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Item List Beauty Cultivating a deep beauty in all things Read More Equity A Commitment to Equity Read More Home A Seamless Learning Community Read More Innovation A Laboratory for Innovation Read More Montessori An Authentic Montessori Environment Read More Nature Emphasizing the nonseparation between nature and humans Read More Network Advancing an ecosystem of independent schools Read More Shopfront Neighborhood-nested in partnership with the community Read More Teacher-Led Small and Non-hierarchical Read More

< Back Nature Emphasizing the nonseparation between nature and humans At Wildflower schools, we cultivate each child’s direct relationship with the natural world, by attending to and going out into the nature that surrounds us and by bringing abundant plant life into our schools so that children learn to care for their living environment. We limit each school’s physical footprint and minimize its impact on the environment, including through the choice of sustainable, nontoxic and earth-friendly materials whenever possible. We maintain nutritional standards that are earth-conscious and protect natural, healthful diets for children. Previous Next

Discover the Montessori philosophy at Elderflower Montessori—rooted in core beliefs that guide our educational approach and daily practices. Our Principles As a member of the Wildflower network of schools , we are committed to the liberation of every human being, every community, and the human spirit, so that we may all live in harmony with our individual purpose and the world around us, free from oppression and able to follow life’s unfolding journey. The Wildflower Schools Nine Principles describe critical ways that our schools bring our purpose, values and norms to life. They are not the only way a community could seek to pursue our purpose and live into these values and norms, but they articulate the choices we’ve made about what to collectively uphold and by extension the aspirations that define what it means to be a Wildflower school. Network Advancing an ecosystem of independent schools We seek to make Wildflower schools an option for children and families everywhere. As we grow, we benefit from an expanding community of learners and professionals working together, and the economic efficiencies that can arise from sharing resources. At the same time, we protect the autonomy of every teacher-leader and we resist the expansion of central-administration and authority. Each school sees itself as a node in a network, with substantial freedom in school-level decision-making and access to the resources of the network when those resources are useful and compelling to the school. Reciprocally, each school also sees itself as accountable to its neighbor schools and the broader Wildflower community, and responsible for supporting existing and future Wildflower schools. Finally, wherever possible, we make our materials, software and learnings available publicly, so that all schools can benefit from them, whether or not they are affiliated with Wildflower. Innovation A Laboratory for Innovation Wildflower schools are committed to providing authentic Montessori environments for our students and at the same time keeping Dr. Montessori’s commitment to scientific pedagogy alive. In our work to continuously improve, we try new things, rigorously evaluate our efforts, learn from colleagues within and outside of Wildflower, and make adjustments as necessary. Because scientific observation is the foundation of the Montessori method, we seek to use modern technologies to extend and expand our teachers’ capacity for observation and documentation – without changing the concrete, experiential nature of the prepared environment. Home A Seamless Learning Community Wildflower schools look for ways in which children’s home, school, and community environments can offer more seamless experiences, reflecting consistent perspectives on children’s development and engaging them as authentic contributors in each setting. We see our work as a partnership with parents and families: we value their wisdom, invite their engagement, and enthusiastically share with them our Montessori methods. Similarly, parents at Wildflower schools see their roles as active supporters of the schools and teacher-leaders, rather than its customers. Equity A Commitment to Equity Wildflower schools exist within the context of the segregation and inequity of our communities and society, and where there is no justice, there can be no lasting peace. As Montessorians, we believe children’s unique capacity to adapt to their environment makes childhood the key to the long-term improvement of society and our greatest hope for a more peaceful world. We cultivate that capacity in schools that include people of different racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds and seek out ways to make our schools more accessible to all families; we celebrate diversity and foster inclusivity; and, we consider the unique opportunities and challenges facing every child and commit to giving each student what they need to find their purpose and fulfill their potential. We recognize the significance of this undertaking, and we work to transform ourselves, our school communities and our broader society to bring about our vision for justice and peace. Beauty Cultivating a deep beauty in all things Dr. Montessori wrote that schools should be aesthetically engulfing and culturally enriching for children. Wildflower schools live into this through the choices we make about materials and fine art, interior designs that burst with beauty and communicate to children, teachers and families that they are valued, and by welcoming working artists as a part of the prepared environment. All of us – adults and children – explore and cultivate the beauty of our inner landscapes through mindfulness practices, and seek to carry that beauty into our relationships with each other. Nature Emphasizing the nonseparation between nature and humans At Wildflower schools, we cultivate each child’s direct relationship with the natural world, by attending to and going out into the nature that surrounds us and by bringing abundant plant life into our schools so that children learn to care for their living environment. We limit each school’s physical footprint and minimize its impact on the environment, including through the choice of sustainable, nontoxic and earth-friendly materials whenever possible. We maintain nutritional standards that are earth-conscious and protect natural, healthful diets for children. Montessori An Authentic Montessori Environment The Montessori Method emerges from the belief that children are naturally good, peaceful and curious and that in the context of a supportive environment, all children engage instinctively in the work of self-construction. With appropriate freedoms and the right support, children follow their interests to create rich learning experiences, form peaceful communities, and support and learn from one another. We are dedicated to the preparation of environments and ourselves to support the development of children. Teacher-Led Small and Non-hierarchical Wildflower schools are 1-2 room schools with the faculty both teaching and administering the school. Wildflower teachers-leaders are partners and social entrepreneurs, responsible primarily to themselves and each other for every aspect of their school and its overall success. By preserving a small scale, teacher-leaders are able to make day-to-day decisions that respond to the needs of the children and school-wide decisions that express their own vision in the context of the needs of children, families and themselves. Shopfront Neighborhood-nested in partnership with the community Wildflower schools sit in street-facing and accessible, light-filled spaces on walkable streets and invite community members visually into the daily work of children. They increase the presence of children and families in the community, as more narrow geographic focus supports walking to and from school, and by relying on public playgrounds, gardens and other civic spaces that would otherwise be on-site in larger institutions. We expand our definition of “stakeholders” beyond the families we serve directly, and we work to make our surrounding communities stronger and healthier for children.

