A Guide to the Beauvoir Experience and Applying for the 2026–2027 School Year
Beauvoir’s mission is to provide an extraordinary early childhood education in a diverse community that values every individual.
Beauvoir’s program encourages creative, courageous learners and builds an enduring foundation for a lifelong spirit of inquiry and joy in learning.
Dear Families,
Welcome to Beauvoir and thank you for expressing an interest in our early childhood approach to teaching and learning. Beauvoir is committed to preserving childhood by fostering curious, creative, and courageous learners on the historic grounds of the Washington National Cathedral. We pride ourselves in being a unique Episcopal institution where our educators are grounded in the work of early childhood and honor the formative years as the most crucial ones for future life success. Inside each classroom, our educators demonstrate their expertise in the early primary years, committed to helping students realize their distinct strengths and limitless potential. Likewise, Beauvoir educators offer constant encouragement to students as they welcome a diversity of ideas, ask them to stretch their imaginations, help them question the world around them, and invite them to become global-minded citizens.
Early childhood research confirms that many of the human seeds of character and promise are “planted and tilled” during the primary years, as young children begin to practice key attitudes and skills—kindness, integrity, critical thinking, healthy risk-taking, perseverance, resilience, and moral character. I cannot think of a better “garden” to care for these blossoming citizens of the world than Beauvoir’s. Children spring forth from the third grade confident in their abilities to relate to others, problem solve, and become agents of change in their communities and beyond.
This brochure will help you learn more about our school and the timeline for applying. During the admissions season, we encourage you to experience Beauvoir through our school-hosted events, including parent and caregiver tours, meetings, and information sessions. Please visit our website to learn more about our program and offerings for young, budding minds. Should you have any questions along the way, please know our Beauvoir team is happy to assist.
Sincerely,
Cindi Gibbs-Wilborn Head of School
A pre-kindergarten through third grade coeducational elementary school that focuses solely on early childhood education.
At Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School, we provide an extraordinary early childhood education in a diverse community that values every individual. Beauvoir’s program encourages creative, courageous learners and builds an enduring foundation for a lifelong spirit of inquiry and joy in learning.
We hold a “beautiful view” of childhood. We embrace learning as a lifelong endeavor and are committed to building a community where every child grows, explores, questions, creates, and achieves – individually and together. We align our practices, decisions, and investments with our goal to be a child-centered, safe, and deeply engaging learning community.
As an Episcopal School, we value a diverse and inclusive community. We welcome students and families from all faiths and backgrounds and celebrate our individual stories and collective experiences. We dedicate ourselves to serving others and strive to contribute to the greater good. Our Core Values of childhood, collaboration, creativity, curiosity, and courage complement and support our Life Rules.
Childhood
Collaboration
Creativity
Curiosity
Courage
We value a “beautiful view” of childhood and its extraordinary capacity for wonder, learning, and discovery. We inspire a sense of possibility in every interaction and experience at Beauvoir.
We value working together as an authentic and inclusive community to imagine, to create, to solve problems, and to support each other in all that we do.
We value creativity in learning, action and problem solving, and empower our community of faculty, staff, parents, and students to explore, develop, and celebrate creative abilities.
We value curiosity as an essential component of inspired learning. We model and encourage curiosity for all in our community.
We value the courageous spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, challenge, and confusion. We empower learners to engage in the world with brave resilience.
Become real-life experiences that influence and guide children’s daily choices
Anchor Beauvoir’s social curriculum
Intentionally shape classroom discussions and lessons
Guide community meetings and chapel programs
Create a joyful school community
Foster a setting in which each child’s voice is heard and valued
Cultivate a safe environment where learning thrives and children confidently take risks
Ensure your child’s character development is of the utmost importance
“Kind, Honest, Respectful, and Responsible — Those are the Beauvoir Life Rules. Things you should just follow for your whole life.”
Beauvoir Student
Children are at the center of Beauvoir’s mission and core values. Strong relationships among our diverse group of students, families, caregivers, faculty, and staff are essential to a child’s development.
