At a Glance

Background

The school originally opened as Ursuline Academy. In 1975, a group of dedicated parents re-established it as Our Lady of the Woods Academy and subsequently The Woods Academy. In 1977, the school moved to its current location at the intersection of Burdette and Greentree Road in Bethesda. Today, The Woods is a renowned Montessori preschool and high school preparatory school educating boys and girls from Age 3 through Grade 8.

The Woods Experience by the Numbers

over 98%

of our 8th graders are accepted to first choice HS

over 70%

of our faculty hold an advanced degree

2/3

of Woods graduates take multiple honors and/ or AP courses throughout HS

10

average number of years a faculty member has taught at The Woods

2/3

of students are Catholic

100%

of Grade 7 & 8 students perform in the Spring Musical each year

95%

of Upper School students participate in at least one sport

38%

students of color

General Information

ENROLLMENT - 320

STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO - 7 TO 1

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE - 15

FACILITIES

Six-acre, park-like campus
Large playing fields for soccer, lacrosse, and baseball
Large state-of-the-art classrooms
Regulation size gymnasium
Fully outfitted stage
Chapel

SCHOOL MASCOT

Mighty Owl

DRESS

Uniforms are required in Grades 1 through 8. The Woods believes that neat, attractive uniform attire supports a good learning environment and stimulates pride in school and self.

Our Program

MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL - AGES 3 TO 6 (Includes Kindergarten)

LOWER SCHOOL - GRADES 1 TO 4

UPPER SCHOOL - GRADES 5 TO 8

HALLMARKS OF OUR PROGRAM

Daily World Language - From preschool through Grade 8, our students learn French or Spanish, developing a love for languages that they carry to high school and beyond.
Montessori Preschool - The Woods Montessori program meets the needs and interests of three to six year olds. Learning is intrinsically motivating and joyful in the multi-age classroom and prepared environment.
The Arts - Our talented, creative arts faculty cultivates our students’ artistic gifts, engaging their minds, bodies, and spirits through art education that includes music, visual arts, and performing arts.
Faith Life & Community Service - As a Catholic school, the faith development and character education of our children is devoted to enriching students’ lives and preparing them to lead lives of significance. Lessons on faith and values anchor everyday life.
Athletics - Our athletics program is a critical part of our children’s education. It provides building blocks in their development while giving them an appreciation for health and fitness as well as habits that will last a lifetime.
Technology - Our students’ foundation in technology includes understanding how it works and how to use it to change lives. Our technology supports innovative learning at all ages—from interactive whiteboard projectors in all classrooms, to iPad learning stations in Montessori, and one-to-one student devices in Grades 1 through 8.

Accreditations and Memberships

The Woods Academy is among a select group of independent schools individually accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS). In addition, The Woods Academy is one of only seven Montessori schools in the state of Maryland that is accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS). The school is also approved by the Maryland State Department of Education.

The Woods holds membership and participates in the following organizations:

American Montessori Society

Association of Independent Maryland Schools

Educational Records Bureau

Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington

National Association of Independent Schools

National Catholic Education Association

High School Placement

The Woods is proud of its almost 100% overall acceptance rate to students’ first-choice schools. Each year, high school teachers and administrators share how Woods graduates succeed at their schools, participate in a variety of activities, and add to the communities they join.

Learn More

Grow at The Woods

The Woods Academy is where children come to discover their talents, grow in their faith, challenge themselves, and foster a strong desire to lead lives of significance.

See for yourself how your child will GROW at The Woods!