Montessori schools provide a child-centered learning environment and encourage children to explore the environment independently. As the Montessori method continues to grow in popularity, many parents are searching for quality Montessori schools in their communities. So, if you're looking for a place your child will thrive, there are a number of Montessori schools in Houston to choose from.
Keep reading to find out about the top Montessori schools in Houston.
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Why is Montessori Controversial?
Montessori education isn’t a new idea. This unique, child-centered educational method grew out of the research and ideas of Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 1900s. However, over the years there have been many critics of this method.
One of the major criticisms of Montessori education is the lack of accessibility. Since the majority of Montessori schools are private, there are many children who may benefit from a Montessori education, but their families can’t afford it.
The Montessori method itself has also faced a fair share of criticism since it’s much different from traditional education. Some have criticized the Montessori method for having too much structure while other critics have claimed it doesn’t have enough structure. Like any method, there are always going to be critics and it may not be the right fit for every child. However, recent studies have shown the many benefits of Montessori education related to academic and creative performance.
Top Montessori Schools in Houston
There are plenty of schools in Houston to choose from, but finding a school with quality education and staff can seem overwhelming. To help you find the right fit, here are the top Montessori schools in Houston.
Westside Montessori School
- 13555 Briar Forest Dr, Houston, TX 77077
- Highly rated for amazing teachers, supportive community, and authentic Montessori environment
- Toddler: $10,700-$16,200
- Primary: $9,560-$15,400
- Lower elementary: $13,860-$16,380
- Upper elementary: $14,470
- Middle school: $15,500-$18,540
Westside Montessori School offers programs for students from 18 months to 14 years old. This Montessori school was founded in 1977 by a group of parents with the intention of creating a Montessori co-op. The goal of Westside Montessori is to provide an environment that encourages children to think independently and discover who they are.
In addition to their academics, they have a summer program and after-school program for children up to 12 years old.
Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy
- 1685 S Dairy Ashford Rd, Houston, TX 77077
- Highly rated for respectful staff, excellent academic program, and authentic Montessori teaching
- Contact school for tuition
Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy has a Montessori program for children ages 18 months to 12 years. Their goal is to provide an authentic Montessori education that helps children grow intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically.
They offer a wide range of community events and extracurricular activities such as Junior Athletes, karate, piano classes, and Cool Science Investigations, an explorative science program for elementary students.
MOLO Bilingual Montessori School
- 3535 Wilcrest Dr. Suite 6, Houston, TX 77042
- Highly rated for friendly staff, positive learning environment, and excellent language program
- Contact school for tuition
MOLO Bilingual Montessori School offers a program for toddlers, primary, and elementary students. To ensure students receive an authentic Montessori experience, each age group has a Montessori-certified lead teacher and the school is affiliated with the American Montessori Society.
The language enrichment program at MOLO Bilingual Montessori is part of what makes the school unique. Their language program includes English, Mandarin, and Spanish.
Baker Montessori School
- 2100 Yupon St, Houston, TX 77006
- Highly rated for caring staff, positive environment, and quality education
Unlike most Montessori schools, Baker Montessori is a public magnet school. Since it is a public school, there’s no tuition and it’s accessible to all families in the community. Baker Montessori has a program for children between preschool and 8th grade.
In addition to the academics at Baker Montessori, they offer students a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities such as the Gardening Program, Kindness Brigade, and Basketball Club.
Heights Garden Montessori Schools
- 1505 W 25th St, Houston, TX 77008
- Highly rated for nurturing teachers, true Montessori environment, and beautiful classrooms
- Contact school for tuition
Heights Garden Montessori Schools offer programs for children 3 months to 6 years old and there are four different campuses in Houston. As a Montessori school, its goal is to help children thrive in an environment where they can reach their full potential and understand their unique abilities.
Children at Heights Garden Montessori School spend a lot of time outdoors and in nature to help them build creative problem-solving skills.
Northwood Montessori School
- 14901 Welcome Ln, Houston, TX 77014
- Highly rated for its environment, quality materials, and excellent teachers
- Contact school for tuition
Northwood Montessori School has a program for children 18 months to 6 years old. They pride themselves on having a strong school community and view the parents and families as partners in their child’s education. The school offers a six-week parenting class every year to help parents continue to nurture their child’s development at home.
Northwood Montessori School is accredited by Association Montessori Internationale and is the only AMI-accredited school in the north Houston area.
Cy-Fair Montessori School
- 11411 Windfern Rd, Houston, TX 77064
- Highly rated for its wonderful teachers, quality academic programs, and positive environment
- Contact school for tuition
Cy-Fair Montessori school offers a quality preschool Montessori program for children between 2 months and 6 years old. Part of their mission is to provide each student with a quality education by establishing a team of highly motivated teachers. They also aim to provide a safe and creative environment for all students.
Even at a young age, the students at Cy-Fair Montessori School learn to be self-sufficient and independent learners through the Montessori method.
A-1 Montessori Academy
- 5724, 12805 Westheimer Rd B, Houston, TX 77077
- Highly rated for quality education, wonderful staff, and a positive environment
- Contact school for tuition
A-1 Montessori Academy provides a learning environment for children ages 18 months to 6 years old. Each teacher is Montessori trained and certified, creating an authentic Montessori environment for the students.
Part of the mission at A-1 Montessori Academy is to create an enriching and challenging Montessori environment where children can work together and engage with the world around them.
Sherwood Forest Montessori School
- 1331 Sherwood Forest St, Houston, TX 77043
- Highly rated for well-trained staff, positive environment, and clean facility
- Toddler: $10,450-$18,000
- Early childhood: $9,500-$16,440
- Lower elementary: $12,588-$17,400
- Upper elementary: $13,062-$14,678
Sherwood Forest Montessori School has provided an affordable Montessori education for Houston families since 1977. They offer programs for children from 18 months to 6th grade and are fully accredited through the American Montessori Society.
As part of their mission, they aim to teach the whole child through the child-centered Montessori approach. Their goal is to help all students become independent and responsible as they learn and grow.
Houston Montessori Schools in the News
On June 5, 2023, Chron reported that Jeff Bezos's Bezos Academy opened three new locations in Houston. Bezos Academy is a system of free Montessori preschools offered throughout the country. These new Houston Montessori schools will be tuition-free, in keeping with Bezos Academy's trends. The school will also offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Students will be selected via a lottery system from underserved communities. Bezos Academy opened its first location in 2020.
Conclusion
The Montessori approach can be a refreshing take on the learning environment and process for parents who think traditional educational methods are outdated. Moreover, studies in recent years have shown this child-led and child-centered approach can benefit children's academic and social development.
If you think Montessori education is the right fit for your child, be sure to check out these top Montessori schools in Houston.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/AaronAmat.