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Seneca Academy

United States, Darnestown

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $4,240 - 27,400
Ages 2 - 11 years
Pupil numbers 145
Type Co-educational
Opened 1983
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP)
Taught languages Spanish
Typical class size 8
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction

Seneca Academy is a non-profit, independent day school in Darnestown, Maryland, serving ages 2 through 11. The school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program as a World School, from preschool through fifth grade. The preschool program, authorized since 2012, follows a Program of Inquiry with four transdisciplinary units per class, each lasting six weeks or longer, guided by The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and The Active Learning Series. Older students participate in group singing and Spanish with a language specialist, and all students engage in music, movement, and art. The elementary program is IB PYP-aligned and uses inquiry- and project-based learning alongside direct instruction, with assessment emphasizing higher-level thinking. The six-acre campus features a National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat and outdoor classrooms; outdoor education is central to daily life. The campus supports experiential learning through a range of arts, sports, and service activities. The school emphasizes community involvement.

15601 Germantown Road, Darnestown, MD 20874

The Essentials

Seneca Academy has 145 pupils, typical class sizes of 8, instruction in English.

Location
15601 Germantown Road, Darnestown, MD 20874, United States. The campus sits on a six-acre National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat. Seneca Academy serves preschool through fifth grade and is located in Darnestown, Maryland on this campus.

Stages
Preschool (ages 2-4) and Elementary (Kindergarten through 5th grade).

Type
non-profit, independent day school

Additional learning support
Learning support is available. The program is led by the Director of Learning Support.

Country affiliation
United States

Religious affiliation
Nondenominational

School day structure
School hours: K-5 drop-off 8:15–8:25 a.m.; Kindergarten 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; Grades 1–5 8:30 a.m.–3:15 p.m. Fox Club (Extended Care) before school starts at 7:30 a.m. and after school ends at 5:30 p.m.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
No boarding is offered. Fox Club provides before- and after-school care on weekdays. Before care begins at 7:30 a.m. and after care ends at 5:30 p.m.

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are mandatory for K-5 students and must display the Seneca Academy logo. Acceptable pieces include white, red, or navy tops and navy or khaki bottoms; logoed dresses or jumpers are allowed.

Food Options
Seneca Academy is not a nut-free school and works with families of students with food allergies. Preschool snacks are served daily per regulations, and preschoolers with allergies may bring their own snack.

Governance and Ownership
Seneca Academy is governed by a Board of Trustees. It is accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education and is a member of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS) and the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington.
Fees

Annual tuition at Seneca Academy ranges from USD 4,240 to USD 27,400 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- New elementary student application fee: USD 60.
- New preschool student registration fee: USD 60 (nonrefundable at registration). A 10% tuition deposit is required for new preschool registrations.

Tuition fees by year group (annual amounts and related care fees)

- Preschool Threes (2026–2027) — annual tuition and optional care (annual fees):
- Tuesday/Thursday (9:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.): Yearly tuition USD 4,240; Before care 7:30–9:15 a.m. USD 1,810; Before care 8:15–9:15 a.m. USD 1,040; After care until 3:00 p.m. USD 2,330; After care until 5:30 p.m. USD 4,910.
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday (9:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.): Yearly tuition USD 6,220; Before care 7:30–9:15 a.m. USD 2,715; Before care 8:15–9:15 a.m. USD 1,560; After care until 3:00 p.m. USD 3,495; After care until 5:30 p.m. USD 7,365.
- Monday–Friday (9:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.): Yearly tuition USD 9,560; Before care 7:30–9:15 a.m. USD 4,525; Before care 8:15–9:15 a.m. USD 2,600; After care until 3:00 p.m. USD 5,825; After care until 5:30 p.m. USD 12,275.

- Prekindergarten Fours (2026–2027) — annual tuition and optional care (annual fees):
- Monday–Thursday (9:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.): Yearly tuition USD 8,550; Before care 7:30–9:00 a.m. USD 3,120; Before care 8:15–9:00 a.m. USD 1,560; After care until 3:00 p.m. USD 4,680; After care until 5:30 p.m. USD 9,880.
- Monday–Friday (9:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.): Yearly tuition USD 10,550; Before care 7:30–9:00 a.m. USD 3,900; Before care 8:15–9:00 a.m. USD 1,950; After care until 3:00 p.m. USD 5,850; After care until 5:30 p.m. USD 12,350.
- Monday–Friday Extended Day (9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. M–Th; 9:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. F): Yearly tuition USD 16,850; Before care 7:30–9:00 a.m. USD 3,900; Before care 8:15–9:00 a.m. USD 1,950; After care until 3:00 p.m. USD 3,230; After care until 5:30 p.m. USD 9,730.

