Day School

St. Aidan's School Files / Forms / Calendar (click to download):

Parent Handbook (.pdf file)
Child Profile Questionnaire (.pdf file)
Virginia School Entrance Health Form (.pdf file)
General Permissions Form (.pdf file)
Emergency Information Form (.pdf file)
Field Trip Drivers Form (.pdf file)
St. Aidan's School Calendar (2011 - 2012) (.pdf file)

Kindergarten Readiness Education Night

Thursday, February 9th, 7:30 pm

Please join us for an enlightening discussion on Kindergarten Readiness.  Topics to be discussed

include the importance of:

• focus and concentration skills
• following directions
• alphabet knowledge
• emotional maturity
• self-confidence
• fine motor skills
• taking turns

St. Aidan’s Kindergarten Teacher Mary Anne Hesch, who has over 25 years of experience working with

children, will help unravel some of the mystery associated with the question of how to assess and improve

your child’s Kindergarten readiness.  She will make a short presentation followed by a question and answer

period. 

This program is free and open to all parents and educators in the community.  Snow date is February 16.  For

further information contact Suzanne Odom at staidansschool@verizon.net.

At St. Aidan's, our Kindergarten class is limited to 16 students with 2 teachers.  We follow the Fairfax County POS

and also draw from the Core Knowledge Kindergarten Curriculum, as well as Handwriting Without Tears.  Ours is a

half-day program ending at noon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Children bring a bag lunch and stay until

1:00 pm on Tuesday and Thursday.  Like other St. Aidan's 3-Day and 5-Day programs, this class includes Music, Library,

Chapel, and Movement.

2012-2013 Enrollment Information

Interested families may call the school at 703-360-4160 to arrange a private tour of our facility.  Beginning December 1, 2011,

families may call the school or email the Director (staidansschool@verizon.net) to be placed on a waiting list for the

2012-2013 school year.  There is no charge to be placed on the waiting list.  We only require parent or guardian names and

contact information (phone and/or email), child's name, sex, and date of birth, and 1st and 2nd choice of classes (where

there are options).  Current families will re-enroll in January 2012.  When that process is complete, families on the waiting

list will be contacted and offered available class spaces.

Our Philosophy

“Since I came to St. Aidan’s I’ve made a lot of friends.”  Parents of our day school students hear this a lot, not just

because it is part of a song we sing, but because it is true. 

Graduates from as far back as 1966 – the year this private, Episcopal school was founded – say that St. Aidan’s

prepared them for elementary school academically and socially, in a fun, creative, caring and safe environment.

Each child grows and develops at his or her own pace, emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically.  At St. Aidan’s

Episcopal Day School, we recognize that these elements are interdependent, that our program must reflect this, and that

we must respect the integrity of each child.

We strive to promote a loving, caring atmosphere rich in experience, materials, and equipment to nurture the total

development of your child.  Our goals are to give your child a healthy sense of self, helping each to develop social, physical,

and educational skills.  In an environment of understanding, respect, acceptance, and assistance, we encourage interaction,

individuality, creative expression, and, most importantly,  nurture feelings of self-confidence.  Our curriculum is rich in the

3 M's: Music, Movement, and Mess.  We believe these varied sensory experiences are critical to your child's development.

Our Staff

Staff members are selected for their ability to relate to young children, as well as for their educational background.  

Teachers engage in continuing education throughout the year in order to grow professionally, improve skills, and learn

about current developments in the field of early childhood education

  .

Our Classes

- Class placement is based on both the child’s chronological age and developmental age, and is made by the school

director.
- Each class has a teacher and a full-time assistant.
- For children who will be 30 months by September 1, there is a Tuesday/Thursday play program.  Class size is limited to

eight children, with two teachers.
- Three-year-olds have the option of attending either two or three days per week.
- Four-year-olds have the option of attending either three or five days per week.
- Older four-year-olds and young five-year-olds may attend a “young fives” class with a curriculum that focuses on social and

academic skills.
- Children who are five by September 30 may attend a half-day kindergarten that meets five days per week, with an

extended day on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Curriculum

The kindergarten curriculum follows the Fairfax County Program of Studies, Virginia Standards of Learning, and the Core

Knowledge Kindergarten program.

The curriculum for the preschool classes is based loosely on the Core Knowledge Preschool program.  In addition, we use

the Handwriting Without Tears Get Set for School program to help children develop finger strength and dexterity, and

ultimately learn how to form letters correctly.  Developed by an Occupational Therapist, Handwriting Without Tears uses a

multi-sensory approach that is developmentally appropriate for our students.

.

Our Facilities and Activities

In addition to regular classroom activities, our program includes weekly chapel, music, movement, and occasional

field trips.  Our library has an extensive collection of children’s books and parenting books that are available for check-out

to the families of St. Aidan’s.                                                                        

St. Aidan’s has a safe, spacious playground in a natural setting that the children enjoy on a daily basis.  In inclement

weather, classes may go to the Muscle Room, which includes a climbing structure and a variety of indoor gross motor

equipment.  Four- and Five-year-olds may participate in the Lunch Bunch program on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,

where they eat lunch and play with their peers. 

Our Parents Committee plans several family-oriented events throughout the year.  These include Oktoberfest, Santa’s

Workshop, Family Fun Night, Dads Night, and the Ice Cream Social and Art Show. 

Our Schedule

The school opens each morning at 8:55 a.m.  Most classes run from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The exceptions are the Twos class,

which ends at 11:45 a.m., and Kindergarten which ends at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

The school’s holiday schedule and snow day policy approximate those of the Fairfax County Public Schools. 

Operation of School

St. Aidan’s Episcopal Day School was founded in 1966 as an extension of St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church.  The school is

ecumenical, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national or ethnic origin.  The school’s operational policies, goals, and budget are guided by a board composed of parents, parishioners, the church rector, and the school director.  St. Aidan’s Day School is a non-profit organization.  Fees are used to defray daily expenses, and vary according to program.  

Tuition

Tuition rates for the 2012-2013 School Year are as follows:

KIndergarten:  $425 per month

Young Fives:  $400 per month

5-Day Fours:  $385 per month

3-Day Classes:   $260 per month

2-Day Classes:  $220 per month

For more information, please contact:
Suzanne Odom, Day School Director
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Day School
8531 Riverside Road
Alexandria, VA  22308
703-360-4160
staidansschool@verizon.net