Grace Episcopal Day School

What Grace Episcopal Day School does

Grace Episcopal Day School is an independent, nonprofit Episcopal day school located on an 11-acre campus at 9411 Connecticut Avenue in Kensington, Maryland. Founded in 1959 by women of Grace Episcopal Church in Silver Spring during a period of racial demographic change in Washington, DC, the school serves students from age 2 through Grade 5. Its core educational offering is a unified Preschool–Grade 5 program built on the Reggio Emilia philosophy, integrating Project-Based Learning (PBL), Harvard Project Zero thinking routines, and Design Thinking methodology. Specialized learning environments include the Wonder Studio creative space and the Super Creator Imagination Lab (SCIL) makerspace, supported by dedicated faculty including an Atelierista (art studio teacher) and a Director of Innovation. Auxiliary programs include Before & After School care with After Class Enrichment classes (Lego Mechanics, Super Soccer Stars, Chess Wizards) and a Summer Camp branded Growing Gryphons, plus a partnership with HoopEd for older campers.

The school generates revenue primarily through tuition, structured under a Variable Tuition Program that sets each family's tuition based on ability to pay rather than offering traditional financial aid packages. Secondary revenue streams include before/after care and enrichment fees, summer camp tuition, and donations channeled through the annual Gryphon Fund and Grace Give Day events. The 2021 mission statement centers on 'wonder, purpose, and belonging,' operationalized through a small-class-size model on an environmentally certified Maryland Green School campus featuring outdoor spaces, a Community Garden, and a Walking Labyrinth. Weekly chapel, service learning, and partnerships with community organizations (Manna Food Center, Shepherd's Table, Comfort Cases, Kind Works, PAL therapy dogs, Guiding Eyes for the Blind) reinforce the Episcopal identity and character-education emphasis.

Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: families engage via the school's website, Instagram (@gracegryphons), admission events (tours, open houses, virtual information sessions), the Ravenna application platform, DC-area school fairs (including the DC School HUB Fair), and word-of-mouth referrals from current families. Leadership has been stable under Head of School Jen Danish since 2016, supported by a Board of Governors, with the school currently in its 66th year of operation and actively enrolling its Class of 2026 cohort.

Name

Grace Episcopal Day School

Legal name

Grace Episcopal Day School

Website

https://geds.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Grace Episcopal Day School is an independent nonprofit Episcopal day school in Kensington, Maryland, serving students age 2 through Grade 5 on an 11-acre campus using a Reggio Emilia-inspired progressive pedagogy, Variable Tuition pricing, and direct family enrollment via the Ravenna admissions platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Elementary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (61111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Faith-Based Preschools (EDACABAF)

Keywords

• Private elementary education
• Early childhood education
• Reggio Emilia schools
• Project-based learning
• Episcopal day school

Headquarters

HQ city

Kensington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition: Primary revenue source from private school tuition for Preschool through Grade 5. School uses a Variable Tuition Program where tuition ranges based on family ability to pay, replacing traditional financial aid.
2. Before & After School Programs: Aftercare and extended day programs providing revenue, with After Class Enrichment (ACE) classes included in aftercare pricing. Additional fee-based enrichment classes including Lego Mechanics, Super Soccer Stars, Chess Wizards, and Little Scholars.
3. Summer Camp (Growing Gryphons): Summer camp programs including Growing Gryphons for ages 3-5 and HoopEd programs for older campers, generating seasonal revenue.
4. Donations (Gryphon Fund): Annual fund donations supporting current academic year operations, supplemented by Grace Give Day events and community weekend fundraising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Grace Episcopal Day School delivers independent private education for children from Preschool (age 2) through Grade 5, grounded in a Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy that integrates Project-Based Learning, Harvard Project Zero thinking routines, and Design Thinking. The school's core deliverable is full-day instruction across early childhood and elementary grades, with auxiliary fee-based Before & After School enrichment (ACE classes), Summer Camp (Growing Gryphons for ages 3-5), and spiritual formation through weekly chapel and service learning on an 11-acre Kensington, MD campus.

