Waterfront Academy

At a Glance

Waterfront Academy is a private Catholic Montessori school located in Southwest Waterfront, serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The school combines Montessori educational philosophy with a Spanish dual-immersion program and Catholic values, offering families in Ward 6 and across the District a distinctive approach to elementary and middle school education. With its location at 222 M Street SW, the school sits in one of DC's most rapidly developing neighborhoods, near the Wharf and convenient to multiple Metro stations.

The school's span from early childhood through eighth grade means families can potentially keep their children in one educational community for over a decade, from preschool years through early adolescence. This continuity can be particularly valuable for families seeking consistent educational philosophy and language immersion throughout the elementary and middle school years.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Waterfront Academy operates independently of the My School DC lottery system, meaning families apply directly to the school and are responsible for tuition. Private school tuition in Washington DC varies widely, and interested families should contact the school directly to understand costs, payment plans, and any financial assistance that may be available.

The Spanish dual-immersion program is a defining feature of the school's approach, meaning instruction happens in both English and Spanish throughout the day. This model is designed to help students develop bilingualism and biliteracy, which requires commitment from families to support language development at home, particularly if Spanish is not spoken in the household.

The school's Catholic identity means that religious education and values are integrated into the curriculum and school culture. Families should understand that attending Mass, participating in religious instruction, and observing Catholic traditions will be part of their child's school experience, regardless of their own family's faith background.

The pre-K through eighth grade configuration means the school handles multiple developmental stages under one roof, from very young learners to early adolescents. Families should consider how the school manages this age span and what the eighth grade graduation means for high school transitions—students will need to apply to DC public high schools, independent schools, or Catholic high schools for ninth grade.

The Southwest Waterfront location offers proximity to cultural institutions along the National Mall and easy access via the Waterfront Metro station, but families should also consider commute logistics from other parts of the city, particularly during rush hour when traffic near the waterfront can be heavy.

Programs and Approach

Montessori education emphasizes child-directed learning, hands-on materials, and mixed-age classrooms, particularly in the early childhood and elementary years. This approach focuses on fostering independence, allowing children to work at their own pace, and developing intrinsic motivation rather than relying on traditional grades and testing in the younger years. The early adolescent program for seventh and eighth graders adapts Montessori principles for middle school students, often incorporating more project-based learning and community engagement.

The dual-immersion model means that students receive substantial instruction in Spanish throughout their school day, not just a standalone foreign language class. This approach aims to develop true bilingualism, with students able to read, write, and think critically in both languages by the time they graduate from eighth grade.

As a Catholic school, Waterfront Academy incorporates religious education alongside academic subjects, with prayer, service learning, and faith formation as regular parts of school life. The Montessori and Catholic traditions both emphasize respect, community, and service to others, which the school integrates into its overall approach.

Families interested in applying should reach out to the school directly to learn about application deadlines, required materials, opportunities to visit, and the admissions timeline, as private schools set their own schedules independent of DCPS processes.

Visiting and Contact

Waterfront Academy is located at 222 M Street SW in the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. Families interested in learning more about the school's programs, scheduling a tour, or beginning the application process should visit https://www.waterfrontacademy.org or call (202) 484-0044 for current information.