The Circle School was founded in January 1983 by Jodi Thurmond and her partner Marty Long to provide a program of academic excellence and developmentally appropriate curriculum for their own children.

Kindergarten was added in 1985

Seneca Academy, the elementary and intermediate component of the school, has been in existance since 1997

Seneca Academy is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education and is a member of AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland Schools) and
WSSA (Washington Small Schools Association)