Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School of Arlington
A Caring Early Learning Community in Arlington
Where Joy Meets Learning
The Gardner School of Arlington is in the heart of the Radnor Fort Myer Heights neighborhood. Our warm, academically focused preschool serves children ages 6 weeks to 5 years with a supportive environment that blends early academics, nurturing relationships, and meaningful play. Conveniently located at the corner of Clarendon Boulevard and North Quinn Street, our school offers an exceptional early learning experience for families who live and work in Arlington and the greater Washington, DC area.
Purposeful Blend of Play and Early Academics
Children learn through a research-based curriculum that supports early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Our highly qualified teachers provide individualized support and create learning experiences that help children build confidence, friendships, and a strong sense of self. We are also approved to participate in the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program, which helps eligible military families access high-quality early education with financial support. With bright classrooms, indoor and outdoor playscapes, a Kids Café, and a dedicated S T E A M lab, children feel safe, curious, and excited to learn each day.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum supports early literacy, math, creativity, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Teachers guide learning through purposeful play, hands-on activities, and consistent routines that help children grow with confidence.
Safety and Health
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Two secure entry checkpoints, clean classrooms, and predictable routines help children feel safe and supported. Healthy meals and snacks are served daily in the Kids Café, and a comfortable nursing room is available for families.
Environment and Design
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Inviting classrooms, natural light, and thoughtfully arranged learning spaces create a calm and engaging environment for young learners. Large indoor and outdoor playscapes and a S T E A M lab provide room for exploration and discovery.
Community and Support
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Families appreciate our warm school culture, daily communication, and strong partnerships between parents and teachers. We proudly participate in the MCCYN program, which supports eligible military families with fee assistance and expanded access to high-quality early education.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Enrichment Programs
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Angie Anderson
Executive School Director
Angie Anderson
Executive School Director
One of Angie’s favorite parts of her day at The Gardner School of Arlington is witnessing the joy and confidence children feel when they share something they’ve created or learned. Their excitement is a constant reminder of why she has loved being part of this community since 2016. Over the years, Angie has grown from Floater Teacher to Executive School Director, building strong relationships with families, mentoring teachers, and helping shape a warm, enriching school environment.
Jay Gosha
Assistant Director
Jay Gosha
Assistant Director
Jay loves the spark of excitement that fills the building each morning. Those first smiles, quick stories, and warm greetings set a positive tone for the school day and help him build meaningful connections with both children and families. Since joining The Gardner School in November 2025, he has enjoyed learning each child’s unique personality and supporting teachers in creating a thoughtful and joyful classroom experience.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.