San Antonio Montessori School in Longhorn
Country Day Montessori welcomes Longhorn area families to our child-centered learning community. Since 1983, our Montessori school has created an environment where children grow naturally into confident, capable learners. On our 4.5-acre campus, students engage with nature, care for animals, and learn through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and build skills. Our teachers guide rather than direct, allowing each child to develop at their own pace while fostering independence, responsibility, and a genuine love for discovery.
Trusted San Antonio Montessori School Serving Longhorn Families
Our San Antonio Montessori school offers a complete educational journey for Longhorn area children from infancy through elementary years. Country Day Montessori stands apart from traditional schools by trusting children’s natural desire to learn and explore. In our classrooms, students choose meaningful work that engages their interests while developing essential skills. Our specially designed learning materials make abstract concepts concrete and accessible, allowing children to discover ideas through touch and movement. Longhorn families choose us because we develop the whole child – intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally – preparing them not just for academic success but for life.
Our Programs include:
Infant Care (Newborn - 18 months)
Our infant care program creates a gentle, responsive environment for our youngest learners. Babies as young as 3 months are welcomed into spaces designed for safe exploration and sensory development. Our trained caregivers form warm bonds with each infant, responding to their needs while encouraging natural movement and discovery.
Pre-Primary (18 months - 3 years)
Our Pre-Primary program captures toddlers’ growing independence and desire to do things “all by myself.” Children work with materials scaled to their size and abilities, developing coordination, language, and practical skills. They learn to care for themselves and their environment while building the concentration and social skills needed for future learning.
Primary (3 - 6 years)
The Primary program builds on children’s expanding capabilities with activities that develop reading, writing, math, geography, and science understanding. Through hands-on work with specialized materials, children grasp complex concepts naturally. This mixed-age classroom allows younger children to learn from older peers while older students reinforce their knowledge by helping others.
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3)
Our Lower Elementary program responds to children’s growing interest in understanding how and why things work. Students engage in research, collaborative projects, and deep exploration of academic subjects. They develop time management, organizational skills, and responsibility while building strong foundations in all subject areas.
Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6)
The Upper Elementary program challenges students with increasingly complex academic work while nurturing their growing moral and social awareness. Students take on leadership roles, engage in community service, and develop critical thinking skills through group discussions and independent projects that prepare them for the challenges of middle school and beyond.
Summer Program
Our summer program combines academic enrichment with seasonal fun in a familiar, supportive environment. Children participate in themed activities, outdoor exploration, arts, and sports while maintaining academic skills during school breaks. The program follows Montessori principles while incorporating special summer projects and field trips that expand children’s horizons.
How Montessori Helps Children Grow and Learn
Learning That Makes Sense
At Country Day Montessori, children learn by doing. Instead of sitting at desks all day, they move freely, choosing engaging activities from thoughtfully arranged shelves. They grasp math with counting beads, explore geography with puzzle maps, and develop writing skills by tracing letters before using pencils. This hands-on approach makes learning real and memorable, helping students master reading, math, and science naturally—often earlier than in traditional schools.
Growing as a Person
Education is more than academics. In our mixed-age classrooms, children learn leadership, conflict resolution, and respect for others. Older students mentor younger peers, while younger children gain confidence from their role models. Practical life activities teach responsibility, organization, and environmental care. Our Longhorn area students develop emotional intelligence, learning to recognize feelings, consider others, and make thoughtful choices—building skills for lifelong success.
Your Neighborhood Montessori School Near Longhorn
Country Day Montessori has provided authentic Montessori education to San Antonio families for over 40 years. Our Cognia accreditation reflects our dedication to excellence and continuous growth. Founded in 1983, we stay true to Dr. Maria Montessori’s proven methods while integrating modern educational research.
Our Longhorn area campus offers a unique, nature-rich learning environment. Children care for goats and chickens, observe butterflies in our greenhouse, and tend gardens—fostering responsibility, environmental awareness, and hands-on science learning. Montessori-trained teachers guide each child’s individual development with care and expertise.
Testimonials
Moving to the Longhorn area was stressful for our family, but finding Country Day Montessori made all the difference. Our twins have blossomed in ways we never expected. They’re more confident, curious, and capable after just one year here. The teachers truly understand each child and know how to bring out their best.
I was skeptical about Montessori at first, but after seeing my daughter thrive at Country Day, I’m completely convinced. She’s reading well above grade level, loves math, and most importantly, she’s excited to go to school every day. The teachers create such a positive, respectful environment where children actually want to learn.
