ASHBURN, VA--(Marketwired - Apr 6, 2016) - Golden Pond School, Ashburn's premier private preschool and kindergarten, has earned a five-year term of accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancedEd.
SACS CASI provides nationally-recognized accreditation, the purpose of which is continuous school improvement focused on increasing student performance. To earn accreditation, schools must meet SACS CASI's high standards, be evaluated by a team of professionals from outside the school and implement a continuous process of improvement.
Kathie and Steve Burrell opened Golden Pond School in 2002, with a mission to educating the whole child in a developmentally appropriate manner through an integrated curriculum. Kathie, a longtime teacher and early childhood education specialist, created the renowned Golden Pond Way curriculum.
"This is truly a watershed accomplishment," said Kathie Burrell. "Our accreditation reflects the quality education that our parents and students have known and experienced at Golden Pond School."
"The school has adopted a mission to use brain-based instructional methods to educate the whole child in a developmentally appropriate and nurturing environment," according to AdvancEd accreditation officials in their final report. "That mission is carried out passionately and with fidelity by all staff members in all classrooms. The school's children are highly engaged in a theme-based instructional process that allows them to connect prior knowledge to new learning."
With the numerous options parents face in today's marketplace for school and daycare options, co-founder Steve Burrell said accreditation is an incredibly important consideration.
"It indicates a commitment to continuing improvement -- in business practices, curriculum, administration, staff development, parent stakeholders, and the facility," he said.
In Loudoun County, children who successfully complete a kindergarten program in an accredited program under the auspices of Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE) can be enrolled in first grade without a trial placement.
Golden Pond School is currently enrolling for the 2016-17 school year! GPS now provides year-round quality enrichment from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in its Stay and Play program. Parents are also encouraged to see why GPS was recently voted the #1 Private Preschool by the readers of Posh Seven magazine. To schedule a private tour and learn more about the school's fully accredited programs, email admissions@goldenpondschool.com, call 703-723-7663, or go to www.goldenpondschool.com.
ABOUT GOLDEN POND SCHOOL: Serving children ages 2.5 to 7, Golden Pond School enrolls more than 300 students each year in its second-to-none preschool, kindergarten, kindergarten enrichment and extended school programs. The private school's intimate campus includes 12 classrooms and three age-appropriate, well-equipped playgrounds. Every classroom has at least two teachers and is designed to be a rich, interactive learning environment. Learn more at http://www.goldenpondschool.com.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Margaret Grace
Admissions, Golden Pond School
(703) 723-7663