Families
Programs designed for each age, a simple waitlist, and a clear view of each child's learning journey.
A learning organization for growing minds.
Griot Academy began with chess enrichment more than 20 years ago. Since then, we have grown into a broader learning organization serving young people through school programs, camps, online learning, community partnerships, and family experiences.
Today, our work brings together academic enrichment, technology, language and culture, creative exploration, and thoughtful learning support for ages 4-14.
- Ages 4-14Age range
- Online + in personLearning formats
- Small groupsLearning with an instructor
How we work
Teaching shaped by real work with children, families, and local learning groups.
We started by working directly with children in classrooms, after-school settings, and community programs. That work shaped an approach that values steady guidance, curiosity, and room for a child's voice.
The same mindset now carries into online programs, school partnerships, and small-group enrichment built to feel clear, personal, and well supported.
What we believe
A clear identity shaped by care, structure, and purpose.
We are defined by how we work with children, families, educators, and community partners.
Clear structure
An organized, consistent approach helps children build skills and confidence step by step.
Community connection
We've taught in schools, homes, libraries, and local groups, and that experience shapes how classes are designed.
Focus on the whole child
Learning should strengthen character, curiosity, and confidence as much as academic skill.
Learning beyond the classroomSmall group instruction, online and in person.
How students learn
Growth that extends beyond the classroom.
Every experience helps children build the skills and habits that support learning, confidence, and personal growth.
Led by instructors
Experienced instructors lead every session with clear structure, thoughtful questions, and room for each learner to participate.
Built through practice
Students solve, build, test, explain, and revise so new ideas become skills they can use with confidence.
Visible to families
Organized enrollment, communication, and progress updates help families understand what their child is learning and what comes next.
Skills students build
- Critical thinking
- Creativity
- Communication
- Confidence
- Collaboration
- Problem solving
- Academic and personal development
Experience families and partners can trust
Built to support families, students, teachers, and local partners.
Long-term work across learning environments informs how we communicate, support students, and earn trust over time.
Students
Encouragement, structure, and the right level of challenge, with room to grow at each child's pace.
Teachers
Well-planned lessons, responsive support, and enrichment that complements classroom learning.
Schools and organizations
Flexible programs for homeschool groups, libraries, camps, recreation teams, and local learning groups.
Our history
Knowledge, mentorship
and community.
At Griot, teaching begins with knowledge and grows through relationships. We guide students as they develop their skills, think independently and gain confidence through practice. Over time, those connections create a community where students learn from one another and share what they know.
Griot’s approach was formed through chess coaching with Challenging Heads in Pennsylvania in the early 2000s. Griot later developed school programs and private instruction in the Washington region. Students from different schools learned together, and some continued their lessons for years, combining classroom learning with individual coaching.
For two decades, national competition has been part of Griot’s work with young chess players. Students from school programs and private lessons have traveled together to championships across the country, with results that include top-ten team finishes in several tournament sections. Pennsylvania state championships, tournaments in Princeton and events organized by Griot have also been part of that experience. These opportunities extend the work of regular lessons, giving students a chance to test their skills and learn from players beyond their own school.
As Griot grew across many schools, its students also took part in LEGO League competition, and the academy expanded into robotics and coding. Today, school programs, camps and online learning give young people more ways to explore their interests. The subjects have broadened; the commitment to teaching and lasting student relationships continues.
National competition through the years
From elementary championships to high school nationals, students from Griot’s school programs and private lessons have competed across the country. The record below follows that participation, with team finishes shown in their tournament sections.
- 2006
National Elementary Championship
3rd place · K–3 Unrated team Official result
8th place · K–6 Unrated team Official result
Washington International School
- 2007
National Elementary Championship
39th place · K–6 Under 1000 team Official result
Washington International School
- 2008
National Elementary Championship
29th place · K–5 Under 900 team Official result
24th place · K–6 Unrated team Official result
Washington International School
- 2009
National Scholastic K-12/Collegiate Championship
Student participation · Event record - 2010
National Elementary Championship
Student participation · Event record - 2011
National High School Championship
Student participation · Event record - 2013
SuperNationals V
Student participation · Event record - 2014
National K–12 Grade Championships
12th place · Grade 3 team Official result
Washington International School
National High School Championship
Student participation · Event record - 2015
National K–12 Grade Championships
10th place · Grade 6 team Official result
6th place · K–6 Blitz team Official result
Washington International School
National High School Championship
Student participation · Event record - 2016
National High School Championship
Student participation · Event recordNational Elementary Championship
Student participation · Event recordNational K–12 Grade Championships
Student participation · Event record - 2017
SuperNationals VI
Student participation · Event recordNational K–12 Grade Championships
Student participation · Event record - 2018
National High School Championship
Student participation · Event recordNational K–12 Grade Championships
Student participation · Event record - 2019
National Junior High Championship
Student participation · Event record - 2022
National K–12 Grade Championships
Student participation · Event record - 2024
National High School Championship
11th place · K–12 Unrated team Official result
St. Albans School
National K–12 Grade Championships
10th place · Grade 5 team Official result
St. Albans School
Team placements are credited to the schools named in the official results. Each finish refers to its stated section, rather than the championship as a whole.
School & Community Experience
Experience across schools, local groups, and shared learning spaces.
For more than 20 years, Griot Academy has provided enrichment programming for students in independent schools, public schools, and community learning environments throughout the Washington region and beyond.
Selected schools and organizations where Griot Academy has provided programming include:
Independent schools
- Georgetown Day School
- Beauvoir, the National Cathedral Elementary School
- St Albans School
- National Cathedral School
- St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School
- Sidwell Friends School — chess camp
- Washington International School
- The Lab School of Washington
- Feynman School
- Concord Hill School
- Evergreen Montessori School
- The Maddux School
- Holy Child Academy
- Jewish Primary Day School of the Nation's Capital (now Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School)
Public education
- Charles Barrett Elementary School
- Janney Elementary School
- Laurel Ridge Elementary School
- Fairfax education and recreation programs
Community learning
- Challenging Heads Philadelphia
- City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation
- Libraries
- Recreation programs
Camps and enrichment
- Griot Chess Camp at the National Cathedral
- Chess camps
- Robotics camps
Our mission
Helping children and communities grow with purpose.
We help children become stronger thinkers, clearer communicators, and more confident problem solvers through teaching that is purposeful, patient, and consistent.