At Beauvoir, children learn the compassion and empathy that will define them throughout their lives as vital influencers in their communities and in the world.
Beauvoir children participate in service learning that actively engages them in creating and building relationships with others to benefit their city, their country, and the world.
Beauvoir faculty endeavor to meet the unique learning needs of every child. Students benefit from two full-time Partner Teachers in every child’s classroom.
Our faculty’s expertise in early childhood education ensures a dynamic and meaningful educational experience for children.
A comprehensive professional development program supports educators’ commitment to professional growth and includes attending and presenting at conferences focused on literacy, diversity, math, technology, and more.
Faculty members include division heads; classroom teachers; specialists; learning resource specialists; a chaplain; a guidance counselor; a director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and a nurse.
Aligned with our mission, Beauvoir is committed to hiring culturally competent educators and personnel and intentionally recruits faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Beauvoir is located on the beautiful grounds of the Washington National Cathedral, along with St. Albans School and National Cathedral School.
The 59 acres of the Cathedral Close serve as an extension of the classroom, providing all students with outdoor learning spaces, including the Beauvoir Children’s Garden, Olmsted Woods, and the Bishop’s Garden.
The Cathedral’s mission as “a house of prayer for all people” supports Beauvoir’s mission by valuing differences, recognizing commonality, and respecting all cultures, faiths, and non-faith perspectives.
Our all-school chapel events take place in the Great Crossing of the Cathedral to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the end of the school year.
Beauvoir’s playground, the Paula Carreiro Campus Outdoor Laboratory, is a unique setting that supports and expands the curriculum outside of the traditional classroom, providing an experiential learning environment where children take healthy risks and build lasting relationships. The playground is open to the community on the weekends.
“Whatever you’re doing, you’re learning things in a fun way.”
Our steadfast commitment to creating a community based on inclusivity and belonging is deeply rooted in the Episcopal tradition.
As an Episcopal school, Beauvoir’s perspective is to respect the dignity of every human being from all family structures as well as ethnic, racial, cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.
We believe belonging is cultivated intentionally—through curriculum, community engagement, and the celebration of each individual’s full identity.
As a multi-cultural community, many languages and religions are represented and honored in our school.
Ours is a community based on mutual understanding, where different perspectives are essential, respected, and deeply valued. Across our school, we foster spaces where children, families, faculty, and staff are seen, valued, and supported.
To learn more about the Episcopal values our community holds dear, please visit the Washington National Cathedral website cathedral.org/about/mission-vision
Belonging is woven into the student experience through our identity-rooted curriculum and daily interactions:
All students participate in monthly chapels that both reflect our Episcopal identity and celebrate all faiths. Once a year, our chapel features faith leaders from DC, across the country, and around the world.
From morning meetings and chapel to buddy partnerships and classroom traditions, students build a deep sense of connection, respect, and care for one another.
Through our in-house, thoughtfully designed curriculum, which includes pillars of identity, diversity, justice, and action, students develop empathy, cultural understanding, and the language to explore their own identities and those of others.
Our families are vital partners in building a culture of belonging. We offer:
The Parents Association (PA), which includes every parent and caregiver at Beauvoir, builds community through various events such as the Annual Scholarship Benefit, Book Fair, Fall Festival, and other volunteer activities. The PA engages and supports parent and caregiver volunteers who share their time and talents enriching the life of the School.
Invitations to families to share stories, traditions, and celebrations that reflect their identities, enriching classroom learning and community understanding. Some past shares have included Holi, Hanukkah, Lunar New Year, Kwanzaa, and Ramadan.
Parent and caregiver affinity groups are optional and informal. These identitycentered groups offer opportunities for connection, conversation, and community. Current groups include:
» Inclusive Black Family Network
» Latinx Families
» AAPI Families
» Rainbow Families & Allies
» Muslim Families
» Greater Middle Eastern Families
» Parents and Caregivers of Neurodiverse Children
» Fatherly Figures
The Kaleidoscope Committee, a parentled initiative of the Parents Association in partnership with our DEIB office, supports school-wide programming and events celebrating diversity in all its forms.
