EARLY LEARNING · NORTH BETHESDA
The community is our classroom.
The world is ours to discover.
At The International Commons School of North Bethesda, we believe a child’s education should extend beyond the walls of the classroom and into their greater local and global community.
We serve children ages 2–5
OUR SCHOOL
A different kind of early learning community
After more than 15 years working with children and families across a wide range of educational settings locally and internationally, our founder saw many wonderful approaches to early learning – but rarely one that brought everything together.
Some programs brought strong academics and others beautifully protected the freedom, curiosity, and playfulness of childhood. The International Commons School was created from the belief that children shouldn’t have to choose between these things, and that learning becomes most meaningful when it is connected to the people, places, cultures and experiences that make up their local and global communities.
In a landscape where early education can sometimes feel standardized or transactional, we wanted to create something deeply personal – an internationally small school where relationships, curiosity, connection, and meaningful learning remain at the center.
The Commons Experience
Explore the ideas that shape everyday learning at The Commons.
Community and Academic Learning
Our curriculum skillfully weaves together the mastery of academic subjects with social-emotional skills through experiential learning and meaningful community projects and partnerships.
Custom Curriculum
The Commons Curriculum is an original curriculum thoughtfully developed exclusively for our school, drawing on years of educational experience in both local and international settings. It incorporates a rich variety of subjects, enrichment activities, and learning experiences that extend beyond traditional early childhood education. Our approach lays the foundation for a lifelong love of learning, fostering academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a strong sense of community leadership.
Sports Foundations
We go beyond simply encouraging movement. Rather, we make sports and athletics an intentional part of our curriculum. Through structured introductions to a variety of sports, children develop foundational skills, coordination, balance, teamwork, and confidence. Our approach gives children early exposure to athletics while nurturing a lifelong appreciation for physical activity.
Enrichment as Curriculum
At International Commons School, enrichment is not an addition to the curriculum—it is an integral part of it. Experiences such as Capoeira, Tai Chi, gardening, music, mural arts, and restorative justice are thoughtfully woven into everyday learning. By integrating these diverse experiences into our curriculum, we nurture children’s creativity, confidence, cultural awareness, and sense of community while supporting the development of the whole child.
Connection with Global Perspective
Our global approach encourages children to see themselves as part of a larger, interconnected world. Through meaningful engagement with different languages, cultures, histories, and communities, children develop curiosity, empathy, and a sense of responsibility toward others. By connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and exploring the world beyond their immediate surroundings, we lay the foundation for future global citizens who are inspired to travel, embrace new experiences, lead within their communities, and approach the world with a sense of limitless possibility.
We’d Love to Connect With Your Family
Explore our approach, ask a question, or arrange a visit.
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