Starling Montessori School
Reserve a tour
PRIMARY CLASSROOM · AGES 3–6

A new Primary classroom on Capitol Hill, led by an AMI-trained guide . Opening August 2026.

Twelve seats in our inaugural class. Designed for families who want their child to grow inside an authentic, three-year Primary cycle without switching schools.

OPENS
Aug 2026
SEATS
12 total
📍 Saint Mark Episcopal Church · 301 A St SE · Capitol Hill · Ages 2.5–6
A Starling child carefully placing the top cube of the Pink Tower — a foundational Montessori sensorial material
AMI CONTINUITY

If your child has been in Montessori, this is the bridge.

AMI-aligned curriculum
Continuity with any AMI Toddler or Primary your child has attended.
Three-year cycle, intact
Children stay through kindergarten in the same classroom — the way Maria Montessori designed it.
Transfer-friendly
Coming from another AMI school? We'll align with your child's current materials and pace.
RELOCATING TO D.C.?

For families arriving from abroad or out of state.

World Bank · IMF · State Department · Military · International Diplomatic — we know the timing pressure of a federal or international transfer. Virtual tours, video walkthroughs, and document support are part of how we welcome you.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
✓ 30-min video walkthrough of the classroom & founder Q&A
✓ Your packet with tuition, calendars, curriculum, and other program details
✓ Family-to-family intros with current Starling parents in similar roles
✓ Flexible enrollment timing for international arrivals
FAMILIES

From Starling parents.

5.08reviews on Google
pam morris
a week ago
★★★★★
“We have been so grateful for our experiences at Starling, since enrolling our now 2 year old in December 2025. Since joining the community we’ve since such positive growth in our daughter in so many areas of her development. The potty training journey for example was met with such patience, enthusiasm and consistency.…”
Hannah Yellin
2 weeks ago
★★★★★
“Starling Montessori is an exceptional school. Choosing childcare was difficult, especially since we had previously had a negative experience at a daycare. As soon as we took a tour of Starling and met Fabienne, we knew that our childcare search had come to an end. The outstanding quality of the care, the curriculum,…”
Ruth Blidar Byrnes
2 weeks ago
★★★★★
“Starling Montessori has been a gift to our family! I initially looked at ten options for our child and immediately knew there was something different about Starling. Mrs. Fabienne’s background and training in authentic Montessori education is evident in all aspects of the school. Every detail from the selection of…”
Sterling Adonis
3 weeks ago
★★★★★
“Our daughter attended Starling Montessori when she was two and three years old, and we truly could not have asked for a better first educational experience for her. From the very beginning, Mrs. Fabienne and her staff created such a nurturing, caring, and welcoming environment that immediately gave my wife and me…”
Cathleen Owen
3 weeks ago
★★★★★
“We are proud to be one of the founding families at Starling Montessori! When we found them, they were just starting out. Our son has thrived there for the past two years from when he was 16 months to when he graduates to PreK-3! We love the Montessori model and especially how Starling allows our son to explore in a…”
YOUR PATH TO AUGUST 2026

Four steps. About four months.

1
Tour
May–June
2
Reserve
June
3
Orientation
July
First day
Aug 2026
THE NEW SPACE

Saint Mark Episcopal Church.

A new classroom in the heart of Capitol Hill, designed for children ages 3 to 6 — stone walls, soft carpet, bright lighting, and a calm, prepared environment. A kitchenette, a separate nap room, and a children's bathroom. Garden access for picnics, with outdoor play at our Toddler Community's playground or a nearby Capitol Hill park. Decorated with diverse art and plants, the space is made to feel comforting and welcoming.

Photos shown are from our existing Toddler classroom — they reflect the kind of work and atmosphere your child will experience. Final Primary classroom photos at Saint Mark coming as the build-out completes — Summer 2026.

SO YOU CAN DECIDE

Comparing your Primary options on Capitol Hill.

Public lottery
ToTH Montessori
District Montessori
Starling Primary
AMI authentic
Varies
AMI-aligned
Mixed
AMI-trained guide
Class size
~24+
~22
~22
12
Placement
Lottery only
Waitlist
Private
Tour → reserve

Comparison based on publicly available data, May 2026. We invite you to verify with each school directly.

Fabienne Deaton
FOUNDER

The Primary years are when Montessori does its deepest work.

— Fabienne Deaton, Founder. AMI Diploma in Primary (2.5–6) and AMI Diploma in Elementary (6–12). M.Ed. in Montessori Education. Master's in International Education. The Primary classroom is led by an AMI-trained guide on our team.

A NOTE ON TUITION

Tuition rates vary based on our program schedules.

Please reach out to us directly and indicate the programs you are interested in to receive more information regarding rates & pricing.

RESERVE A TOUR

Visit Saint Mark.
Meet Fabienne.

In-person or virtual. We'll reach out within a day to confirm a time and answer questions about your child's transition.

Or fill the form below — useful if you want to share context first (relocating, transferring from another Montessori, special schedule needs).

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QUESTIONS PRIMARY PARENTS ASK

Before you reserve.

When can I see the new classroom? +
The Saint Mark space build-out completes Spring 2026. Until then, we offer a virtual tour of the classroom plan and an in-person tour of the existing Toddler classroom, plus a walkthrough of the Saint Mark exterior and grounds.
Is AMI accreditation in place from day one? +
Our school is not AMI-accredited — that designation requires significant funding and at least five years of operation, and it remains a long-term goal. What we can promise is this: we hire AMI-trained guides, and our Primary classroom is led by one. The curriculum and prepared environment follow the AMI standard from day one.
My child is already in Montessori — will materials transfer? +
Yes. We work with each transferring family to understand the materials and presentations your child has already received, and place them at the right point in our curriculum.
What happens if our family relocates again? +
We provide a transcript-style summary of your child's Montessori work that any AMI school can use to continue placement. Families relocating internationally have used this with schools across Europe and Asia.
Do you accept DC vouchers or financial aid? +
We accept military subsidies through Child Care Aware of America. For other situations, please reach out — we'll discuss what's possible.
Will the Primary continue through kindergarten? +
Yes — the AMI Primary cycle is a three-year experience including the kindergarten year. Children stay in the same classroom from age 3 through 6.
SCHEDULE A TOUR

Pick a time for your Primary tour.

30-minute tour for prospective Primary families — Toddler classroom visit plus Saint Mark Episcopal walkthrough. Virtual option available if you're relocating.

Open booking calendar →

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