Mission
To educate the whole child in a developmentally appropriate manner with brain-based methods through an integrated curriculum.Curriculum
The Golden Pond Way combines experienced teachers and proven research-driven teaching techniques with a joyful, child-centered environment that produces magical results in terms of early readers, higher level thinkers and exceptional VA PALs scores.Accredited
As a leader in early childhood education, GPS proudly earned and maintains accreditation from Cognia, Cognia STEM, Middle States Association Early Childhood Program of Distinction (MSA CESS) and the Virginia Council for Private Education (VCPE).
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Discover the Golden Pond School Difference
🌟 Congratulations to Our Teacher of the Year, Melissa Ficarra! 🌟
At Golden Pond School, we are proud to recognize Melissa Ficarra as our 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!
Melissa exemplifies everything that makes The Golden Pond Way so special. Her classroom is a place where children feel safe, valued, challenged, and inspired to learn. Through her dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to each child, she creates meaningful learning experiences that nurture both academic growth and social-emotional development.
Melissa consistently goes above and beyond in her role. She approaches each day with professionalism, positivity, and a genuine passion for early childhood education. Her strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues reflect her belief that learning flourishes when built on trust, respect, and connection.
What truly sets Melissa apart is her commitment to continuous growth. She embraces feedback, seeks opportunities to refine her practice, and serves as a model of lifelong learning for both her students and fellow educators. Her leadership, collaboration, and willingness to support others have made a lasting impact throughout our school community.
Melissa’s work embodies our mission of fostering curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning in every child. We are incredibly grateful for the care, expertise, and heart she brings to Golden Pond each day.
Please join us in congratulating Melissa Ficarra on this well-deserved honor! 🎉💙💛
It is pure joy to see alumni milestone moments. These two Broad Run High School graduates have been buddies since their preschool days. Gage is off to VA Tech to study engineering and Emmett is heading to UVA to study statistics and data science. We are so proud! Congratulations boys! 👏
The last day of school is better with popsicles! 😎
When learning about the five senses, our 🐝 classroom had a special GLOW DAY, where they mixed paint on the light table and drew a picture that was transferred to paper. They also used their feet to create a gigantic bee to decorate for their fly-up celebration!
The 🐸 Fours classroom loved their recent 🦋 unit of study! Engaging activities supporting math, science and reading culminated with a butterfly release!
The 🦒 classroom is flying up today and we are beaming with pride. It was a beautiful celebration on the playground with friends and family and gorgeous weather. It has been a honor to teach your children and be part of their first educational experience. Thank you!
🌻Thank you to the Ashburn Library who hosted us today for a hands-on, Planting a Love of Learning event where families learned about developmental milestones.
We sang, we danced, we created, we explored - we had fun! Mrs. Foster, Music Specialist, and Mrs. Copps, Preschool Lead Teacher, taught our new friends how to support development of preschool children though creative and engaging activities.
@loudouncountypubliclibrary
It was perfect weather this week for the Junior Kindergarten Tigers and Bears birdwatching field trip. They found mallard ducks, Canadian geese, red winged blackbirds, morning doves, blue heron and lots of goose feathers! 🦆🪶
Last chance to register for the First Look Friday group tour TOMORROW, Fri., May 29, 10 - 11am!
2026-27 Enrollment and 2026 Summer Camp is now available.
Learn more and RSVP at goldenpondschool.com
Field Day was so much fun we just had to share more photos. What was your child`s favorite activity? Post in the comments!
🐷 🐷 🐷 The Three Little Pigs story came to life with houses made with straw, sticks and bricks!
💦 Field Day Fun! Our students stayed cool and made memories the GPS way!
🎶 Spring Sing: The Little Red Hen took over the Riverside High School stage! Mrs. Foster, Music Specialist, created a spectacular show with child-made costumes and set designs, spanish songs and the cutest singing stars we have ever seen! Thank you for our amazing team who helped make this special evening come to life.
🐸 It was un-FROG-gettable fun at the the Kindergarten Frog Fair! Our students celebrated the grand finale of their Frog & Toad unit. We are so proud of our Robins for "leaping" into learning with such enthusiasm! 💚
Favorite stories like 📕 The Three Billy Goats Gruff came to life in the preschool Monkey classroom!
It`s whole body learning at GPS! ✨ Spanish lessons build cognitive flexibility through song and play and Movement & Music stimulates brain pathways, improving memory, attention span, and language skills. 🎶
💦 We’re making a splash with letter recognition this spring! Our preschoolers are building fine motor skills while learning letters.
🔺🔶 Need a preschooler activity? Go on a shape hunt in your house! Let`s us know what you find in the comments below. 🔵 🟨
🪱 Worm Week - yes, Worm Week - was filled with excitement, curiosity and boundless learning. Our Fours Program teachers know how to turn a unit of study into something unforgettable! 🪱
VOTE GPS!
🗳️ Best of Loudoun: Best Preschool
(vote daily until Tues., April 28)
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Show your Golden Pond School pride and vote daily! Vote for our strong community, our engaging curriculum, our loving teachers, our wonderful administration and for our students that keep us smiling. Thank you for your continued support of GPS! 🐥
➡️ Grandparents can vote too!
