A Guide to the Beauvoir Experience and Applying for the 2025–2026 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. As citizens of the world, 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, parents, 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 activities that actively engage them in creating and building relationships with others to benefit their city, their country, and the world.
Students have the opportunity to be challenged, to pace themselves, and to excel in ways that fit their own unique development.
Due to our keen focus on young children and our understanding of how they learn best, Beauvoir is committed to employing 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 often leading conferences focused on literacy, diversity, math, technology, and more.
Faculty members include grade-level heads; classroom teachers; specialists; learning resource teachers; a chaplain; a guidance counselor; a Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; and a nurse.
Beauvoir intentionally recruits faculty and staff of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our commitment to hiring culturally competent educators and personnel is aligned with our mission.
Beauvoir is committed to enrolling children from a wide variety of family structures and ethnic, racial, cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds.
The DEIB Curriculum Committee, comprised of faculty and staff, leads and creates opportunities for conversations surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Through book studies, affinity groups, speakers, and professional development, the committee fosters ongoing engagement with important DEIB work and continues to develop and refine our DEIB curriculum, designed specifically for young children.
Kaleidoscope, a parent-led initiative, affirms and supports the Beauvoir community in conversations related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Kaleidoscope organizes and plans school-wide events that feature guest speakers and provide opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect.
Beauvoir participates in outreach at the Black Student Fund and Latino Student Fund Fair, the Mocha Moms Fair, and the Rainbow Families DC Fair.
Faculty and staff attend various conferences and workshops focused on DEIB, including the annual National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) People of Color Conference and Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) among others.
All new faculty and staff engage in DEIB work, led by the Director of DEIB as part of the onboarding process.
As a multi-cultural community, many languages and religions are represented and valued in our school.
Through our steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, you will find a unique community founded on mutual understanding, where different perspectives are essential, respected, and deeply valued.
Beauvoir parents and caregivers are an integral part of our diverse and inclusive community through their involvement in the life of the School each and every day. We value their contributions, whether reading in a classroom, sharing family traditions, or volunteering as a room helper, as they make lifelong friendships with one another.
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.
There are ample opportunities for parents and caregivers to deepen their understanding of early childhood development through events, seminars, and coffees during the school year.
Family members, grandparents, and caregivers of Beauvoir students are engaged, welcomed, and celebrated as important members of the School community.
Alumni remain actively involved at Beauvoir long after they graduate, returning regularly for reunions, supporting the School, and enhancing the Beauvoir community.
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. We invite you to experience the Beauvoir Children’s Garden, Olmsted Woods, and the Bishop’s Garden, places in which our students explore and learn.
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.
All students participate in monthly chapels that recognize all faiths. Once a year, our chapel features faith leaders from DC, across the country, and around the world. 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.
“Whatever you’re doing, you’re learning things in a fun way.”
Beauvoir’s outdoor play space 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 outdoor play space is open to the community on the weekends.
• 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.
• 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.
• Beauvoir educators are inspired by the unique potential of every child and committed to partnering with families. Educators provide students with expert, differentiated learning experiences. To support the wide range of learning needs of all 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.
• Students in the pre-kindergarten through third grade engage in dynamic co-curricular special course offerings including 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.
• 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, Europe, or North America. This hands-on, inquirybased 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 classes are also offered until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and cover a breadth of classes including Cooking, Ooey Gooey Science, Soccer, Green House Gardeners, Chess, LEGO® Mania, Hot Wheels, and more! Financial aid for after-school programs is available.
In partnership with a full-time Outplacement Team of administrators, 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 is committed to enrolling children in pre-kindergarten through third grade from a wide variety of family structures and ethnic, racial, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The School admits about 60 children to pre-kindergarten and 25 children to kindergarten each year. We welcome first, second, and third grade applicants, and children are admitted to those grades when an appropriate opening occurs. We hope the chart below helps to identify which grade to consider for your child.
Applicants: Age: By:
Pre-Kindergarten 4 years old August 31, 2025
Kindergarten 5 years old August 31, 2025
First Grade 6 years old August 31, 2025
Second Grade 7 years old August 31, 2025
Third Grade 8 years old August 31, 2025
(Required)
Parents and caregivers interested in applying children for the 2025–2026 school year are required to tour Beauvoir unless they have already toured the School during a previous admissions season or for a sibling. Tours are offered on select weekday mornings from mid-September through December and last approximately 75 minutes. Please register for a tour online at beauvoirschool.org/admissions
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! This is your time to share about your child or family and to ask your questions. Meetings are offered both virtually and in-person to better accommodate busy schedules. Meetings are limited and are available beginning in September. We encourage you to register in a timely manner at beauvoirschool.org/admissions All meetings must be scheduled by the application deadline of January 3, 2025.
