Montessori classrooms are flexible and fluid environments. Learning is driven by the children and their interests. This results in deep, meaningful learning. The role of the adult is that of a guide there to support the child in their learning. Additionally, students are free to move about the classroom and work where they are most comfortable. Children in Montessori environments develop a high level of discipline, motivation, and self-direction. Montessori children also have more opportunities to socialize and work in groups due to the structure of the classroom.

MindSprout Montessori supports homeschooling families in a variety of ways. The primary way we do this is by providing curriculum and tailored lesson plans to our students; however, we offer families much more. We provide parent education sessions throughout the year with topics addressing families’ current needs. We also hosts social days for families to meet, visit, and form a community. Our teachers and staff are available throughout the week to address any homeschool questions or issues parents may have.

Montessori utilizes mixed age grouping rather than dividing students into grade levels. There are several benefits to this grouping, the greatest being that students are better able to learn from each other. Older children learn by teaching younger children, and the younger children learn from observing the older children. It’s also beneficial in that students can be challenged better. A younger student who is ready can be included in a lesson that would typically be for “older” children. Alternatively, an older child needing more practice or a refresher on a concept can attend the lesson most appropriate for them.

All MindSprout Montessori teachers are certified professionals with a deep commitment to education. Our teachers love what they do and make learning fun for their students. They encourage the children to follow their interests and passions, while supporting the whole child.

Classrooms are limited to 12 students with one teacher and a part time assistant.

We do not have school uniforms. We ask that children come dressed appropriately for play.

The school day runs from 9am-1pm.

The pace and format of the on-campus classroom time is tailored to each grade level. Students bring a lunch which is eaten in the classroom or in the courtyard, weather permitting. Class time combines sitting and listening with movement and activities to keep students engaged and learning. Classroom activities can include the following: direct instruction from the teacher, discussing lessons, making student presentations, exploring the materials on the shelves and working on projects.

Yes, we offer a variety of enrichment classes for ages 4-14. Our most popular offering is Fun Friday. Children follow an art curriculum, do science experiments, and participate in STEM explorations. We also offer a variety of after school enrichment classes, such as robotics and Spanish.

Yes, we plan field trips periodically throughout the school year.

Parents assume the role of "co-teacher" for the younger grades. The on-campus teacher introduces new concepts in class and prepares detailed lesson plans for each subject that parents use at home with their student.

The amount of time spent on lessons at home depends on many factors, including family size, your student's age and maturity, learning style and speed, and family dynamics. For the at-home course load, we provide the following as a rough estimate: Pre-Kindergarten: less than one hour per at-home day Kindergarten and first grade: 1.0 to 2.0 hours per at-home day Second and third grade: 2.0 to 3.0 hours per at-home day Additionally, some families may choose to supplement the lesson plans with enrichment activities, optional assignments, or extra reading. Fridays. Fridays are "flex days" which are intended to be used for completing remaining assignments or other projects. The Friday course load is usually one hour or less. ***It is important to remember that there is no evening homework assigned. Most families complete the at-home assignments during the daytime, eliminating late nights and allowing families to spend more time together.

Our families use a variety of strategies to teach at home effectively. Some ideas for teaching older children while having younger children include the following: Have all children participate together in some subjects, as appropriate. Even young children may be able to follow along (or sit or play quietly) when you help your older child with flash cards, a history story, singing/chanting, or read-aloud time. Keep separate activities or learning centers available or use by the younger children to use during the school day (e.g., coloring pages, handwriting activities, sorting things into egg cartons, painting, cutting magazines, play dough, wiki sticks, glue and pasta or beans, window markers, shaving cream, Legos, blocks, educational videos). Have older children read to younger ones. Have older children alternate in helping with the younger ones. Have one parent care for the younger children while the other parent works with the older child(ren). This can be done in the late afternoon or early evening when both parents are home. Save some subjects for the other parent to complete after the work day. For example, some families save math for a working parent (in the case that one parent stays home) to help teach when they come home from work. Teach while younger children are occupied with another activity such as napping, eating, sleeping, quiet room time, nursing, etc. Teach while younger children are out of the house at a Mother's Day Out program, at preschool, at a play date, at a grandparent or relative's house. Arrange a study date with another family who has a child in the same grade as yours.

