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Five girls are standing side by side in the hallway, smiling and holding books.

 

We're so glad you're here!

The Woods Academy is more than a school; it’s a family of welcoming and supportive faculty, administrators, staff, parents, and students. There is nothing we love more than meeting prospective families and showing them around our school, so you can see for yourself what a special learning community it is.

Why Families Choose The Woods

Known & Challenged
Small class sizes mean your child is never just a name on a roster — and daily Spanish and French instruction starting at age three gives them a rare academic edge most families search for and can't find elsewhere.

Formed & Values-Driven
A Montessori-rooted foundation builds independent thinkers, while our Catholic identity — welcoming to all backgrounds, with 60% Catholic and 40% other faith traditions — forms character alongside academics.

Rooted & Belonging
Co-ed and not tied to a parish, our community is defined by shared values, not geography — families describe it as "down to earth," tight-knit, and easy to belong to from day one.

Results
100% of our graduates are accepted into their first-choice high school — proof that a Woods education prepares students not just for the next step, but for real success once they get there.

The Woods Academy Crest

In Their Own Words: Why Our Community Loves The Woods

Students of the World

At The Woods we really do our best to not only encourage our students to thrive, but also to be moral, to be ethical, to be problem-solvers, to be students that really are students of the world.  
- Paul Paoletti, Grades 7&8 Math Teacher, Director of Middle School

 

Nurturing a Child's Confidence

It is really important for all children to learn how to interact in a classroom where you have both boys and girls. When they are able to do that and feel secure and feel confident and they're even able to feel vulnerable, it allows them to grow. That is a very important aspect of an elementary school that can really nurture a child's confidence.
-Jeanne Shriver, Parent 2012, 2019

A Very Family Oriented Community

When we first moved here, my four boys were very shy. They’ve grown at The Woods. They do dance, they are into sports, they love music - they’ve played the violin, the piano. They’ve done it all here. They are young but confident. I love how capable and able they are.
-Vinka Pasos-Ferrell, Parent 2023, 2026, 2028, 2029

A Nurturing Community

A group of girls surrounds Erin Ricca as she instructs the group of students.

I love that the Woods is such a nurturing community. For a small school, we offer so many different opportunities for our students. I have worked at The Woods for so many years because I enjoy the many relationships I have built with students, parents, and my colleagues.

Erin Ricca, Athletic Director and PE Teacher

Academics and Character Development

Two students outside smiling.

There are many private school options in the area, but there’s a reason why families choose The Woods. Not only do children receive rigorous academics to prepare them for high school, but they are taught in a nurturing environment that encourages them to care beyond themselves.

Amanda Candy, Current Parent

Preparing Students for Life Beyond The Woods

A group of girls surrounds Erin Ricca as she instructs the group of students.

The Woods Academy played a big role in preparing my daughter for high school, college, and beyond by fostering a safe environment that encouraged independence and personal growth. The teachers, staff and the Head of School were all wonderful and cultivated a strong community. I feel that teaching a world language from an early age truly helped my daughter become quite fluent in French and she was able to use this skill on her travels to France and other French speaking countries.

Leila Phillips, Parent of Alumni

The Woods Academy Crest

High School Placement

100% of our Grade 8 graduates are accepted to their top choice high school. 

Learn More About Our High School Placement

 

Two girls are looking at the same book together.

Tuition & Affordability

Our students are able to grow and thrive at The Woods Academy at an affordable price, compared to other independent schools in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

Find Out More

Inquire & Visit

Ready to see it for yourself? Schedule a visit or start your inquiry today, and discover firsthand why families choose The Woods Academy for their child's education.

Visit Us Today!

Explore Our Three Divisions

Montessori

For our youngest learners, ages 3 to 6, fostering independence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning through hands-on discovery.

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Lower School

Grades 1 through 4 build strong academic foundations in a nurturing environment where every child is known, challenged, and supported.

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Middle School

Grades 5 through 8 prepare students for high school success through rigorous academics, leadership opportunities, and a growing sense of independence.

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