Preschool

Now offering Summer Camp & Extended Hours for Fall 2025!

Accepting applications for Summer Camp & Fall 2025

Welcome and Registration Information

Registrations are now being accepted for the 2024-2025 school year, Summer Camp 2025, and Fall 2025.

To find out more information about our classes as you consider which one will best meet your child's needs, click on one of the "Class Offerings & Rates" links in the "Forms" section below or contact us at Siblings receive a 10% discount.

We do enjoy sharing information about our program and appreciate the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. If you would like to discuss your child's placement, or if we can assist you in any way in the registration process, please feel free to call us at (703) 437-4511. And please look through this information to learn more about our school.  You can also come for a tour to check out our beautiful school and playground.

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

As a ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church since 1981, our Christ-centered preschool has been blessed to open its doors to all God's children and their families. We warmly welcome and celebrate each child's uniqueness in their spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development. Our experienced, caring teachers create inviting classroom centers to enhance your child's learning through a play and learn style.  Our Christian curriculum incorporates age-appropriate kindergarten readiness activities with STEAM.  Daily (weather permitting) outdoor cooperative games and free play promote gross motor skills, social development, cognitive development and well-being.

Testimonials

“My husband said it best..." I wish Good Shepherd Preschool went through high school." The facility is immaculate. The director has an open door, a big smile and a full heart for all her students, each of whom she knows by name. The teachers are seasoned, creative, deeply kind and attentive to the needs of each child. I have watched both my sons blossom and learn under their thoughtful instruction. My older son is now thriving at a local kindergarten. But just the other day, he confided in me, "Mommy, you know, Good Shepherd was more fun."” – Amanda C., Yelp review

“I cannot express how happy we were with the overall program. We highly suggest the Good Shepherd preschool to any families looking for an amazing Christ centered learning environment. The entire teaching staff and curriculum is exactly what we were looking for and proved exceed all of our expectations.” –Ryan C., Yelp review

“We have been at Good Shepherd for 5 years, and we love it. Our kids have learned so much, built friendships, feel loved and cared for by the teachers and staff, and graduated being very ready for kindergarten. It's a wonderful school!” –Anna B., Facebook review

Take a Tour - Virtually 

You can take a mini-tour by watching our Virtual Tour on our "About Us" page.  The preschool portion starts at about 12 minutes into the video.  Please see our Parent Handbook link below as it may be helpful as you consider our program.

Mission Statement

Good Shepherd Lutheran School focuses on the whole child to provide a safe, nurturing, Christ-centered education in which each child is celebrated individually and is encouraged by word and example.

Philosophy

Good Shepherd Lutheran School’s daily program provides children a rich educational experience in a loving, Christ-centered environment. We teach a play and learn thematic curriculum that gives children the opportunity to explore and learn about language, letters, numbers, science, art, nature, and music. We maintain age-appropriate expectations for children and we help them work out conflicts respectfully, showing each other the love that Jesus taught us.

History

What began as a half-day program in 1981 as a ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church has grown and expanded to meet the changing needs of our families. While we now offer full-day care options, we remain committed to maintaining the spirit of a traditional preschool program, providing a Christ-centered foundation for early learning.

OUR PROGRAMS

Children are warmly greeted at the classroom door by the teacher and assistant. The first part of the day includes open-ended free play where students explore theme-related activities in various centers around the room, including art, building toys, dramatic play, science or math investigation, manipulatives, puzzles, and games. All activities are intentionally chosen with specific learning goals in mind. Large group activities vary, depending on the age of the students, but all classes use this time to introduce key concepts, read stories, and interact with a calendar or a daily weather graph. Bible lessons are also discussed during circle time. Every class enjoys 30 minutes of outdoor play on the playground with bikes, cars, balls, shovels, slides, climbing equipment, and a sand box. Students take turns bringing snacks from home to share during our snack time. Each class also has some time set aside for sharing books. At the end of the day, teachers meet with the parents to briefly review the fun activities from their day and to provide any important reminders for families.

Our Curriculum

At Good Shepherd Lutheran School, we use a well-rounded curriculum designed to nurture early learning, fine motor skills, and spiritual growth.

  • Heggerty Reading – This phonemic awareness program helps children develop essential pre-reading skills, giving them a strong foundation for literacy and a head start for kindergarten.
  • Handwriting Without Tears – Focused on fine motor development, this handwriting curriculum uses engaging, hands-on techniques to guide children from early pre-writing skills to solid, confident handwriting.
  • Abeka Bible – Bringing the Bible to life, this curriculum introduces children to key stories from creation to Jesus' ascension with realistic visuals and easy-to-understand storytelling.

