Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Cooperative Preschool in Alexandria, VA
Founded in 1962, Fort Hunt Preschool is a cooperative early childhood education institution rooted in the belief that children thrive in a safe, nurturing environment where parents and educators collaborate. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning, discovery, and play in a natural, historic setting on Mason Hill. With 60 years of experience, we offer age-appropriate classes for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds, maintaining low student-to-teacher ratios to ensure personalized attention. Our curriculum balances structured activities with free play, fostering curiosity, social development, and respect for the environment.Located just three miles from Old Town Alexandria, we serve families seeking an inclusive, community-driven approach to early education. Licensed by the Virginia Board of Education and affiliated with national and state cooperative preschool organizations, our school combines tradition with innovative teaching methods. We prioritize experiential learning that prepares children for kindergarten while nurturing their natural wonder. Our alumni network and parent involvement model create lasting connections within our educational community.
Services
Twos Program
Threes Program
Fours Program
Parent Cooperative
Financial Aid
Virtual Tours
Community Events
Details
- Year established: 1962
Highlights and features
- We operate a parent-cooperative model ensuring active family involvement
- Our program prioritizes outdoor learning in a historic natural setting
- We maintain low student-to-teacher ratios (1:4-1:5) for personalized attention
- Our curriculum balances structured activities with child-directed exploration
- We offer specialized classes tailored to specific developmental stages
Services
Twos Program
Structured play-based learning for 2-year-olds with twice-weekly sessions. Focuses on social development, motor skills, and early exploration through parent-assisted activities. Maintains 1:4 adult-child ratio for personalized guidance in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Threes Program
Three-day weekly program balancing free play with structured activities. Emphasizes peer interaction, creative expression, and foundational learning concepts. Small class sizes with 1:5 adult-child ratio support transitional kindergarten readiness through hands-on educational experiences.
Fours Program
Five-day kindergarten preparation program combining structured learning with creative play. Develops listening skills, cooperative behavior, and academic fundamentals through morning meetings, group projects, and extended exploration periods in natural settings.
Parent Cooperative
Active parent participation model fostering educational partnerships between families and teachers. Parents assist in classrooms weekly, attend training sessions, and participate in governance through regular meetings and policy development.
Financial Aid
Need-based tuition reduction program ensuring accessibility for diverse families. Application process requires income verification and special circumstances documentation to provide equitable access to early childhood education opportunities.
Questions
What age requirements must children meet?
Children must be 2, 3, or 4 years old by September 30th for respective programs.
How does the parent-cooperative model work?
Parent assistants work daily in classrooms, attend monthly meetings, and participate in school governance and events.
What curriculum approaches do you use?
Our play-based curriculum integrates nature exploration, social development, and pre-academic skill-building through experiential learning.
Are tours available?
Virtual tours are accessible online with in-person tours available by appointment through our admissions team.
How are class sizes determined?
Class sizes range from 10-14 students with 1:4 to 1:5 adult-child ratios depending on age group.
