HAZELWILD FARM EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
Hazelwild Farm is located on the 600 acre ancestral homestead of Anna Elizabeth Morrison. Miss Morrison was a dairy farmer, public teach & coach. She established the foundation to continue her life-long career of education & care for children. As a non-profit organization, we are dedicated to the academic & physical development of children & adults, in honor of Miss Morrison.
We have proudly provided the Fredericksburg area with various educational program experiences for 45+ years. Children who attend today have grandparents & parents who have also attended our school & camps or have ridden in our equestrian center. On the farm, children have an opportunity to observe farm life & to learn in a unique operating horse farm environment.
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THE HAZELWILD PHILOSOPHY
More than just a Preschool
At Hazelwild Farm, we hold ourselves to high standards when it comes to our Country Day Preschool. We offer a structured learning environment with frequent periods of relaxation & coordinated activities geared to the age & ability of the individual child.
All of our Hazelwild teachers are professionally prepared with experience in both public & private schools. With extensive training in the field of early childhood education & child development, we strive for the harmonious development of your child in our stimulating but relaxed atmosphere.
OUR MISSION
Our hope for children is that they will move through life with the grace and dignity that comes from having been cherished.
Educational Materials & Equipment Project
This project was made possible by a grant from The Fredericksburg Charitable Foundation of The Community Foundation.
The Board of Directors, along with our dedicated Educators, is delighted to express our sincere gratitude to The Fredericksburg Charitable Foundation of The Community Foundation for their unwavering support for our projects. We want to extend a special acknowledgment for the generous grant of $22,500, which we eagerly anticipate using to enhance the educational materials and equipment for our exceptional preschool and kindergarten programs. Your trust and commitment to our mission are invaluable to us, and we look forward to accomplishing even greater things together. Thank you!
CURRICULUM
Reading
The reading curriculum at Hazelwild is one of a phono-visual method of teaching. The procedure is taught in three basic steps:
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Teach all initial consonant sounds
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Teach all initial and final consonant sounds
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Teach vowel sounds
Math
We believe young children learn best by doing, playing, exploring and experimenting with materials that they can see, touch and manipulate. For this reason, the math program we implement uses a "hands-on" approach. The students use various manipulatives, which include pattern blocks, unifix cubes, geo-boards, counting bears, attitude tiles and links. As the children interact with these objects they will acquire the skills necessary to lay a successful foundation in mathematics.
Science & Social Studies
Hazelwild's science curriculum covers topics such as Animal Life, The Five Senses, Prehistoric Life, Transportation, Plant Life, Weather, and Sea Life. Categories included in the Social Studies program are School Life, Holiday, Other Cultures, Family Life, Current Events, and Community Helpers/Service. "Hands-on" projects and activities add to the fun of exploring and experimenting within these two curriculums.
Enrollment
Our preschool is designed for children 3 to 4 years of age. Our enrollment is limited. When a child's application is approved, he/she is accepted for the fall school session. To complete the application process, the custodial parent must read, sign & be willing to abide by the Hazelwild Country Day School's Student Handbook & Brochure.
REQUIREMENTS
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Child must be three (3) years of age by September 30th to be a candidate for enrollment in the 3-year old classes.
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Child must be four (4) years of age by September 30th to be a candidate for enrollment in the 4-year old classes.
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Child must be five (5) years of age by September 30th to be a candidate for enrollment in the Kindergarten program.
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All students must be toilet trained & able to take care of hygiene needs.
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No pull-ups or sippy cups.
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Every child must have a complete & up-to-date file (includes application form, registration fee, birth certificate, and Virginia physical & immunization forms).
