TCS Basics
Ages Served
We have three classes:
- Bluebirds (2 and 3 year-olds),
- Stars (3 and 4 year-olds), and
- Rainbows (4 and 5 year-olds)
Bluebirds must be 2 years of age, Stars are 3 years of age, and Rainbows are 4 years of age, on September 1st of the year they begin at TCS
Student-Teacher Ratios
- Bluebirds (2 & 3 year-olds): 1:4 ratio. Daily attendance of 12 children with 5 teachers
- Stars (3 & 4 year-olds): 1:8 ratio. Daily attendance of 16 children with 4 teachers
- Rainbows (4 & 5 year-olds): 1:10 ratio. Daily attendance of 20 children with 4 teachers
Hours and Schedule Options
TCS is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Enrollment options for the 2023-2024 school year include full-time (5 days per week) and a few part-time enrollment slots (3 or 4 days per week) for the youngest children. None of the classrooms offer half days.
Tuition is paid monthly and varies based on the class and whether the child is enrolled full-time or part-time. Tuition for 2025-2026 is:
- Bluebirds: $2,486 (5 days per week); $2,161 (4 days per week); $1,825 (3 days per week)
- Stars: $2,376 (5 days per week); no children enrolled part-time
- Rainbows: $2,231 (5 days per week); no children enrolled part-time
Tuition typically increases each year by approximately 4%. TCS does not offer a sibling discount.
Visit & Take a Tour
Open House Events
Come learn more about Takoma Children’s School! Attend one of our upcoming open houses:
- In-person at TCS: Tuesday, January 14th, 10-11 am
- Virtual Open House: Wednesday, January 15th, 8-9 pm
Tour Dates
Can’t make it to an open house? Schedule a tour on one of the following dates:
Tours are one hour and led by our Executive Director. You’ll learn about our school’s philosophy and see the spaces where children play. Click here to schedule a tour.
Parent Participation
Typically, TCS welcomes and encourages the participation of families, as seeing a link between home and school is an important part of a young child’s education. While there is no volunteer requirement for the families of children at TCS, we do rely on families for chaperoning field trips, administering our fundraising events, especially the annual auction, and serving on the Board of Directors, which oversees the Executive Director who manages the school. Other opportunities for participation include participating in class activities and coming in to share a skill or knowledge with your child’s classroom, and once/twice a year helping at Family Workday to tackle some new projects.