Guidepost
Montessori

at South Riding
.

Tours & Events
South Riding.
Monday-Friday | 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

Nido (6 weeks to 18 months)
Toddler (18 months to 3 years)
Children's House (3 to 6 years)

43181 Amberwood Plaza, Chantilly VA 20152 US
Monica Pang
Guidepost Montessori at South Riding is located off Lee Jackson Memorial Highway 50 in the business park across from Hogan & Sons Tire & Auto. We offer a diverse array of Montessori programs for children from infant through kindergarten.
Monica Pang . Head of School
Tours & Events
Child crawling with toy

Learn more about Guidepost from the comfort of your own home!

Just starting your childcare search? Not ready to tour in person?

You’re invited to Making the Most of Childhood: A Virtual Tour of Guidepost!

Get your questions answered and learn more about our:

  • curriculum and approach
  • schedule and a typical day
  • communication & collaboration

explore our programs.

Our approach is designed to empower each child to achieve independence by combining our hands-on curriculum with personalized learning to create an environment where curiosity flourishes, independence grows, and academic excellence is a natural outcome.

We want your child to see and believe: “I am capable!”

Nido.
A nurturing space for babies to walk, talk, and explore
Toddler.
For children ages 18 months to 3 years old
Children's House.
A preschool for hands-on reading, writing, math and more
Guidepost at Home.
For children ages 0 to 12 years old

what makes us stand out.

How is the Guidepost Montessori approach different from conventional education?

At Guidepost, we join with parents on their mission to help their child grow and live well. Together, we design an education to empower each child to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence she needs to craft an independent, flourishing life.

Though there are many differences between the conventional approach and Guidepost, here are some of the most important:

Conventional Education vs Guidepost Montessori
What is the Guidepost Mission?

At Guidepost, our mission is to support each child in achieving her own independence. To do this, we help her gain the knowledge, build the skills, and craft the personal character she needs to flourish. Above all, our goal is to cultivate joy—in the pursuit of knowledge, in effort applied to work worth doing, in the achievements of herself and others, and in taking the steps to author her own life.

Read more about the Guidepost Mission.

Learn about the key milestones we support—from infancy through high school.

Read more about why we educate for independence, and how we support independence for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-age children.

What are the outcomes of your programs?

Montessori education is known world-wide for having positive impacts on both academics and social and emotional skills.

At Guidepost Montessori, when we design an environment to meet the developmental needs and interests of children alongside personalized care and support, the child can learn advanced skills at an accelerated pace.

Our students, for example, regularly learn to read by the time they’re 4-years-old and can perform all four math operations with 4-digit numbers by the end of their Kindergarten year.

The language and math skills of our kindergartners are on a par with what children in conventional programs learn in 3rd grade or beyond! What’s more, our students learn advanced academics joyfully—while simultaneously developing deep focus, self-discipline, and positive social skills.

Read more about the Guidepost Montessori advanced Language Curriculum in Children’s House.

Read more about the Guidepost Montessori advanced Math Curriculum in Children’s House.


Do your programs include Kindergarten?

Yes! The third year of our Children’s House program, designed for 3- to 6-year-olds, is the capstone kindergarten year. In this year, the child has been well-prepared to experience an explosion of literacy, learn advanced math concepts, and use her hard-won ability to focus, problem-solve, and persist through challenges to then make advanced gains across the curriculum. Children who continue with Guidepost through Kindergarten are often well-ahead of their peers when they enter 1st grade.

Learn more about the capstone Kindergarten year at Guidepost.

Learn more about the next exciting stage: the Guidepost elementary program.

Following elementary, students continue on to our Montessori middle and high school, the Academy of Thought & Industry: a school that combines a classical liberal arts emphasis on history and great books, and a Montessori emphasis on independence and agency.

How does Guidepost partner with parents?

At Guidepost, we want to make the best education the best for children and parents. This is why we provide year-round, extended-day programming at no extra cost, enabling consistent and uninterrupted access to the care and developmental support parents expect. We invite you into your child’s world—with daily photo and video updates, regular milestone meetings, and parent-child events that showcase your child’s progress. We work to understand your unique context and needs, so that we can provide support for milestones at home as well as at school.

In everything we do, we strive to cultivate joy as you watch your child grow!

Read about Transparent Classroom, the app that provides a window into your child’s day.

Read about recent family events such as Grandparent’s Day, a cultural celebration, and a spring celebration.

Infant with a military head wrap crawling on the ground in between the boots and legs of a military serviceman.

montessori for military.

We are committed to bridging financial assistance, community, and continuity of education to our nation’s heroes and their families. When duty calls, we firmly believe that your child’s education should not be a sacrifice.

