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The Barrie School

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What if Peter Pan grew up and needed a school? Perhaps he’d attend The Barrie School. The Barrie School, nestled in Silver Spring, Maryland, isn’t actually a school for fictional characters. However, its origin story involves a whimsical name and a journey across Washington D.C. Frances Littman Seldin founded the school in 1932. It was first known as the Peter Pan School, located in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. The Barrie School’s history reflects the progressive ideals of its founder. Seldin, a Columbia University graduate, envisioned a school inspired by the philosophies of John Dewey, Maria Montessori, Alfred Adler, and Anna Freud. In 1939, the school moved to the Takoma neighborhood, expanding its offerings beyond preschool. It adopted the name Barrie School, in honor of J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. This marked a significant shift, adding upper-grade classes and embracing a progressive country day school model. The Barrie School found its final home in 1958, relocating to a 45-acre estate on Layhill Road in Montgomery County. This move solidified the school’s commitment to learning in a natural environment. Interestingly, the school also had a unique equestrian program, which sadly closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The school even has a connection to Montessori education. The Lower School, serving children from 12 months to fifth grade, is Montessori-based. Furthermore, The Barrie School is home to the Barrie Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies. This institute offers graduate-level teacher education programs, bridging the gap between traditional and Montessori schools of education. Today, The Barrie School continues its legacy of progressive education. It serves students from 12 months through Grade 12. It boasts a project-based curriculum for its Middle and Upper School students. The Barrie School’s journey, from a whimsical preschool to a sprawling 45-acre campus, embodies a commitment to innovative learning. It stands as a testament to Frances Littman Seldin’s vision of a school that nurtures excellence and responsibility.

Learning about The Barrie School in Washington D.C. is only the beginning of your adventure. Explory helps you go further with a powerful digital guide that transforms every walk into an experience. Using our intuitive city guide, you can easily connect stories with locations, creating your own city tour while enjoying Washington D.C. at your own rhythm. Explory’s goal is to make your trip unforgettable. Our guide combines storytelling with orientation, giving you the chance to uncover the rich layers of Washington D.C.. Thanks to the integrated audio guide, you can listen to fascinating narratives while exploring the streets. Beyond the well-known attractions, Explory highlights hidden gems and secret corners that make the city truly unique. With the city guide, you’ll gain insights and flexibility. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a regular traveler, the app offers exploration on your terms. Each curated city tour blends local culture, history, and atmosphere into one seamless experience. The emphasis on exploration ensures you won’t just see Washington D.C., but actually connect with it. And because our content reveals hidden gems, you’ll always discover something new. Expand your journey by downloading the Explory App. Explore over 300 cities and more than 500,000 POIs and stories, all accessible from your phone. Whether you need a trusted guide, a flexible audio guide, or a structured city tour, Explory offers everything in one place. Start your adventure today and explore Washington D.C. like never before with Explory.

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