By Kristina Schnack Kotlus
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For most children preschool lasts for two or three years, but for Cloverdale School in Woodbridge the fun has lasted for 40. This small school described by parents as having a “family feel” serves children from two and a half through second grade.
Cloverdale School began as a ministry of Lutheran Church of the Covenant in Cloverdale in Dale City but moved in 1990 to Bethel United Methodist in Woodbridge, and now exists as a non-sectarian school.
Meredyth Stirling, the school’s music teacher since 1984, says that “by maintaining a half-day program instead of converting to a daycare, Cloverdale has continued to attract supportive, involved families who enjoy a very connected relationship to the teachers”.
Stirling also shared that for the teachers at the school, some of whom have been with the program for well over 20 years, there is a certain sisterhood, fostered with communication and an annual Christmas kick line number that the children have come to expect during the holiday show.
Cloverdale School will be celebrating its 40th Birthday this Sunday, March 20, from 5 – 7 p.m. Former students are invited, and the school has already had numerous responses from retired staff as well as former students, some of whom now bring their own children to preschool at their alma mater.
When asked what brings people back with such fond memories, Stirling said it was the teaching philosophy to “let children be who they are. That’s the magic –– to let children be children.”
