To the editor:

South Whidbey is home to so many wonderful gems. Among them is Wellington Day School, located in Clinton.

My daughter started at Wellington almost four years ago after attending more of a free-play type of preschool program, and instantly began to flourish. The Montessori preschool program at Wellington was exactly what my daughter’s soul needed; a bit of structure within an amazing, proven academic curriculum and teachers who are, bar none, the best.

Wellington Day School is split into three sections: preschool, elementary school and middle school. Children ages 3 through teen, eighth grade, are being fed academically using both standard and non-standard education techniques, and more importantly with my daughter, through modeling. We’ve found that as children progress year-by-year through Wellington, they’ve become kind, empathic children. New students are welcomed into the school by a host of caring peers, eager to see their experience be as wonderful as theirs.

When Wellington found itself underwater after last year’s rains, the students, parents and community pulled together to get the displaced students and teachers back into their building in a timely manner, even over the holidays. All students have a part in the annual theatrical productions directed by school director Beth Itaya. And this year, there is a group of students who participated in the Seattle Kid’s Marathon over Thanksgiving weekend. Art, education and healthy programs abound at Wellington.

I’m writing this because I want to make sure all parents know about an amazing educational opportunity, especially to get children a strong Montessori learning base before they enter elementary school. The preschool at Wellington is having an open house on Dec. 6 at the school located at 6451 Harding Ave., in Clinton, just off of Deer Lake Road. Call for more information, 341-1252.

Sherry Mays

Langley