magnolia blossom montessori school

Welcome to Magnolia Blossom Montessori, a Wildflower School in Louisville, Kentucky.

Magnolia Blossom Montessori provides a high-quality environment for children 1-6 years old. Our space welcomes the whole family into our fold, allowing each parent, teacher-leader, and child to live to their fullest potential at home and in the community.

We are a member of the Wildflower Network of schools. 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.

Please contact us to receive more information about our school.

APPLY HERE!

Commitment to Equity

One of the central principles we practice at Magnolia Blossom Montessori is the Wildflower principle of equity. Toward that end, we intentionally build community with families we think best support the school in expressing its purpose, regardless of families’ financial means.

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.

Support our school! Help fulfill our wishlist and donate funds! 

Location

950 South 3rd Street, Louisville, KY, 40203
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Hours

Our school is open Monday – Friday (except holidays and breaks recognized by the JCPS calendar) from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm.

Daily Routine

8:00-8:30 Drop-off
8:30-11:00 Work Cycle/Snack
11:00-12:00 Outside Time
12:00-12:30 Lunch
12:30-2:30 Nap
2:30-3:00 Transition to Home
3:00 – 3:30 Pick-up

Programs

We are a team of educators and learners in Louisville, Kentucky. We believe that children are intrinsically good, and a vital part of our community. Our investment in them will create a vibrant future.

 

Find out more about the programs we offer.

One to Three Years

Children from birth to the age of three are in the period of the absorbent mind.  During these years, more than 80% of the brain is formed, and children soak up their environment like a sponge, learning what it is to be a human in their culture, time, and place. Magnolia Blossom Montessori provides an environment specifically suited to your child’s development, practicing principles that align with the most important family values of equity, unconditional love, and peace. These years create a foundation for life.

Three to Six Years

From about 3-6 years, the child enters the conscious stage of development. Their mind still absorbs information easily, but now they will consciously seek out different learning experiences. The scientifically designed, unique Montessori materials help the child learn through hands-on exploration while developing important skills, such as independence, coordination, order, self-discipline and concentration.

Through “grace and courtesy” activities primary children learn how to solve conflicts, how to act politely in social situations, and how to be kind and helpful to each other resulting in a peaceful and caring community.

Group Lessons at Magnolia Blossom Montessori

Every child in the Primary (3-6) program will participate in weekly group lessons. Violins are provided by Magnolia Blossom Montessori. In true Montessori form, the mixed age group provides an opportunity for students who might be more advanced to guide other students. Group lessons are also good for learning how to play together, in unison with others and help reinforce skills learned in private lessons.

​Private Lessons

Private lessons are available after school hours at Magnolia Blossom Montessori,
​with Nia Strings for a monthly rate.

 

Akhilah DeBow-Cherry

I have had a love of music from a very young age.
I started at J. Graham Brown School with Suzuki violin instructor Jim Bates.

I took lessons at the University School of Music under Suzuki violin instructor Sherry Hoffmeister, while I dabbled in the cello, saxophone, guitar, and piano.

I graduated with my BA in Sociology from Simmons College 2019, and am in the process of earning my Masters in Counseling Psychology. I have over 25 years of violin experience, from my work with Louisville Youth Orchestra (LYO), J. Graham Brown School Orchestra, and St. Stephen Baptist Church Orchestra.  I have performed with Walden Theatre/Blue Apple Players, and The Moth Story Tellers at Brown Theatre. I have directed Nia Strings Suzuki violin program (formerly Love of Strings) since 2010, which is currently  run out of the Mizizi African Based Homeschool Co-op, as well as the Magnolia Blossom Montessori School (an official partner with Nia Strings Louisville).  We also have an association with Kuumba Youth Liberation Academy (KYLA), school of African based studies in Louisville, Kentucky.

In addition to my music, I am a devoted wife and loving mother of 4 boys, and one girl, I love Yoga, and have continued to stay involved with the arts.

Our Team

whitney harrell (she/her/hers)

Founding Teacher-Leader

I have worked as an infant toddler educator for 10 years and studied Early Childhood Education for 11 years.

I grew up in New Albany, Indiana. I went to Naropa University in Boulder Colorado and earned my B.A. in Early Childhood Education, with a focus on contemplative education, art, and peace studies. After graduation, I worked as an infant teacher in Denver at Catholic Charities in an Early Head-start program for families experiencing homelessness. This experience showed me that the work of Early Educators was tremendous and that I needed all the skills and training I could find. After the birth of my child, I journeyed to Hawaii to work at the Montessori School of Maui as an assistant Montessori Toddler Guide. This was my introduction to working hands on with Montessori method. With Montessori, I felt I had found my place in education.

​I studied at the North American Montessori Center to gain my birth to 3 credential. Next, I attended The Montessori Institute in Denver to earn an Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) Assistants to Infancy credential and M.A. ed. in Montessori Education from Loyola University Maryland, with my central studies on Special Education in early childhood and 0-3.  I worked for three years as a Montessori Toddler Guide at Kenwood Montessori School in Louisville. 

