Starting a school can feel overwhelming. For teachers who dream of creating a community-based Montessori school, there are countless decisions to make—from vision and leadership to community and facilities. At Wildflower, teachers don’t have to take that journey alone. Through our School Startup Journey, educators move step by step from idea to reality, supported by peers, mentors, and community partners.

This fall, as new Wildflower schools open across the country, we’re taking a moment to go inside the story of one. Born of deep partnership and shared purpose, Mountain Laurel Montessori embodies a radical idea: educators stay in the classroom, families are co-creators, and nature and Montessori are central.

This year, our 12th and largest cohort brings 14 new Wildflower schools—from our first middle school in D.C. to a rural public charter in Colorado, a bilingual school in Puerto Rico, and our first in Arkansas and Tennessee. Together, they join 77 schools across 20 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C., reimagining what school can be.

Curious about how to start a school? This step-by-step guide walks educators and community leaders through the key stages — from defining your vision and building your budget to securing a facility and opening your doors.

Stories of 11 Teacher Leaders whose skills, passions, and life experiences sparked the creation of beautiful, community-embedded schools.

In the following pages, you will read the stories of 21 Teacher Leaders whose skills, passions, and life experiences sparked the creation of beautiful, community-embedded schools.