Independent School Startup
Support for opening an independent Montesori microschool
The Wildflower School Startup Journey guides entrepreneurial Montessori educators who want to found a teacher-led, community-embedded microschool, from their earliest idea to opening day.
It's a phased, self-paced program, but you never walk it alone. You'll have a dedicated Operations Guide, a cohort of fellow educators, and a national network of Teacher Leaders who've done exactly this.
Most Wildflower independent schools serve early childhood and elementary learners, and nearly all blend tuition with public funding, like child care assistance, universal pre-K, and education savings accounts (ESAs), so families across income levels can attend.
Interested in a tuition-free public charter school instead? Explore the charter pathway →
How Does the School Startup Journey Work?
The journey, phase by phase:
Phase 1: Discovery · self-paced
"I am learning about Wildflower and reflecting on my alignment and readiness to start a school."
Explore Wildflower's values and principles at your own pace, and begin reflecting honestly on your readiness and your "why."
Milestones: Explore schools and stories · Complete the Discovery Self-Reflection · Connect with a member of the Wildflower team.
What Does Wildflower Provide?
Resources, Tools, and Templates
Step-by-step guidance, templates, and vetted tools to design and develop your school, including a Wildflower-specific budget tool, recommended platforms, sample policies, schedules, and marketing materials.
My Wildflower Platform
A custom platform that supports your team's movement through the School Startup Journey and connects you with others across the network.
Operations Guides
Every educator who moves into Planning is matched with a Wildflower Operations Guide. Like Montessori guides, Operations Guides prepare the environment, acting as the link between you, the Wildflower community, and the resources available to you. Operations Guides →
Access to Funding
Emerging Teacher Leaders can apply for startup grants and low-interest loans. While funding isn't guaranteed, the vast majority of Emerging Teacher Leaders who apply receive a Sunlight loan, typically in the range of $100,000 to $200,000. We also help teachers design a budget that uses sliding scale tuition and public funding, like state child care subsidies, ESAs, and vouchers, so your school stays both accessible and sustainable. Learn about funding →
A Community of Teacher Leaders
One of the most meaningful sources of support for new schools. Teacher Leaders share wisdom and lessons learned, serve as advice givers and board members, and share resources across the network.
You won't be doing this alone
From your first conversation with Wildflower to opening day, you'll have direct support from people who understand this journey. Every educator who moves into Planning is matched with a Wildflower Operations Guide — a dedicated support person who provides coaching, thought partnership, and hands-on help with the operational challenges of starting a school.
What Do Teacher Leaders Say About the Journey?
“It felt like home—it felt so Montessori. Approaching starting a school in a Montessori way. It felt so comfortable and aligned with what I’m familiar with as a Montessori educator.”
“This has been an incredible experience. The resources have been overwhelmingly helpful. We could not have made as much progress as we have so quickly without the aid we received.”
“This is a journey. You will learn about yourself a lot more than you thought you ever would – your limits as well as your breakthroughs.”