- Elementary (Grades K–5) — Annual investment (2026–2027):
- Yearly tuition USD 27,400. Before care (7:30–8:15 a.m.) annual fee USD 2,075. After care (3:00–5:30 p.m.) annual fee USD 6,850. A materials/activity fee of USD 400 is included in the tuition package.

Fees, deposits and recurring charges

- Seneca Academy Parents Association (SAPA) dues: USD 65 will be added to the tuition agreement or may be paid directly with the one-pay option.
- Tuition deposit (elementary re-enrollment): USD 1,200 applied to tuition for 2026–2027; deposit is nonrefundable upon enrollment.
- Preschool registration: New preschool families pay a USD 60 registration fee and a 10% tuition deposit at registration. The preschool registration fee and the required deposit are nonrefundable.
- Materials/activity fee: USD 400, included for elementary students. Additional fees may be required for clubs, special activities, or extended care.
- Family discounts: Two-student families receive USD 500; families with three or more students receive USD 750 (applies to preschool and elementary families).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Enrollment is for the entire school year; no deduction is made for absence or withdrawal. Upon enrollment, the elementary nonrefundable tuition deposit of USD 1,200 is due.
- Tuition payment plan options: one payment, two payments, or ten payments. The two-payment option is scheduled for May and November. The ten-payment option runs from May through February (the ten-payment plan is available only if enrollment is completed by April). A tuition management program is required for installment payers. Early-payment discounts apply when the total annual tuition is paid by May 15 (elementary discount USD 100; preschool discount USD 50).

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not offered. Seneca Academy operates preschool and elementary day programs; no boarding fees apply.

Other costs and fees

- Before- and after-care fees are charged annually as listed above for preschool and elementary programs.
- Club, activity or special-program fees may be charged in addition to tuition; extended care fees are available upon request. A materials/activity fee is included for elementary students (USD 400).
- Uniforms are managed through the Seneca Academy Parents Association (SAPA) used-uniform shop; payment options for uniform purchases include PayPal, cash, or check. Prices for uniforms vary by item.

Refund information

- Elementary tuition policy: students are registered for the full school year; no deduction is made for absence or withdrawal. The tuition deposit paid at enrollment is nonrefundable.
- Preschool registration: the USD 60 registration fee and the required tuition deposit for new preschool students are nonrefundable.

Fee payment options and methods

- Online payment portal via the school's tuition/payment processor (Diamond Mind) is used for one-time payments and payment-plan setup. Credit card payments are accepted online; credit card processing fees may apply to certain transactions (for example, application fee payments).
- Acceptable payment methods include electronic payments through the tuition management program, check, and cash for certain programs (cash/check/electronic payments referenced for program payments).

Program scope

- Seneca Academy provides preschool (3s and prekindergarten 4s) and elementary (K–5) day programs; fees above correspond to those programs and the 2026–2027 academic year references shown.
Academics

Seneca Academy teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 2 to 11.

Curriculum
Seneca Academy delivers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) World School curriculum for preschool through fifth grade. The preschool program, authorized since 2012, uses a Program of Inquiry with four transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry per class, each lasting six or more weeks, and is guided by The Creative Curriculum for Preschool and The Active Learning Series. Through the Program of Inquiry, preschoolers are introduced to language arts, mathematics, scientific thinking, social studies, art, music, and physical development, with daily schedules blending child-chosen and teacher-directed activities; older students participate in group singing and Spanish with a language specialist, and all students engage in music, movement, and art. The elementary program is IB PYP-aligned and integrated, using the Program of Inquiry to outline transdisciplinary units; the written curriculum centers on Knowledge, Concepts, Skills, Attitudes, and Actions, and teaching combines inquiry-based, project-based, and direct instruction. Assessment emphasizes higher-level thinking, with a curriculum including language arts, reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign language, art, physical education, music, and technology, plus service learning and community involvement.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Seneca Academy uses the Responsive Classroom curriculum to integrate social-emotional learning into the academic day. Morning Meeting starts each elementary class to build community, address concerns, and ease transitions from home to school. The program fosters a safe, challenging, and joyful environment and promotes ownership and belonging in each class. The Attitudes promoted by the IB Primary Years Program — including empathy, respect, and cooperation — are integrated into school life. A developmentally appropriate approach to SEL guides classroom organization, scheduling, and behavior policies. The Building Villages Together program integrates social-emotional learning with Equity, Justice, and Community objectives.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Seneca Academy promotes inclusion for diverse abilities and celebrates diversity within its community. The Diversity Statement guides hiring, admissions practices, and curriculum to advance understanding and inclusion of individuals and families of diverse ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, politics, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Seneca Academy seeks to admit a diverse population and does not discriminate on basis of ethnicity, gender, race, religion, politics, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Small class sizes support individualized attention and responsive teaching. The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program provides an inclusive, inquiry-based learning framework.