Belonging begins with the adults in our community. We invest in our team through:
DEIB onboarding for all employees led by the Director of DEIB. Ongoing workshops explore topics such as bias, inclusive practices, and supporting neurodivergent learners
Conferences and Institutes for faculty and staff, such as the NPS Equity Institute, SEED, Learning & The Brain, and others that support identity and equity-centered growth
Optional identity-affirming, affinity and support groups, in which all faculty and staff are welcome to participate, including:
» AAPI
» Black/African American
» Latinx
» International
» LGBTQ+ and Allies
» Parents of Young Children
» White Allies
Extended family members and caregivers of Beauvoir students are engaged, welcomed, and celebrated as important members of the School community.
Alumni remain actively involved with topics related to early childhood development long after they graduate, returning regularly for school events and reunions. Their school support enriches the Beauvoir community in meaningful ways.
• Beauvoir educators are inspired by the unique potential of every child and committed to partnering with families. Educators aim to provide students with expert, differentiated learning experiences. To support the range of learning needs of our students, Beauvoir’s academic program is supported by Learning Resource Specialists and Instructional Coaches.
• Our literacy program is grounded in research-based methods that have proven to be effective in teaching reading and writing. We prioritize word recognition as the foundation of literacy, teaching students the relationship between sounds, letters, and meaning through explicit instruction. Our program also places an emphasis on vocabulary development, fluency, and language comprehension to foster wellrounded literacy skills.
• Our mathematics program emphasizes foundational numeracy, deep conceptual understanding, and strong problemsolving skills. At all grade levels, math is approached with a growth mindset, and our students know there is more than one way to solve a problem. Beauvoir students develop efficient strategies for solving mathematical tasks, present and justify their solutions, and engage in a community of mathematicians by collaborating with and responding to the ideas of others.
• All Beauvoir faculty are trained in the Responsive Classroom approach as the core of our social curriculum. With the knowledge that children learn best when equipped with both academic and socialemotional skills, our social-emotional curriculum encourages children to take ownership of their learning and their behavior.
• Students in the pre-kindergarten through third grade engage in dynamic co-curricular special course offerings, such as Computer Science, Library Media Science, Performing Arts, Physical Education, Science, Spanish, S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), and Visual Arts.
• Beauvoir values the range of experiences that weave together to create the rich fabric of our school. We believe that our diversity fosters a strong community where all voices are valued and we can learn from one another. Under the leadership of the School’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and the DEIB Curriculum Committee, the School has developed and continues to expand an original DEIB curriculum focused on themes of identity, community, justice, and action.
• Each year, all Beauvoir students engage in Global Studies, a school-wide, integrated exploration of countries from one of the following geographical regions: Africa, Central and South America, Asia and Oceania, Europe, or North America. This hands-on, inquiry-based journey immerses students in an engaging study of the region’s culture, geography, architecture, art, music, wildlife, and more! Global Studies culminates in a museum event to which parents and caregivers are invited to explore exhibits created by each grade level to showcase their area of focus and led by the students, as docents. Students graduate with a global mindedness, an understanding, and an appreciation of people and cultures across the world.
• Our Auxiliary Program offers many avenues for our students to extend their day as well as enhance their school experience.
• Early Morning Connections (EMC) offers care from 7:00 a.m. until 7:50 a.m.
• Our extended-day program, Afternoon Beauvoir Connections (ABC) is available to all pre-kindergarten through third grade students until 6:00 p.m. every weekday afternoon. The afternoon includes snacks, activities, and outdoor play time. Seasonal enrichment programs are also offered until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and cover a breadth of classes, such as Cooking, Ooey Gooey Science, Soccer, Taekwondo, Chess, LEGO® Mania, Hot Wheels, and more! Financial aid for after-school programs is available.
In partnership with our Outplacement Team, Beauvoir parents and caregivers are given the opportunity to reflect on their child’s strengths and explore the many educational possibilities available. Beauvoir children enter the next step of their educational journey with confidence and a love of learning.
The Outplacement Team guides parents and caregivers throughout the entire admissions process. The team advocates for students through a keen knowledge of each child and a strong relationship with other schools.
