COGNIA and COGNIA STEM
Since April 2015, Golden Pond School has earned the distinction of accreditation by Cognia by completing an extended process of preparations and hosting an external review team. In 2024, Golden Pond School proudly earned the additional STEM accreditation by Cognia by demonstrating the extensive science, technology, engineering and math curriculum. Cognia offers accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and improvement services to institutions and other education providers.
MIDDLE STATES ASSOCIATION EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM OF DISTINCTION
Golden Pond School proudly earned the Middle States Association Early Childhood Program of Distinction (MSA CESS) accreditation. The accreditation recognizes a school’s dedication to early childhood education through a rich, child-centered philosophy and best practices focusing on exploration, questioning, creativity and social-emotional development as well as literacy and numeracy. To earn and maintain accreditation, Golden Pond School must consistently show high level quality and exhibit the characteristics essential to serving as a high quality exemplar program. The expectations for earning recognition as a MSA Program of Distinction are very high and only a small percentage of programs are eligible to receive the award.
VIRGINIA COUNCIL FOR PRIVATE EDUCATION (VCPE)
As a VCPE recognized school, the Golden Pond School Kindergarten program is accepted in the Virginia public school system. VCPE facilitates a statewide framework for communication and cooperation among private schools, their public school counterparts, state and local governments, and other agencies and organizations.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA MAGAZINE BEST PRESCHOOL
The Northern Virginia Magazine online reader poll determines the Best Preschools list. Readers with direct knowledge of the preschool who had enrolled a child at the school within the last three years are eligible to vote once.