No, you have complete flexibility in choosing the times for your at-home lessons. We do, however, recommend that once you find a daily schedule that works for your family you stick with this schedule to provide consistency and a familiar routine. The lessons assigned by the on-campus teacher need to be completed by the due date, but you may choose when the at-home learning occurs. Some assignments, such as projects, may be spread out over multiple days. It is up to the family to decide when these longer projects will be completed.

We encourage parents to contact the on-campus teacher by email with any questions. Parents may also choose to interact with other parents from their child's class to swap ideas and tips. We also organize quarterly gatherings for parents to connect and network.

If a student must miss class due to illness, the full lesson plans are available for the days that were missed. The child's teacher may also provide some additional guidance for the best way to make up the missed days. Since each week includes only two on-campus days, it is especially important that students attend on-campus school days if possible.

No, however for weather-related cancellations we follow Spring Independent School District (Spring ISD) closures. Visit our school calendar page for the upcoming school year calendar dates.

We have chosen the "best" curriculums from a variety of resources. Each resource is chosen based its suitability for use in a collaborative, Montessori setting. All the curriculum at MindSprout is secular. Our teachers create detailed lesson plans for on-campus and at-home days. These lesson plans integrate various aspects of the curriculum and provide instructions for parents to use when teaching at home

No.

We do not believe in giving arbitrary grades. We send home detailed progress reports to parents three (3) times per year.

Yes, Parent-Teacher conferences are held three (3) times per year. Parents also have the option of requesting a conference with the teacher when needed. Teachers are always available by email or phone to answer questions about assignments or expectations.

Yes, transcripts are created for each student and can be provided for transfers to other schools.

As work is completed throughout the school year it is placed in a portfolio to be reviewed by teachers periodically. Parents will have the opportunity to review the portfolio at parent-teacher conferences.

We think so. Our multiage classroom and individualized instruction allow students the opportunity to engage in lessons that appropriately meet their needs. MindSprout meets the needs of advanced students in several ways: First, because you are homeschooling three days per week, you and your child have ample time for additional learning opportunities at home. Parents can provide additional enrichment materials, books, and resources. Students can participate in lessons, tutorials, clubs, or other activities that supplement or extend the MM lesson plans. MM staff are able to provide suggestions for supplemental work at home when needed. Second, daily lesson plans often include optional assignments which can serve as the basis for deeper investigation or enrichment for advanced students. Third, many MM school assignments are open-ended and are not limited by a student's grade level. These assignments provide enough challenge that each student can learn from and excel in these assignments without being constrained by his or her grade level. Examples of such assignments are making in-class presentations, completing science projects, and designing cultural projects.

We fully expect our students to span a range of abilities. MindSprout teachers are prepared for working with students with different abilities, so long as one student's needs do not dominate the on-campus class time. Because of the increased role of parents in our educational model, there is plenty of opportunity for a child with mild learning differences to receive assistance from professionals and to complete supplemental assignments, tutoring, or therapy during the at-home school days. Students with significant learning differences would probably not be a fit with MM due to the overall staffing and the program not receiving additional sources of funding.

Parents are welcome to visit the school to administer medicine.

We fully understand that young children can be rambunctious at times. We also set expectations for our students in the area of classroom behavior, outdoor time, and snack time. Montessori incorporates grace and courtesy lessons to aid in this learning. Any problems which the on-campus teacher cannot resolve will be referred to the Head of School. We will discuss any lingering problems with parents. The Parent Handbook provides full details on our discipline policy and the Head of School is available to answer specific questions.

The primary way that parents are involved is facilitating your student's at-home learning. We also request parents to be available for parent education nights. This will help MM and families to partner together in the education of their children. Other volunteer opportunities are available, such as planning field trips or serving as "Room Parent." We welcome the involvement of our parents!

YES!

It's possible, and some MindSprout families have two working parents. In these cases, however, the families have carefully planned their schedules to allow adequate time for teaching and caring for their children during the at-home days each week. Since there are two on-campus days per week, some teaching parents pursue part-time work on those days. Some parents involve grandparents, relatives, or other caregivers in the at-home teaching.

tuition includes: daily academic instruction- 1:1 and small group lessons where appropriate personalized at-home lesson plans teacher support for at-home days curriculum materials enriching field trips yearbooks various social events access to specialized Montessori materials certified teachers small class sizes teaching assistants hands-on learning opportunities ongoing assessments parent-teacher conferences and a supportive learning community fostering social and emotional growth.

Yes, there is a limited amount need based scholarships available.

Yes. There is a 3% discount for the second child and a 3% discount for each subsequent child.