San Antonio Montessori School in Universal City
Country Day Montessori offers Universal City families a special place where children thrive through discovery and exploration. Since 1983, our Montessori school has provided a different kind of education that respects how children naturally learn. At our school, students choose activities that interest them while teachers guide their progress. Our beautiful 4.5-acre campus gives children space to connect with nature, care for animals, and learn both inside and outside the classroom. Through this balanced approach, Universal City children develop strong academic skills alongside independence, creativity, and a genuine love for learning.
Child-Centered San Antonio Montessori School Serving Universal City
Our Montessori school welcomes Universal City children from infancy through elementary years. At Country Day Montessori, we understand that children learn best when they’re interested and engaged. Rather than sitting at desks for long lessons, our students move around the classroom, selecting work that captures their curiosity from specially designed materials. Teachers observe carefully, offering help when needed but allowing children to discover solutions on their own whenever possible. This approach builds deep understanding and confidence. Universal City families choose us because their children develop strong academic foundations while maintaining their natural enthusiasm for learning new things.
Our Programs include:
Infant Care (Newborn - 18 months)
Our infant care program creates a peaceful, loving environment where babies as young as 3 months can grow and develop naturally. Caregivers respond promptly to each infant’s needs, building trust and security. The infant room provides safe spaces for movement, sensory exploration, and early language development, laying a foundation for all future learning.
Pre-Primary (18 months - 3 years)
Our Pre-Primary program embraces toddlers’ energy and curiosity with plenty of opportunities for movement, language development, and independence. Children practice everyday skills like washing hands, preparing food, and caring for their environment. These activities develop coordination, confidence, and concentration while satisfying toddlers’ desire to do things “all by myself.”
Primary (3 - 6 years)
The Primary program offers children their first experience with more formal learning, presented in ways that match how young children think and learn. Using beautiful, hands-on materials, students explore language, mathematics, geography, science, art, and music. They learn to read, write, and understand mathematical concepts through concrete experiences that make abstract ideas clear and interesting.
Lower Elementary (Grades 1-3)
Our Lower Elementary program builds on the Primary foundation with more in-depth studies across all subject areas. Students work both independently and in small groups, conducting research, solving complex problems, and developing strong academic skills. The curriculum responds to children’s growing interest in understanding how the world works and their place in it, fostering curiosity and critical thinking.
Upper Elementary (Grades 4-6)
The Upper Elementary program prepares students for future academic success through challenging work in language arts, mathematics, science, history, and cultural studies. Students learn to manage long-term projects, conduct original research, and present their findings effectively. They develop leadership skills, social responsibility, and the academic foundations needed for success in any future educational setting.
Summer Program
Our summer program blends learning with fun during school breaks, offering themed activities, nature exploration, creative arts, and special projects. Children maintain their academic skills while enjoying seasonal activities in a familiar, supportive environment. The program follows Montessori principles with a more relaxed summer pace that Universal City families appreciate.
How Montessori Helps Your Child Succeed
Real Learning That Lasts
At Country Day Montessori, children don’t just memorize facts—they build deep understanding that stays with them. Hands-on materials help students grasp concepts by seeing and touching them, from the structure of a flower to the sounds that form words. This concrete learning makes ideas clear and memorable. Universal City parents often marvel at how much their children retain, thanks to Montessori’s focus on real learning rather than just covering required content.
Building Confident, Capable Children
Montessori education nurtures more than academics—it builds independence, problem-solving skills, and self-trust. Children learn persistence by working through challenges and feel pride in mastering skills on their own. In mixed-age classrooms, they both learn from older peers and mentor younger ones, strengthening social skills and empathy. These experiences help Universal City children develop confidence, responsibility, and resilience for success in school and life.
Serving Universal City Families Since 1983
Country Day Montessori has served San Antonio area families for over 40 years, following Dr. Maria Montessori’s proven methods. Our Cognia accreditation reflects our commitment to excellence.
What makes us unique is our blend of authentic Montessori education and a nature-rich campus. On our 4.5-acre grounds, children observe butterflies, care for animals, and tend gardens—bringing learning to life. Our Montessori-trained teachers create a supportive community where every child feels valued and encouraged to grow.
Testimonials
After moving to Universal City, we searched for a school that would nurture our daughter’s curious spirit rather than trying to contain it. Country Day Montessori has been exactly what we hoped for. She’s learning to read and do math while also developing confidence and independence. The teachers understand her as an individual and guide her growth with such patience and wisdom.