Explore our Montessori programs for elementary-aged children, including hours and location details tailored to support each child’s growth and independence. Our Programs Elementary At Elderflower Montessori, we serve children in grades first through sixth in one classroom community. At full capacity, our school will enroll between 25 and 30 students. Elderflower is led by two Montessori guides and a co-teacher, providing authentic Montessori education and a low student to teacher ratio. The Elementary curriculum uses "The Great Stories" as a springboard for interdisciplinary learning. There are five Great Lessons that are introduced: The Coming of the Universe, The Timeline of Life, The Timeline of Humans, The Story of Math, and The Story of Language. In this way, children learn about their place in the universe. Each of these lessons initiates curiosity or interests connected to other academic areas. These stories spark the imagination of Elementary students and give them a context for deeper engagement and learning. Instead of approaching schoolwork as discrete subjects, Montessori Elementary students discover the interrelationship between subject areas and understand how math, language, science and history are connected. Students work at their own pace, and follow an individualized learning path that is built around their unique needs and interests. Hours Full Day 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM After Care 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Location We are excited to start our journey at Holy Family Church, a beautiful community and space in Houston's East End neighborhood.* *Elderflower Montessori is not a mission or ministry of Holy Family HTX Episcopal Church. The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction. - Dr. Maria Montessori

