Smaller Scholars Montessori Academy — Local services in Houston

I was once a student at this school, Before I moved to Mexico I was living in Houston Texas and was attending this school. I had come from Italy and Couldn’t speak English at all. I stayed in Houston for 5 years and after a year of being in SSMA, I fell in love!!! Not only did they teach me how to speak English in a very short time but I enjoyed every second I was in that school. And let’s not start on the people and teachers there!!! When I first came to that school I was 5 years old and had to point to ask for the bathroom, I was really lonely and felt that I would never get any friends or speak any English, but if My little me could see that I now can speak fluent English, Spanish, Italian and French, I would say it was all because of SSMA. Miss Teri, The elementary director would give hugs to anyone that needed one and after the second day of coming to school The first thing I would do would be that I run to her and say good morning with a hug🤗. Miss Joyce, the reading specialist would take me and some other people out of the class each day to practice reading, writing and speaking in English, this helped a ton and I give all the credits to her for my perfect English. She also gave me my passion to read and right now have more than 20 books in my room that I read over and over again in different languages. And Miss Andrea, the best teacher I’ve ever had, I fell in love with her the first day of school with her teaching me! She would always respect everyone in the room and would always be fair, she would resolve any of our problems and would be so easy to talk to!! And my friends, the best people I’ve ever met in my life. I remember the day I came to visit the school, Miss Teri guided us to Miss Andrea’s class and mostly everyone came to hug her and she said these exact words: “We’re family”, at first I didn’t understand what she meant, but then when I came to the school, I understood why she said that, and I still consider all of my friends and close teachers my family❤️ My closest friends were Lorenzo, Sofia, Miranda, Stefano, Ava, Alessandra, Annika, Mateo, Savanna and much more!! They were all from different countries and could all speak different languages which I thought and still think is amazing!!! This school is the best school I’ve ever had! I’ve had the best experiences in this school and would love to go back there! Sadly I’m traveling all over the world!!! -Rebecca Orsolato (An old SSMA student) To- Everyone in the world who wants to come! Also for Miss Teri, Miss Andrea, Miss Joyce and all of my wonderful...

My children have been at Smaller Scholars for almost a year and they love their school. They are both in the primary community however my youngest did join the toddler classes first and recently moved up. I think the school is very effective at communicating with the parents on the benefits of the Montessori system and how it’s put into practice and what we can expect to see from our children. In addition, the school does fun events for the kids which involve the parents - a St Jude bike-a-thon, an International Day Parade, a Christmas recital, a summer festival with a wagon ride, petting zoo and cake walk to name a few. Around Christmas time they also had a Parent’s Night Out that was offered free to us. The addition of the new Head, Ms. Golanski, has helped elevate this school and the changes she has made are noticeable. In fact, whenever my 4 year old son sees her from a distance he chases her down for a hug. She always takes the time to talk to parents and children and my son’s reaction to her presence is amazing to see. The Assistant Director, Ashley, is very friendly and helpful and gets to know you and your children and is great with connecting with especially as you first enroll in school. The teachers my children have been with are very effective - loving, kind and nurturing and I can tell my children have bonded well with them - because the time the teachers have taken with them and the personal interest they’ve shown to them. You can really see the teachers light up when they talk about your child or the Montessori education system and it’s evident they really believe in the method of education and the good it does for your child. I would mention the teachers by name here, however in my interactions with the other teachers I have seen that they also have the same care, attention and passion for their responsibility! This is a uniformed school with free dress on Fridays (also show and tell day). I can see a noticeable difference in my children as they have attended this school - they are more independent and want to try things for themselves. They have flourished at this school and the administration really values and gets to know you...

I am an educator and my child is a student at Smaller Scholars. I'm so impressed each day I walk through the building for pick up and drop off. Like the day I toured, the children - no matter the age or classroom - are consistently calm, focused, happy, learning and practicing age-appropriate independence. It's so impressive. Not many, including in education, believe young children can successfully participate in structured independence with teacher support but Smaller Scholars is proving it can be done and so eloquently with the Montessori method. It's not completely noiseless or frigid like some might expect. The environment is peaceful, calm and there is a productive hum. Everday. This structure requires well supported teachers, a lot of work from teachers and administration, and a system in place that is commited to this philosophy. The daily environment is proof they are putting their efforts and heart into what they believe and to what they committed. Academically, their priority is mastery that starts from a very organic, exploratory and conceptual foundation. Research supports this and it's how I teach! Most importantly, my child loves our teacher, Mrs. Maria. She has been there for many years and it shows. Relationship is most important and it has ensured my child's growth and overall happiness in school. The facility is always clean and well taken care of. It's a beautiful place and they are doing a great work. Glad...