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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is a typical class size?

2. Which world languages do you offer?

All children beginning in Preschool study a world language. Preschoolers learn Spanish and Junior Kindergarten students are exposed to both Spanish and French. Students in Kindergarten through grade 8 are required to study either French or Spanish.

Prior to entering Kindergarten, students make their language choice and they will study this language through 4th grade. At the end of 4th grade, as our students prepare to move up to Middle School (which begins in 5th grade), they may either continue with the same language or switch. Students in 7th grade have the option of studying Latin, a two-year course of study, in lieu of French or Spanish.

While we try to accommodate each person's language request, we must also maintain ratios in classrooms. If one grade's language has too many students, we may require that some students take another language offered.

3. Are you required to participate in the Virginia Standard of Learning (SOL) program?

No. Congressional's belief in the importance of innovative, dynamic teaching is one reason the school does not participate in the SOL program. Our SOL-independence empowers teachers to introduce new resources and explore challenging new material. Teachers can tailor their teaching to their students.

Congressional's own benchmarks of achievement are fully articulated. For each school, a concise scope and sequence outlines curriculum by subject area. Assessment of student performance includes a teacher's direct observation of a child's understanding. The external indicator we use is Educational Records Bureau (ERB) testing.

4. What specialty classes does Congressional offer?

Children in all grades have specialized teachers for physical education, music, art, and world language. Middle School students also study speech and drama which includes debating, public speaking and broadcast journalism. Middle school students also take a financial literacy class once a year.

In addition to the classes above, our 5th grade students take an "Innovation" class for the full year and our 6th-8th graders have choice electives that change each quarter. Choice electives vary on the interest of the students from year to year but classes often include Guitar, Cooking, Robotics, Jam Sesh (music), Mixed Media Art, Technical Theater, Broadcast News, Life Skills, Yearbook, and more.

5. Do you have an after school sports program?

Congressional offers an extensive after school sports program with Junior Varsity (Grades 5-6) and Varsity (Grades 7-8) teams that play other local schools. We offer a variety of sports and have a no-cut policy. As a result, we love that around 95% of our middle school students participate in athletics.

Our teams are a part of the Capital Athletics Conference and the president of the conference is our Director of Athletics and Physical Education, Coach Brian Krauss.

Visit our Athletics page to view all the sports offered.

6. Are students required to wear uniforms?

7. Do you offer transportation?

8. Does Congressional offer before- and after-school care?

9. Does Congressional School offer financial aid?

Congressional School is committed to accepting and enrolling a well-qualified and diverse student body. To that end, we make every effort to ensure that motivated, talented, well-rounded students have the opportunity to receive an education at Congressional, regardless of cost.

Financial aid decisions are made independently from admissions decisions. Financial aid is based solely on demonstrated need as determined by our Financial Aid Committee, which relies on the analysis provided through the Clarity Application as well as the availability of funds and the number of applicants for financial aid. Financial aid is available beginning in our Preschool classes.

We know that financing an independent school education can be a difficult process, and we would like to help in any way we can. For any questions concerning financial aid, tuition or payment plans, please do not hesitate to call the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid at 703-533-1064.

10. What are your hours?

ADMISSION CALENDAR

ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

Important:
Completed admission files are due by January 16, 2026, at 4 PM. Submitting the application is just one step in the application process. All steps must be completed for the application to move forward. Please check the requirements below:

Online application (Infant - Grade 8)
$100 nonrefundable application fee (Infant - Grade 8)
Student transcripts (Preschool-Grade 8)
Teacher Recommendation Form (Preschool-Grade 8)
Admission Assessment and/or Interview (Infant - Grade 8)
ISEE or SSAT (Grades 5-8)
Optional- WISC and WPPSI scores for all ages
Please disclose any educational testing and evaluations during the admission process
If you are applying for financial aid, the application and supporting documents are due by January 16, 2026