Through these carefully selected programs, we support our students' academic, motor, and spiritual development in a warm and nurturing environment.

Chapel and Music

Our classes meet weekly in a chapel and music program. The classes begin in our Day Chapel with a prayer and an age-appropriate Bible lesson. The music program includes singing, playing instruments, and learning about music in a fun, interactive way.

Special Events

Annual family days are planned during the school year. We enjoy a fall trip to Frying Pan Farm Park in October, a Family Day Giving Thanks in November, a Christmas Program in December and a Family Day Picnic at a nearby park in May.

Our students enjoy a variety of special experiences, including visits from the fire department, complete with a puppet show and fire trucks, as well as engaging presentations from a local dentist. They also have the exciting opportunity to observe caterpillars transform into butterflies, along with many other enriching events throughout the year.

Staff

The staff at Good Shepherd Lutheran School is experienced, well trained, and have all required certifications.  All teachers have college graduate degrees, participate in continuing education through the school year, and are committed Christians.

Interested in joining our team? Send your resume and/or completed application form to Sarah Brazell at .

Find our application here.

REGISTRATION FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

Thank you for your interest in Good Shepherd Lutheran School. We are now accepting enrollments for the upcoming school year (2024-2025), which begins in September.  To enroll, please mail the following items to the preschool, 1133 Reston Avenue, Herndon, VA 20170
ATTN:  Preschool Director Sarah Brazell

  • Completed Application for Enrollment.
  • Class Offerings and Rates worksheet.
  • Registration fee, activity fee AND September tuition (check OR Zelle©). Click on the appropriate Class Offerings and Rates worksheet below. 

Contact Preschool Director Sarah Brazell for registration information. Email her at   or call her at 703-437-4511.

Information for the 2025 Summer Camp

2025 Summer Camp Dates & Rates
2025 Summer Camp Application Form

Information for the 2025-2026 school year

2025-26 Class Offerings and Rates
2025-26 Application Form
Health Form 

Information for the 2024-2025 school year

2024-25 Class Offerings and Rates
2024-25 Application Form
Health Form 
Consent and Emergency Contact Form
Parent Handbook

FAQs

Do you have entrance requirements?

  • Good Shepherd Lutheran School is a Christ-centered organization that welcomes all children ages 2½ through 5.

  • GSLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, athletic and other school-administered programs. All rights, privileges, programs, and activities are generally made available to students at our school. See our "Notice of Non-discriminatory Policy as to Students" on our home page.
How do I register my child(ren)?
  • GSLS Preschool currently offers open enrollment based upon class availability. Please contact Director, Sarah Brazell at   or 703-437-4511, to ask about class availability or to discuss the best placement for your child.
What are your rates?
  • Check out our current school year’s rates under the “forms” section. Tuition varies by age and care needs.
My child has special needs. Can you accommodate him/her?
  • We welcome all children ages 2½ through 5 and celebrate the individual development of each child. However, we cannot guarantee that we can adequately serve children with certain special needs or physical impairments. We will be happy to discuss your child's needs. Please contact Director, Sarah Brazell at   or 703-437-4511.
Do we have to be members of Good Shepherd for our child(ren) to attend your school?

  • Students in our preschool include children of the congregation, children from other faith communities and children from families who have no faith community.

  • Our school’s purpose is to help preschool children and their families grow in their relationship with God and others through faith in Jesus Christ and to prepare them for a foundation for academic excellence. In response to the love of God through Christ, the school encourages them, by word and by example, to lead lives of praise to God and generous service toward others.

Do you provide after-school care? What are your hours of operation?

  • During the school year, GSLS operates between the hours of 7:30AM-6PM. We offer many different care options during these hours to fit your needs. Please refer to the “Class Offerings and Rates” sheet under the “Forms” section to see which time slots work for you.

  • The school year at Good Shepherd Lutheran School loosely follows the Fairfax County Public School calendar for holidays and closely for weather-related closings and delays. 

What is your inclement weather policy?

  • For the safety of our preschool families and staff, we rely on Fairfax County to determine the closing of schools during inclement weather, or for any other reason. When Fairfax County Public Schools close for weather, we also close. For complete information on our policy, see our Parent Handbook.

Notice of Non-discriminatory Policy as to Students

The Good Shepherd Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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