Mental Wellbeing
Seneca Academy prioritizes the mental health and social-emotional wellbeing of its students. The Reopening Plan emphasizes Social, Emotional, and Physical Well-Being and includes anxiety-reducing strategies and mindfulness practices. It notes that educational, mental health, and medical professionals contribute to planning and guidance. The plan promotes maintaining peer connections and daily physical activity to support well-being and resilience during changes. It commits to positive mental health through mindfulness and developmentally appropriate resources.
Parent Experience

History
Seneca Academy has recently celebrated 40 years of history as an educational institution. The Circle School was founded in January 1983 by Jodi Thurmond and her partner Marty Long to provide an academic and developmentally appropriate program. Kindergarten was added in 1985. Seneca Academy has existed as the elementary component since 1998, and in September 2009 the Circle School and Seneca Academy consolidated; the entire program from preschool through fifth grade became Seneca Academy. In September 2012, Seneca Academy was authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization as a World School offering the IB Primary Years Program, and it is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education and a member of AIMSMDDC and AISGW.

Community
Seneca Academy fosters a collaborative, inquiry-based learning environment within a dynamic and welcoming IB World School community. Current and former families share their experiences in testimonials on What Our Village Says, highlighting the strong sense of community. Community events are coordinated through SAPA, including SAPA Homecoming on October 4, 2026 and SAPA Trunk or Treat on October 30, 2026, as shown on the events calendar. The school also provides a downloadable 2026-27 calendar to view events.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
SAPA encourages parent participation and offers volunteer opportunities. The Annual Fund is supported by SAPA and the school, with donations funding the operating budget and activities such as professional development, technology upgrades, and campus improvements. Participation in the Annual Fund comes from the entire Seneca Academy community, including current and past parents, trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, grandparents, and friends. SAPA collects a per-student fee at the start of the year to sponsor family activities and organizes events whose proceeds support the school, including book fairs, restaurant nights, and no-uniform days. Volunteers are welcome in the classroom, and background checks are required for volunteers who work directly with students; contact the SAPA Steering Committee at sapa@senecaparents.com for more information.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Seneca Academy sits on a six-acre campus in Darnestown, Maryland, featuring a National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat. Outdoor learning is a central focus with daily opportunities for outdoor play and hands-on exploration. Classrooms and spaces are organized to support inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning within the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. Outdoor classrooms and nature-based spaces highlight the campus as a core learning environment.

Sports Facilities
Physical education is integrated into the elementary and preschool curricula, with active movement and gross motor activities on campus. Students have daily outdoor play on the six-acre campus, weather permitting, supporting physical development. The program emphasizes movement, music, and physical education as part of the IB-based approach. The campus provides spaces that support active learning and physical activity.

Academic Facilities
The elementary curriculum is integrated and transdisciplinary under the IB Primary Years Program, guided by the Program of Inquiry that outlines units for each grade level. The five elements of the written curriculum are Knowledge, Concepts, Skills, Attitudes, and Actions, which frame learning and student outcomes. The taught curriculum includes inquiry-based, project-based, and direct instruction across subjects such as art, mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, foreign language, music, and technology. The preschool curriculum introduces language arts, mathematics and scientific thinking, social studies, art, music, and physical development through a Program of Inquiry.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Summer at Seneca offers a one-of-a-kind summer experience for rising threes through rising sixth graders. Fox Club provides before and after school extended care on campus. The campus environment and outdoor spaces support experiential learning through a National Wildlife Federation Certified Schoolyard Habitat. Older students have group singing and Spanish with a specialist.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) World School curriculum. It uses an inquiry-based approach with project-based learning and direct instruction to develop thinking and communication skills. The Program of Inquiry outlines transdisciplinary units taught across subjects, enabling students to connect ideas and apply learning to real-life situations.

