Our Difference

The Montessori method is based on a philosophy and pedagogy developed more than a century ago by Dr. Maria Montessori.  The Montessori method emphasizes the potential of each student and develops this potential through the use of a carefully prepared environment rich in specially designed, didactic materials. This provides experiences contributing to the development of the whole child – intellectual, emotional, social and physical.

Classrooms are comprised of mixed-age groups, offering the opportunity for peer mentoring, collaborative work, and social development.  The guide (teacher) acts as a facilitator in the learning process. Through observation, the guide directs him/her to meaningful activity. Emphasis is on the process of learning, using the student’s natural curiosity and delight in discovery. Emphasis on the process, rather than the product, results in each student developing a personal motivation to learn.

All of this occurs in a nurturing environment, which builds upon the student’s interests and learning opportunities that are aligned with the individual’s needs.

• Authenticity of Montessori – Montessori House is recognized as a “Verified School” by the American Montessori Society (AMS)
• Literacy Leaders – Science of Reading. 
• Nature & Environmental Education – We are an “Eco-School” (silver level) awarded by the  National Wildlife Federation
• Spanish Program included across all communities.  

As an AMS Member School, we have achieved the Pathway Level 6.  To learn more about AMS membership levels, CLICK HERE.

Achieving Pathway 6 provides parents with assurance, that the school implements an authentic Montessori program, which includes:

• Lead teachers hold AMS Montessori credentials and implement the 5 Core Components of the Montessori Method.
• Affirmed School’s commitment to the AMS Code of Ethics

AMS  is an elite accreditation that supports the traditional Montessori method as an innovative, child-centered approach to education. It leads, empowers, and serves the Montessori community and its’ educators by providing research, teacher education, collaboration and member engagement.

We are the only AMS Member School in the Katy, Richmond, and Fulshear areas.

• Guides must hold AMS recognized Montessori Credentials
• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree (when working with students 3 yrs. and older).
• Essential qualities include a strong commitment to the mission of our school, prior experience teaching, effective and warm communication skills, a commitment to teamwork, a pleasant personality, and a love of children.

8  years

Montessori House’s turnover rate is less than 5%

50% hold master’s degrees.
88% hold bachelor’s degrees
100% hold AMS Montessori Credentials

Guides are encouraged and supported to engage in professional development each year to expand their knowledge and skills to continue to implement the best educational practices.

The school commits more than 2% of the annual budget toward professional development.

Montessori House is fortunate to have an Educational Support Team, which includes a Language Pathologist and Dyslexia Practitioner as well as resources for additional specialties.

Additionally, much of the teaching staff has acquired additional training in Positive Parenting, Natural Sciences, Region IV Dyslexia training, Brain Gym, Music Appreciation, Non-Verbal Communication and other skill sets that they bring to the teaching team and classrooms.

• Music (group and private piano)
• Soccer
• Yoga
• Art
• Gymnastics

Montessori House offers two programs, academic-day and full-day. The academic-day program is for the Montessori portion of the day, 8:30 – 2:30 (3:00 for elementary) and the full-day includes before and/or after-school care.  Both schools open at 6:30 am and close at 6:00 pm.  Parents may choose the program that best fits their family’s needs.

Montessori House is in its 17th year of operation. This is the Nelson family’s 27th year of offering Montessori education.

Montessori House uses a student-centered approach that promotes independence, freedom within limits, and respect of a student’s natural development. While the approach follows a student’s natural development, the environment offers structure and is well organized, and learning is facilitated by experienced and highly effective guides.

The educational philosophy of the School is that real, effective discipline is one that comes from within a person. Developing this inner discipline is one of the objectives of Montessori education.

It is our belief that inner discipline develops in a child through active involvement in self-chosen tasks and the development of self-control; shaped by clear organization of the physical environment; the structure, consistency, and predictability of daily school life, the indirect manner of teaching interpersonal skills through the lessons of “grace and courtesy” and through peer modeling and coaching.

Acknowledging respectful behavior, appreciating helpful behavior and modeling empathy, help to limit negative behaviors. Children are encouraged to express their feelings and opinions in a non-judgmental atmosphere and adults use active listening and empathic understanding to help interpret a situation with those involved.

As children feel accepted for who they are and what they feel, they develop positive self-esteem. The happier children are with themselves, the more likely they are to reach out and interact cooperatively with others.

Montessori House encourages parents to participate in any and all forms of communication that will enhance their child’s potential for success in the school.

Parent/guide/school communication takes place through:

• Transparent Classroom
• Phone call/email
• Formal parent/guide conferences (with progress-reports), offered each semester

Parents are welcome to schedule a classroom observation and see firsthand, the work of their child and the class as a whole, during the months of October – April.

Building community is central to the School’s mission. The PAV supports this mission by organizing events throughout the year that bring families together. Events include monthly parent coffees, monthly community meet-ups, the International Picnic, Pancake Brunch and Community Garden Days. Communication with members of the school is simple and easy, through the Bloomz app – connecting parents to parents and parents to school.

Yes, Montessori House believes parent education is very important. Partnership with parents is supported through parent enrichment workshops, offered throughout the year, which covers a wide range of topics relevant to parents.

Classrooms are multi-aged which provides endless opportunities for older and younger students to work together within their classroom. Also, students have the opportunity to interact with different ages through student-to-student mentoring (elementary students’ mentor program), during morning drive-through, after-school extracurricular activities and school-wide, community events.

At Montessori House, the safety and care of our students are of utmost importance. Our school safety procedures include:

• Designated points of entry with badge access for parents
• A sign-in system for all visitors
• Exterior and interior cameras in the lobby
• A monitoring system in the front office
• Routine practice fire, severe weather, and intruder drills

Yes, Montessori House places great emphasis on nature and nature education. The school is distinguished through nature education programs, which include:

• Certified Schoolyard Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation
• Eco-School (silver level) through ECO Schools USA
• Registered Monarch Butterfly Waystation
• Katy Prairie Conservancy membership – with “pocket prairies” on grounds
• Member of National Registry of Monarch Butterflies
• Organic garden learning program where students prepare, plant, water and harvest their own herbs and vegetables.

Students work outdoors every day, enjoying the connection and fascination with nature.

Outdoor environments are viewed as an extension of the classroom – where curiosity flourishes and drives learning. The Montessori curriculum includes botany, ecology, geography and science; all of which are interrelated and present in nature.  Students at Montessori House for Children have at least two designated 30-minute periods of outdoor free-time, which includes garden work.

The Elementary students may choose to work inside or outside, have at least 2 designated 30-minute periods of outdoor free-time (including garden work), and have lunch outside every day (under the covered patio).