We can offer a seamless transfer process from one location to another, replacing disruption with stability. To date, more than 30+ of our campuses based in the U.S. are located within 30 miles of military installations and have joined Child Care Aware of America’s fee-assistance program, bridging early childhood tuition assistance to eligible families off-base.

Learn more about Montessori for Military here.

take a peek at our school.

what parents are saying.

All
20
Google
18
Yelp
2
Lynn L
Jun 8 on google
I recently attended the open house event at Guidepost Montessori South Riding, the director and staff greeted us warmly and provided a comprehensive overview of the Montessori philosophy and how it is implemented at the school. The classrooms were beautifully arranged with a wide array of educational materials that foster independent learning. The outdoor space was equally impressive, providing opportunities for children to explore and connect to the nature. We highly recommend any parents in this area considering a Montessori education for their kids to tour this school.
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Tina T
May 29 on google
Our kids have been enrolled here since 2021 (3+ years). We have been very satisfied with the quality of care and the enriched learning environment. There are very few accredited Montessori schools in the area and I am impressed with their advanced learning curriculum here. My kids have learned so much and know way more than I did at their age. Although there has been some turnovers with staffing in the Toddler Classrooms over the years - they truly hire quality over quantity to ensure they have the best teachers for their students. I appreciate all the thorough notes and pictures that are provided on a daily basis. Ms. Christine and Ms. Freshta in the Children's Classroom have been there from the beginning and are wonderful guides. I highly recommend enrolling your kids in this warm, loving and robust learning environment.
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Vivian M
May 20 on google
I struggled so much with the thought of returning to work after having my first born and I would likely not have returned had it not been for finding Guidepost Montessori at South Riding. From the quality of the guides, the curriculum, the materials, to the child-led mentality that Montessori schools are known for, I don’t think I’ll ever consider another school for my babies after this experience! The amount of gratitude I have for this school is unequivocal!
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Aggie C
May 19 on google
We enrolled our son at Guidepost Montessori South Riding in the toddler classrooom when he was 16 months old. The facilities are clean, bright, and seem newer than other Montessori schools in the area. In the last year and a half, we have been amazed by the amount of growth and development he has had in all facets, from just life skills like getting dressed by himself and setting the table to the vocabulary he is using and understanding, to his social skills in playing with other children, sharing, and introducing himself to new children when we’re out and about. There was some turnover with teachers and administration in the beginning, but we have been impressed with the changes in the last six months and are looking forward to enrolling our daughter this summer when she turns 16 months to join Ms. Aya & Ms. Jannatul’s class!
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Irene J
May 17 on google
We have been enrolled at Guidepost SR since Feb 2023 and absolutely love it here. The new head of school, Ms. Monica cares deeply about her students and staff alike. Ms. Jeannie takes care to get to know all children as well as their families so you always welcome during drop off and pickup. Ms. Aya and Ms. Jannatul are truly so amazing in our toddler room - we never want to leave them! They foster independence, playfulness, order, imagination, curiosity, and kindness daily. They are so creative with fun activities for the kids including flower arranging, planting outside in the summer, cute crafts, and fun circle time. We were at a different childcare center previously, and I can say that Montessori makes a huge difference, but so does this individual staff at South Riding.
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Xinnan L
May 15 on google
Amazing facility and staff. We were worried about our one year old transition but it turned out super smooth. Shout out to Ms Helai and Ms Monica for being so kind and always responsive to our questions and concerns.
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Liu Q
May 15 on google
I have had an excellent experience with Guidepost Montessori School at South Riding. The teachers are incredibly caring and attentive to the children's needs. I appreciate receiving real-time updates on my child's daily activities, which helps me stay connected and involved. The end-of-day summary report is also very informative and gives me a detailed overview of my child's day. My son loves going to this school and always tells me how much fun he has there. “This school is so much fun!” he said :) I highly recommend this daycare to any parent looking for a nurturing and engaging environment for their child.
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Jasir "Jay"
May 13 on google
From the moment we stepped through the doors, we knew we had found something special for our son at Guidepost South Riding. Now three years in and we couldn’t be happier with our decision. The staff at Guidepost are incredibly passionate and dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for the children. They truly embody the Montessori philosophy, fostering independence, creativity, and a love for learning in every child. The classrooms are thoughtfully designed with a wide range of materials and activities that engage the children and encourage exploration. We love hearing about all the hands-on learning experiences our child is enjoying, from practical life skills to math and language development. Communication with the staff has been excellent. The leadership team of Ms.Monica and Ms. Jeannie is always approachable and responsive to any questions or concerns we have. It's a joy to see our child excited to go to school every day, knowing they are in such capable and caring hands.
