We all want the absolute best for our kids. There is no question about that. Sometimes however, we can get lost and tangled up in the heap of “child friendly” businesses out there. Choosing between all that’s out there can be both discouraging and worrying. Fear not, Mom & Dad, I AM Modern's got you covered. We've listed your favorite Metro D.C. kid friendly spots in our "Best In Kids" category.
BEST PRIVATE SCHOOL: PK-8TH BEST KINDERGARTEN
LOUDOUN COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
20600 Red Cedar Drive
Leesburg, VA 20175
703.777.3841
www.lcds.org
Loudoun Country Day School was voted, "Best Private PK-8th Grade School," by I AM Modern readers for the second year in a row. LCDS, as the school is known, is a standout, parents say, because the independent nonprofit provides students with a 'well rounded' education.
BEST SWIM SCHOOL
POTOMAC SWIM SCHOOL
21730 Red Rum Drive #107
Ashburn, VA 20147
703.726.2500
www.Potomacswimschool.Com
For the second year in a row, I Am Modern readers have voted Potomac Swim School as the Best Swim School in the magazine’s annual Best of the DC Suburbs survey.
BEST MARTIAL ARTS/CAMP
TOPKICK BEST MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO
Locations In Purceville, Kings Park, South Riding, Potomac Falls, Broadlands, And Belmont Greene
www.Topkickonline.Com
Have you been seeking a fun and unique way to stay in shape and keep your family healthy? With studies recently projecting that 42% of Americans could be affected by obesity by the year 2030, John Cassidy has created a stimulating environment for all ages to get active, while learning valuable skills.
BEST PRESCHOOL
GOLDEN POND
43940 Farmwell Hunt Plaza
Ashburn 703.723.7663
goldenpondschool.com
Golden Pond serves children from the early age of two through 1st grade−where they can most benefit from a nurturing yet stimulating and fun environment. Their age-appropriate developmental programs are geared toward an atmosphere of joyful learning, thus setting in motion a positive attitude towards learning which will carry them confidently through their learning years.
BEST PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL
BISHOP O’CONNELL HIGH SCHOOL
6600 Little Falls Rd.
Arlington 703.237.1400
bishopoconnell.org
For more than 50 years, Bishop O’Connell has faithfully served the Northern Virginia community and greater Washington area by providing a first-rate Catholic education to young men and women in grades nine through twelve. Founded in 1957 by six local parishes, Bishop O’Connell serves students from more than 80 different schools and parishes throughout the Washington metropolitan area.
BEST DANCE SCHOOL
ASHBURN ACADEMY OF DANCE
21690 Red Rum Dr., Ste. 172–177
Ashburn 703.723.8089
ashburnballet.com
A famous author once said, “The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music. Bodies never lie.” The Ashburn Academy of Dance believes dance originated as an art form, and when many dance schools compete for trophies and “places,” it then becomes a sport. At Ashburn Academy of Dance, dancers are equipped with the technique and knowledge to continue their study of dance at a higher educational level. Their recitals focus on performance rather than competition, and reflect what the students have learned throughout the year.
BEST KID’S GYM
JUMPING JACK SPORTS
44710 Cape Court, Ste. 128
Ashburn 703.858.9901
jumpingjacksports.com
Time to get those kids moving! At Jumping Jacks Sports, they can race through their 70 foot inflatable obstacle course, traverse the Rockwall, climb on the Cargo Net and work up a sweat in the XRKade! They offer summer camps, kids afternoon out, and even programs for adults where you can compete against each other, or another family, as you rotate through stations guaranteed to get your heart rate up. Who said fun is just for kids?
BEST PARK FOR KIDS
BURKE LAKE PARK
7315 Ox Road,
Fairfax Station
fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelakepark
Burke Lake Park surrounds one of the area’s most beautiful lakes and is a great place to teach your kids the pleasures of the outdoors. With newly renovated playgrounds, a classic carousel, ice cream parlor, numerous nature trails, and boats that you can rent by the day or by the hour, Burke Lake Park is the perfect place to take your whole family for a great day of outdoor activities.
