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Logo for The Strong National Museum of Play with a marble replacing the "O" in "Strong". The word "Strong" is in purple as well as the word "Play" in the subheading.

The Strong National Museum of Play

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Woodbury School


Children at Woodbury School learn and develop in playful activities set among the museum’s hands-on exhibits.

Apply Now


Enrollment for the 2022–2023 school year begins December 1, 2021.

Register Online
Download Applicationopens PDF file

Reggio Emilia-inspired and child-centered approach to learning.

Woodbury School at The Strong offers a preschool program for three- and four-year-old children and an early kindergarten program for four- and five-year-old children. Both programs are Reggio Emilia-inspired and are therefore responsive to the interests of the children. This approach encourages teachers and students to work together to plan the curriculum and create projects. Guided by teachers who facilitate their explorations, children delve deeply into topics that fascinate and stimulate learning.

How to Apply

Now entering its 16th year, the school is named in honor of the museum’s founder, Margaret Woodbury Strong, whose parents, John and Alice Woodbury, made the world Margaret’s classroom and encouraged her to play in countless ways.

Please contact Tyana Velazquez-Smith at tvelsmith@museumofplay.orgcreate new email for more information.

Kids wearing butterfly wings in garden

Apply Online

Apply for the 2022–2023 school year

Apply Online
Boy watering plants

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn More

Reggio Emilia Approach

The curriculum at The Strong’s Woodbury School and all of the other museum’s educational experiences for children are Reggio Emilia-inspired. Guided by teachers who facilitate thier explorations, students delve deeply into topics that fascinate and stimulate learning. In Woodbury School, children take part in small and large group activities designed to enhance learning and support development. Parents have the opportunity to see how their children learn through student art, photographs of students at work and play, video recordings, and projects.

Girl coloring in classroom

Classroom Setting

Specially designed classrooms serve as the children’s homeroom. Set apart from the museum galleries, these colorful spaces provide a familiar, comfortable, and manageable environment for children.

Boy watering plants

Hands-on Exploration

Supervised by their teachers, children also experience the colorful, imaginative museum exhibits. When the weather permits, children enjoy a secure outdoor play space—designed exclusively for the school.

Boy in handmade bird mask

Parents’ Role

Woodbury teachers consider parents to be school partners and so encourage classroom visits and parental involvement. Teachers launch each school year with a get-acquainted play date and hold parent-teacher conferences regularly.

Two girls playing school in One History Place

Academic Calendar

View the current academic calendar for school-break periods and other Woodbury School key dates and closures.

2021–2022 Programs and Fees

Preschool Program for Three- and Four-Year-Olds*
To enroll in the preschool program, children must be either three or four years old on December 1, 2021.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
9–11:30 a.m., $2,824 per year

Tuesday and Thursday
9–11:30 a.m., $2,050 per year

Monday through Friday
9–11:30 a.m., $4,840 per year
Early Kindergarten Program for Four- and Five-Year-Olds
To enroll in the early kindergarten program, children must be either four or five years old on December 1, 2021.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
1–3:30 p.m., $2,824 per year

Tuesday and Thursday
1–3:30 p.m., $2,050 per year

Monday through Friday
1–3:30 p.m., $4,840 per year

An two little girls holding hands and gesturing excitedly while they play at The Strong museum.

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Become a champion for play and help make a difference in the lives of the children and families who play, learn, and grow with The Strong.


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One Manhattan Square
Rochester, New York 14607
+1 (585) 263-2700
info@museumofplay.orgcreate new email

Become a Member

  • Visit
    • Hours and Admission
    • Directions and Parking
    • Events Calendar
    • Membership
    • Accessibility
    • Museum Rentals
    • Dine and Shop
  • Exhibits
    • Museum Exhibits
    • Online Exhibits
    • National Toy Hall of Fame
    • World Video Game Hall of Fame
    • Skyline Climb
    • Play Lab
    • Butterfly Garden
    • Carousel and Train
  • Collections
    • Search Collections
    • Brian Sutton-Smith Library & Archives of Play
    • International Center for the History of Electronic Games
    • The National Archives of Game Show History
    • Research Access
    • Research Fellowships
    • Donate an Artifact
    • Preservation
  • Support
    • Expansion Campaign
    • Individual Giving
    • Corporate Giving
    • The Play Ball
  • About
    • Margaret Woodbury Strong
    • Museum News
    • Board of Trustees
    • Play Makers Leadership Council
    • Community Access
    • Annual Reports
    • Press Room
    • Books
    • Play Quotes

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