Early Learning Academy

Welcome to our preschool! We are excited for the opportunity to work with your child and family. Our registration process is outlined below.

Registration/Applications

We are now accepting applications!

The first step in our Admissions process is completing the following ELA application and submitting it with a $150 non-refundable application fee here.

The Marymount ELA admits preschool-aged children regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or other protected class or characteristics established under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Enrollment at the Early Learning Academy is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Enrollment

Once you have been notified that your child has been accepted into one of our ELA classes, an enrollment package will be sent to you for completion.

The Marymount Early Learning Academy uses The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, a comprehensive, research-based curriculum, which features exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling children to develop confidence, creativity, and lifelong critical-thinking skills. We’ve chosen this curriculum because it focuses on the skills and knowledge that are most important for helping your child to be successful in school. Throughout the year, The Creative Curriculum ® for Preschool will help us plan learning experiences that are just right for your child, so that he or she can make progress at his or her own pace.

In The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, learning happens through studies. Studies, which span several weeks, are in-depth, project-based investigations of topics that are part of your child’s everyday life. In a study, children raise questions about the topic and find answers by exploring, experimenting, and investigating in a hands-on way—through activities that take place in the classroom and outdoors. Through studies, children learn important math, literacy, science, and other skills.

In conjunction with The Creative Curriculum®, we add enriching experiences to your child’s learning in the areas of STEAM, literacy, art, music, physical development, and foreign language. Utilizing the endless possibilities that are available on the Marymount Campus, your child will have opportunities to flourish as a learner.

All Early Learning Academy teachers meet Virginia and Arlington licensing qualifications, have obtained all required background checks, and are trained in CPR and First Aid. Staff also attend professional development and continuing education courses throughout the year.

In addition to the classroom teachers, administrative and support staff are here to make your experience at the ELA successful. We believe the most important qualities of the staff is their experience, warmth, and sensitivity to the needs of young children and their families.

Director – Kristen Cunningham

Kristen Cunningham has a history as an elementary school educator and an administrator. Most recently, she served as the Director at Rock Spring Cooperative Preschool. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Principal in Falls Church City and Fairfax County. She has taught preschool, kindergarten, and second grade and is passionate about working with children and families to ensure that social, emotional, and academic learning takes place for every child while they have fun and develop a love of learning.

She and her husband have three children, all in college, and a dog. They stay busy watching their kids play sports and enjoying all kinds of physical activity on their own. Kristen remembers preschool as one of her favorite times with her own kids.

Assistant Director – Faye Leier

Faye Leier is an educational leader and researcher dedicated to helping students, teachers, and parents discover joy in learning. She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about early childhood education. Faye holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Virginia, and a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University. The focus of her doctoral research was organizational learning in preschools. Faye has a proven track record for implementing systematic improvements, and has experience as a teacher and educational leader for early childhood students and families, including as the Director of Curriculum and Teacher Supervision at Country Day School, a directing teacher at the National Child Research Center (NCRC), and Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Washington International School (WIS). She is committed to child advocacy and has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and a Girls on the Run coach and advisor.

Faye enjoys exploring the outdoors and all that Arlington and D.C. have to offer with her husband, daughter, and dog.

ELA Administrator – Debbie McCrery

Debbie McCrery has most recently been a preschool teacher at Rock Spring Cooperative Preschool. A Graduate from American University in 1992 with a BA in Elementary Education, Debbie brings over 25 years of experience in the education field. She’s taught Preschool and Kindergarten for over 15 years, including at Arlington Science Focus and Westover Baptist Preschool. She also taught The Science Seed- science enrichment classes- throughout many Arlington preschools.

Ms. Debbie’s family includes her husband, Marc, 3 children- one at Yorktown High School, and 2 in college and lots of pets (dogs and cats!) The McCrerys are active in many sports, activities, and love to explore different hikes with their dogs.

STEAM/Outdoor Learning Curriculum Director – Katrina Brubaker

Katrina Brubaker has worked with children for over 30 years. Her most recent employment has been at Trinity Presbyterian Preschool. She also co-owns a small enrichment company, Kinder Art Movement Play, LLC, that offers after school programs and summer camps for preschool-1st grade. 

