Visit
3458 Berkeley St. Alexandria, VA 22302
Call
(571) 516-6080
berkeley@illuminatemontessori.com
Operating Hours:
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
At Illuminate Montessori at Berkeley, we provide an authentic Montessori education that nurtures independence, confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Serving children from 6 weeks 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 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 Berkeley
See our prepared environment for yourself. We host weekday tours by appointment for families considering Illuminate Montessori.
Programs Offered
- Ages Served : 6 weeks - 6 years
Nido
A nurturing Montessori environment designed to support infants during the earliest stages of development. Through individualized care, freedom of movement, and carefully prepared spaces, children build trust, independence, and confidence as they explore the world around them.
Toddler
A thoughtfully prepared Montessori environment that encourages independence, language development, concentration, movement, and self-confidence through purposeful work and hands-on exploration.
Ages: 16 Months – 3 Years
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.
Ages: 3 years – 6 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.
Kindergarten
A comprehensive Montessori kindergarten experience that builds leadership, independence, and advanced academic skills.
- Certified Montessori Lead Guides with exceptional tenure and experience
- Dedicated stage for performances and community events
- Expansive playground
- Track and field area
- Blacktop play space
- Large multipurpose gathering area known as The Great Room
- Authentic Montessori learning environments
- Strong family-school partnerships
- Mixed-age classrooms that foster leadership and collaboration
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.
Zhala Gurbanova
Originally from Azerbaijan, Zhala Gurbanova brings a diverse professional background and a passion for education to her role as Assistant Head of School. Before transitioning into education, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Oil & Gas Process Engineering and spent 15 years with BP as a Process Engineer and HSSE Advisor. After moving to the United States, she discovered her passion for working with young children and began her career in Montessori education.
Since joining Illuminate Montessori in 2023 alongside her daughter, Daniz, Zhala has served as a Toddler Assistant Guide, completed her Montessori training through PMI, and became a Lead Guide before stepping into school leadership. Fluent in Azerbaijani, Turkish, Russian, and English, she is dedicated to supporting children, families, and educators while fostering a warm, welcoming, and collaborative school community.
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