Oneness-Family School

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.

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

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.

The school’s mission is to “ignite the spark in a new generation of courageous and capable leaders through a student-centered community of diversity, academic excellence, and innovation in the Montessori tradition.”[11]

Notable visitors to the school include athlete and humanitarian Muhammad Ali in 2003, musician and peace advocate Graham Nash in 2007, Reps. Elijah Cummings and Tim Ryan, social scientist Riane Eisler, musician Wyclef Jean, multiple Guinness World Record holder Ashrita Furman, and Swedish Ambassador Jan Eliasson.  

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 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. 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.
  11. "Mission & History". Oneness Family School. 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
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