School Policies

If you have any questions, please email MSA@montessorischoolofalexandria.com.

  • Our school uniform colors are navy blue and white. All items should be plain with no writing or logos, unless it is the MSA logo. No jeans, denim or denim-like material (i.e. jeggings). This includes trousers, skirts, or jumpers. When in doubt, adopt a “less is more” mindset.

    Order uniforms here.

    Tops: Plain navy blue or white.

    Bottoms: Plain navy blue pants, shorts or skirts.

    Dresses: Plain navy blue (no spaghetti straps).

    Sweaters: Plain navy blue or white.

    Socks/Tights: Plain navy blue or white.

    Shoes: Sneakers, preferably with ties. Non-athletic shoes should be neutral in color with closed toe and no heel. No light-up shoes or sandals.

  • The health of our community is our top priority. If your child has any of the following, please keep them home and call the school.

    ● A temperature of over 100.04°F in the morning before school. If such a temperature develops during the day, you will be called to pick up your child immediately.

    ● Rashes that the parent cannot identify or have not been diagnosed by a physician.

    ● Diarrhea or vomiting.

    ● The appearance of being sick without obvious symptoms by looking and acting differently (e.g., unusually pale, irritable, tired, or disinterested).

    ● Symptoms of any communicable disease, such as: chicken pox, ringworm, mumps, measles, lice, conjunctivitis, scabies, and impetigo.

    For the protection of your child, as well as others, please do not bring him/her/they to school if they have had any of the above symptoms within the last 24 hours. If your child develops any of the above symptoms or diseases during school hours, they must be picked up from school immediately and kept at home for at least 24 hours (medication free) from the time the symptoms occurred.

  • MSA is open to all children regardless of race, creed, or national origin. Children ages 3 to 12 years are eligible. Enrollment is processed on a first come first serve basis upon completion of your contract and paid deposit.

    We make admissions decisions based on many factors, with consideration given to:

    • Re-enrollment of current students.

    • Balancing gender and age within each multi-age class community.

    • Priority consideration given to siblings of enrolled students and to children of alumni families and staff.

    • As a Montessori school, we value the three year cycle (aka sensitive periods), 3-6, 6-9, 9-12. We design our classrooms with this principal in mind. During the enrollment process, families who demonstrate a commitment to the whole cycle will be given priority over those who will not remain enrolled for the entire period. We are committed to providing educational events to help parents better understand the importance of completing their child’s sensitive period.

    • New three-year-olds must be completely potty-trained.

    • Children who are not yet three may be enrolled on a space-available basis throughout the year. No future space can be reserved or guaranteed for your child in advance of their readiness.

    • Children applying to the Montessori Elementary program must have an inherent love of learning and a proven ability to work and learn independently. Successful applicants can easily work well with other students as well as self-manage a high level of responsibility and freedom in the classroom. Elementary applicants will need to submit school records and meet with the classroom teacher prior to being notified of their enrollment.

  • By State regulations, parents must notify the school within 24 hours when their child or another member of the household has a reportable communicable disease. It is important that students with communicable diseases not be present in the school for the protection of other students and staff.

    Refer to the readmission guidelines below before bringing your child back to school:

    Conjunctivitis: 24 hours after first dose of antibiotics.

    Chicken Pox: 10 days, weekends included.

    Diarrhea: 24 hours after last loose stool or vomiting episode.

    Strep Throat: 24 hours after first dose of antibiotics.

    Fever: 24 hours after temperature is normal without fever reducing medication.

  • You may not send food that contains (or has traces of) peanuts or tree nuts. Please check the label and avoid sending foods that have been manufactured alongside foods that contain or have traces of peanuts or tree nuts. We understand that this can be limiting, but for those students who have allergies, this is very serious and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

  • MSA follows Fairfax County Public School’s (FCPS) closing and delay decisions. Information on when FCPS is closed can be accessed at fcps.edu, found on their social media, or heard early in the morning over most of the local television or radio stations.

Visit Our School

Schedule your visit today to experience the Montessori Method firsthand.