As a military family stationed at Randolph, we’ve experienced many schools, and Country Day Montessori stands out as exceptional. Our son struggled with attention and behavior issues at his previous school, but here he’s engaged and thriving. The hands-on learning approach and freedom to move around the classroom have made all the difference. We only wish we’d found Montessori education sooner!
Both of our children have attended Country Day from Primary through Upper Elementary. We make the drive from Universal City every day because we’ve seen the incredible results of this education. They’ve developed not just strong academic skills but also independence, organization, and genuine curiosity about the world. The investment in Montessori education is the best decision we’ve made for our family.
How to Begin Your Child’s Montessori Journey
1
Visit our School
Start by scheduling a tour to visit our campus, observe our classrooms in action, and learn about our educational approach firsthand.
2
Choose a Program
We’ll help you select the right program for your child based on their age and development, ensuring they’ll have the best possible start to their Montessori experience.
3
Complete Enrollment
Fill out the enrollment application and join our community of families committed to giving their children an education that nurtures both academic excellence and personal growth.
Things We Love About Universal City
We’re proud to serve families throughout the Universal City area. Our community includes families from neighborhoods near Universal City Park, Kitty Hawk Road, Pat Booker Road, and Aviation Boulevard. We appreciate Universal City’s strong community spirit, family-friendly neighborhoods, and connection to Randolph Air Force Base. Our teachers enjoy taking classes to visit the Universal City Public Library with its excellent children’s programming that supports our literacy initiatives. After school events, our staff sometimes stops by Scoonie’s Chicago Eats for their famous Italian beef sandwiches – a local favorite that adds to the diverse charm of the Universal City community.
Other Areas We Serve
- Converse
- Windcrest
- Stone Oak
- Thousand Oaks
- Uptown Central
Ready to see the Montessori difference? Call (210) 496-6033 to book your tour today!
Schedule a TourApply HereFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the commute from Universal City to Country Day Montessori?
The drive from Universal City to our school typically takes about 25-30 minutes, depending on your starting point and traffic conditions. Many Universal City families find the commute worthwhile for the quality education their children receive. Some parents organize carpools with other families from the area to make the drive more manageable and environmentally friendly.
Do you have many military families from Randolph AFB?
Yes, we welcome many military families from Randolph Air Force Base and understand the unique needs of military children. Our teachers are experienced in helping students transition smoothly when joining our school mid-year. We pride ourselves on creating a stable, welcoming environment that helps military children adjust to new surroundings. We also offer flexibility for military families who may face unexpected relocation orders.
How does your school schedule work for working parents in Universal City?
Our school hours (7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday) accommodate most working parents’ schedules. The core Montessori program runs during the middle of the day, with before and after school care available for families who need extended hours. Many Universal City parents appreciate that their children can remain in the same nurturing environment throughout the day rather than needing transportation to separate childcare facilities.
What makes Montessori different from schools in the Universal City area?
Unlike traditional schools in the Universal City area, our Montessori classrooms feature mixed-age groups where children learn from and teach each other. Students work at their own pace rather than moving through curriculum as a group. Our hands-on materials make abstract concepts concrete and understandable. Teachers guide individual learning rather than delivering whole-group instruction. Children develop independence by choosing their work and taking responsibility for their learning environment. These differences create an educational experience that respects each child’s unique development and learning style.
How do you handle and school closures?
We follow emergency guidelines established by Northeast ISD and Universal City emergency management recommendations for weather-related closures. We communicate promptly with parents through our parent notification system when delays or closures are necessary. Our staff is trained in emergency procedures, and we practice regular drills with students to ensure everyone knows what to do in various emergency situations. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority.
Do children wear uniforms at Country Day Montessori?
No, we don’t require uniforms. We ask that children wear comfortable, practical clothing that allows free movement and can handle the occasional mess from art, gardening, or other hands-on activities. Many Universal City parents appreciate our simple dress code that focuses on function rather than appearance. We do ask that clothing be free from distracting images or characters that might disrupt the learning environment.
How do you handle the transition when a child needs to move to another school?
When families need to move from the area or transition to another school, we work closely with parents to make the change as smooth as possible. We prepare documentation about the child’s progress and learning style to share with the new school. Teachers spend time talking with students about the upcoming change and answering their questions. For older children, we discuss differences they might encounter in new educational settings and strategies for adjusting. Many Universal City families who have relocated tell us their children’s strong Montessori foundation helped them adapt quickly and successfully to new schools.