Throughout the fall, Beauvoir hosts admissions directors from area schools to provide information to third grade parents and caregivers about their programming and processes for admission.
Schools attended by Beauvoir graduates over the past several years include:
• Blessed Sacrament School
• Bullis School
• Capitol Hill Day School
• Congressional School
• District of Columbia Public Schools
• Fairfax County Public Schools
• Georgetown Day School
• Grace Episcopal Day School
• Holton-Arms School
• The Lab School of Washington
• Landon School
• The Langley School
• Lowell School
• Maret School
• Mater Dei School
• McLean School
• Montgomery County Public Schools
• National Cathedral School
• National Presbyterian School
• Norwood School
• The Potomac School
• St. Albans School
• St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
• St. Bartholomew School
• St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School
• St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
• Sheridan School
• Sidwell Friends School
• Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
• Washington Episcopal School
• Washington International School
Beauvoir welcomes children in prekindergarten through third grade from a wide variety of family structures and ethnic, racial, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. There are about 60 openings in pre-kindergarten and 20 openings in kindergarten each year. We welcome first, second, and third grade applicants, and children are admitted to those grades when an appropriate opening occurs.
Age Requirements
Applicants: Age: By:
Pre-Kindergarten 4 years old August 31, 2026
Kindergarten 5 years old August 31, 2026
First Grade 6 years old August 31, 2026
Second Grade 7 years old August 31, 2026
Third Grade 8 years old August 31, 2026
(Required)
Parents and caregivers interested in applying children for the 2026–2027 school year are required to tour Beauvoir unless they have already toured the School during a previous admissions season or already have a child at the School. You may register for and attend a tour prior to submitting an application. Tours are offered on select weekday mornings from mid-September through December. Please register for a tour online at beauvoirschool.org/admissions
SCAN HERE
to learn more about our admissions process and register for a tour online at beauvoirschool.org/ admissions.
(Optional)
The Admissions Team respects and honors the importance of connecting with you about your child(ren) and family, and these meetings provide you with the opportunity to do so! Beginning in September, meetings are offered both virtually and in-person and may be scheduled prior to submitting an application. Meetings are limited and we encourage you to register early to ensure availability. All meetings must be scheduled by the application deadline of January 2, 2026. Register at beauvoirschool.org/admissions
(Optional)
The various admissions opportunities offered will explore the dynamic teaching and learning that occurs each and every day throughout Beauvoir. You will have the chance to hear more about Beauvoir’s philosophy and program directly from faculty, administrators, and members of our community. Please explore the options and register online at beauvoirschool.org/admissions
Due January 2, 2026
Apply online through Ravenna, our online application portal, at beauvoirschool.org/ admissions. An application is required for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten applicants in order for you to register your child for their visit. There is a non-refundable $70 application fee. Need-based application fee waivers are available. Please contact Margaret Hartigan, margaret.hartigan@ bvrschool.org for more information
Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten
Children will visit Beauvoir in small groups with other pre-kindergarten or kindergarten applicants. Beauvoir embraces and celebrates each child’s unique qualities, so whether your child is soft-spoken or teeming with news to share, please know that we will joyfully focus on making them feel at home during our time together! Our goal is to make this a childfriendly visit.
Group visits occur on select dates from midNovember through January. An application is required in order for you to register your child for their visit. Registration for applicant visits will open in Ravenna this fall. The Admissions Team will notify families with a profile in Ravenna when registration opens. We are unable to offer tours during the group visits.
We welcome first through third grade applicants and encourage families interested in these grades to apply! Once all required documents are received, and should an appropriate opening become available, the Admissions Office will contact families to schedule a visit. Please note that not every first through third grade applicant will be scheduled for a visit, as openings may be limited.
