Mariposa Montessori School

After nearly a year on the wait list, we turned  down the "invitation" to enroll because of many red flags. I was initially very committed to pursuing Montessori education for my then one-year-old but found the enrollment process, the lack of communication and transparency from the school administration very concerning. The engagement was curt at best and rude at worst...especially when we ask questions about how the school curriculum incorporated respect for cultural diversity, which was the most concerning red flag. I was also never able to talk to, meet or even say hi to the individual that would've been my child's teacher for more than a year. We toured many schools in the Austin area during, before and after Covid and I've never experienced an odd lack of transparency and gating of communication like we encountered at Mariposa over the course of a year of being on the waitlist (which costs a few hundred dollars).

If you look at the policies of the school there's a 30 day intro period in which they can essentially revoke your enrollment for "fit."  Given their waiting list length and waiting lists of all the other schools in the Austin area that would be a very challenging situation for a family...to essentially be left with no childcare shortly after enrollment at the vague discretion of administration.

We decided it wasn't worth the risk for our family.

My daughter started attending Mariposa last year, in the height of the pandemic.  It felt safe, welcoming and inclusive  through out the entire  year.  I saw her blossom in self-confidence.
This school year (2021-2022) ushered in a new head of school and changes I do not view as positive.  The turn-over rate is what I would have expected to see last year. Her dear lead guide is busy w/ a classroom of 25 children, the majority 3 & 4 years old. She is only able to give my daughter about 20 minutes one on one time a week!
My daughter is 6.5 now (October birthday) and has remained in the Children’s House for the entire school year. This is the program for 3-6 year olds. She should have been moved, at the very least part-time, to the lower elementary program after winter break.  She continuously asks me when she will be moved to kindergarten, she shows no sign of knowing how to read and she has not had the opportunity to be modeled for by older children, which as I understand it, is foundational in a Montessori education.
I have voiced my concerns and have heard nothing from the head of school (who has given her notice) or the founder.
I feel as if my girl has been in a glorified daycare and we will definitely have to be doing some hard work to get her caught up with her peer age group in confidence and academic skills.

Incredible institution that really goes that extra mile for the kids. We have had our son going to Mariposa for 2 years now and have seen him grow into a very confident boy who adores his friends and teachers.
When your toddler on the way to Mariposa says "I am so excited to go to school!" it says a lot about the experience he is having everyday!
Ms. Margaret, Ms. Anaid and everyone on the staff is always super helpful and caring.

We have had our kids at this school for five years now.  The new campus is a wonderful joining of the two previous smaller ones into a single community that lives the Montessori philosophy.  You couldn't ask for a better community of souls dedicated to nurturing their children's hearts, minds, and souls.  This school plays a big role in our community and our lives.

Mariposa is also the only fully accredited Montessori school in Travis county.

Every day we are incredibly grateful that we found Mariposa Montessori school. Our daughter has been at the school since she was 18 months old, and we are continually amazed at the quality and professionalism of the teachers, the loving care of every single staff member at the school, and the thriving, supportive parent community. When we first toured the school, I remember asking a parent in the parking lot what she liked best about the school, and her response was, "There's a lot of love here." We have found that to be more than true. The sense of warmth and comfort we feel when we drop our daughter off each morning is palpable. She truly loves school and runs into Miss Kelsey's classroom eagerly every day. The guides, support staff, and other children are like family to her, and I feel so much calmer as a parent knowing she is in great hands, especially because she is there for the full day including after-care, which goes all the way from 8:30 am - 5:30 pm. (Before 18 months, she used to attend a large chain daycare center in south austin, and I always felt vaguely nervous and uneasy when I left her there each day. The peace of mind I feel now dropping her off each day is considerable. It has made me a happier, healthier parent--more able to enjoy my career without feeling guilty about the time I spend away from her!)

In addition to providing an excellent educational and social environment for the kids, Mariposa also has a number of great programs and resources for the parents. Every month there are guest speakers or teachers who come in the evening to lead lectures, talks, and workshops to educate parents. These are free to the parents, and there is even usually free childcare for the kiddos in a separate room during these events. We've learned so much from these programs. They've shaped our approach to parenting and given us valuable opportunities to connect with other parents in the community. The community picnics, mom & dad's happy hours, etc. are also great. Meanwhile, our daughter is thriving intellectually and socially.

Beautiful newer facility. Several of the guides are downright excellent. However, the administration lacks thoroughness and clarity in its communications. This opinion was also confirmed by the personal accounts of several other parents that we know. Far more egregious, however, was the occurrence when our child was moved from NIDO care prior to the agreed upon transition date - before we believed she was ready; before she could even walk. Imagine a mobility-limited fifteen month old flailing in the middle of a score of tantrum-throwing two and three year olds. The fear in her eyes and the change in her behavior was apparent from then on at every afternoon pick-up. From a parent&#39;s perspective, it was soul-crushing. Rather than a childcare decision, this was a business decision (as verified by a &#34;regrettable&#34; email statement, in spite of the administration&#39;s attempt to retract it). In our opinion, moving our daughter early was likely intended to make room in the NIDO for other newcomers - though Mariposa predictably denied that intent. This was a decision made entirely against the parents&#39; wishes, and as we believed, at the expense of our child&#39;s well-being. Save your breath when complaining, by the way. In fact, the act of complaining itself could sour your relationship with the administration, resulting in your child being expelled from the school. But the contract you sign allows Mariposa to make this leveling-up decision independently, without consideration given to your input, cares or concerns as a parent.   And so they did. In addition to the fear trauma and constant painful leg-scrapes our daughter endured while scooting across the roughened concrete sidewalks (remember, she couldn&#39;t walk yet), I personally witnessed multiple bloody face-plants by other children on the same broom-finished surfaces. What could we do? We were locked in. We were at their mercy. We&#39;d already paid up well in advance - as is required. Good luck finding other child care services on short notice. But of course, they knew all this leverage existed when they devised the contract. It was purposeful. COVID-19 certainly hastened the eventual outcome for us, but we removed our little one from this facility as soon as we were able.

We had an extraordinarily terrible experience with Mariposa Montessori. In a nutshell, they did not have the skills or patience to facilitate a positive experience for our son. Before he went to this place he was calm and collected. We were really hopeful that he could stay there for years. He increasingly became frustrated and acted out. He&#39;s all of 3 years old. We were called on multiple occasions telling us to pick him up - for being a 3 year old essentially. He is not on the spectrum and we had him assessed by two Occupational Therapists and one Pediatrician who unanimously stated their anger at Mariposa Montessori for essentially kicking him out of their school. After all three had assessed him they determined he was a normal, growing 3 year old going through a normal phase. Either his teacher Melissa was new to the job and didn&#39;t know how to handle the situation, or she just didn&#39;t care enough. One of the directors of the school, Stacy, acted the same way. They did not want to put the effort into helping our son - they just wanted him out of there. These so-called teachers and administrators of this school seemed to have little to no experience with toddlers. It was unfortunate because their new campus is beautiful and we had very high hopes. I would not recommend anyone put their toddler in this school. Again, it was just a nightmare. DO NOT PUT YOUR TODDLER THROUGH THIS.

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