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Ariana Pierce
Mar 21 on google
The staff’s warm welcome and professionalism set the tone for an enriching experience. The guides embody the Montessori philosophy, guiding our child with care and understanding, nurturing their individuality and curiosity. The school’s environment is safe, stimulating, and well-equipped, fostering independence and a love for learning. We highly recommend this school!
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Deya Eliza
Mar 18 on google
This is a good school. My children look forward to coming here. Teachers and staff are always friendly. Mrs. Christine and Mrs. Freshta are really nice and always have a positive attitude. They both make a wonderful team. Mrs. Christine who is the head guide of the class is very creative and you can tell she truly enjoys (along with Mrs. Freshta) working with the students. We are very grateful to have these two guides working with my child. They are both consistent and wonderful! We love them! Ms. Jackie who is in the toddler 5 class is also wonderful! She is very communicative about my child’s development. She is an expert at working with the kids and learning who they are. We are very grateful for her as well. My child loves Ms. Jackie and I can see why! She is really sweet. Although we have never worked with Ms. Helai , She always has a positive attitude and is super friendly. She is always smiling and so genuine. If you have an infant that needs care, you would love Mrs. Helai! The school is clean and organized and I really enjoy the different activities they offer.
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Meghan
Mar 13 on google
Our children have attended Guidepost at South Riding since the school opened a few years ago. They have thrived in their classrooms, and the Guides have been nothing short of amazing. A special thank you to Ms. Halai in Nido and Ms. Christine and Ms. Freshta in Children's House! It is clear that our kids are well cared for and that the Guides go the extra mile to create engaging activities for them to learn and grow.
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Helai L.
Mar 11 on google
My experience with Guidepost Montessori at South Riding has been wonderful. My son attended Ms. Christine and Ms. Freshta’s Children House program. They are caring and dedicated while providing a nurturing environment for growth. The school’s emphasis on communication and parent involvement is also worth mentioning. Regular newsletters, campus events, and parent-teacher conferences ensure that parents are kept well informed and involved in their children’s education. The overall communication with parents from both the guides and the admin team is excellent! Overall, I'm very satisfied and registered my youngest child in the Nido program. The face to face drop-off helps infant parents build a strong relationship with the guides. It is always reassuring to know that parents have the opportunity to connect with their infant's guide at drop-off and pick-up especially during the early stages of life. My husband and I are grateful we have found this community, and look forward to watching our son continue to thrive here!
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Qing Wang
Mar 6 on google
Started my daughter at the Nido program and the experience has been great! Ms Helai is fabulous, very kind and patient with the kids. The headmaster Ms Monica and assistant head Ms Jeanie are awesome too to help with the initiation process. The campus is very clean and feels like home with new wooden floor and large windows. Enjoyed our experience so far!
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Amber F
Feb 20 on yelp
Four months ago when we left our previous school, I was full of anxiety, unsure how my 3yo would adjust. But within a couple of days, my daughter was excited to go to school and loving it!! All the staff/guides are amazing. Professional but friendly, caring, supportive, and above all, very communicative. The admins - The first day when I dropped off my daughter, she was crying inside the classroom and I was crying outside the classroom. Ms. Miya who I didn't know and was just walking by kindly offered her support and experience and helped me feel better. Ms. Jeannie has been incredible in every way from day 1 to get us situated, organize all sorts of cool activities, and make us feel welcomed into the community. Ms. Monica is our new head of school, and the short while that we know her, she's put in a lot of effort to meet all the kids and parents, engaging kids in different activities. The guides - Ms. Christine and Ms. Freshta, our lead & assistant guides, are the heroes who don't wear capes. Aside from all the wonderful things my daughter shares about her amazing guides, I could also see how the kids are always engaged, the classroom is always squeaky clean, and the overall atmosphere is always peaceful and calming. And that's a classroom of about 20 young children! I used to work in classrooms as a therapist and I know this is NOT something easily accomplished without extraordinary classroom management skills, consistent routines, and being awesome/reliable adults for the kids. Other guides, such as Ms. Theresa and Ms. Dawn are also very beloved by us. I love that the school's evening guides & floating guides are awesome, consistent, and eager to share with us what my daughter did that day! In the four months at guidepost @ south riding, I have nothing but wonderful things to say about everything and everyone at this school. We look forward to my daughter growing up here until elementary school!
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Miya G.
Feb 16 on google