Review Elderflower Montessori’s Privacy Policy to understand how we protect and manage your personal information with care. Privacy Policy for Elderflower Montessori At Elderflower Montessori, accessible from elderflowermontessori.org, one of our main priorities is the privacy of our visitors. This Privacy Policy document contains types of information that is collected and recorded by Elderflower Montessori and how we use it. If you have additional questions or require more information about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us. This Privacy Policy applies only to our online activities and is valid for visitors to our website with regards to the information that they shared and/or collect in Elderflower Montessori This policy is not applicable to any information collected offline or via channels other than this website. Our Privacy Policy was created with the help of the Free Privacy Policy Generator . Consent By using our website, you hereby consent to our Privacy Policy and agree to its terms. Information we collect The personal information that you are asked to provide, and the reasons why you are asked to provide it, will be made clear to you at the point we ask you to provide your personal information. If you contact us directly, we may receive additional information about you such as your name, email address, phone number, the contents of the message and/or attachments you may send us, and any other information you may choose to provide. When you register for an Account, we may ask for your contact information, including items such as name, company name, address, email address, and telephone number. How we use your information We use the information we collect in various ways, including to: Provide, operate, and maintain our website Improve, personalize, and expand our website Understand and analyze how you use our website Develop new products, services, features, and functionality Communicate with you, either directly or through one of our partners, including for customer service, to provide you with updates and other information relating to the website, and for marketing and promotional purposes Send you emails Find and prevent fraud Log Files Elderflower Montessori follows a standard procedure of using log files. These files log visitors when they visit websites. All hosting companies do this and a part of hosting services' analytics. The information collected by log files include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, Internet Service Provider (ISP), date and time stamp, referring/exit pages, and possibly the number of clicks. These are not linked to any information that is personally identifiable. The purpose of the information is for analyzing trends, administering the site, tracking users' movement on the website, and gathering demographic information. Cookies and Web Beacons Like any other website, Elderflower Montessori uses 'cookies'. These cookies are used to store information including visitors' preferences, and the pages on the website that the visitor accessed or visited. The information is used to optimize the users' experience by customizing our web page content based on visitors' browser type and/or other information. Advertising Partners Privacy Policies You may consult this list to find the Privacy Policy for each of the advertising partners of Elderflower Montessori. Third-party ad servers or ad networks uses technologies like cookies, JavaScript, or Web Beacons that are used in their respective advertisements and links that appear on Elderflower Montessori, which are sent directly to users' browser. They automatically receive your IP address when this occurs. These technologies are used to measure the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns and/or to personalize the advertising content that you see on websites that you visit. Note that Elderflower Montessori has no access to or control over these cookies that are used by third-party advertisers. Third Party Privacy Policies Elderflower Montessori's Privacy Policy does not apply to other advertisers or websites. Thus, we are advising you to consult the respective Privacy Policies of these third-party ad servers for more detailed information. It may include their practices and instructions about how to opt-out of certain options. You can choose to disable cookies through your individual browser options. To know more detailed information about cookie management with specific web browsers, it can be found at the browsers' respective websites. CCPA Privacy Rights (Do Not Sell My Personal Information) Under the CCPA, among other rights, California consumers have the right to: Request that a business that collects a consumer's personal data disclose the categories and specific pieces of personal data that a business has collected about consumers. Request that a business delete any personal data about the consumer that a business has collected. Request that a business that sells a consumer's personal data, not sell the consumer's personal data. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us. GDPR Data Protection Rights We would like to make sure you are fully aware of all of your data protection rights. Every user is entitled to the following: The right to access – You have the right to request copies of your personal data. We may charge you a small fee for this service. The right to rectification – You have the right to request that we correct any information you believe is inaccurate. You also have the right to request that we complete the information you believe is incomplete. The right to erasure – You have the right to request that we erase your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to restrict processing – You have the right to request that we restrict the processing of your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to object to processing – You have the right to object to our processing of your personal data, under certain conditions. The right to data portability – You have the right to request that we transfer the data that we have collected to another organization, or directly to you, under certain conditions. If you make a request, we have one month to respond to you. If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact us. Children's Information Another part of our priority is adding protection for children while using the internet. We encourage parents and guardians to observe, participate in, and/or monitor and guide their online activity. Elderflower Montessori does not knowingly collect any Personal Identifiable Information from children under the age of 13. If you think that your child provided this kind of information on our website, we strongly encourage you to contact us immediately and we will do our best efforts to promptly remove such information from our records. Generated using Privacy Policy Generator

Elderflower is a child-led Montessori elementary school in Houston, TX for ages 6-12. We foster a love for learning in a small, community-focused school. An authentic Montessori school for our changing world Serving elementary aged children ages 6-12. Elderflower Montessori is a member of the Wildflower Network of schools, in Houston, Texas. Wildflower is an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that support children, teachers, and parents. Wildflower aspires to give all children and families the opportunity to choose high-quality, beautiful learning environments as they follow life’s unfolding journey. Our Programs The needs of mankind are universal. Our means of meeting them create the richness and diversity of the planet. The Montessori child should come to relish the texture of that diversity. - Dr. Maria Montessori An Authentic Montessori School The Montessori Method emerges from the belief that children are naturally good, peaceful and curious and that in the context of a supportive environment, all children engage instinctively in the work of self-construction. With appropriate freedoms and the right support, children follow their interests to create rich learning experiences, form peaceful communities, and support and learn from one another. We are dedicated to the preparation of environments and ourselves to support the development of children. An Intentionally Small Community As an intentionally-small, community embedded learning environment, our school allows us to serve every child and family in deep and meaningful partnership with their teacher leaders. A Place for All Elderflower Montessori admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

