Mariposa Montessori School

We’ve been a part of the Mariposa community for a while now and couldn’t be happier with the decision. We have an infant in the Nido room and a toddler in their Young Children’s Community. I toured and considered many Montessori programs in Austin and found merits in many of them, but I didn’t see another program with such heart, community and love that I felt from Mariposa. When our son started, I was delighted to learn that my impression was spot on. After very little time, I saw how much every one on staff cares for all the children, even the ones in other classes that you’d think they might not know. I was so impressed in the first weeks to see how genuinely and sincerely Miss Kelsey provides a truly authentic Montessori experience for her toddlers. She truly respects them and empathasizes with developmental changes that can be frustrating and confusing for them. She (and the other guides) really empower the children to find their indepence, express their needs and feel confidant with how capable they are. My daughter is in the infant room, and it’s been remarkable to see how their loving and thoughtful environment has allowed her a safe place to be so much more autonomous and explorative than I would have thought possible at her age. She’s already having so much fun with life that she might not be having if she were more constricted in her daily activities. The Nido guides are extremely calm and patient and clearly love their babies a ton. I highly recommend this school. The Falcon’s are such kind, understanding, and community-​oriented business-​owners. They are open to new ideas and accessible when you need them. They take a lot of pride in the programs they have created and clearly have a deep respect for their staff and a refreshing candor with the parents.

Our son has been at this school since he was nine months old. Truly, the school has shaped him (and my husband and I as parents) in so many beautiful ways. First, the school environment is incredibly warm and inviting. There is a thriving and supportive parent community and wonderful administrators. Second, our boy is receiving a top education — his intellectual curiosity, love of learning, and compassionate consideration of others has truly been nurtured in this school environment. We are zoned for a highly rated elementary school but have continued to keep him at Mariposa. I highly recommend Mariposa and shudder to think of where we might be without them…

I love this school! My daughter is in Miss Shelly’s class and she loves going to school. She is learning so much and having so much fun.
I am a Montessori trained teacher and have observed at all the levels in the school. They are all great. All of the teachers are so loving and caring, you can be sure your child is getting plenty of love and attention while here.
The directors of the school are very kind, humble, and down to earth, which sets a nice tone for everyone at the school. There is a very positive energy throughout the whole school.

For any parent looking to provide the most amazing educational and social environment for their young child or children, look no further. You have found the place! Mariposa Montessori will exceed your expectations as it did mine and my husbands. We have had 3 children attend the school. Our twins entered the Children’s House (separate classrooms, Brodie Lane) at age 4 and spent two years there, graduating from kindergarten at age 6. Their younger sister began in the Young Children’s Community at 20 months and moved up to the Children’s House at age 3. She will begin her kinder year in a few weeks (August 2014) at the South Lamar campus. We have had the unique experience to have had a child in each of the 3 Children’s Houses, perhaps the only family thus far to have done so.
I have only positive things to say about the administration, lead guides, assistant guides, and after-​care staff. Our loving lead guides Ms Monica, Ms Kimberley, Ms Tristan, and now Ms Shelly have provided classroom experiences that have emphasized not only reading, math and science, but global and cultural awareness, environmental awareness, and a sense of what it means to be an appropriate observer as well as an appropriate leader (social awareness). In addition, I love that the school is green and environmentally friendly, has a beautiful garden at Brodie, has enormous classrooms at Lamar, encourages healthy eating habits by banning junky foods and snacks, has an after-​school yoga program, and enabled my son to be doing division with remainders in kindergarten! My only regret is that we did not know about this gem sooner to enable the twins to have the same length of time spent here as our youngest. This review may not be necessary as the word is out and the wait-​lists are longer than ever, so be sure to take a tour and get on the list when your kids are itty-​bitty so as to not miss out on any of the environments at this wonderful school. I didn’t know much about Montessori philosophy 4 years ago, but have learned so much and now realize that there is no better way to educate a young child.

I can’t say enough good things about Mariposa and I am truly saddened that due to a move for a job, we must pull our son out of Mariposa and the Nido Room led by Kyndra.
I have very high standards and was petrified of finding daycare for our son last fall. I toured three facilities and all but one (Mariposa) left me running for the door. Sugary snacks, babies stuck in exersaucers all day — it was awful. We toured Mariposa and instantly fell in love. The Nido (infant) room is incredible. The guides are attentive and encourage each child’s development. The children all have freedom to move about the room and explore their environment, instead of being confined to swings and exersaucers. What’s more is that this school actually teaches these infants. They don’t just look after them all day, trying to waste the hours as many daycares do. They help these little people grow to be functioning, educated individuals. The guides are mindful of each developmental stage.
Kyndra and her assistants are a joy to watch. I feel completely safe and comfortable leaving my son in their care. He is happy when we drop him off and happy when we pick him up. They have taught him sign language, have helped develop his solid eating skills and it is so clear that each of the guides loves all of the children in that room. I truly feel like we are partners in raising my son.
The cherry on top is that the school uses cloth diapers, encourages nursing moms to stop in any time, and that my son could grow and move on to the next class with his playmates.
We love Mariposa and feel truly lucky to have found it!

Sending my daughters to Mariposa Montessori School was, by far, the best decision I have ever made. My 6 year old is about to graduate & my 2 year old will move to the Children’s House in the fall. They both have been attending since they were babies & I am heartbroken that my 6 year old’s time there is coming to a close. From the owner to the administrative assistant to the lead guides to the assistant guides, my girls have received nothing but unconditional love & gentle guidance. Mariposa is one of the few Montessori schools in Austin that adheres to the Montessori method & philosophy. I have learned so much about parenting from this amazing school. I cannot imagine our lives had Mariposa never been in them.

Best Montessori school in Austin! Wonderful, loving teachers and a close community. Highly recommended!