Our Leadership & Staff Home / About Us / Our Leadership & Staff Meet Our Dedicated Team A Message from Our Principal Sarah Mentis, Principal Dear Prospective Families, Choosing the right environment for your child’s first educational experience is one of the most significant decisions you will make as a parent. Here at Chesterbrook Academy at Washington Square, we are dedicated to setting an exceptional precedent, ensuring that this initial step into a group setting is defined by warmth, academic excellence, and profound social and emotional growth. Situated in the heart of Philadelphia, our school proudly reflects the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of our surrounding community. We intentionally focus on diversity, community, and inclusion, celebrating the rich variety of cultures that make Philadelphia so unique. From our seasonal family gatherings—like Fall Fest and our Winter Festival—to community-led cultural celebrations, we invite families to actively share their heritage with our students and faculty. We do not just build a community within our walls; we partner with our families to create a deeply connected, global ecosystem. Our philosophy centers on the understanding that children thrive when they feel completely known, loved, and cared for. We cultivate a true family environment where our faculty takes the time to understand each student’s unique personality, interests, and potential. Our educators are the heart of this experience. They are deeply invested, highly collaborative, and remarkably stable—with 70% of our teaching staff dedicated to our school for over five years, including faculty who have mentored our community since 2000. With rich talents in the arts and a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, our teachers meet children exactly where they are, blending rigorous foundational development with the pure joy of discovery. In our classrooms, the learning environment is intentionally designed to foster independence while remaining highly responsive to age-appropriate milestones. We gear each day toward making exploration inherently fun; through interest-led projects, children become so fully engaged that complex learning happens naturally. This dynamic classroom experience is enriched by an incredible physical footprint. Our campus features a massive indoor playground for year-round active movement, a private outdoor playground, and direct access to Center City’s historic green spaces, including Starr Garden, Three Bears Park, Washington Square Park, and Independence Mall. Combined with premium enrichment programs in Music, Yoga, Dance, Gymnastics, and Mini Sports, we provide a holistic education that nurtures the whole child. The proof of our approach lies in the success of our graduates. Elementary schools consistently share with us that our alumni possess exceptional verbal and independent skills, perform well above average academically, and transition seamlessly into kindergarten as confident leaders and collaborative peers. As you consider the educational path for your child, we welcome you to experience our community firsthand. We invite you to tour our secure campus, meet our dedicated faculty, and see how we inspire a lifelong love of learning. Warmest regards, Sarah Mentis, Principal Read More Learn More About Chesterbrook Academy Philadelphia – Washington Sq Teachers Do you have long-standing faculty and staff at your preschool? At Chesterbrook Academy Preschool Washington Square in Philadelphia, we are incredibly proud of our team’s long-term dedication. Our Intermediate teacher has been with us for 25 years, and both our Pre-K teacher and Office Administrator have been with us for over a decade. This enduring presence ensures a reliable, familiar environment where children and families build trusted, relationships. What do families appreciate most about teachers at Chesterbrook Academy Philadelphia – Washington Sq? Our families deeply value the personalization, empathy, and genuine care our educators bring to the classroom every day. Because our staff operates as a highly collaborative team, our teachers work together to know and support all students across different age groups. What qualifications do your preschool teachers have? To deliver a high-quality educational experience, the faculty at Chesterbrook Academy Preschool Washington Square in Philadelphia holds a wide range of academic credentials, including Associate degrees, Bachelor’s degrees, and Master’s degrees. This diverse educational background ensures our staff is fully equipped to implement research-based instructional methods that support your child’s development. What makes the teachers at Chesterbrook Academy Philadelphia – Washington Sq exceptional? What sets our faculty apart is the powerful synergy between our veteran educators and our newer staff members. Our long-term teachers serve as mentors, sharing decades of institutional knowledge and best practices to support and inspire those new to our team. Come See Our School in Action! Contact us today to schedule a private tour and experience our Links to Learning curriculum firsthand. Learn More
