About Our School
Dolley Madison Preschool, founded in 1976 by Anne Schwartz, is a non-profit, non-sectarian preschool located on the grounds of Immanuel Presbyterian Church. We offer education and enrichment programs for children ages 2½ to 5 years old. In addition, we offer specialized speech-language therapy to children who require support. Our inclusive preschool program allows our staff speech-language therapists to work collaboratively with teachers to support our children with speech and language challenges. This ensures a rewarding and successful learning experience for all children.
Philosophy & History
Our Philosophy
To provide a challenging environment that nurtures self-esteem and independence, fosters friendships, and encourages each child’s unique abilities.
Our History
Dolley Madison Preschool and the Speech & Language Center of Northern Virginia share a unique history that spans over fifty years.
1969: Immanuel Presbyterian Church is given trust money to be used in the selection and establishment of a needed community service. The decision was made to open a training facility for preschool children with minimal language delays.
1970: The Speech and Language Center opens its doors.
1974: The Speech and Language Center is formally incorporated as the Speech and Language Center of Northern Virginia (SLCNV).
1976: Dolley Madison Preschool opens its doors.
1983: SLCNV and Immanuel Presbyterian Church move into a formal business relationship as tenant-landlord.
Present: Dolley Madison Preschool and Speech and Language Services continue working together to grow and nurture young minds.
A Message From Our Directors
An important mission of Dolley Madison Preschool is for our staff and parents to work together to foster friendships, self-confidence, love of learning, and kindness in our young children. As co-directors, we work together to create a cohesive program to support all children attending Dolley Madison. The directors, teachers, assistant teachers, and therapists truly love teaching and helping little minds and hearts explore, expand, and become ready to enter elementary school.
We accept children with varied strengths and weaknesses and offer support services to children who need them. The children are wonderful peer models for each other – they teach and learn from each other about different learning styles and about being kind. We are committed to working with our staff and families to support this mission.
-Gabriela Moran and Sue Lyons, Co-Directors
Our Directors
Gaby Moran
Sue Lyons
Our wonderful staff, led by co-directors Gabriela Moran and Sue Lyons, are caring individuals who genuinely enjoy children and are dedicated to nurturing each child’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical needs. We are proud to say that our staff collectively has over 150 years of teaching experience. Many of our teachers have degrees in Early Childhood Education and/or Human Growth and Development. Adding to the community feel of our school, several of our assistant teachers are parents of former DMPS students! Our staff regularly participates in continuing education workshops and seminars and are First Aid and CPR certified.
Staff Roster
Amber Winter
Assistant Teacher
Ana Al-Atrash
Music / Art Teacher
Angela Wood
Assistant Teacher
Ayesha Mohsin
Assistant Teacher
Barbara Frank
Assistant Teacher
Emily Navarro
Lead Teacher
Frogs
Gabriela Moran
Director, Lead Teacher
Fish
Gauri Rana
Assistant Teacher
Gen Herlen-Patulot
Assistant Teacher
June Lee
Assistant Teacher
Karen Mattheis
Assistant Teacher
Luz Janada
Assistant Teacher
Maeva Del Campo
Lead Teacher
Owls
Peggy Vans
Substitute Teacher
Mary Anglo
Lead Teacher
Butterflies and Honeybees
Michelle Fitzgerald
Assistant Teacher
Michelle Yoon
Lead Teacher
Bunnies
Neha Chauhan
Assistant Teacher
Pamela Rojas
Assistant Teacher
Sara Saadee
Assistant Teacher
Sue Lyons
Director, Speech Pathologist
Tina Bell
Speech Pathologist
Simin Fathollahi
Lead Teacher
Owls
Shannon Collier
Assistant Teacher
Usha Kanojia
Assistant Teacher
Board of Directors
Dolley Madison Preschool’s parent Board of Directors plan community events, including parent coffees, school-wide playdates, and our popular annual Breakfast with Santa. The Board also oversees school fundraising, including our annual spring auction, and advises the school’s co-directors as needed.
New Board applications are accepted at the beginning of each school year.
2023–2024 Board of Directors
Aaron Harison, Interim President
Brynn O'Reilly, Vice President
Carolina Ali, Secretary
Jessica Wu, Room Parent Coordinator
Megan Smith
Naz Sedehi
Alex Riley
Shana Finkel
Lauren Rodgers
Elise Passamani
Brooke Spencer
Linda Fadlala
Admissions
School visits are an excellent opportunity to see our beautiful facility, meet staff, observe our classrooms in action, and ask questions. We encourage all parents to schedule a tour with their prospective student(s). To schedule a visit, please contact our office at (703) 356-1351 or request a tour below.
The application process for current students, siblings, Immanuel Presbyterian Church members, and in-class speech and language students begins in January for the next school year. Applications are considered by the date they were requested.
Children currently receiving speech and language therapy services are accepted into the program in one of the speech/language support slots reserved in each class. Please submit current professional reports with the application. A meeting with your child will be conducted with Sue Lyons, the Director of Speech and Language Services, prior to admittance.
Families will be notified (by phone or mail) upon acceptance. Once placement is offered and accepted, a non-refundable $150 registration fee per family is required.
To submit an application, download the application form below or call us at (703) 356-1351.
Tuition
Tuition is calculated on a nine-month basis. It may be paid in full in September or in nine monthly installments due on the first of each month.
2024 – 2025 Monthly Tuition Rates
For preschool classes only and for classes with Speech-Language Therapy twice per week.
| Class | Preschool | With S/L Therapy 2x/week |
| Butterflies: T/Th mornings | $475 | $975 |
| Honeybees: M/W/F mornings | $585 | $1,085 |
| Bunnies/Fish | $785 | $1,285 |
| Frogs | $1,250 | $1,750 |
| Owls | $1,300 | $1,800 |
Financial Aid
Financial Aid funds are generously donated annually by Immanuel Presbyterian Church to help families who require assistance to pay for Speech-Language therapy services while attending Dolley Madison’s preschool program. A full or partial assistance package may be granted by a confidential Board Scholarship Committee based on financial need and available funds. If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please contact the office for an application.
Forms
Coming soon!