Katrina graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology. She received her Masters of Science Degree in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of the District of Columbia.

She is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and enjoys cooking, baking, gardening and fostering dogs. She loves incorporating baking, gardening and physical movement in the classroom activities. Ms. Katrina also enjoys spending time and traveling with her family! Ms. Katrina’s family includes her husband, Joel, 2 children (one at Yorktown High School and one in college) and their dog, Jesper.

Her work in the areas of teaching and therapy provided opportunities to work with children ages 3 to 13 years and with a variety of educational, behavioral and developmental needs. Ms. Katrina understands that children learn best through play, exploring and being an active participant in the classroom environment. Ms. Katrina is excited to be teaching at the Early Learning Academy. She looks forward to fostering a love for learning and developing strong relationships with the families.

Lead Teacher – Claire Johnson

As a graduate of Marymount University, Claire Johnson is thrilled to now be a part of the staff at the Early Learning Academy. Claire found her passion for teaching and working with children when she began babysitting and teaching dance in high school and college. Claire attended Marymount University and received her Bachelor of Arts in History and a Minor in Education. Throughout her time at Marymount, Claire was a member of the Dance Team for four years, serving as captain her senior year. While in her senior year at Marymount, Claire had the opportunity to intern at the Early Learning Academy, where she benefited from the experience of working alongside her colleagues to teach young children, further highlighting her love for education.

Claire grew up near Baltimore, Maryland, and attended The Catholic High School of Baltimore. She currently resides in Arlington, Virginia. In her free time, Claire enjoys spending time with her friends, volunteering at the Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Center, exploring Virginia and DC, and supporting her hometown, Baltimore Ravens and Orioles. Claire looks forward to working alongside her class and leaving her students wanting to learn something new every day!

Lead Teacher – Maggie Silvey

Maggie Silvey is very excited to be joining the ELA full time after subbing this past year! She has previously taught at Little Folks Preschool in DC and Country Day School in McLean and taught privately for a local family. This will be Maggie’s 29th year of teaching early childhood, with 10 years of that staying home to raise two boys! She has a B.S. Degree in Child Development from The University of Alabama.

Maggie and her husband, David, live in Alexandria. Their boys are grown and live in NYC and North Carolina. In her spare time, Maggie loves being with family, traveling, hiking, Alabama football, F1 racing, and hanging out with their kitty, Sarabi! She can’t wait to bring love and laughter to her classroom at the ELA. Teaching the youngest learners is one of Maggie’s greatest passions!

Teacher – Natalie Guzman

Natalie holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, which provides her with valuable insight into child development and family dynamics. She is passionate about helping each child learn and grow into their unique selves while creating an environment where every child can thrive.

With several years of experience working with young children through babysitting, volunteering at schools, and most recently teaching toddlers, Natalie has developed a deep appreciation for the creativity, curiosity, and joy that children bring to the classroom. She loves seeing each child’s imagination come to life and how they interpret different lessons and activities.

Outside the classroom, Natalie enjoys spending time at home with her cat, Jiji, and unwinding with her favorite shows and movies. She also loves drawing and creating art whenever inspiration strikes! Natalie is excited to build strong connections with families and support their children’s growth during these formative years. She can’t wait to be part of their journey at the Early Learning Academy!

Teacher – Flor Peña-Gonzalez

Flor Peña-Gonzalez has been involved in childcare since the age of 13, finding immense joy in working with children and witnessing their growth and development throughout the years. The realization of her passion for education dawned on her during high school. Flor recognized her desire to become an educator when her favorite high school teacher had a significant impact on her life; this educator taught her the importance of being an advocate for students who didn’t have someone on their side. This realization prompted Flor to pursue a degree in early childhood education.

Although Flor was born and raised in Arlington, she considers Mexico her true home. Regular visits to Mexico are a cherished routine, providing quality time with family and contributing to her fluency in Spanish. Flor’s hobbies include drawing and painting, some of her favorite pastimes. Additionally, Flor enjoys cooking homemade Mexican recipes, although that’s the extent of her culinary skills.

