Discovery Montessori Academy is designed to give students the independence and hands-on learning associated with Montessori education, while maintaining the academic structure of a traditional school.
It has three locations:
Plano (opened in 2014)
Allen (opened in 2018)
North Plano (opened in 2023)
Plano and Allen preschools serve students from 6 weeks through six years old. The North Plano location now serves students from 12 months through third grade after launching its early elementary program this year, which already has 12 students enrolled.
For founder Linda Liu, opening the school was a part of her personal mission.
“I have 30 years of experience in the field of education, and I have always had a deep love for children and a passion for helping them grow and learn. My vision is to provide children with a strong educational foundation through the Montessori method, encouraging them to learn with freedom, independence, curiosity and confidence,” Liu said. “One of my greatest goals is to give children from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the Chinese language and culture. I believe that learning another language and culture helps children develop a broader understanding of the world and appreciation for others. From infants through high school, we hope to create an educational environment where children can grow academically, socially and culturally while developing a lifelong love of learning.”
What academic and enrichment opportunities are available?
Alongside core academics, students have access to a range of extracurricular and enrichment classes, including artificial intelligence, Chinese, music and movement, piano lessons, art, Lego, chess, and soccer.
The Chinese immersion classes are available at the Plano and North Plano locations, and North Plano also has a Kindergarten/Lower Elementary class with Chinese immersion. While Allen does not offer Chinese immersion, it does provide daily Chinese lessons.
“In our Chinese immersion classes, teachers use hands-on materials, art, music and fun games to help children learn Chinese characters. Through engaging and interactive activities, children develop their Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing skills, helping them make progress and build confidence in all four areas of Chinese language learning,” Liu said.
Additionally, the school’s vegetable garden allows students to explore nature while learning about plants and growing food. This Garden to School setup garnered them extra points with Texas Rising Star, a quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for early childhood and child care programs in Texas.
Liu explained that these enrichment opportunities are intended to encourage students’ interests while supporting skills such as creativity and critical thinking.
What makes the school’s environment different?
Discovery Montessori keeps its locations relatively small, with each school having five classrooms. The school emphasizes close relationships between teachers, students and families, with events such as student performances, student speech recitals and parent workshops providing opportunities for families to participate.
Teachers also have strong educational backgrounds, with many holding master’s degrees. Classroom ratios are small, with younger classrooms having two teachers for every seven to eight students and older classrooms having one teacher for every 10 students.
Additionally, the North Plano location has a commercial kitchen that prepares lunches for all three schools.
As Discovery Montessori continues to grow, the goal is to provide families with an academic school that supports children from their earliest years through elementary education while maintaining the individualized spirit of Montessori learning.
“Love is at the heart of everything. We are like one big family, and we all care deeply about the kids,” Liu said.
Those interested in learning more can find resources here:
Website: https://tydiscoverymontessori.com/
Phone numbers: Allen (972-359-0909), Plano (972-985-5010), North Plano (214-550-4910)
Addresses: Allen (601 S. Fountain Gate Dr., Allen), Plano (3901 W. Park Blvd., Plano), North Plano (9105 Custer Rd., Plano)
Hours: Allen and North Plano (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.), Plano (7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
A quick recap FAQ
What ages does Discovery Montessori Academy serve?
The Allen and Plano locations enroll students starting from 6 weeks old through six years old, and the North Plano location enrolls students starting at 12 months old through third grade.
Does Discovery Montessori Academy accept Texas Education Freedom Accounts?
Yes. Discovery Montessori Academy accepts Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), making it an option for families using state education funding for private school tuition.
Does Discovery Montessori Academy participate in the Child Care Services (CCS) program?
Discovery Montessori Academy participates in the Child Care Services (CCS) program through Texas Workforce Commission. The Child Care Services (CCS) program helps eligible Texas families pay for child care with scholarships.
What are the teacher-to-student ratios at Discovery Montessori?
Each Discovery Montessori location has five classes. Younger classrooms have two teachers for every seven to eight students, and older classrooms have one teacher for every 10 students. Many teachers hold master's degrees, and the school emphasizes close relationships between teachers, students and families.
The above story was produced by Senior Multi-Platform Journalist Sydney Heller of Community Impact's Storytelling team, with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.