Building Our School

Our program continues to thrive in a converted part of our home, where children explore, create, and learn in a warm, inviting environment. While this space has been the heart of our early days, we are actively taking steps to expand and bring our vision for a dedicated Montessori school to life. As part of this journey, we are currently pursuing a private school license with the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS), a process that ensures our program meets the highest standards of excellence in education. There are several important steps we must follow along the way, from preparing our curriculum and classrooms to meeting regulatory requirements, each one bringing us closer to opening a school designed specifically with children in mind. Please see below for details about the steps of our journey.

Where We are Now

As we continue our journey to create a dedicated Montessori school, we have a series of important steps planned to ensure a smooth and thoughtful process. Beginning in the spring of 2026, we will focus on obtaining the necessary approvals and permits, followed by construction and preparation for the opening of our new school. Key steps and timelines include:

    •    January – December 2026: Obtain a special use permit for the use of the land as an educational institution and secure a building permit for construction. Our goal is to complete these steps by December 2026.

    •    January 2027 – July 2028: Begin construction of the school building, with an estimated completion in the summer of 2028.

    •    January – July 2028: Work through the private school licensing process with the HAIS to ensure our program meets the highest standards of educational excellence.

    •    August 2028: Open the new school building, beginning with a Kindergarten through 2nd program, including a preschool option for children ages 3 to 5 years. Our Russian Language Immersion program will also be offered in the afternoons.

Each step brings us closer to creating a space thoughtfully designed for children, where curiosity, independence, and a love of learning are nurtured every day.

While we work toward opening our licensed Montessori school, we are offering an Academic Enrichment Program for children in home-based education. This approach allows us to begin serving families immediately, providing high-quality, child-centered learning experiences in a flexible and supportive environment. Children benefit from structured Montessori activities, hands-on projects, and opportunities for exploration and growth, all while learning in small groups that encourage independence and curiosity.

This program also serves as a bridge to our future school: the curriculum, teaching philosophy, and learning materials used in the enrichment program will seamlessly transition into the licensed school setting. Families who participate now will find continuity in both approach and community when we open our new classrooms, ensuring that every child can continue their learning journey without interruption.

Academic Enrichment for Home-Based Education: A Thoughtful Beginning

As of January 2026, we have assembled a dedicated team to support the development of our school. This includes an experienced project manager to handle permits, a skilled architect, and a trusted contractor to bring the building to life. Each member of this team brings valuable expertise and a shared commitment to creating a safe, functional, and inspiring environment for children.

In addition, we are actively seeking funding to move forward with the permitting process. As a non-profit corporation, we are exploring a variety of grant opportunities and other sources of support to ensure the project is fully resourced. We are committed to keeping families informed and will provide updates as funding is secured and work is scheduled and completed.

We invite families who are interested in learning more about our programs and following the journey of our school to stay connected. Sign up below to receive updates on our progress, upcoming opportunities, and the opening of our new classrooms. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our Montessori community!