The Linder Academy is growing.
The private school, which now teaches kids from kindergarten through 8th grade, is adding a new upper school for grades 7-12. It’s set to open in fall 2025 in downtown Alexandria.
The new school will occupy the Ross Dress for Less building at 112 N. Washington Street. It will feature a science lab, an art studio, and a tech and robotics lab.
Linder began in 2005 as Linder Educational Coaching, providing 16 years of evidence-based interventions, test preparation, special education advocacy, college admissions guidance, executive functioning coaching, and academic support in small-group or one-on-one settings. In 2021, Linder Educational Coaching expanded into a full-time day school, The Linder Academy, serving grades K-8. Linder Academy was founded by Kristin Carpenter (now Kristin Linder), a developmental psychologist completing her doctorate in Psychology with a focus on cognitive neuroscience.
Building on the success of the Lower School (607 S. Washington Street), the Middle & Upper School will open in Fall 2025 to serve grades 7–12. The program continues Linder’s commitment to evidence-based, student-centered education tailored to gifted and learning-different students.
“During the 2025-2026 school year, while the former Ross building is being renovated, school will be held next door in classrooms in the historic Christ Church,” Linder Academy’s website states.
Just like the current school, Linder Academy says that classes will be small, about 9 to 12 students each. Kids will be placed in classes based on their skills, not just their grade level. An example given by Linder Academy is that a gifted or twice-exceptional child who excels in math but struggles in reading can be in 9th grade (or even 7th grade) reading while accessing 12th-grade math.
One unique thing about the upper school? Students can choose majors, kind of like in college.
“Linder aims to reduce college freshman dropout rates by developing independence in high school that’s similar to a college environment,” Linder Academy shares. “This includes teaching students to use staff office hours and study groups to get the grades they want (and are capable of achieving) as well as taking classes on time management and self-advocacy”.
Want to learn more? The academy is hosting an open house on May 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. You can tour the campus, meet current parents and students, and get more info about the program.
ALXnow has reached out to Ross Dress for Less for comment.
