Garden Oaks - History of the Program
The seeds of our Montessori program were first planted in 1993 by a small group of parents and community members interested in changing educational opportunities within the public school system, specifically at Garden Oaks Elementary School, which was in decline. Understanding that the future of the neighborhood, and the inner city as a whole, was tied to quality public schools, they worked within the framework of the Shared Decision Making Committee on the Garden Oaks Campus.
Ultimately, this group organized and funded a Montessori "school within a school" program that now boasts seven classrooms and 147 neighborhood students, ages 3-11. Since 2006 the organization has opened two new Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms and anticipates opening another Lower Elementary classroom in 2010 as well as an additional Upper Elementary classroom in 2012.
Financial support from community partners such as Shell Oil, Houston Endowment, and Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital was instrumental in creating the Montessori program, and since the first class opened in 1994, the program has doubled in size. As a result of growth over its 15-year history, the Montessori program has a waiting list of more than 25 students each year. Currently, the program serves the Garden Oaks neighborhood, however, students zoned to HISD are also encouraged to apply on a space-available transfer basis.
Going forward, the Montessori program at Garden Oaks will continue to improve and expand to give children of all learning and language abilities the opportunity to experience a methodology and philosophy that reflects the world they will soon lead.
Garden Oaks - History of the Program
Garden Oaks Elementary is home to a public Montessori program for children ages 3-11. The Garden Oaks Elementary School Campus Montessori classes integrate needed academic, social and emotional skills. This program is partially funded by the Houston Independent School District with additional funding raised through Friends of Montessori (FOM,) a volunteer parent, teacher and community organization.
This public elementary Montessori program is designed to give children of all learning and language abilities the opportunity to be educated and socialized in an environment with a methodology and philosophy that reflects the world these children will soon lead. Because we are a public school, we maintain that the program is available to all ethnic and socioeconomic levels. It provides each child with a developmentally appropriate, multicultural, family-centered education.
The seeds of this program were first planted in 1993 with a small group of parents and community members interested in changing the educational process within the public school system, and specifically at Garden Oaks, which was in decline. They realized the future of the neighborhood and the inner city as a whole lies with quality public schools. To facilitate this change, they worked within the framework of the established rules of the Shared Decision Making Committee on the Garden Oaks Campus. The parents organized and funded the Montessori program, which grows annually.
In 2006, the program opened its third Children’s House Classroom. In 2008, the program plans to open a fourth Children’s House Classroom and in 2009 plans to open it’s third Lower Elementary Classroom!-->