Arts & Creative
Art and music are part of the weekly curriculum, and the after-school program offers extensive arts opportunities. After-school arts-oriented clubs include Darnestown Community Band, Seneca Fox Singers, Theatre Production Workshop, Painting and Drawing, and Sculpture, with club offerings changing each semester.

Cultural & Language
Spanish is taught as part of the elementary curriculum, with foreign language study included in daily learning. The Summer at Seneca Adventurers program includes Spanish immersion experiences, such as Market Adventure, En el restaurante, and related activities.

Social & Hobbies
Extracurricular activities include band, studio art, chorus, sculpting, drama, soccer, landscape & nature, filmmaking, yoga, cooking, and other experiences. These clubs change seasonally to broaden opportunities for students.

Community & Service
Community service and opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge while helping others are encouraged and integrated into the curriculum at all grade levels. Summer Adventurers themes also include Nature & Service activities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school provides a positive social-emotional environment through the Responsive Classroom approach, emphasizing cooperation, respect, and responsibility. Physical education is included in the elementary curriculum and supports physical development as part of well-being. The plan emphasizes student well-being and connected learning, including daily movement or exercise.
Languages

Language Provision
The school offers a Foreign Language program in Spanish. Spanish is taught using Descubre el Español developed by Santillana and aligned with the Standards for Foreign Language Learning. The standards emphasize communicating in languages other than English, understanding cultures, connecting with other disciplines, using comparisons to gain insights into language and culture, and participating in multilingual communities at home and around the world. Specific areas of study include vocabulary and comprehension, phonics, structure, language functions, and cultural content.
Admissions

Admissions
Preschool Admissions Procedures for New Students: We are thrilled you are interested in joining the Seneca Academy village. We welcome you to contact the Director of Admissions to start the process for the 2026-2027 school year. Seneca Academy offers a variety of class options for rising three-year-olds and rising four-year-olds to accommodate families' schedules. We do not ask for any payment during the admissions process until registration, when the student has been assigned to a class. 1 Connect: Please attend an open house or contact our Director of Admissions to arrange a private tour. 2 Apply: Apply online; students enrolling in the 3s must turn 3 by September 1 of the entry year; students enrolling in the 4s must turn 4 by September 1 of the entry year; extended day 4s must turn 4 by June 1 of the entry year; toilet training is required for all preschool programs, except Parent's Day Out. The Admissions Director will contact you to discuss next steps and finalize the admissions process; completed applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee and the Committee will notify you in writing in mid-March. Students are assigned to classes on a first-come, first-placed basis. 3 Registration: New students will be notified of the registration date and must pay a nonrefundable $60 registration fee and a 10% tuition deposit; the first tuition payment is due in May; new student forms and health forms are provided via the student information system. 4 Priority Preschool Admissions Procedures for Current Students and Their Siblings: Current students receive reenrollment information and must return it during the priority enrollment period; only current students and their siblings may register at this time; class placement aims to accommodate everyone's first choice; parents will be notified by mid-February about placement and registration details. 5 Rolling admissions: Seneca Academy has a rolling admissions process and encourages families to apply now for 2026-2027; limited spaces are available in preschool and elementary programs. 6 Elementary admissions for new students are separate but share the same rolling admissions approach for overall enrollment.

Scholarships
Financial aid is available to qualified students from preschool 3s through fifth grade to help families access an independent school education. Aid is need-based and awarded based on the difference between a family's resources and the costs of attending Seneca Academy; funds come from tuition income and fundraising; priority in aid decisions is given to children of current Seneca Academy families, families with more than one Seneca Academy student, children of staff members, and other qualified students. All information submitted is confidential. The Financial Aid Committee meets in mid-February; awards are issued in late February to current families and with admissions decisions for prospective families; recipients must adhere to enrollment dates to guarantee an award; awards are guaranteed for one year and must be reapplied for each subsequent year. Application procedures: submit a completed application for admittance (both currently enrolled and new applicants are eligible); visit Clarity Financial Aid and begin the application, adding “Seneca Academy” to the student entry; complete the Clarity application and pay the $65 Clarity fee; US taxpayers complete the Clarity Enhanced Tax Verification (ETV) process to release tax transcripts; submit your Clarity application and return to the dashboard; the financial aid committee meets in mid-February with awards announced shortly after. For more details see the Financial Aid page on the site.
School Events
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