(Required) Due January 2, 2026
One teacher recommendation from the 2025–2026 school year is required for each applicant (pre-kindergarten through third grade). We recommend that you wait until November to submit the form to your child’s teacher via Ravenna in order to allow them time to get to know your child. Completed forms are due to Beauvoir by January 2, 2026. Forms should be submitted directly by the teacher via Ravenna or by email to bvradmissions@ bvrschool.org
Due January 9, 2026
A copy of your child’s 2025–2026 mid-year report card or progress note is required and should be sent directly from the current school to bvradmissions@bvrschool.org
We understand they may not be available from all schools. If your child’s school does not provide a mid-year report card or progress note, please reach out to us at bvradmissions@bvrschool.org
(Required for third grade applicants only)
Due January 2, 2026
The WISC-V evaluation is required for third grade applicants only. Parents schedule an appointment with an evaluator of their choice. Results should be sent directly from the evaluator to bvradmissions@bvrschool.org. If this presents a challenge for any reason, please contact a member of the Admissions Team. We look forward to partnering with you.
An evaluation is neither required nor accepted for pre-kindergarten through second grade applicants.
We are thrilled to welcome out-of-town applications! It has been wonderful to welcome families who are new to the area.
Whenever possible, we prefer that children who are applying for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten join our regularly scheduled group visits. Please see the “Applicant Visit” section for more information about visit registration. If joining one of these visits is not possible, please reach out to the Admissions Team at bvradmissions@bvrschool.org. For first through third grade applicants, once all required documents are received, and should an appropriate opening become available, the Admissions Team will be in touch to provide further details about the process. We understand that your questions may be unique to your circumstances, so please reach out to us at any time.
Beauvoir welcomes families to apply for financial aid and is committed to making a Beauvoir education accessible to families from a wide variety of economic backgrounds. Admissions decisions are made without regard to whether a family has applied for financial aid. Financial aid applications are confidential and are only viewed by the Financial Aid Committee.
Beginning on October 1, 2025, families can apply online at clarityapp.com. The application and all preliminary required documents are due by January 2, 2026.
For more information and deadlines, please go to the Tuition and Financial Aid portion of Beauvoir’s website, which can be found at beauvoirschool.org/financial-aid
Beauvoir considers the income and assets of any adult who plays a significant financial role in a student’s life. Therefore, financial information will be required of all adults involved financially in the applicant’s life including, but not limited to, stepparents if remarried, and both parents if separated or divorced.
Financial aid grants will be sent to newly accepted families on February 27, 2026. Grants are subject to change upon submission and further review of 2025 tax documents and any new information that adjusts a family’s financial picture.
Who can apply for financial aid?
Anyone may apply for financial aid and the School encourages families to submit an application if they feel they may not be able to afford Beauvoir. Funds are allocated on the basis of need as determined by Beauvoir and Clarity.
Will my application for financial aid affect my child’s chances for admission?
No. Admissions decisions are made independently of financial aid decisions. Financial aid applications are confidential and are only viewed by the Financial Aid Committee.
What factors does the Financial Aid Committee consider when making financial decisions?
Supported by the Clarity software, the Financial Aid Committee takes into consideration a family’s income, assets, and liabilities, as well as factors, including, but not limited to, family size, living expenses, and the number of children in tuition-charging schools. As the Financial Aid Committee looks at financial aid applications, it differentiates between necessary expenses and money spent for lifestyle choices. With respect to the latter, beyond a certain point, we are unable to provide aid to offset ‘lifestyle’ expenditures that could have been directed to education.
Is financial aid available for other programs and services beyond tuition?
Yes. Families who receive financial aid for tuition are eligible for financial assistance for Early Morning Connections (EMC), Afternoon Beauvoir Connections (ABC), and Enrichment classes. In addition, there is financial support for Beauvoir-recommended testing and tutoring, as well as the Scholarship Benefit.
We only have one parent/caregiver working; does this affect our financial aid grant?
The Financial Aid Committee will factor in a full-time income for a parent/caregiver who is able, but not currently working. If one parent/caregiver is at home caring for a family member who needs full-time care, we give that careful consideration. We recognize that each case is individual.
What if I am single/separated/divorced?
Beauvoir recognizes that each family’s situation is unique and welcomes a conversation and/or additional documentation to clarify a family’s financial picture. In general, if an applicant has two parents, both custodial and non-custodial parents must complete the financial aid application and submit required documentation. The Financial Aid Committee generally expects both parents to contribute to the education of their child.
