What grades/age groups are available at Merritt Academy?
Our preschool accepts Infants from six weeks to twenty-four months, Toddlers from twenty-five to thirty-six months, and Preschoolers from three to four years. Our school program goes from Kindergarten through Eighth Grade.
What are the steps for applying to Merritt Academy?
Take a tour of our facility to see if Merritt Academy is the right choice for your family.
Complete an application form and submit it with an Official Proof of Identity and a non-refundable $50.00 application fee.
How can I get an application/other materials sent to me?
Applications may be printed from this website (How To Join Us, then click on Application). You may also contact the Admissions Coordinator at (703) 539-8394 or email admissions@merrittacademy.org
What is the fastest way to get my admissions questions answered?
Contact our Admissions Coordinator at (703) 539-8394 or email admissions@merrittacademy.org
How can I schedule a tour?
Tours are given on a daily basis so you may schedule one during our normal operating hours. Please contact our Director of Admissions at 703-539-8394 or email admissions@merrittacademy.org.
What is your facility like?
We are located on a 7-acre campus with five educational buildings (including our full-sized gym), an in-ground swimming pool, three playgrounds, and an athletic field. Sunrise Senior Living of Fairfax is located adjacent to the campus. Check out our Virtual Tour.
Do you have a waiting list? How long will I have to wait?
We accept current and upcoming year applications on a rolling, first-come, first-serve basis. We encourage parents to arrange for a tour anytime throughout the year. Please call for information on availability.
How long do your programs run?
The Infant, Toddler, and Preschool programs run 12 months from September through August.
Kindergarten through 8th Grade runs 10 months from September through June.
The Summer Camp Program runs 10 weeks for Kindergarten through 8th Grade (middle of June through the end of August)
We also offer a variety of after-school activities for our Preschool though Eighth grade students from 3:00-5:30 p.m.
What are the school hours?
Our facility opens at 6:45 a.m. and closes at 6:15 p.m.
The Infant, Toddler, and Preschool programs include care from 6:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
The School day for Kindergarten through 8th Grade is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. We also offer extended care for school age students.
How much is tuition?
Our tuition is based on 10 monthly payments for Kindergarten through 8th Grade and on 12 monthly payments for the Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs. We offer discounts for full payment in one or two installments. For more details see Tuition and Fees.
Do you offer sibling discounts?
No
Do you offer extended care?
Yes, we offer extended care for students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade. There are different options available for additional fees. Extended Care is covered in the tuition for the Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs. For more details see Tuition and Fees.
What are the directions to your school?
From points West
- Take I-66 to the Nutley Street exit.
- Follow the signs toward Fairfax.
- Take Nutley Street to Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard).
- Go straight at the light toward the service road and you will be in front of Sunrise Senior Living building.
- Turn left into driveway.
- The school office is located directly behind the model train car (red caboose).
From points East
- Take I-495 to Route 50 (Arlington Boulevard).
- Follow signs toward Fairfax.
- Make a left at the intersection of Nutley Street and Route 50 on to the service road in front of Sunrise Senior Living.
- Turn left into driveway.
- The school office is located directly behind the model train car (red caboose).
Get directions from MapQuest
Is your school accessible to public transportation?
Yes, there is a bus stop at the intersection of Arlington Blvd. and Nutley Street. The Vienna Metro Station is only 2 miles from our campus.
Do you provide transportation?
Yes, we offer bus transportation for students who are age 4 through 8th grade. For more information and fees see Bus Transportation
What is the teacher to student ratio?
Infant Room |
6 weeks – 10 months |
1:4 |
Room A |
10 months – 17 months |
1:4 |
Room B |
18 months – 24 months |
1:5 |
Room C |
24 months – 30 months |
1:8 |
Room D |
30 months – 36 months |
1:8 |
K3 |
3-4 year olds |
1:10 |
K4 |
4-5 year olds |
1:12 |
School |
Kindergarten – 8th Grade |
1:20 |
How large are your classes?
Our approximate numbers per level/grade are as follows:
Infants (through 18 months): 12
Infants (18 months through 23 months): 15
Toddlers (24 months through 36 months):16
Preschool (age 3 – 4 years old): 15
Kindergarten through 8th Grade: 20
Which foreign languages do you teach?
Our K4 students learn 6 months of French and 6 months of Spanish. Our Kindergarten through 8th Grade students have the option of learning either French of Spanish. We also teach American Sign Language (ASL) in our preschool.
How can I get information about your Summer Camp?
We offer a 10 week summer camp program for children who have already completed Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Our program starts in late June and ends in the middle of August. You can download the summer 2007 brochure. Please visit our summer camp information page.
What meals do you offer?
Infants, Toddlers and Preschooler tuition includes breakfast, a morning snack, a hot lunch, and an afternoon snack. School students may elect to purchase hot lunches. Our Before School program includes breakfast and our After school program tuition includes an afternoon snack.
Is there an extra charge for meals, textbooks and activities?
Meals and snacks are included in the tuition for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers. For Kindergarten through 8th Grade, there is an additional charge for meals and activities, but not for textbooks.
How can I get information about your curriculum?
For children in the Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Programs, contact the Preschool Director at 703-273-8000 ext. 151.
For children in Kindergarten through 8th Grade, contact the Principal at 703-273-8000 ext. 110.
What extra-curricular activities do you offer?
Our Intergenerational Program is one of our hallmarks and is a very special part of our school day. Children of all ages interact with senior citizens at both Sunrise Senior Living and The Virginian on a weekly basis.
In addition, the following after school activities are a sample of the many other programs we have to offer:
- Art club
- Ballet
- Bible class
- Computer club
|
- Cooking Club
- Chess Club
- Drama club
- Dance class
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- Gymnastics
- Hand bells
- Piano lessons
- Tae-Kwon Do
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Do students wear uniforms?
Students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade wear uniforms. Uniforms can be purchased at Land’s End, Flynn and O’Hara, and J.C. Penney. For more information see Uniform Guidelines.
Do you offer part-time child care programs?
No, our rigorous program is not suitable for part-time participation.
What is your religious affiliation?
We are not affiliated with any one church or religion, but we are a Christian school with a strong character education program. We choose two values a month to focus on. We have prayer in the morning at our flag ceremony and the children say grace at lunch.
What is your school’s accreditation?
Preschool: NECPA – National Early Childhood Program Accreditation
Kindergarten – 8th Grade: VISA – Virginia Independent Schools Association
Merritt Academy admits children of any race to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Academy does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion or ethnic origins in the administering of its educational policies, scholarships and loan programs, athletic or other school-administered programs.
Photographs courtesy of Masters' Studios and members of the Merritt Academy community.