< Back Innovation A Laboratory for Innovation Wildflower schools are committed to providing authentic Montessori environments for our students and at the same time keeping Dr. Montessori’s commitment to scientific pedagogy alive. In our work to continuously improve, we try new things, rigorously evaluate our efforts, learn from colleagues within and outside of Wildflower, and make adjustments as necessary. Because scientific observation is the foundation of the Montessori method, we seek to use modern technologies to extend and expand our teachers’ capacity for observation and documentation – without changing the concrete, experiential nature of the prepared environment. Previous Next

Learn about our admissions process, tuition, and how to apply. Take the first step to enrolling your child at our Houston Montessori school. Primary Admissions We are now accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. Our priority deadline is February 1, 2026. For current students and their siblings, the priority deadline for re-enrollment is January 30th. After these deadlines, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. If you are wishing to apply for the current 2025-26 school year, please contact us directly at info@elderflowermontessori.org . We look forward to getting to know you and your family! Apply Now Application Process Attend one of our in-person or online information sessions. We are also happy to answer questions over email. Submit your application. Meet with us in person or on Zoom. Receive admissions decision. For those families applying by February 1st, we will be sharing admissions decisions by February 16, 2026. Affording Elderflower Montessori Elderflower Montessori is committed to equity and inclusion. We utilize a tiered tuition model for our school because we believe educational opportunities should be available to all families in our community regardless of financial means. In order to maintain an economically diverse student body, we enroll a certain number of students at each tier. Use your gross income and family size to determine your tuition level. Please reach out to us at info@elderflowermontessori.org if the chart does not accurately represent your finances or if you have other questions. Currently, after care is available from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at the following rates per year on top of the annual tuition: Tier 1 - $2025 per year Tier 2 - $1950 per year Tier 3 - $1875 per year Tier 4 - $1725 per year Tier 5 - $750 per year In the 2026-27 school year, after care may extend as late as 5:30 PM depending on community need. The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction. - Dr. Maria Montessori

