Where Montessori Meets Nature: Mountain Laurel Montessori Opens Its Doors in Philadelphia
- Wildflower Schools
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 8
This fall, as new Wildflower schools open across the country, we’re taking a moment to go inside the story of one – thanks to a conversation we had months ago, when Caitlin Reusche and Alli Bizon of Mountain Laurel Montessori, still in the thick of school startup, shared their vision for a nature-based, equity-driven Montessori school in Philadelphia.
Born of deep partnership and shared purpose, Mountain Laurel embodies a radical idea: educators stay in the classroom, families are co-creators, and nature and Montessori are central.
A Radical Choice: Educator Leaders Who Stay in the Classroom
After more than a decade in public schools, Alli and Caitlin craved a model that let them lead without leaving the classroom.
“In many schools, once you become a leader, you leave the classroom. But we love teaching,” says Caitlin. “Wildflower model is about doing both—to lead and stay grounded in the practice.”
It also gave them the freedom to do things their way: setting their own schedule, practicing Montessori authentically, and bringing it to families who may have never encountered it before.
A Montessori School, Rooted in Nature
Mountain Laurel serves children ages 3 to 6, offering earlier care than most Montessori classrooms—something Caitlin and Alli, both working parents, knew families needed.
What sets the school apart is its nature-based approach. Grounded in Maria Montessori’s belief in caring for oneself, others, and the environment, Mountain Laurel embraces the second work cycle she intended to happen outdoors—complete with rain gear, mud, and hands-on exploration.
Observation is central: educators watch children closely, and children learn to observe nature—asking how they can respond, care, and improve their environment. “At our core, we believe Montessori is nature-based—wherever you are,” Caitlin says.
They believe everyone deserves daily access to nature and teach sustainable practices through local ecology—even in abandoned lots—while advocating for green space equity. Families are part of the journey, too. “We want families in the weeds with us,” Caitlin says. “Digging, exploring, growing together.”
Equity in Action
As public Montessorians, Caitlin and Alli designed Mountain Laurel to be accessible from the start—offering tiered tuition, accepting Early Learning Resources Centers (ERLC) subsidies, and embedding equity into their leadership, hiring, and community engagement.
They’re building a cooperative model where families can donate time and resources, with pathways for community members interested to train in Montessori and join the school’s future leadership.
“We’re two white women, and we’re not meant to be the only leaders,” Alli says. “We’re committed to expanding our team to reflect the diversity of our city.”
Built on Experience, Sustained by Trust
Caitlin and Alli aren’t new to school startup. As founding teachers at Chicago’s only public charter Montessori school—and one of the only Head Start-funded Montessori programs in the country—they built from the ground up, with no materials and little guidance. It taught them to be resourceful, collaborative, and attuned to themselves and in turn their families.
That foundation shaped how they build partnerships today: by starting with listening—learning who their stakeholders are and what matters to them.
They’ve also learned what it takes to sustain a strong co-leadership. Weekly check-ins, honest feedback, and shared accountability have helped them navigate parenting, grad school, and startup life—without losing sight of their purpose.
“It’s challenging work,” Alli says, “but it’s also the most innovative and exhilarating thing I’ve ever done.”
Support that Inspires Support
Throughout their journey, Caitlin and Alli have felt deeply supported by the Wildflower network—with coaching, tools, tough questions, and a community that shows up.
“We keep pinching ourselves,” Alli says. “Every time we reach out, someone’s there. It’s a community that gives—and makes you want to give back.”
That spirit of distributed leadership inspires them to support others coming up in the pipeline. The Great Philadelphia Wildflower schools—Clover, Hyacinth, Spicebush, and Poinciana—and even their former principal, now a board member, have offered encouragement, guidance, and belief in their vision.
Fueled by Community Investment
Mountain Laurel’s opening was also made possible by donors, friends, and partners committed to expanding access to nature-based Montessori education in Philadelphia. Generous support from The Howley Foundation, Spring Point Partners and the Scholler Foundation—along with contributions from dozens of individuals and families—provided essential startup, facilities, and tuition assistance, planting the seeds for a thriving school community.
What’s Next
This is just the beginning. Mountain Laurel is already planning ways to deepen partnerships within the Roxborough neighborhood, expand their leadership, and advocate for greater access to nature in urban education.