As grandparents raising our grandson, we wanted the very best foundation for him. Country Day Montessori has exceeded our expectations. He’s becoming so independent and responsible at just 4 years old! The natural campus is wonderful too—he comes home with stories about the animals and plants he’s observed. It’s education the way it should be.
How to Begin Your Montessori Journey
1
Take a Tour
Start by scheduling a tour to visit our campus, see our classrooms in action, and learn about our unique approach to education.
2
Select a Program
We’ll help you determine which of our programs is the right fit for your child’s age and developmental stage, ensuring they’ll be in an environment where they can thrive.
3
Join Our Community
Complete the enrollment application and prepare for your child to embark on an educational journey that nurtures their natural love of learning in our supportive Montessori community.
Things We Love About Longhorn
We’re delighted to serve families from throughout the Longhorn area of San Antonio. Our community includes families from neighborhoods near Pearsall Park, SW Loop 410, Ray Ellison Drive, and Old Pearsall Road. We appreciate Longhorn’s unique blend of established neighborhoods and new developments, creating a diverse community of families who value quality education. Our teachers particularly enjoy visiting the Cortez Library with its excellent children’s programming that complements our literacy approach. For staff gatherings, we often head to Las Palapas for their authentic Tex-Mex cuisine – their family-friendly atmosphere mirrors the warm community spirit we foster at our school.
Other areas we serve
✔ Stone Oak
✔ Thousand Oaks
✔ Uptown Central
✔ Hill Country Village
✔ Wind Crest
Give your child the gift of Montessori education. Call (210) 496-6033 to learn more!
Schedule a TourApply HereFrequently Asked Questions
How do Montessori classrooms differ from regular classrooms in Longhorn area schools?
In Montessori classrooms, children of different ages learn together instead of being separated by grade. Students choose their own activities from specially designed materials arranged on open shelves, rather than all doing the same lesson at the same time. Teachers work with children individually or in small groups instead of teaching the whole class at once. Our classrooms have real plants, comfortable furniture, and natural materials rather than plastic toys and cartoon decorations. Children learn at their own pace without tests or grades, developing internal motivation rather than working for external rewards.
Is Montessori education a good fit for active children who have trouble sitting still?
Montessori education is excellent for active children because it allows movement throughout the learning process. Children are free to choose where they work—at tables, on floor mats, or in quiet corners—and can change activities when they’re ready. Many Longhorn parents find that children who struggled in traditional settings thrive in our environment because we channel their energy into purposeful activity rather than requiring long periods of sitting still. Our hands-on materials engage children physically as well as mentally, making learning a whole-body experience.
How do children transition from Country Day Montessori to other schools in the Longhorn area?
Our students typically transition very successfully to other educational settings. The independence, organization skills, and love of learning they develop at Country Day Montessori serve them well wherever they go. Many Longhorn area parents report that their children become leaders in their new schools because they’re self-motivated, responsible, and comfortable interacting with both peers and adults. We prepare older students for transition by discussing differences they might encounter and practicing skills they’ll need in new environments.
Do you offer financial assistance for Longhorn area families?
Yes, we offer limited tuition assistance based on financial need. We believe Montessori education should be accessible to as many families as possible. Please contact our office for information about applying for financial assistance. We also offer information about alternative funding sources that might be available to Longhorn area families.
What's the parent involvement like at Country Day Montessori?
Parents are important partners in our school community. We offer regular parent education events to help families understand and support Montessori principles at home. Parents can volunteer in various ways, from helping with special events to sharing cultural traditions or career information. Our active Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) builds community through social gatherings and supports the school through fundraising. While we welcome parent involvement, we respect that Longhorn area families have varying schedules and commitments, so participation is encouraged but never required.
How does Country Day Montessori handle discipline?
We take a positive approach to discipline, focusing on teaching appropriate behavior rather than punishing mistakes. Children learn to respect themselves, others, and their environment through clear, consistent boundaries and natural consequences. For example, if a child spills something, they clean it up; if they hurt someone’s feelings, they work to make amends. Teachers model respectful communication and help children develop conflict resolution skills. This approach helps Longhorn area children develop self-discipline and responsibility rather than simply following rules to avoid punishment.
Do you follow San Antonio nutrition guidelines for snacks and meals?
Yes, we follow nutrition guidelines established by the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. We encourage healthy eating habits by serving nutritious snacks and requiring balanced lunches. Parents provide lunches, and we offer guidelines to help them pack meals that support children’s learning and growth. We also teach children about nutrition as part of our practical life and science curriculum, often using vegetables grown in our own garden.