DOWNLOADABLE FORMS & BROCHURES
Hours, Tuition & Fees
PROGRAMS WITH EXTENDED CARE HOURS
Preschool and Kindergarten
Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
HALF DAY PROGRAM HOURS
3 year old program 9:15 AM - 12:15 PM
4 year old program 9:00AM - 12:00 PM
Kindergarten program 8:30 AM - 1:30 PM
REGISTRATION FEES
New Students . . . $65.00
Returning Students . . . $55.00
This fee should accompany all applications. The registration fee becomes non-refundable once the application is accepted. If for any reason the application is not accepted, the registration fee will be returned. This fee covers all administrative costs. There is a sibling discount of $10.00 per month for the second child.
TUITION
School tuition is divided into monthly payments coinciding with the school term, August through May. All rates apply to 3-year old, 4-year old and Kindergarten classes. Tuition is due the first of each month.
KINDERGARTEN TUITION*
Half-Day . . . $700.00/month
Full-Day . . . $930.00/month
*Lunch will be provided for half-day and full-day kindergarten classes.
PRESCHOOL & EXTENDED CARE MONTHLY TUITION*
Tuesday/Thursday Full Day . . . $550.00
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Full Day . . . $685.00
Monday-Friday . . . $900.00
*Extended care includes a hot lunch, afternoon snack & rest time.
HALF-DAY PRESCHOOL MONTHLY TUITION*
Monday/Wednesday/Friday - $415.00
Monday-Friday (Dual Enroll) - $515.00
Tuesday/Thursday - $385.00
MONTHLY LATE FEE RATES
1st through 10th . . . Regular Tuition
11th through 31st . . . Add $30.00
*Late fees will be assessed to your account, so please include them in your tuition payment.
Meet Our Administration
Get to know the dedicated leaders who support our preschool and kindergarten community, fostering a welcoming environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.
Mackenzie Raines-Ware, Director
Mackenzie Raines-Ware serves as Director of Hazelwild Country Day School and brings a unique perspective to the role as a former Hazelwild camper, volunteer, teacher, parent, and now Director.
As the daughter of longtime Assistant Director Karen Raines, Mackenzie has been connected to Hazelwild for much of her life. She attended Hazelwild summer camps as a child and later returned as a volunteer throughout high school and as a summer camp staff member after graduation. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Social Work in 2016, she joined the Hazelwild teaching team, serving two years in the classroom as both an Assistant Teacher and Lead Teacher. She also holds a Childcare Management Certification.
After teaching at Hazelwild, Mackenzie devoted the next eight years to raising her young family while remaining closely connected to the Hazelwild community as a parent. During that time, two of her children completed Hazelwild’s preschool and kindergarten programs, and her youngest is currently enrolled. Experiencing Hazelwild through both the teacher’s and parent’s lens has strengthened her passion for creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.
Mackenzie is committed to preserving the values and traditions that have made Hazelwild a trusted part of the community while continuing to support excellence in early childhood education. She considers it a privilege to lead the school that has been such an important part of her life and looks forward to partnering with families as the Hazelwild community continues to grow.
Crystal Via, Assistant Director
Crystal Via serves as Assistant Director of Hazelwild Country Day School and has been a valued member of the Hazelwild family since 2014. Since joining Hazelwild, she has become a familiar and trusted presence within the community.
Throughout her time at Hazelwild, Crystal has served as both a Lead Teacher and Library/STEM Teacher, where she fostered curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning in young children. Her years of classroom experience have given her a deep understanding of child development and the importance of building strong relationships with children and their families.
Her calm, caring nature and dedication to each child’s success have made her a trusted member of the Hazelwild community. She enjoys working alongside teachers to create engaging learning experiences while building strong partnerships with families.
As Assistant Director, Crystal works closely with staff and families to support the daily operations of the school while helping to create the warm, welcoming environment Hazelwild is known for. She is committed to ensuring every child feels safe, encouraged, and excited to learn each day.
Outside of Hazelwild, Crystal is the proud mother of four children and grandmother to three grandchildren. Her experience as both an educator and a parent gives her a unique appreciation for the trust families place in Hazelwild. She is honored to serve the Hazelwild community and looks forward to partnering with families throughout each child’s early learning journey.