BEST KID’S BARBER
ECLIPS KIDS
42395 Ryan Rd,
Ashburn 703.327.9408
eclipshair.com
Kids aren’t always the most reasonable clients at hair salons. They fidget, have a tendency towards spontaneous fits of crying, may not want to be touched at that moment. A hair salon specifically catered to kids is a godsend, and no one does it better than Eclips Kids in Ashburn. So next time your little one starts looking a bit shabby, take them to the pros at Eclips Kids.
BEST YEAR-ROUND SWIM TEAMS/LEAGUES
NORTHERN VIRGINIA SWIMMING LEAGUE
Various locations (see website)
Ashburn 703.723.1146
nvsl.nvblu.com
Pick a pool…any pool, and you’ll probably find The Northern Virginia Swimming League. Founded in 1956, they sponsor competitive swimming and diving among community pools in the area contiguous to the District of Columbia. True to their mission, they provide “a love for the sport, advanced aquatic skills, teamwork and the principles of good sportsmanship.” Just visit their website for an easy-to-read map showing the locations of all NVSL pools.
BEST MONTESSORI
BOYD SCHOOL
42945 Waxpool Rd.
Ashburn 703.723.3364
theboydschool.com
The Boyd School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools−AdvancED, the American Montessori Society, and recognized by the Virginia Council of Private Education. It's one of two schools in the entire Commonwealth of Virginia to achieve this prestigious honor. Their accreditation is based on a set of rigorous protocols and research-based processes that evaluate an institution's effectiveness and adherence to a set of educational standards as well as a school's abfuility to effectively drive student performance and strive for continuous educational improvement.They have three campuses in Loudoun (Aldie, Broadlands, & Cascades) and four campuses in Fairfax (Fairfax, Herndon, Reston, & Chantilly). Their Aldie campus is the first school in the Washington, D.C. Metro area − and one of the first in the nation − to participate in a new Google Photography program that allows people to take a virtual tour of the school and "walk through" the classroom learning environments
BEST BIRTHDAY PLACES
JUMPING JACK SPORTS
44710 Cape Court, Ste. 128
Ashburn 703.858.9901
jumpingjacksports.com
Birthday parties made easy. At Jumping Jack Sports, kids can enjoy hours of action-packed excitement: obstacle courses, inflatable sports arenas, plasma cars…this ain’t your father’s moon bounce! Older kids can play games like Dodge ball and Tug-of-War, and a variety of packages and prices can be found on their website. For mom and dad, it’s a cakewalk!
BEST PEDIATRICS
LOUDOUN PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES
19500 Sandridge Way, Ste. 110
Leesburg 703.723.7337
loudounpeds.com
With offices in Lansdowne, Purcellville and Berryville, Loudoun Pediatrics offers many convenient locations. In addition to excellent medical care, they provide those little extras that moms (and dads) sometimes need: monthly support groups where you can meet with other parents; breast feeding services; and an Advice Nurse on staff to help you with developmental concerns, prescriptions and a variety of other issues. Urgent hours are 24/7 and just a phone call away.
BEST PEDIATRIC DENTISTS
ASHBURN CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY
44025 Pipeline Plaza, Unit 1-225
Ashburn 703.723.8440
kidzsmile.com
Look ma, no cavities! Ashburn Children’s Dentistry knows what parents want to hear. Their Great Kids No Cavity Club provides positive reinforcement to kids who take good care of their teeth. In addition to providing superior individual care, they are also active in the community. They recently participated in Dentistry from the Heart, providing 140 local children with free dental services. Check out their Referral Rewards Program, which offers rewards for new referrals.
BEST PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTISTS
NOVA PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY & ORTHODONTICS
21785 Filigree Court, Ste. 208
Ashburn 703.729.7005
momstouchdentistry.com
Nova specializes in treating infants, children, teenagers, and special needs patients. If your child is anxious about dentistry, medically compromised or faces developmental challenges, Nova is the perfect choice for dental care. They understand your own anxiety as a parent and focus on being clear in their communications regarding treatment, finances and education. And their website provides a variety of resources, answers to frequently asked questions and useful videos.
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