(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 3, 2025
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 with six to seven other applicants similar in age and grade. 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 from mid-November through January. An application is required for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten applicants in order for you to self-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 3, 2025
One teacher recommendation from the 2024–2025 school year is required for each applicant (pre-kindergarten through third grade). Beauvoir values the observations and thoughtful impressions from your child’s teacher. Please submit the form to your child’s teacher via Ravenna after November 10, 2024, to allow teachers the opportunity to get to know your child. Completed forms are due to Beauvoir by January 3, 2025. Forms should be submitted directly by the teacher via Ravenna or by email to Charlotte Lin at charlotte.lin@bvrschool.org
Due January 17, 2025
A copy of your child’s most recent report card from the 2024–2025 school year is required and should be sent directly from the current school to Charlotte Lin, charlotte.lin@bvrschool.org. For pre-kindergarten and kindergarten applicants, please have your child’s school send their most recent report card if applicable. We understand they may not be available from all schools. Please contact charlotte.lin@bvrschool.org if that is the case.
(Required for third grade applicants only)
Due January 3, 2025
The WISC-V evaluation is required for third grade applicants only. If this presents a challenge for any reason, please contact a member of the Admissions Team. We look forward to partnering with you.
Parents schedule an appointment with an evaluator of their choice. Results should be sent directly from the evaluator to charlotte.lin@bvrschool.org
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. We look forward to partnering with you to accommodate your schedule.
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 self-registration. The Admissions Team can also offer a virtual option, and we hope this flexibility helps to streamline the process for you. 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.
To help determine a fair award, Beauvoir relies on the expertise of Clarity, our online financial aid platform. Beauvoir uses the Clarity calculation as a guide in determining a family’s contribution.
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 in the applicant’s life including, but not limited to, stepparents if remarried, and both parents if separated or divorced.
Beginning on October 1, 2024, families can apply online at clarityapp.com. The application and all preliminary required documents are due by January 17, 2025. 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
Financial aid grants will be sent to newly accepted families on March 7, 2025. Grants are subject to change upon submission and further review of 2024 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?
The Financial Aid Committee considers the recommendation by Clarity. Clarity uses a formula to calculate how much a family can contribute to their child’s independent school education. It 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 taking care of a pre-school aged child or an elderly parent, we give that careful consideration. We recognize that each case is individual.
What if I am a single parent/caregiver?
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 who are living separately, both custodial and non-custodial parents must complete the financial aid application and submit required documentation. The Financial Aid Committee 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 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 2024–2025 school year is $43,571. 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. We look forward to working with you!
Margaret Hartigan
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid
202.537.6492
margaret.hartigan@bvrschool.org
Charlotte Lin
Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid 202.537.6493
charlotte.lin@bvrschool.org
Amy Hill
Assistant Director of Admissions
202.537.5720 amy.hill@bvrschool.org
Salma Agha
Assistant Director of Admissions
202.537.5274
salma.agha@bvrschool.org
Decision notifications, contracts, and financial aid grants will be communicated to prospective parents/caregivers on Friday, March 7, 2025, and contracts are due back on Friday, March 21. If vacancies occur after that time, they are filled from the waiting list.
Application Fee $70
Need-based fee waivers are available.
Registration Fee $1,250
Adjusted for financial aid recipients.
Tuition $43,571
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.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN
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 3, 2025.
Receptions and Information Sessions (Optional)
Explore opportunities and register via Ravenna.
Application
Please apply online at beauvoirschool.org/admissions
The application and a non-refundable fee of $70 are due by Friday, January 3, 2025. Need-based fee waivers are available.
Photo
Please upload a photo to your child’s Ravenna student profile by Friday, January 3, 2025.
Applicant Visits
Self-registration is available mid-fall for those who have submitted an application.
Teacher Recommendation Form
You may submit the form to your child’s current teacher after November 10, 2024. Due by Friday, January 3, 2025.
Most Recent 2024–2025 School Report Card (if applicable)
Due by Friday, January 17, 2025.
Financial Aid Forms (Optional)
Application and 2023 documents are due by Friday, January 17, 2025. More information about the financial aid application process and other deadlines can be found at beauvoirschool.org/financial-aid
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 3, 2025.
Receptions and Information Sessions (Optional)
Explore opportunities and register via Ravenna.
Application
Please apply online at beauvoirschool.org/admissions
The application and a non-refundable fee of $70 are due by Friday, January 3, 2025. Need-based fee waivers are available.
Photo
Please upload a photo to your child’s Ravenna student profile by Friday, January 3, 2025.
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.
Applicant Evaluation: Third Grade Only
WISC-V test results due by Friday, January 3, 2025.
Teacher Recommendation Form
You may submit the form to your child’s current teacher after November 10, 2024. Due by Friday, January 3, 2025.
Most Recent 2024–2025 School Report Card
Due by Friday, January 17, 2025.
Financial Aid Forms (Optional)
to learn more about our admissions process and register for a tour online at beauvoirschool.org/ admissions.
Application and 2023 documents are due by Friday, January 17, 2025. More information about the financial aid application process and other deadlines can be found at beauvoirschool.org/financial-aid
