Sixty Years of Heart, History and Hands-On Learning at the Country Day School
By: Marianne Bane
Tucked beneath the tall trees of Georgetown Pike, The Country Day School has been a cherished part of McLean since 1964. Founded by Dorothy Bragdon McCormick as a neighborhood playgroup, the school has grown into a vibrant early childhood program serving children from 18 months to kindergarten—while never losing its homegrown spirit.
Its current campus, part of the Langley Fork Historic District, includes buildings rich with history: a former Civil War hospital, a church, and even a barn once filled with livestock. Today, those spaces are filled with laughter, curiosity, and play.
With small class sizes and a play-based, outdoor learning philosophy, the school fosters confidence, creativity, and connection. Many staff members are former students or parents themselves—evidence of a community that continues to grow its own roots.
This spring, The Country Day School celebrated its 60th anniversary with a joyful reunion and revived auction. It was more than a milestone—it was a celebration of legacy, learning, and the joy of childhood that still defines this special place.
