Visit
3475 N Beauregard St, Suite 301 Alexandria, VA 22302
Call
571-206-1087
westalex@illuminatemontessori.com
Operating Hours:
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
At Illuminate Montessori at West Alex, we provide an authentic Montessori education that nurtures independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Serving children from 6 weeks through 12 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 Alexandria, Virginia, our campus offers thoughtfully prepared classrooms, a welcoming school community, and a spacious Gross Motor Room that supports movement, coordination, and physical development throughout the day. Every aspect of our environment is intentionally designed to foster independence, creativity, and a love of learning.
We are proud to partner with families in creating a joyful educational experience where every child is known, supported, and inspired to reach their fullest potential. Through authentic Montessori practices, strong relationships, and a commitment to nurturing the whole child, we help children build the skills and confidence they need for lifelong success.
Schedule Your Visit to West Alex
See our prepared environment for yourself. We host weekday tours by appointment for families considering Illuminate Montessori.
Programs Offered
- Ages Served: 16 months to 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.
Elementary
An engaging elementary program serving children through age 12, encouraging critical thinking, collaboration, and a lifelong love of learning.
6 Years – 12 Years
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.
- Authentic Montessori learning environments
- Spanish Immersion program
- Large Gross Motor Room
- Experienced and dedicated Montessori educators
- Leadership backed by more than 35 years of early childhood education experience
- Carefully prepared classrooms that foster independence and confidence
- Individualized learning experiences tailored to each child
- Strong family-school partnerships
- Focus on academic, social, emotional, and physical development-
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.
Greta M. Duncan
Greta M. Duncan is an accomplished early childhood education leader with more than 35 years of experience in program administration, curriculum development, teacher training, and family engagement. Throughout her distinguished career, she worked with Bright Horizons Family Solutions for over three decades, serving in multiple leadership roles that supported educational excellence, staff development, and operational leadership across early childhood programs.
Her extensive professional background also includes serving as Principal at Hopkins House, a nonprofit organization in Alexandria, Virginia dedicated to strengthening families and providing high-quality early childhood education and community services. In this role, Greta supervised educational teams, managed preschool initiatives, and led programs to achieve and maintain NAEYC accreditation and high-quality standards. She also served as a Training & Curriculum Specialist and CDA Professional Development Specialist, mentoring educators and supporting professional growth within the early childhood education field.
Greta has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to educational equity, leadership development, and community engagement. She has held leadership responsibilities supporting diversity, inclusion, and staff engagement initiatives while building strong partnerships with families and local communities.
She earned a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from Ashford University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina Central University.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Greta is an active community leader and member of the Old Dominion (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, where she has served in several leadership capacities. She is also a dedicated wife and proud mother of two sons, with a lifelong passion for empowering children, educators, and families through high-quality early childhood education.
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.
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