Welcome to Explore!
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.
Freedom within Limits: Building Trust and Respect
At Explore Academy, we embrace the concept of “Freedom within Limits” to foster an environment where children feel both trusted and respected. This approach, inspired by Dr. Maria Montessori, doesn’t mean that students can do anything they want, whenever they want, without consequences. Instead, it means we provide opportunities for children to make choices within clear, thoughtful boundaries.
Respect forms the foundation of our community values, helping us navigate both freedoms and limits effectively. Our students and staff practice these core values daily:
- Respect for Oneself: Developing self-esteem and personal responsibility through a supportive and empowering community.
- Respect for Others: Balancing personal ambitions with an awareness of others’ needs, fostering friendships, celebrating diversity, and contributing to the common good.
- Respect for the Environment: Caring for our resources and the planet out of love and stewardship.
At Explore Academy, we believe that respect and thoughtful boundaries cultivate a learning environment where every child can thrive and grow.
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 embrace Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision of classrooms designed to support independent, meaningful learning. She understood that children learn best when given the freedom to explore at their own pace, in an environment tailored to their developmental needs.
From the first Casa dei Bambini to today’s classrooms, Montessori environments are built for children—low shelves, child-sized furniture, and carefully chosen materials all support autonomy and engagement. You’ll see children working at tables or on rugs, accessing lessons independently, and choosing work that reflects their interests and readiness.
Every material in our classrooms serves a purpose, from strengthening motor skills to building vocabulary and confidence. Whether it’s watering a plant or solving a math problem, each activity supports a child’s growth across academic, social, and emotional domains.
At Explore Academy, we carry forward Montessori’s legacy by creating purposeful learning spaces where students are guided, not directed—empowered to take ownership of their education and inspired to love learning for life.
Visit our School
To truly grasp how Montessori education works and how it can benefit your child, there’s no substitute for experiencing it in action. At Explore Montessori, the passion and expertise of our staff, the focused curiosity on our students’ faces, and the warmth and support of our community are all part of what makes our environment unique. These elements are best appreciated in person, beyond what can be conveyed through a website.
We warmly invite any family interested in learning more about our approach to schedule a personalized campus tour. We offer tours every weekday morning during the school year, providing an opportunity to explore our campus, see our Montessori principles in practice, and find the right fit for your family. To get started, choose a campus, learn more about our offerings, and book your tour today.
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Need help paying for childcare? Families can apply for childcare assistance by contacting the Child Care Resources by phone at 406.728.6446 by email at ccr@childcareresources.org , or online at childcareresources.org.