Which members of our family need to fill out an application for aid?
Beauvoir considers the income and assets of any adult who plays a significant financial role in a student’s life. Therefore a financial aid application and all necessary documents will be required of all adults involved financially in the applicant’s life, including stepparents if remarried, and both parents if separated or divorced.
Do I need to reapply for aid each year?
Yes. Grants are awarded for one year and families receiving financial aid must reapply each year if they wish to be reconsidered. Grants may be renewed only upon evidence of continuing need.
What is Beauvoir’s tuition?
Beauvoir’s tuition for the 2025–2026 school year is $44,878. This includes lunch, snack, field trips, and materials. Please go to beauvoirschool.org/financial-aid for more details.
Are there any payment plans available?
Yes, there are full, two-installment, and ten-installment payment plans available for tuition.
Clarity has an excellent customer service team, so if you need support in completing your application, please contact Clarity at support@claritytuition.com
The Admissions Team will be happy to help you during the admissions process. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at bvradmissions@bvrschool.org. We look forward to working with you!
Margaret Hartigan
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
202.537.6492 margaret.hartigan@bvrschool.org
Amy Hill
Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
202.537.5720 amy.hill@bvrschool.org
Decision notifications, contracts, and financial aid grants will be communicated to prospective parents/caregivers on Friday, February 27, 2026, and contracts are due back on Friday, March 13. If vacancies occur after that time, they are filled from the waiting pool.
Application Fee
$70 Need-based fee waivers are available.
Registration Fee $1,450 Adjusted for financial aid recipients.
Tuition $44,878
This includes lunch, snack, field trips, and materials. Full, two-installment, and ten-installment payment plans are available for tuition.
Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School does not discriminate based on age, color, creed, disability, gender, national origin or ancestry, race, religion, sexual orientation, or medical condition.
All steps are required unless designated as optional. For more information, please visit beauvoirschool.org or scan below.
Parent/Caregiver Tour
Weekdays from mid-September through December.
Parent/Caregiver Meeting (Optional)
Weekdays beginning in September. Appointments are limited and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Must register by Friday, January 2, 2026.
Events and Information Sessions (Optional)
Opportunities available from mid-September through December.
Application
The application and a non-refundable fee of $70 are due by Friday, January 2, 2026. Need-based fee waivers are available.
Applicant Visits
Registration is available mid-fall for those who have submitted an application.
Teacher Recommendation Form
Please submit the form to your child’s current teacher in November or early December. Due by Friday, January 2, 2026.
Mid-Year 2025–2026 Report Card
Due by Friday, January 9, 2026.
Financial Aid Forms (Optional)
Application and 2024 documents are due by Friday, January 2, 2026. More information about the financial aid application process and other deadlines can be found at beauvoirschool.org/financial-aid
SCAN HERE
to learn more about our admissions process and register for a tour online at beauvoirschool.org/ admissions.
THROUGH THIRD GRADE APPLICANTS
Parent/Caregiver Tour
Weekdays from mid-September through December.
Parent/Caregiver Meeting (Optional)
Weekdays beginning in September. Appointments are limited and scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Must register by Friday, January 2, 2026.
Events and Information Sessions (Optional)
Opportunities available from mid-September through December.
Application
The application and a non-refundable fee of $70 are due by Friday, January 2, 2026. Need-based fee waivers are available.
Applicant Visits (Dependent on Appropriate Openings)
Once all required documents are received, and should an appropriate opening become available, the Admissions Office will contact families to schedule a visit.
WISC-V Evaluation: Third Grade Only
WISC-V test results due by Friday, January 2, 2026.
Teacher Recommendation Form
Please submit the form to your child’s current teacher in November or early December. Due by Friday, January 2, 2026.
Mid-Year 2025–2026 Report Card
Due by Friday, January 9, 2026.
Financial Aid Forms (Optional)
Application and 2024 documents are due by Friday, January 2, 2026. More information about the financial aid application process and other deadlines can be found at beauvoirschool.org/financial-aid
