At A Glance

Founded

• 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.

Affiliation

• Roman Catholic, but welcome students from all backgrounds and religions

Campus

• Six-acre, park-like campus

• Large playing fields for soccer, lacrosse, and baseball

• Renovated South Wing with Innovation Lab, flexible classrooms, and more

• Large state-of-the-art classrooms

• Regulation size gymnasium

• Fully outfitted stage

• Chapel

Enrollment

• 320 students (girls and boys), from age 3 to Grade 8

• Small class size by design; average class size is 15

• 50% of graduates have attended since Montessori preschool 

Tuition

• $16,700 - $29,920 for the 2024-2025 school year

Academics:

• An advanced and challenging curriculum that prepares children well for high school and beyond 

• 100% top choice high school placement 

• ⅔ of Woods graduates take multiple honors and/or AP courses throughout high school 

Our Program

• Montessori Preschool - AGES 3 TO 6 (INCLUDES KINDERGARTEN)

• Lower School - GRADES 1 TO 4

• Middle School - GRADES 5 TO 8

Faculty

• Over 70% of our faculty hold an advanced degree 

• Average teacher tenure at The Woods is 10 years 

• 7:1 student to teacher ratio 

Uniform

• 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.

Hallmarks of a Woods Education

• 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.

Athletics

• Middle school students have the opportunity to compete in athletics throughout the school year in sports such as soccer, lacrosse, basketball, swimming, tennis, and more. 

Arts

• Students have exposure to performing, visual, and music arts throughout the school year from age 3 to Grade 8.