrichment classes are offered?
What is the structure of the school day?
Why should I send my child to your school?The overall goal of The Griffin Academy is to provide a nurturing learning environment for preschool-aged children. There will be a routine to the day which will include exploration into a number of topics, including academics, as well as social learning. Children will be encouraged to use proper manners, learn to respect one another and themselves, and to work and play together harmoniously.
The academic program for the three-year-old classes will introduce children to letters and their sounds, numbers, science through nature, social studies through community, music, art, French, drama and free-play. The children will experience indoor and outdoor play, structured and non-structured time, quiet and active times during the day.
The academic program for the four-year-old classes will help to prepare the children for kindergarten. Older four-year-olds (those who are five by December 31) will be placed in the junior kindergarten class, which will be more academic than that for the younger fours. Both classes will be exposed to a phonics-based pre-reading/reading program which will prepare them for the joys of reading. Part of the daily routine will include story-time, during which the children will be exposed to classic children’s literature and nursery rhymes.
Is the Griffin Academy a “feeder” school for Westminster School?It is our hope that the students enrolled at The Griffin Academy will continue with their education at Westminster School. The governance of the preschool is overseen by the Headmaster of Westminster School. One of the goals of the preschool program is to prepare students for entry to Westminster School’s full-day academic kindergarten.
Do you offer extended care?Extended care is available for an additional fee. Before-School-Care is available from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m. After-School-Care for the three-year-olds is available from 12:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. or 12:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. After-School-Care for the four-year-olds is available from 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Do you provide transportation?
The Griffin Academy offers bus service to any student who has a sibling riding the bus to/from Westminster School. Westminster School bus fees apply. Griffin Academy bus riders will be received by teachers and escorted to class in the morning. Afternoon bus service will only be available at the 2:30 dismissal time.
Are there special requirements for admission to your school?All children must meet the stated age requirements and be potty-trained prior to the beginning of school. There is no admissions assessment for entry to the preschool. However, children are asked to attend a group “play-date” prior to admission. Parents will meet with the Preschool Director to ensure a mutual understanding of the goals for the child and to be certain that the parents are familiar with the long-term goals of The Griffin Academy and Westminster School.
What are the age requirements for entry?Candidates for the three-year-old class must be three by October 31. The candidates for the four-year-old class must be four by October 31. Children may enroll in the Junior-Kindergarten class if they are turning five by December 31. (Younger four-year-olds may be moved to the Junior Kindergarten class if the teachers deem it appropriate for a particular child.)
Tuition is $7,900.00 for the three-year-old class’s regular school day (8:30-12:00) and $9,900.00 for the four-year-old class’s regular school day (8:30-2:30). Additional fees are charged for the extended-day options. Various payment plans are offered. Financial aid is available. Financial aid awards are based on need. More information about financial aid is available on the admissions page of our web site, www.westminsterschool.com.
What are the class sizes?There are two classes of three-year-olds and two classes of four-year-olds. Each class has a maximum capacity of 14 students with a lead teacher and an aide in each class. Additional “special” teachers teach some enrichment classes.
What are the procedures for snack and lunch?For the morning snack, on a rotating basis, parents provide a peanut-free snack for the class (approximately twice a month). Lunch is brought from home. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, parents may order a healthy box lunch from Health e-Lunch Kids (http://www.order.healthelunchkids.com/). The afternoon snack is peanut-free and is provided by the school.
How long has your school been established?Westminster School was established in 1962. It is a fully accredited member of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and is a member of the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW). The Griffin Academy of Westminster School will open for the first time in fall of 2010.
What is the background of the preschool director?Mrs. Kristine Lee is an experienced classroom teacher and mother of three children. Mrs. Lee has been an employee of Westminster School since 1990. She has been teaching math to 3rd and 4th graders for 13 years. She has also served as the team leader for those grades and has emerged as a leader in the school. Mrs. Lee has two children who attend Westminster School and one child who will be enrolled in The Griffin Academy.
Are uniforms required?The children are required to wear a Griffin Academy uniform, which will soon be available from Flynn and O'Hara. The uniform consists of gray pants or shorts and a polo shirt for the boys. The girls wear gray shorts, pants, or skorts with a polo shirt.
Do the children take field trips?There will be a few field trips scheduled throughout the year. Westminster School buses will be used to transport the children.
What enrichment classes are offered?Enrichment classes include art, music, PE, drama and French.
What is the structure of the school day?The students will participate in group activities and individual activities through exploration centers and teacher direction. The daily schedule will be flexible, though some daily routines will be observed.
