As the only school in the Washington, DC area ending in Grade 5, Grace Episcopal Day School is uniquely dedicated to serving and educating children in these foundational wonder years, setting a strong foundation and equipping students as they enter middle school.
With a focus on children ages 2-11, Grace Episcopal Day School takes a whole child approach that is keenly attuned to the social, emotional, and academic needs of students.
Preschool Through Grade 5 Independent School in Kensington, MD – Where Wonder, Purpose, and Belonging take root in a Reggio Emilia-inspired program.
Please fill out this form to learn more about Grace Episcopal Day School, stay up-to-date on Admission events, or learn about the application process.
Why Preschool through Grade 5?
10 things you'll love about Grace Episcopal Day School:
- Community Tuition — a unique approach to financial aid. This model helps us build a diverse, equitable, and inclusive school. It’s how we have chosen to become a community of equals, in which all our families feel like they belong.
- 11-Acre Campus — ample outdoor space including playgrounds, nature trails, and soccer field for students to enjoy throughout the school day.
- Weekly Chapel Services — all Grace Episcopal Day School students attend Chapel each week.
- Field Trips — off-campus trips to a variety of locations including the Kennedy Center, the town of Kensington, National Zoo, Hirshhorn Museum, and many more in order to enhance students’ learning.
- Grade 5's Echo Hill Trip — an adventure-packed, overnight experience featuring nighttime swamp canoeing and crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay.
- Specials Classes — students across grades participate in a range of specials classes including Science, Spanish, Physical Education, Early Childhood Yoga, Art, and Music.
- Schoolwide Celebrations & Performances — students participate in a variety of celebrations and performances throughout the school year to highlight their learning and gather as a community: Campfire, Field Day, Celebration of Learning, Christmas Chapel, Spring Musical, Latino Expo, and more.
- Student Council — officers in Grades 4-5 listen to and address their schoolmates' concerns. They also lead community service projects.
- Interscholastic Sports — students in Grades 4 and 5 can participate in our competitive athletics program in soccer and basketball.
- Atelierista & Director of Innovation — two full-time faculty members who guide deeper learning across the curriculum through hands-on, experiential learning that integrates art, science, and engineering with core subjects.
Early Childhood
Our early childhood program is dedicated to providing a warm, nurturing environment where children’s ideas and abilities are developed through engaging, authentic learning experiences. Our Preschool and Prekindergarten classrooms use an approach that is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which cultivates important social and emotional skills alongside creative and critical thinking.
Kindergarten
With a solid foundation of intellectual, social-emotional, and physical education, and a spirit of inquiry to spur continued learning, students enter Kindergarten ready for more. Grace Episcopal Day School faculty possess expertise in best practices for these important developmental stages, and our resources and attention are devoted to the unique needs of young learners.
Elementary
While at Grace Episcopal Day School, students' education follows an arc, with skills and knowledge progressing and deepening over time. Our program is dedicated to providing engaging and developmentally appropriate approaches to math and literacy. Equipped with strong academic skills, self-knowledge, and a deep love of learning, graduates are well-prepared to meet the social and academic challenges of middle school and beyond.
Alignment of curriculum across grades through the use of student-centered pedagogies such as Reggio Emilia and Project Based Learning in order to help students to develop the 4 Cs: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Critical Thinking.
Deeper Learning
"Grace has offered our family a nurturing and inclusive environment for our children to explore, learn, and grow during these critical early years. We feel blessed to partner with teachers and administrators who are truly integrated into our family dynamic and care about the success and wellbeing of our children as much as we do."
- CURRENT GRACE EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL PARENT
Where learning unfolds from curious questions
At Grace Episcopal Day School, we believe the early years are a period of rich learning and self-discovery, laying a foundation for children to view themselves as learners and citizens of a democratic and inclusive community.
The Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary school years should spark curiosity, build confidence, nurture compassion, and help every child discover the joy of learning.
Grace Episcopal Day School is a co-ed private school for Preschool (age 2) through Grade 5 in Kensington, Maryland.
Upcoming Admission Events
Open House - Thursday, April 16 at 9:30 AM
Come visit us! Join us at an Open House to learn more about Grace Episcopal Day School.
In-Person Kindergarten Open House - December 4th at 9:30am
Grace’s kindergarten program provides a warm and nurturing environment that allows young children to continue to grow and develop their social-emotional skills while setting a strong foundation for their academic learning. Join us for a conversation with our Kindergarten teachers and an opportunity to see the joyful learning unfolding in their classroom.
Wonder Studio - Wednesday, May 13 from 9:00 - 9:45 AM
Children 18 months-3 years old and caregivers are welcome to join us as our teachers facilitate joyful hands-on experiences for toddlers. Encounter clay, light, mark-making materials, and wind in our Reggio Emilia-inspired atelier!
Small classes and authentic relationship-building ensure every child is seen, supported, and celebrated. Students' unique perspectives and contributions are valued within an intentionally diverse, welcoming, and connected community.
Why Families Choose Grace
Children are known deeply.
Intentionally Human.
In an “unplugged” learning environment, each community member is purposefully present. We use technology thoughtfully and intentionally in service of learning, never as a substitute for it. Wonder-driven experiences unfold through hands-on, minds-on engagement rooted in relationships that embrace each person’s humanity.
Wonder drives authentic learning.
Children initiate and investigate meaningful questions, think creatively, test ideas, and develop confidence as they solve real problems—not simply memorize answers. Art, science, music, engineering, nature, movement, and design are woven throughout and across curricula, giving children many ways to explore, experiment, and develop enduring understanding.
Beautiful spaces inspire discovery and foster well-being.
Our 11-acre campus, light-filled classrooms, child-centered spaces, and thoughtfully designed learning environments provide many ways to access meaningful exploration, experimentation, and understanding. Daily collaboration and reflection in these spaces cultivate connection to each other and self-awareness for healthy, whole-child growth.
Excellence and joy go hand in hand.
Strong academics, creativity, character, and joyful childhood experiences aren't separate goals—they're how children thrive.
Join us for an Upcoming Event
Admission Open House
(Thursday, October 15 from 9:30 am - 11:00 am)
Early Childhood
Our early childhood program is dedicated to providing a warm, nurturing environment where children’s ideas and abilities are developed through engaging, authentic learning experiences. Our Preschool and Prekindergarten classrooms use an approach that is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which cultivates important social and emotional skills alongside creative and critical thinking.
The Grace Difference
That's the difference. Schedule a visit and experience Grace for yourself.
(Preschool & Pre-K)
Elementary
(Kindergarten-Grade 5)
While at Grace Episcopal Day School, students' education follows an arc, with skills and knowledge progressing and deepening over time. Our program is dedicated to providing engaging and developmentally appropriate approaches to math and literacy. Equipped with strong academic skills, self-knowledge, and a deep love of learning, graduates are well-prepared to meet the social and academic challenges of middle school and beyond.
Many schools ask, "What should children learn?"
At Grace, we also ask, "How do children learn?" "Who is each child becoming?"