History of CBCC

Founded in 1975 by Aimee Nover and Ann Segal, the Clara Barton Center for Children (CBCC) began as one kindergarten class held in the former Clara Barton School building in Cabin John, Maryland.  The following year, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Block Grant enabled CBCC to expand to include childcare and preschool programs. Renovations to the Clara Barton School building were completed in 1983, making CBCC accessible to handicapped individuals.

In 1978, a before and after school program for children in grades one through six was added, and a kindergarten complement program was added in 1990.  Both the kindergarten complement and after school care programs moved to the Concord Center located at 7210 Hidden Creek Road, Bethesda, Maryland in 1991.  When the after school care program was eliminated in 2002, the enrollment in the kindergarten complement program was increased to meet the needs of the community.  In September 2006, when Montgomery County Public Schools instituted full-day kindergarten in all elementary schools, CBCC launched a preschool at the Concord Center until June 2007 when it closed its doors permanently.

In 1995, CBCC dedicated the preschool library to the late Leslie Kohn Finn, a former CBCC parent, member of the Board of Directors, and long-time friend and supporter of CBCC.  Mrs. Finn bequeathed a generous donation to improve and maintain the library at CBCC.  This allowed CBCC to expand the library to include materials for dramatic play and a multi-media learning center.  In addition, the Finn family has established a fund to keep the library collection up-to-date.  The entire CBCC community is indebted to this thoughtful, enduring, and generous gift that makes the library a centerpiece of the school.