Our Story

In 1971, Joyce and Lance Gilbert opened their first Montessori school—The Montessori School of Cedar Lane in Fairfax County—after being trained by Miss Margaret Stephenson, a close friend, colleague, and former student of Dr. Maria Montessori herself. Rooted in authentic Montessori principles and guided by passionate educators, the school quickly flourished. With stable staffing and a rich tradition of excellence, it became a model learning environment, attracting visitors and observers from across the country.

Recognized for its high standards, the school was selected by both the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the American Montessori Society (AMS) to serve as a training site for future Montessori teachers. In 1990, Joyce and Lance expanded their vision by opening Hunter Mill Montessori School.

Their daughter, Elizabeth, and her husband, Scott, both trained through AMS, spent many years teaching in the classroom before gradually stepping into leadership roles—Elizabeth as Director of Summer Programs in 2004 and Scott as Director of Operations in 2010. Together, they launched Holly Brook Montessori School in 1999 and The Montessori School at Goose Creek Preserve in 2018.

Today, Elizabeth and Scott oversee all administrative and operational aspects of the schools. With more than two decades of shared leadership, they remain a constant, welcoming presence for families and staff, committed to carrying forward the school’s legacy of excellence in Montessori education.

When it came to choosing a preschool for my grandson, we could think of no more perfect place than the sylvan setting of Hunter Mill Montessori. At Hunter MIll Montessori, parents and grandparents alike can see students expand their horizons as they learn academics, social skills and independence. We couldn't be more pleased!

Pier Stock McGrath

Our family chose HMMS not only because it was recommended by all of our neighbors (and we have a lots of them) but once you step into the school, you can feel the warmth of the school community and its teachers. Our three sons attended HMMS and have far exceeded our expectations, socially, and educationally. 

The Woltz Family

Both of our kids went through the full program including Kindergarten and we could not have been happier with it. The kids loved school and Mrs. Cook and the rest of the teaching staff were engaged, responsive, and so clearly cared about all the kids. 

We chose [the school] nearly decade ago after touring many other local schools. We found its student/teacher ratio, cleanliness and educational program to be the best fit for our three children. As a working parent, I wanted a place where my child safe and cared for, while learning in an environment that met each of their different needs. 

Holly Brook Montessori School was an incredible experience for our son. He is ahead in math in elementary school, has great social skills, and is very respectful to his teachers. I give all of this credit to HB for helping to make him a well-rounded individual. Can't wait for our second to attend.
Dominique

We were part of the Holly Brook family for 6 years. Our boys learned so many useful skills from math, reading, independence, and public speaking that set them up for success. One of the reasons we picked the school was due to how well they welcome international families and how open they are to learn about other cultures and traditions and incorporate them into their curriculum. We highly recommend this preschool, you will not regret it. - Sara