Flor is looking forward to growing and learning through all the great experiences at ELA!

Assistant Teacher – Karen Marchese

Karen Marchese was employed at Perfect Pointe Dance Studio for the past 9 years working with children 18 months to 5 years of age. Karen instilled the love of dance from an early age and developed gross and social skills through creative movement and pre-ballet. Karen is very excited to join the Early Learning Academy!

Karen’s family includes her husband, Ken, 2 children (both out of college) along with her cat, Oliver, and a rescue pup named Kep. She was born in North Carolina, and lived in New York, but decided to settle in Arlington. She has lived here over 20 years.

In her free time, Karen likes spending time with her family, friends and pets. She also loves all the DC area has to offer, from enjoying the performing arts to visiting museums and attending cultural events.

Karen believes it is a privilege to shape young minds and looks forward to fostering your student’s curiosity and interest in learning by exploring the world around them.

Assistant Teacher – Asseel Saleh Dirgham

Asseel Saleh Dirgham was raised in Arlington, Virginia and her ethnic background is Egyptian and Sudanese. Asseel loves to go visit and spend time with family in Egypt. Asseel can speak Arabic relatively fluently and often uses it at home. Asseel’s hobbies include painting, cooking and spending time with loved ones. Asseel is passionate and dedicated to the childcare profession, with 9 years of experience working with children. She loves looking for ways to create fun and engaging learning experiences. Ms. Asseel is ecstatic to be a part of ELA & make a difference in the lives of young children guiding them to their their full potential.

Assistant Teacher – Lucille Sherlock

Lucy comes to ELA with over ten years of childcare experience, most recently working as an infant teacher. Lucy has experience with children of all ages, but her true passion lies in the early childhood years. Lucy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her passion for early childhood education has led her to pursue her master’s degree in elementary education.

Lucy is an Arlington native and lives with her three roommates, dog, and cat. In her free time, Lucy loves to read, spend time with her friends and family, and discover new restaurants and events in the area. Additionally, Lucy has a passion traveling and exploring new places and cultures.

Assistant Teacher – Tabitha “Tabi” Giaccio

Tabitha “Tabi” Giaccio has been part of the Early Learning Academy community since before it officially opened and is thrilled to be an official member of the teaching team at ELA. She believes that Pre-K should feel joyful, be engaging, and bring magic into the classroom. After graduating this Spring 2026, she will be a licensed teacher with her degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology, which strengthens her understanding of how young children grow and develop throughout these formative years.

Tabi has been passionate about working with children in many different forms such as coaching youth soccer, tutoring, babysitting, and growing up with several younger siblings. These experiences shaped her patient, encouraging, and nurturing teaching style. In the classroom, she loves incorporating stories, creativity, and hands-on learning to engage children in learning and exploration. Outside of school, Tabi enjoys reading, crafting, spending time with her family, and exploring the outdoors.

Early Learning Academy Calendar

2025-2026

Tuesday, September 2nd	ELA School Year Starts
Tuesday, November 11th	ELA Closed, Veteran’s Day
Thursday, November 27th – Friday, November 28th	ELA Closed, Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, December 24th- Friday, January 2nd	ELA Closed, Winter Break
Monday, January 5th	Classes resume
Monday, January 19th	ELA Closed, MLK Day
Monday, February 16th	ELA Closed, President’s Day
Monday, March 30 – Friday, April 3rd	ELA Closed, Spring Break
Monday, May 25th	ELA Closed, Memorial Day
Friday, June 19th	ELA Closed, Juneteenth
Friday, July 3rd	ELA Closed, Independence Day
Monday, August 31st – Friday, September 4th	ELA Closed – Summer Cleaning/Fall prep
Monday, September 7th	ELA Closed – Labor Day
Tuesday, September 8th	New School Year Starts

2026-2027

 