Product overview

Grace Episcopal Day School offers a unified educational program structured around its Reggio Emilia-inspired philosophy for children from preschool (age 2) through Grade 5. The core academic offerings include Early Childhood Education (Preschool–Kindergarten), Elementary Education (Grades K-5), and Special Subjects (art, music, science, PE). Auxiliary programs encompass Before & After School Programs with ACE enrichment classes, Summer Camp (Growing Gryphons), Wonder Studio creative space, and SCIL Makerspace. The school also provides spiritual programming through Outdoor Chapel and Campfire gatherings, and features a unique Walking Labyrinth for mindfulness. All programs integrate Project-Based Learning, Design Thinking, and Harvard Project Zero thinking routines, unified by the school's mission of nurturing wonder, purpose, and belonging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood Education (Preschool through PreKindergarten) Play-based preschool and prekindergarten program for children age 2 through PreKindergarten grounded in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, emphasizing hands-on exploration, the 'hundred languages' of children, outdoor learning, and foundational skill development. Designed for families seeking diverse, inclusive early childhood education on the Kensington, MD campus.
• Elementary Education (Kindergarten through Grade 5) Comprehensive academic program for Kindergarten through Grade 5 integrating Project-Based Learning, Design Thinking, and Harvard Project Zero thinking routines across literacy, numeracy, science, social studies, and the arts. Prepared families for the Class of 2026 graduating students to enter middle school and beyond as confident, purposeful learners.
• Special Subjects Specialized instruction in art, music, science, technology, physical education, and world languages that complements the core academic curriculum across grade levels.
• Before & After School Programs Extended care and enrichment programs for enrolled students before and after the regular school day, including ACE (After Class Enrichment) classes such as Lego Mechanics, Super Soccer Stars, Chess Wizards, and Little Scholars.
• Summer Camp (Growing Gryphons) Summer camp for children ages 3-12 featuring the Growing Gryphons program for ages 3-5 with garden activities, art, cooking, and nature exploration; supplementarily offering HoopEd programs for older campers on the Grace campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50% students of color, making Grace among most diverse independent schools in the region
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Lars Howlett (Discovered Labyrinths)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 26 October 2023Professional labyrinth designer and builder who guided design and construction of the Grace Walking Labyrinth, funded by Class of 2023 families. Parent of Grace student.
• Class of 2023 FamiliesminorOthers · 26 October 2023Donated funds to create the Grace Walking Labyrinth as a gift to the school, representing meaningful parent/community investment in campus facilities.
• Maryland Department of Natural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership to raise bluegill fish in classrooms. Students learn about native fish species vital to Chesapeake Bay watershed health and release grown fish into natural habitats in spring.
• Echo Hill Outdoor SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-night overnight trip tradition for Grade 5 students. Grace has been attending Echo Hill since 1990, making this a longstanding 35+ year tradition supporting outdoor education.
• Kind WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRefugee resettlement program that received donations during MLK Jr. Day drive including laptops, tablets, bikes, children's books, and school supplies. Kind Works volunteers repair donated items.
• Shepherd's TableminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal organization helping feed food-insecure, homeless, and poor neighbors. Student Council held Thanksgiving donation drive collecting coffee, sugar, broth, quinoa, lentils, and canned goods.
• Manna Food CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization helping feed over 3,000 households per month in Montgomery County. Student Council conducted food drive between November 13 and December 8.
• Politics and ProseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal bookstore partnership for PTO book drives. Grace receives 20% of purchases when families present Grace flyer during book fair events.
• Small Things MatterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization serving elderly in Montgomery County. Kindergarten through Grade 5 students assembled 160 'Cups of Cheer' (tea, coffee, cocoa packets) with handwritten cards.
• PAL (People Animals Love)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTherapy dog organization whose dogs visit during Warm and Fuzzy Week celebrations, supporting social-emotional learning and joy.
• Guiding Eyes for the BlindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHead of School Jen Danish is a Puppy Raiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, reflecting school's commitment to service and community.
• Comfort CasesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing hope to children entering foster care. PTO coordinated donation drive in honor of MLK Jr. Day.
• American Heart AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Jump Rope for Heart partnership during February PE classes, teaching heart health while raising funds.
• Girls on the RunminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrace serves as a site for Girls on the Run programming, supporting girls' empowerment through running and life skills.
• HoopEdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSummer camp provider offering expanded programs for older campers at Grace campus, alongside Grace's Growing Gryphons program for ages 3-5. Also provides holiday mini camps.
• National Presbyterian SchoolminorOthersCompetitor school in youth soccer match held at Grace campus, part of fall sports 'sportball' program.
• British International SchoolminorOthersCompetitor school in youth soccer match, part of fall sports program building community through athletics.
• The Woods AcademyminorOthersCompetitor school in kickball game, away match making up fall sports schedule.
• Race for HopeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual 5K charity run benefiting brain cancer research. Grace community tradition for many years, combining fitness with philanthropy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• The Bullis School: Independent K-12 school in Potomac, MD. Directly competes in the same DC suburban private-school market; Jen Danish previously served as Director of Athletics for Girls there.
• The Woods Academy: Independent Catholic school (PK-8) in Bethesda, MD. Comparable as a faith-based DC-area private school directly referenced as a Grace athletic competitor.
• St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School: Episcopal day school in the DC area serving early childhood through elementary grades. Directly comparable on faith-based Episcopal identity, grade range, and DC private-school positioning; notably, Head of School Jen Danish previously held senior roles there, evidencing close operational similarity.
• Norwood School: Independent elementary school (K-8) in Bethesda, MD serving the same suburban DC market. Comparable grade range and DC-area private-school positioning.
• Washington Episcopal School: Episcopal independent school in the DC region serving similar age bands. Comparable on Episcopal identity, progressive bent, and Bethesda-area private school competition for Grace families.
• Georgetown Day School: Highly progressive, diversity-focused independent PreK-12 school in DC. Comparable on progressive pedagogy, explicit diversity mission, and competition for the same DC-area private-school families.
• Beauvoir School (National Cathedral): Independent elementary school (PreK-3) on the National Cathedral grounds in DC. Comparable on early-childhood/elementary focus, progressive pedagogy, and DC private-school market overlap.
• British International School of Washington: Independent international school in the DC area. Comparable as an explicit Grace athletic competitor and alternative private-school option for DC-area families.

Others

• Ravenna Solutions: Admissions platform used by Grace and many DC-area independent schools. Not a competitor but an enabling technology/vendor closely tied to Grace's enrollment funnel.

Broad incumbents

• Sidwell Friends School: Premier DC independent school (PreK-12) with Quaker identity and long-standing progressive reputation. Competes for the same DC-area families at the high end, with a much broader grade range and brand reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/gracegryphons
• Facebookfacebook.com/gracefacultyfriday
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/grace-episcopal-day-school

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grace Episcopal Day School