Unlocking each child’s genius through kindness, community, and delight.
Welcome to Explore Academy! We offer unique early education solutions in an intentional, nurturing setting, perfect for parents seeking a balanced, real-world approach to Montessori education.
To truly understand the benefits of Montessori education, there’s no substitute for seeing it in action. At Explore Montessori, the passion of our staff, the focus of our students, and the warmth of our community create a learning environment that must be experienced firsthand.
We invite you to schedule a weekday morning tour to explore our campus, observe Montessori in practice, and discover if we’re the right fit for your family. Simply choose a campus, learn more, and book your visit today.
Freedom within Limits: Building Trust and Respect
At Explore Academy, we follow Dr. Maria Montessori’s principle of freedom within limits—offering children the freedom to make choices within clear, respectful boundaries. This balance fosters independence, responsibility, and confidence.
Our approach is grounded in respect, practiced daily in three essential ways:
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Respect for Oneself – Building self-worth and responsibility.
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Respect for Others – Encouraging empathy, inclusion, and community.
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Respect for the Environment – Caring for our world with gratitude and stewardship.
By combining meaningful freedom with thoughtful guidance, we create a space where children grow into capable, compassionate individuals.
The Observant and Aware Adult
At Explore Academy, we know a well-prepared environment is only part of the Montessori approach. The heart of the method lies in the teacher’s ability to observe, guide, and adapt to each child’s unique path.
Our educators are trained to recognize when to step in with support and when to let a child explore independently. Through careful observation, they offer lessons that match each child’s stage of development and learning style. This responsive approach ensures that every student receives the right balance of freedom and guidance to thrive.
The Prepared Environment
At Explore Academy, we follow Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision of classrooms that nurture independent, meaningful learning. She believed children thrive when free to explore at their own pace in environments designed for their development.
From low shelves and child-sized furniture to hands-on materials, every element in our classrooms supports autonomy, focus, and curiosity. Students choose work based on interest and readiness—whether it’s watering a plant or solving a math problem—each task builds academic, social, and emotional skills.
We honor Montessori’s legacy by creating spaces where students are guided, not directed—empowered to take ownership of their learning and inspired for life.
Meet Jessica Dehn, Founder of Explore Montessori & Academy
Jessica Dehn is a dedicated educator and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience creating nurturing, authentic Montessori environments. As a mom of three and founder of Explore Montessori, Dino Drop-In, ABCDino Academy, and Dino Discovery Experience, she’s passionate about supporting each child’s natural curiosity and growth.
Jessica also serves on the Bozeman Area Chamber of Commerce Board and has contributed to Montana State University’s Women’s Circle of Excellence and Women’s Business Center—bringing leadership and heart to everything she does.
