Visit
3551 Waterway Dr Montclair, VA 22025
Call
703-546-1627
montclair@illuminatemontessori.com
Operating Hours:
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
At Illuminate Montessori Montclair, we provide an authentic Montessori education that nurtures independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Serving children from 16 months through 6 years of age, our carefully prepared Montessori environments support each stage of development and empower children to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Our experienced educators guide children through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that encourage exploration, concentration, and self-discovery. Through individualized instruction and purposeful work, children develop confidence, responsibility, and a strong foundation for future learning. Families also have the opportunity to participate in our Spanish Immersion program, where children naturally acquire language skills while building cultural awareness through authentic Montessori experiences.
Located in Montclair, Virginia, our campus offers thoughtfully prepared classrooms and a warm, welcoming school community where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Through strong family partnerships and authentic Montessori practices, we help children develop the independence, creativity, and confidence needed for lifelong success.
We are proud to partner with families during these important early years and are committed to creating a joyful educational experience that supports the development of the whole child.
Schedule Your Visit to Montclair
See our prepared environment for yourself. We host weekday tours by appointment for families considering Illuminate Montessori.
Programs Offered
- Ages Served: 16 Months – 6 Years
Toddler
A thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment that encourages independence, language development, concentration, movement, and self-confidence through purposeful work and hands-on exploration.
Children's House
A multi-age Montessori classroom where children develop academic foundations, practical life skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning through individualized instruction and meaningful experiences.
Spanish Immersion
A fully immersive Montessori environment where children naturally acquire Spanish language skills while engaging in meaningful Montessori learning experiences. Students develop confidence in communication while building cultural awareness and global understanding.
Kindergarten
A comprehensive Montessori kindergarten experience that builds leadership, independence, and advanced academic skills.
- Authentic Montessori learning environments
- Spanish Immersion program
- Carefully prepared classrooms that foster independence and confidence
- Individualized learning experiences tailored to each child
- Experienced and dedicated Montessori educators
- Strong family-school partnerships
- Focus on academic, social, emotional, and physical development
- Warm and welcoming school community
Montessori Curriculum
Practical Life
Children build independence, confidence, and coordination through real-life, hands-on activities that encourage responsibility and self-care.
Sensorial Exploration
Beautiful Montessori materials help children refine their senses, make observations, and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Mathematics
Concrete Montessori materials introduce numerals, quantity, operations, and problem-solving in ways that make abstract concepts meaningful and accessible.
Language & Literacy
Rich vocabulary development, phonetic awareness, writing, reading, and communication skills emerge naturally through purposeful work and exploration.
Cultural Studies
Children explore geography, science, nature, history, and global cultures, fostering curiosity, respect, and appreciation for the world.
Art & Creativity
Daily opportunities for artistic expression through art, music, and movement encourage imagination, creativity, and fine-motor development.
Grace & Courtesy
Children learn kindness, empathy, respect, and peaceful problem-solving—core values that strengthen our Montessori community.
Megan Handarova
With more than a decade of experience in administration, operations, and organizational leadership, Megan Handarova has dedicated her career to advancing educational excellence and building strong learning communities. Megan joined Illuminate Montessori at Montclair as Head of School in May 2026 after serving as Assistant Head of School at Illuminate Montessori in Alexandria, Virginia. In her role, she oversees campus operations, student safety and well-being, family engagement, staff development, and enrollment. Her leadership style is warm, collaborative, and purposeful, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and creating exceptional experiences for children, families, and educators.
Before transitioning into Montessori education, Megan spent nearly a decade supporting global education and health initiatives that served children and communities in more than 160 countries. She led large-scale operational projects, developed professional learning programs, facilitated international training events, and supported evidence-based decision-making across diverse teams worldwide. She is passionate about ensuring children have access to high-quality educational experiences and is excited to bring that expertise to the Montessori community.
Megan is recognized as a thoughtful and results-driven leader who excels at building relationships, developing teams, and guiding organizations through growth and change. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Development and a Master of Public Administration with additional concentrations in conflict resolution and leadership. Above all, she is committed to creating environments where both children and adults can learn, grow, and thrive.
Admissions
We welcome families year-round based on program availability. We encourage interested families to schedule a tour to experience our Montessori environment firsthand, meet our leadership team, and learn more about our programs.
During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to explore our classrooms, learn about the Montessori approach, and discuss your child’s unique developmental needs and educational goals.
Our admissions team is committed to making the enrollment process smooth and supportive, and we look forward to partnering with families as they begin their Montessori journey.
Explore Other Locations
8 Campuses in Virginia, 2 Campuses in Massachusetts & 8 Campuses in Texas