Positive: Communication, Professionalism, Quality, Value Providing a more detailed update on our time with Guidepost Montessori at South Riding: My son has been attending this school for nearly two and a half years now. He started in the Nido community when he was just two months old. With Ms. Catherine, Ms. Marisabel and Ms. Helai we received an outstanding experience, and he was a happy baby. Thanks to their efforts, my son was able to develop his gross motor skills and confidence, which allowed him to start crawling and then walking fairly quickly. When he turned 12 months old, he moved to the Young Toddler community with Ms. Jackie. Here, he learned about the Montessori work cycle, eating independently in a family-style setting with other children, and he loved the outdoor time on the playground! At 16 months old, my son moved to the Toddler community under Ms. Kate's guidance. I am incredibly grateful for this transformative and warm experience. Under Ms. Kate's guidance, my son is now fully independent in toileting, has a sense of responsibility and ownership in his classroom, and can speak clearly and socialize with his peers. The team of educators at this location are dedicated and caring, and has truly been a village for my family in terms of the care they provide to my son. Although there has been a recent change in school leadership, I am confident that under the leadership of Ms. Monica and Ms. Jeannie, the school will continue to excel and reach new heights. We couldn’t be more happy with our choice and highly recommend for families looking for an authentic Montessori experience. ****************************** My son joined Guidepost South Riding when he was 8 weeks old. As first time parents, my husband and I were extremely nervous about sending him to an in-person facility. We are now three months in to care and have already experienced a lot of positive changes in his development which I credit to Guidepost and their wonderful campus leadership and guides. The staff and leadership at this facility are always welcoming, and attentive to our needs for our son. We receive daily communication on my son’s day and weekly communication from campus leadership. The facility follows firm COVID precautions and the cleanliness of the facility is of high standards. I could not have chosen a better place for my son. We are so pleased to be part of the Guidepost community!
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Jessica Cary
Aug 17, 2023 on google
This place has been so special to us. My daughter’s guides are nurturing and loving, and treat her as if she were their own. I am so grateful for the fantastic staff who run a truly remarkable program.
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Karolina P.
Dec 30, 2022 on yelp
This Guidepost Montessori is a very clean childcare facility with welcoming staff and exceptional curriculum for young school-age children. They are also...
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Hayette Parkhill
May 11, 2022 on google
Being a first time mom, finding someone my husband and I felt safe leaving our son with was critical. We also were trying to navigate what we even felt comfortable with as we weighed our options during peak pandemic season as well. After doing some research and choosing to join the Montessori path, the head of school Karina was incredible at touring and welcoming us to the school. She spent so much time with us marking sure we knew what to expect and how best to help set our baby up for success when first joining. His teacher Ms. Catherine is exactly who I hoped and wished for when we chose to send our son to school. She does an impeccable job of running the class room and communicating what happens on a daily basis. I can’t recommend this school enough. Nothing is worth more than our sons health and safety. At Guidepost South Riding, our son is treated and taken care of like a first time mom would expect. I am always so impressed at what the staff is able to share with the parents. We are infinitely grateful for Guidepost and can’t wait for what is in store for our sons future.
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Alanna Torres-Van Antwerp
Sep 13, 2022 on google
We were nervous about enrolling our 11-month old daughter in daycare and looked long and hard before choosing a place to enroll her. We couldn’t be happier with the care that she has received. Guidepost Montessori is much more than daycare, rather it’s early education that has cultivated and nourished our child. The teachers in the Nido (infant) classroom — Ms. Catherine and Ms. Marisabell — cared for our daughter like their own. They paid so much attention to her wellbeing and took meticulous care of her, ensuring she was clean after every meal and soothed her when she was upset. They were true partners in her transition from being at home with her parents to being in a school environment. Now our daughter has transitioned to the Young Toddler classroom where she continues to thrive under the care of Ms. Jackie. She is learning so many functional skills — socialization, using utensils and real cups, walking, independence — and she comes home happy every day. She is safe, happy and thriving, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
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Veronica Beerbaum
Jun 13, 2022 on google
Ms. Catherine in the Nido room has been absolutely wonderful. My normally clingy baby girl gets so excited when she sees or hears her dance partner Ms. Catherine and it makes me smile every drop off. I feel such a sense of ease knowing that my lil one is so well cared for by the detailed daily notes from the classroom & that she has created genuine bonds with her providers and peers. Thank you Ms Catherine!
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start your journey with us.

Our team of admissions specialists are ready to meet you and get you started on your journey within the Guidepost community. We're here to provide your family with the information and confidence you need to enroll in one of our programs.

Learn more about Montessori.

Read our enrollment guide.

Book a school tour.

Submit your application.

Start your journey with us