HOPE Preschool Celebrates 20 Years in Ashburn

Ashburn’s HOPE Preschool celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year.

The school opened in 1992 with enrollment of about 60 students. Now, 20 years later, the school has ballooned to about 250 students. HOPE Director Mary Wikowitz said she knows what makes her school so special.

“Many of us live here, and we know what the community is all about,” Wikowitz said, referring to the school's faculty and staff. “HOPE also has relatively low turnover, which is rare in the education field.”

She credits the success and longevity of the school to consistent performance over the years.

“People who were here many years ago can expect the same or better from HOPE now,” she said, adding that the school is known also known for its outstanding academic rigor.

Now as the school celebrates its 20^th year, the staff members at HOPE look forward to the day a child of a former student attends the school.

Assistant Director Katie Carroll said kindergarten teachers are always impressed with the students who attended HOPE.

“We understand that everyone is different and that one method of instruction doesn’t work for everybody,” Carroll said. “Our staff is phenomenal about reaching individual needs.”

HOPE Preschool is housed in the Crossroads United Methodist Church, and in addition to standard lessons, students at HOPE participate in prayers and church service projects.

Carroll said HOPE tried to teach children through fun activities, so they don’t even realize they are learning.