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 grade 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.

As we prepare to open our licensed Montessori school, Growing Minds Montessori Academy currently offers a cohesive, Montessori-based program for early childhood and elementary learners, including academic enrichment, early childhood education, and Russian language development. Families may enroll in one or more components based on their child’s needs, while still benefiting from a consistent, structured learning environment.

Children engage in hands-on Montessori activities, small group instruction, and meaningful enrichment experiences that build strong academic foundations, independence, and confidence.

This program also serves as a natural bridge to our future school, with the same curriculum, teaching philosophy, and materials continuing into our licensed program—providing continuity in both learning and community.

Learning Together Today

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!