I am so proud of what we have accomplished as we head into our 3rd year –integrating my passion for community engagement and early childhood education at Magnolia Blossom Montessori. ​

melinda kozo (she/her/hers)

Teacher-Leader

I grew up in Hungary.  My mother is a teacher, and since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher too. My poor little sister had to be my student all the time! After a bilingual Hungarian-Italian high-school, I earned two Master’s degrees – in History and in German – from the University of Szeged (Hungary). After graduating, I worked as a German translator for two years.
In 2002, my husband and I came to the US for his PhD program. In the years that followed, I gave birth to my two daughters and took care of my family.
I first learned about the Montessori method as a parent, when my younger daughter went to Kenwood Montessori School in 2010. I fell in love with it and started working at Kenwood in 2012; in the first two years as an office assistant and an assistant teacher, then from 2014 as a Montessori teacher in a 3-6 classroom.
In 2013 I started my Montessori training, and in 2015, I earned my AMS/MACTE Montessori Teacher Certification (3-6) through the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Teacher Education.

I am so excited to be a part of the extremely important work that Magnolia Blossom Montessori has been doing in the field of early childhood education! ​

laura rebollo (she/her/hers)

Infant/Toddler Lead Teacher

Laura has a BA from Hanover in Theological Studies and Gender Studies, and an Infant and Toddler Montessori Certification through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies. Laura has worked with toddlers in a Montessori setting over 5 years. When not working with children, she loves taking her child Santiago to the park, watching movies with her family, thrifting, and creating Montessori environments and  Montessori materials. Laura is a native Spanish speaker, with a large repertoire of Spanish songs and sign language for children under her belt.

corbin mcguire (she/they)

Primary Assistant Teacher

 

 

 

 

nicole white (she/her/hers)

Infant/Toddler Assistant Teacher

fox faget (they/their/theirs)

Primary Assistant Teacher

Enroll Now

Who We Serve

Children are eligible to join our studio when they turn 12 months old and are toddling. Children attend the Toddler program until the age of 3, at which time they transition to our primary (3-6) program.

We save 1/3 of our spots for families who are very low income. Do you qualify? Check this link!

Application and Enrollment

To ensure our community thrives, we will balance our community with children of different ages, income levels, race and ethnicity, and individual needs. You are welcome to submit an application and let us know about your interest in enrolling. 

Magnolia Blossom Montessori is an active and intentional community of families. Part of the Wildflower Network, we are constantly evolving as we practice expressing our purpose, individually and collectively. One aspect of this practice is something we define as “discernment;” that is, we distinguish carefully through a thoughtful process of opening oneself to increased intimacy and vulnerability through sensory, cognitive and emotional experience. This is what we are asking you to do as you consider pursuing participation in our community as an enrolled family.
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APPLY HERE!

Tuition

Tuition and fees are contracted for each student on an annual basis. Tuition contributes to the overall cost of educating each child, including teacher salaries, materials, operations, and overhead. Fees are assessed annually to provide the cost of snack, supplies, and activities for each student. Tuition is prorated for children enrolling after the start of the school year. 

To live more fully into our equity principle, we have moved to an Equitable Tuition Model based on Income. Learn more here. We center equity and participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) that provides financial support to help low-income families pay for child care.
We anticipate a cost of living increase yearly.

Magnolia Blossom Montessori School strives for absolute financial transparency, as well as striving to make our school inclusive to families living at all income levels–in the spirit of reflecting the Louisville community and valuing all families, regardless of their means.

Non-discrimination Policy

Magnolia Blossom Montessori School is a nonprofit organization and does not discriminate by race, color, national or ethnic origin, creed, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to public assistance. Furthermore, Magnolia Blossom Montessori School 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.

News & Events

Open Houses

The last Sunday of every month, we hold a Virtual Open House. For more information please see our Facebook page.

Parent Education Events

Our parent education workshops and discussions help parents with the various developmental stages and challenges that arise when parenting. Topics vary and are tailored to parents of children within different age groups while complementing Montessori philosophy.

For more information please visit our Facebook page!

Resources

Learn about the Wildflower network from its founder, Sep Kamvar

Montessori from a father’s point of view

Consider a charitable gift to Magnolia Blossom Montessori. We believe educational opportunities should be available to families in our community regardless of financial means. We appreciate any support you might offer our community as we strive for social justice through quality, authentic Montessori education.

Magnolia Blossom Montessori is a 501(c)3 nonprofit school so all donations are tax deductible.

Wildflower Schools

Magnolia Blossom Montessori is a member of the Wildflower Schools Network

Wildflower is an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that support children, teachers, and parents. Our schools aspire to give all children and families the opportunity to choose high quality, beautiful learning environments as they follow life’s unfolding journey.

About Wildflower Schools

Wildflower is an ecosystem of decentralized Montessori micro-schools that support children, teachers, and parents. Our schools aspire to give all children and families the opportunity to choose high quality, beautiful learning environments as they follow life’s unfolding journey.

Our aim is to be an experiment in a new learning environment, blurring the boundaries between home and school, between scientists and teachers, between schools and the neighborhoods around them.Our schools are small and teacher-led, with deep parent engagement. At the core of Wildflower are 9 principles that define the approach.

Our network is supported by a foundation that works to build capacity, systems, tools and research to grow and strengthen the network.

Learn more about our story.

Our Principles

Blurring the boundaries between home-schooling and institutional schooling, between scientists and teachers, between schools and the neighborhoods around them. At the core of Wildflower are 9 principles that define the approach.

Read about them here.

Our Network

After the first Wildflower school was created in January of 2014, there was intense interest in the school and the approach. This interest led us to open-source the model and help other family groups and teacher-leaders to create new Wildflower schools. Each teacher-leader at each Wildflower school serves on the board of at least one other Wildflower school, creating a community of schools that are linked by both a shared philosophy and a network of shared relationships.

View our network.