The Gardner School of Ashburn
Premier Preschool with Highly Trained Teachers in Ashburn
The Gardner School of Ashburn seeks to foster your child’s growth by promoting educational opportunities and experiences that focus on creativity, collaboration, and community. Our highly-trained teachers ensure that each child is nurtured at the proper pace, providing students with the educational foundation for a bright future. In order to best serve the needs of our community, we offer educational preschool and early childhood programs for children ages 6 weeks to Pre-K.
Academically Focused Learning With a Blended Curriculum
Our blended teaching approach creates an environment for children to explore their creativity and emerging skills while growing academically, socially, and emotionally. Our blended selection of researched-based curriculums—including Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders, Learning Without Tears, along with incorporating the Reggio Emilia approach—allows each class to build upon the previous year’s learning. All of our teachers place a high priority on assessing student growth and development and partnering with parents to provide the best education and care for our students.
The Gardner School of Ashburn offers more than a traditional daycare experience. With a variety of enrichment classes, security features, and our exciting summer camp program, Camp Gardner, students will experience a rich learning environment within a beautiful learning facility. Our teachers are highly qualified and have a heart for helping young children learn and thrive.
Our school is conveniently located right off Russel Branch Parkway near Harris Teeter. As one of many locations in the northern Virginia area, we serve families in Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, and areas surrounding Loudoun County.
School Features
- Safe and secure environment
- Academically focused learning with a blended curriculum
- Real-time updates and photos through our parent communications app
- Inviting classrooms with highly qualified preschool teachers
- An open-door policy for daily check-ins
- Yearly family and community events
Academically-focused Programs
Summer at TGS
Infants
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
Enrichment Classes
Music
Ballet
Amazing Athletes
Yoga
Ashburn Campus Leadership
Marilynn Mason
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have been with TGS since October 2014 but I have been with the Ashburn location since November 2024.
Roles Served with TGS:
I have worked as a Lead Teacher, Enrichment Coordinator, Assistant Director, and now as an Executive School Director.
What is your educational background?
My Bachelor’s Degree is in Early Childhood Education.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
As a teenager, I volunteered at local preschools and daycares. I believe my passion developed during these times and I love watching students accomplish their milestones.
What makes you laugh about kids?
You can never anticipate what they may say or do!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
What I love most about working with infants through age five is how I get to witness students meeting their milestones. I love seeing them experience those “ah-ha” moments when learning new things.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day at TGS is during the morning drop- off. I am always so excited to greet everyone with a smile! It’s also great watching the students get excited to see their teachers and classmates.
What do you love most about TGS?
What I love most about TGS is the calmness you experience when you enter the building and the warm welcome you receive every time you visit.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My fondest memory of TGS so far has been my very first graduation as a Pre-K Lead Teacher. That class still and always will hold a special place in my heart.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by our students on a daily basis.
What is your passion or passions?
My passion is creating an environment for students to thrive.
How important is early childhood education?
Early Childhood Education creates the foundation of students being lifelong learners.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would express to parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time that it is completely natural to be a little hesitant. However, I would also encourage them to call us at any time if they would like to speak with the teacher to check in on their child and to also be sure they have our BrightWheel app downloaded. This helps families to really see what goes on in the classroom and creates trust between the caregiver and family once they see their child genuinely happy.
Shannon Rancourt
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have been working at the Ashburn location since August 2019.
Roles Served with TGS:
Since starting at the Ashburn location, I have worked as a lead teacher, a curriculum specialist, and most recently as the enrichment coordinator.
What is your educational background?
I have a bachelor of arts in early childhood education.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
From babysitting to volunteering, I have always loved being around children, but I never considered it as a potential job until I started working at a laboratory preschool during college. I fell in love with the students, the teachers, and the atmosphere. After that first year of working there, I switched my major and never looked back.
What makes you laugh about kids?
Almost everything makes me laugh about kids because their joy and laughter is infectious!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
What I love most about working with infants through age five is how I get to witness the wonder of them exploring new things each and every day.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day at TGS is when I get to spend time in the classrooms with the students. The interactions I have during those times are often what makes my day and always put a smile on my face.
What do you love most about TGS?
What I love most about TGS is the sense of community and the relationships between teachers and with families.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My fondest memories of TGS so far are the times when parents are invited into the classrooms. Back when I was a teacher, I had a parent come in to do a catering activity with my class. The students were so engaged, and it was so fun.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by my family and everything that I see them do and overcome.
What is your passion or passions?
I love books! My library of children’s books and my personal library has been steadily growing, and I keep finding more! There is no such thing as too many books!
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
To me, “Where Learning Begins” refers to the families and homes that the students come from.
How important is early childhood education?
Early Childhood Education is so important as it sets the stage for all further education and learning by helping these little humans become members of a community.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
To parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time, I would relate my experience of leaving my infant in the care of teachers. I would further explain our teacher communication app and take it one day at a time with them.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren't ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren't yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family,
please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.
