The Woods was founded in 2018 as a private school to provide Montessori classes for children in Prince William County. The Woods is the sister school of The Springs, A Montessori, which has been providing Montessori education in Springfield, VA since 1966. The Springs is an American Montessori Society accredited school and The Woods is accredited as a satellite campus to The Springs making The Woods the only Montessori accredited school in Prince William County. The Woods is independently owned and classes are secular. The Woods is dedicated to the Montessori philosophy and the method of teaching developed by Maria Montessori. In the Montessori classroom, each child will learn and develop at his or her own rate, in accordance with his or her own needs, interests and abilities. We work to help children acquire a love of learning, develop their academic potential, develop self-discipline, as well as self-respect and respect for others. The ages in a Montessori class range from two and a half to six. Children learn and develop new skills as they are ready rather than when they reach a certain age. The materials in the Montessori class are designed to stimulate a young child’s natural desire to learn. Practical Life activities encourage independence by helping the child to take care of him or herself and the environment. Social development materials help the child learn shapes, colors, dimension and to develop hand and eye control as well as fine motor control. Phonics is introduced as soon as a child demonstrates readiness and the phonetic approach is the basis of our reading program. Additionally, manipulative materials are used to introduce and teach mathematics. Art, Music, History, Science and Geography are also included at an age appropriate level.