The Barrie School History

The Barrie School is a PK-12, co-educational day school in Silver Spring, Maryland. A Montessori curriculum in the Lower School provides the foundation for more traditional college preparatory programs in the Middle and Upper Schools. At all levels, there is an emphasis on student-centered instruction and experiential learning.

A 1940's admissions brochure for the Barrie Peter Pan School, once located at Fern Place and Eighth Street, in Northwest Washington D.C. states the school's philosophy in the following manner:

"The educational environment of your child's early years... will determine the form of his or her adulthood. Recognizing the vital importance of proper academic development during these formative years, the educators at Barrie-Peter Pan School have designed a curricular program that matures your child as it teaches him. The children are encouraged to develop their individual interests, aptitudes and abilities within the overall social atmosphere of the group environment."

These words also mirror the basic educational philosophy of Mrs. Frances Seldin, our dynamic founder who started the school in April of 1932 in her parent's house.

The Peter Pan School

The Peter Pan School began with 15 nursery-aged children. Soon outgrowing the house, the school moved to Park Road in 1934 and absorbed the former Montessori school opened by Alexander Graham Bell. The school then moved to an old manor house on Fern Place in Northwest Washington DC in 1936. By 1940 the Barrie-Peter Pan School offered a nursery through high school education. The school was established as the first "humanistic" independent school in the Washington D.C. area, offering a unique educational approach that emphasized teaching students how to work and learn with minimal adult guidance, mastering practical life skills and contributing to the day-to-day tasks of running the school. In time, the school became widely known for the exceptional maturity and independence that our students developed from an early age. Barrie School offered French, fine arts, drama, music, dancing and Latin in addition to the traditional academic schedule. Classes were kept small so that each child participated fully in the learning cycle. The "exchange of ideas is promoted as every question is answered, each accorded full consideration" states a marketing piece. At that time the tuition was $65 a month! That would be equivalent to $830 per month in 2001 dollars.*

Frances Seldin – A woman ahead of her time!

From the beginning Frances Seldin insisted that the school stand firm on explosive social issues. Barrie took a firm stand against racial and religious discrimination from its founding bringing the scorn of the conservative majority. Mrs. Seldin was also a working-woman's advocate. As a working mother, she organized services to support working mothers, such as before-and after-school care and door-to-door transportation. Having the first school bus fleet in Washington D.C., Barrie's baby blue buses with special horns that played "The Sidewalks of New York" were familiar to Washingtonians for decades. She was a feminist, advocating that girls and boys should share equal opportunities and challenges in a non-sexist atmosphere. Frances Seldin believed deeply in the human potential, and Barrie was committed to bringing out the most within every child. Being an avid outdoors person it wasn't long before Mrs. Seldin organized a summer camp.

The Barrie-Peter Pan Day Camp

The Barrie-Peter Pan Day camps offered "advanced facilities" with an electric train, a built-to-scale doll house with its own kitchen and laundry, a "Frontier Town" with a bank, cafe, jail and stable, sports fields, and a theatre. Swimming and riding were located at Takoma Park recreation center and a local stable. Campers were given wholesome hot dinners and door-to-door transportation. One of the brochures of the period stated: "Camp is a place to grow. It is a place to meet adults on an informal basis ... to try new things, to develop new skills, to discover new interests. Camp is a place where you begin to learn cooperation and tolerance of others. Camp is exposure to new ideas. Most of all, camp is a storehouse of wonderful memories of childhood for years to come."

Barrie moves to Maryland

With the hopes of building a new school "in a natural setting," since the countryside of NW Washington D.C. was being encroached upon by the ever-expanding city, Mrs. Seldin purchased the Layhill property in 1956. The property was referred to as the "Ranch." Her son, Tim Seldin came to work with her in late 60's. A psychologist, he became Headmaster at the time of her death in 1971. Fern Place was closed and the school moved to the present location on Layhill Road. At this time Barrie began the transition to a formal Montessori curriculum.

The Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies

Wanting to provide a bridge between the traditional and Montessori schools of education, Barrie established the Institute for Advanced Montessori Studies in 1981. The Institute offers graduate-level teacher education programs for individuals from across the United States and as far away as Korea. The program offers the school the opportunity to invest in the development of its own Montessori teachers as well as broadens the awareness of the School within the education community.

Recent History

Since its arrival at Layhill Road, Barrie has faced numerous challenges. In 1994 The Board of Trustees purchased the school from the Seldin family and Barrie became an independent, non-profit school under the leadership of Jeffrey Moredock. In 1999, the long-awaited Center for Athletics and Performing Arts opened. Despite numerous moves and structural changes, Barrie's philosophy still ties us to the past. Barrie still celebrates its historic roots and ageless values.

Faculty commitment to student success lies at the heart of The Barrie School. Students are encouraged to search beyond the obvious for answers, to consider topics from many perspectives, and to share what they know with peers and teachers. Caring teachers instill a love of learning by providing students with opportunities that are creative and challenging.

Barrie's beautiful wooded campus provides the perfect environment for students to develop and mature. At students' fingertips are natural educational resources that invite exploration and inquiry. Woods filled with beeches, tulip poplars, and oaks; a pond; wildlife; and a nature trail are immediate and valuable learning tools for all ages.

Written with the help of Sara Robinson, Former Board Chair.

* Citation: John J. McCusker, "Comparing the Purchasing Power of Money in the United States (or Colonies) from 1665 to Any Other Year Including the Present" Economic History Services, 2001, URL : http://www.eh.net/hmit/ppowerusd/