Learn about our mission, vision, and the story behind Elderflower Montessori. We are a proud member of the Wildflower Schools Network. About Our School Elderflower is an authentic Montessori program. Students choose what they work on, follow their interests, move at their own pace, and stick with topics until they’ve mastered them, with teachers as guides through a structured curriculum that ensures children cover core concepts. Montessori integrates academic and socio-emotional objectives, and research demonstrates long-term positive impacts on both from even a few years of early exposure to a high-fidelity Montessori environment. Elderflower Montessori is a community based school centered on sustainable practices. We care for the environment by minimizing waste, learning about growing and preparing food, and spending time in nature. We foster social sustainability by emphasizing equity, social justice and quality of life for students, families and teachers. And finally, we prioritize economic sustainability, offering tiered tuition to allow families from different socio-economic backgrounds to be part of our school community. We make space for fostering individual interests, creativity, and artistic appreciation and expression. Our Teachers Melina Hebert Founding Teacher Leader and Elementary Guide Born in Seattle Washington, Melina moved to Texas almost thirty years ago and considers Houston her second home. She has been working as a public Montessori Lower Elementary Guide for the past 14 years. Prior to working as a teacher, Melina worked in the non-profit sector in resource development for local organizations like the Community Doula Program and the Houston Symphony. Melina holds a bachelor's degree in English and a master’s in public administration. She is also American Montessori Society credentialed for the Elementary I level, and has been a teacher trainer and field consultant for the Houston Montessori Center. Melina is passionate about Montessori education, sustainability, and helping students discover the joys of artistic expression. When she is not teaching, Melina enjoys being outdoors, cooking, reading, creating and spending time with her husband and four adult sons. Ikuko Qano Founding Teacher Leader and Elementary Guide Originally from Japan, Ikuko moved to the United States at age 15 to study harp, flute and piano at Interlochen Arts Academy, and later earned bachelor’s degrees in harp and flute performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. After graduation, Ikuko moved to Houston to perform music and give private lessons. Ikuko’s three children attended Montessori school and she fell in love with the peaceful and mindful environment. In 2014, Ikuko began a journey of teaching in a Montessori school. Ikuko has been teaching with Melina, co-founder of Elderflower Montessori, for the last 6 years. She looks forward to providing students with an authentic Montessori education, and sharing her knowledge of sustainability, music, and the arts. When Ikuko is not teaching or playing music, she enjoys gardening, cooking, traveling and hiking with her husband and their children. Flaire Clark Elementary Co-Teacher Flaire was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in counseling. She also holds an Elementary Teaching Degree. Flaire taught in New Orleans for 13 years as a first grade teacher. In 2000, she decided to move to Houston, where she worked as an elementary teacher until her retirement in 2022. Flaire loves to travel and through her travels, she got a teaching job in Dubai, where she lived for five years. About two years ago, she met Melina while working as a substitute teacher at the same public Montessori School. When she is not teaching, Flaire enjoys painting, spending time with her family and exploring new restaurants. Our Board Board Member Board Role Email Board Member Board Role Email Board Member Board Role Email Faith Davis President Faith is a dedicated Montessori educator, recently retired from the classroom. Now in a tapered phase of a forty-year career leading early childhood communities, working in teacher education programs, guiding lower elementary students while mentoring public school colleagues, and tutoring, she brings that experience and a still-beating Montessori Loving heart to the Wildflower community as president of Elderflower Montessori’s board. Faith speaks Spanish fluently as a second language and has excellent communication skills in English. A fine art major in college, her time at home is spent making art and connecting with Houston’s art scene. Cynthia Lopez Campbell Secretary Cindy Campbell brings a dynamic background in education, sales, and entrepreneurship to the Elderflower Montessori board. With a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, she began her career as a science educator before transitioning into a successful decade in healthcare sales, where she built strong relationships and spearheaded educational initiatives. She also runs her own land real estate business, leveraging her strategic mindset and passion for helping others invest in their future. Cindy’s connection to Montessori education is deeply personal—her own daughter began her schooling in a Montessori environment, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of a child-centered, holistic approach to learning. This experience reinforced her belief in fostering independence, curiosity, and well-being in education. She is honored to support the Montessori community and its mission. Outside of her professional endeavors, Cynthia enjoys traveling, supporting her community, and spending time with her family. Jake Cohen Board Member Jake Cohen (he/him) is a co-founder of Clover Montessori School, an early childhood program in Philadelphia, PA. Jake first fell in love with Montessori education in Chicago in 2012. He then moved to Oakland, CA for a graduate program in Montessori Early Childhood Education, earning his American Montessori Society credential and writing his Master’s thesis on obstacles to Montessori in Head Start programs. After five years in the Bay Area, Jake and his partner, Jessie, moved to Philadelphia to be closer to family on the East Coast. Since co-founding Clover with his colleague Eileen Fell in 2021, Jake has been thrilled to see the school grow to serve 30 children per year through a tiered tuition model in which families pay according to household income. He's very happy to continue learning and growing in this work alongside Melina and Ikuko as they embark on their journey with Elderflower.

< Back Home A Seamless Learning Community Wildflower schools look for ways in which children’s home, school, and community environments can offer more seamless experiences, reflecting consistent perspectives on children’s development and engaging them as authentic contributors in each setting. We see our work as a partnership with parents and families: we value their wisdom, invite their engagement, and enthusiastically share with them our Montessori methods. Similarly, parents at Wildflower schools see their roles as active supporters of the schools and teacher-leaders, rather than its customers. Previous Next

< Back Montessori An Authentic Montessori Environment The Montessori Method emerges from the belief that children are naturally good, peaceful and curious and that in the context of a supportive environment, all children engage instinctively in the work of self-construction. With appropriate freedoms and the right support, children follow their interests to create rich learning experiences, form peaceful communities, and support and learn from one another. We are dedicated to the preparation of environments and ourselves to support the development of children. Previous Next

Support Elderflower Montessori in bringing high quality, authentic Elementary education to the children and families of Houston, Texas. WAYS TO GIVE As a 501c3 non-profit, Elderflower Montessori puts donations toward start-up costs such as furniture, materials, and living wages for our guides as we build our enrollment. As part of our community, our generous donors directly help students succeed intellectually, emotionally and socially. If you’re interested in contributing, get in touch today. Volunteer We welcome the donated gift of time. Email us using our email in the footer below to let us know how you would like to volunteer with our school program. Donate Money Click the button below to donate online through Givebutter. Donate In-Kind We welcome donated gifts in good quality such as classroom materials, books, and furniture. Please email us for a proof of donation. Donate