Friends of Montessori (FOM) was established in 1994 by a group of parents, teachers, and community members dedicated to creating a unique learning alternative within the Houston public school system. A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, FOM has grown to include four Houston ISD schools serving nearly 800 students annually:

Montessori students at all four schools regularly outscore their peers on standardized tests and the program itself has proven to provide enhanced cultural diversity within the classroom, exceptional education for all students, and hours of increased parent volunteer participation.

The goal of Friends of Montessori is to increase the availablility of this educational choice to more public school students, and since its inception, FOM has raised more than $400,000 toward that objective. Our public and private sponsors ensure that Friends of Montessori can continue to provide wider access to this proven learning methodology and offer additional opportunities to disadvantaged children as well as families seeking a competitive alternative to private schools.

FOM is organized as an Executive Board and Chapter Boards at each of the four schools. There are no paid board members or staff. Rather, FOM relies on the parents of Montessori students to serve directly or indirectly on committees that support Programs, Fundraising, Communications, and Teacher Representation.

While annual events such as a Gala and a Community Wide Pancake Breakfast raise funds and awareness for the various Montessori programs, much of the Friends of Montessori's success is attributable to hundreds of parents, teachers, and other volunteers who give graciously and unceremoniously of their time and talents.

We all want students with a strong self-image, good communication skills, creative problem-solving capabilities, and a lifelong enthusiasm for learning. Through awareness, advocacy, funding, and volunteer efforts, Friends of Montessori strives to achieve that goal for our kids and our community.

Woodrow Wilson >
  • Established in 2005 by Friends of Montessori
  • Pre K3-8th grade
  • HISD first ALL Montessori campus
  • Located in Houston's Inner Loop
 Garden Oaks >
  • Established Friends of Montessori 1993
  • Large park-like campus
  • Pre-K3 through 6th Grade
    • Located just North of Loop 610
Whidby >
  • Joined Friends of Montessori 2007
  • Montessori magnet since 1982
  • Pre-K3 through 5th grade
  • Located on Houston's South Side
 Los Ninos >
  • Joined Friends of Montessori 2008
  • Montessori since 2004
  • Became a sub-contractor to HISD's Young Learner's Charter School 2007
  • Serving children 3 to 6 years old
  • Located on Houston's East Side