Tuesday, September 8th	ELA School Year Starts
Monday, October 12th	ELA Closed, Columbus Day
Wednesday, November 11th	ELA Closed, Veteran’s Day
Wednesday, November 25th	ELA Closes at 12:30 PM
Thursday, November 26th – Friday, November 27th	ELA Closed, Thanksgiving Holiday
Wednesday, December 23rd	ELA Closes at 12:30 PM
Thursday, December 24th- Friday, January 1st	ELA Closed, Winter Break
Monday, January 4th	Classes resume
Monday, January 18th	ELA Closed, MLK Day
Monday, February 15th	ELA Closed, President’s Day
Monday, March 22nd – Friday, March 26th	ELA Closed, Spring Break
Monday, May 31st	ELA Closed, Memorial Day
Friday, June 18th	ELA Closed, Juneteenth
Monday, July 5th	ELA Closed, Independence Day
Monday, August 30th – Friday, September 6th	ELA Closed – Summer Cleaning/Fall prep

Inclement Weather Note

The ELA follows Arlington County Public Schools for most weather related closures and delays. Updates and closures will be announced and posted in the Brightwheel App and are also available on major news channels and websites.

Marymount University, a nationally ranked institution of higher learning, was founded in 1950 and is the first Catholic college to be established in Virginia. Through the years, it has grown from a two-year college for women into a comprehensive, coeducational Catholic university serving approximately 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students.

Today and always, MU has stood for intellectual curiosity and the ethical and spiritual development of each individual. We are a student-centered learning community that provides opportunities for personal and professional growth and service to others, while maintaining a global perspective. With students from 49 states and 75 countries, Marymount welcomes people of all backgrounds.

The new Early Learning Academy opened in Fall 2023 and is filling a critical and deepening need for the families with young children in the local workforce.

Mission

Guided by research in child development, our goal is to provide a safe, dynamic play-based environment where children discover and reach their full potential in a diverse and engaging university setting. The ELA provides learning through imagination, creativity, and individualized opportunities and interventions while allowing the next generation of educators to observe, apply, and research best practices in early childhood education.

Vision

To positively impact the lives of each child and family and the field of ECE through research-based best practices and to be recognized for our commitment to the professional development of current and future educators.

Question: What ages does your program serve?
Answer: Currently, The Early Learning Academy program is for preschool children ages 2.5 - 5 years old.


Question: What are your days/hours of operation?
Answer: We are open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. The maximum school day for each child is 9 hours.


Question: Do you close for the summer?
Answer: No, we provide a year-round program. Our academic year runs from September to August.


Question: Do you offer full-time and part-time enrollment?
Answer: The ELA only offers a full-time program lasting 9 hours per day with a set tuition.

Question: Do you serve lunch and snacks?
Answer: A hot lunch and two healthy snacks per day are included in tuition and catered from Good Food Company.


Question: What is the teacher/student ratio in your classrooms?
Answer: Our ratios are planned for 1:6 for 2.5 year olds and 1:8 for 3-5 year olds. We will often have lower ratios, as we serve as a lab school with Marymount University.


Question: What is the educational background of your teachers?
Answer: Our Lead Teachers hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in an education field. All employees continue their education throughout each school year with additional Professional Development courses and training.


Question: What is your inclement weather policy?
Answer: The ELA follows Arlington County Public Schools for most weather-related closures and delays. Updates and closures will be announced and posted in the Brightwheel App and are also available on major news channels and websites.


Question: How can I contact the school for a tour?
Answer: Contact us at or 7032845778 to schedule a tour.


Question: Is there a nap/rest time?
Answer: All classes are required by VA State Licensing to have a designated rest period for at least one hour but no more than two hours. After the first 30 minutes, children not sleeping may engage in quiet activities.


Question: What type of security is in place at the ELA?
Answer: Our facility can be entered via secure access only. Our entry points have double layers of security with entry through two sets of locked doors. All families will receive emergency preparedness information and as required by licensing, child friendly safety drills will be performed regularly. Additionally, there will be ongoing access to and collaboration with Marymount’s on campus security.

The Marymount ELA is a private preschool program located on the campus of Marymount University. The ELA strives to deliver a dynamic and nurturing educational environment where all children develop a love of learning.

The Marymount ELA is an equal opportunity organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or national origin in the administration of its programs, policies, and procedures.

Please send your resume to if you are interested in applying for teaching or administrative positions.