Oneness-Family School

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Oneness-Family School
Ofsipalogo.png
Location
6701 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, Maryland
United States
Information
TypeIndependent
EstablishedMay 18, 1988; 33 years ago (1988-05-18)
Head of schoolAndrew Kutt
GradesPreschool through 12
Enrollment146
Average class size17
Student to teacher ratio1:12
Websitewww.onenessfamily.org

Oneness-Family School is an independent, coeducational day school in Chevy Chase, Maryland. It offers a Montessori education for students age 2 through grade 12, making it the only private Montessori high school in the Washington, D.C. area.[1] Oneness-Family School is a nonprofit school with 501(c)(3)status.

It is a member of the American Montessori Society and National Association of Independent Schools.

History[]

Oneness-Family School was founded in September 1988 by Andrew Kutt, the current head of school. The school’s mission is to  “ignite the spark in a new generation of courageous and capable leaders through a student-centered community of diversity, academic excellence, and innovation in the Montessori tradition.”[2]

The original prospectus of the school focused on three main components - Academy, Self-Discovery, and Manifestation. Academy refers to understanding the world as an interconnected whole, the outer aspect of education, while Self-Discovery pertains to the inner aspect, discovering who one is as a person.  Both were to have equal importance which was revolutionary in 1988. Manifestation was the culmination of Academy and Self-Discovery. It  referred to stepping out into the world and sharing one’s gifts, what had been learned in Academy and gained in Self-Discovery.  This guiding principle of the school has never changed and remains true today.[2]

Kutt started the school after working at the Barrie School in Silver Spring. In January 1988, he informed his mentor, Tim Seldin, who was the headmaster at the Barrie School at the time, of his vision to open a new school. As a new Montessori educator, it seemed like an impossible task. Nevertheless, in September 1988 with Seldin's encouragement, the Oneness-Family School opened its doors with 10 students.

Currently, the school has two campuses. The lower school, pre-school through 8th grade, is located on the grounds of St. John's Episcopal Church, Norwood Parish. The high school, started in 2017, is housed at Grace Episcopal Day School in Kensington, Maryland.[3]

Demographics[]

The racial makeup of Oneness-Family School's K–12 students during the 2017-18 school year was 74.4% white, 10.2% Hispanic, 10.2% African American, and 5.1% Asian/Pacific Islander.[4] Approximately 40% of families are international, representing more than 60 countries.[5]

Academics[]

Keeping with Montessori principles, students learn in mixed-age groups instead of single-grade classrooms. Those include the Little Stars program for 2- and 3-year-olds, the Children's Peace Garden for 3-year-olds to kindergarteners, the Peace Arbor for grades 1 to 3, the Peace Academy for grades 4 and 5, the Peace Ambassadors program for grades 6 to 8, and the high school program for grades 9 to 12.[6][7]

The curriculum emphasizes global awareness and the study of other cultures, which is why the school terms itself an "international peace academy".[8] Students annually celebrate the founding of the United Nations with diplomats stationed in the local area.[9]

In addition to traditional academic subjects, Oneness-Family School teaches nature experiences, meditation, yoga, and tai chi to help students work on self-discipline and relaxation[5] as part of its Self-Discovery curriculum.

United Nations Day[]

The school’s first United Nations Day observance took place in 1988, becoming an annual event designed to make students aware of the wide world around them. The celebration began with just a handful of guests but has since grown into the largest event of its kind in the Washington, DC, area with 80 to 120 embassy officials attending every year.[10]

Special Guests[]

Notable figures from different walks of life have come to the school, including athlete and humanitarian Muhammad Ali in 2003; musician and peace advocate Graham Nash in 2007; Congressman Tim Ryan in 2013; and numerous others, including social scientist Riane Eisler, Raising Happiness author Christine Carter, musician Wyclef Jean, multiple Guinness World Record holder Ashrita Furman, Swedish Ambassador Jan Eliasson, author Lynne Twist and Congressman Elijah Cummings.  Oneness-Family School students created the World Oneness Heart Award, which they give to each honoree.

Organization[]

Oneness-Family School was incorporated in the District of Columbia on May 18, 1988. Oneness-Family School is considered a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service.[11]

Patricia (Pat) Dubin is the chair of the board of trustees.[12] Andrew Genova, a former alumnus, serves as the treasurer.[12] Andrew Kutt is the head of school.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ Rogers, Bethany (5 January 2017). "Montessori School in Chevy Chase To Start High School Program in September". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Mission & History". Oneness Family School. 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
  3. ^ "Get To Know Oneness-Family High School". Grace Episcopal Day School. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for Oneness Family School". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b Glover, Mary Clare. "One-of-a-Kind Private Schools". www.washingtonian.com. Washingtonian. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  6. ^ "Preschool-K: Ages 2-6". Oneness Family School. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Elementary: Grades 1-5". Oneness Family School. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  8. ^ Corcoran, Joseph. "U.N. Day Celebration Brings Students, Diplomats Together". washdiplomat.com. The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  9. ^ "Diplomats Join Students to Give Peace a Chance". PRWeb. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  10. ^ "Oneness-Family School's United Nations Day".
  11. ^ "The Oneness Family School". Tax Exempt Organization Search. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c "A Letter from our Board". Oneness-Family School. Retrieved March 13, 2019.

External links[]

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