Our Story

In 1953, Hanna and Johan Laven came to Texas from Europe to help set-up the first Montessori schools in America. Trained under the guidance of Maria Montessori, the Lavens founded San Antonio’s Kriterion Montessori School on the hill overlooking San Pedro Park. For forty years, Kriterion set the standard for Montessori education in San Antonio. In 2008, Kriterion’s core team of Montessorians and a group of dedicated parents came together to found a non-profit Montessori school, to continue the good work started up on the hill in a new location in the heart of Monte Vista. 

 

Monte Vista Montessori (MVM) is a microcosm of the shining examples from the past and our future. The seeds of the school are deep in the traditions of Europe, birthplace of the Montessori-method where Hanna and Johan Laven received their training. Since the 1950’s, the students and teachers of the school have been an integral part of the neighborhood and have reflected the changes and evolution of the community. Today, the MVM is home to a diverse student body often seen working in their school garden on the corner of Magnolia and Belknap or making their weekly trip to the San Pedro Library. These students are poised to become the next generation of Monte Vista leaders. They will be the teachers, doctors, architects, and families that will form the future of our community.

​

FOMVM was formed to support Monte Vista Montessori by raising funds, awareness, and building community through events. Through private donations, fun community building activities such as the Festival at The Cove, and Big Give SA, FOMVM has been able to raise funds towards improvements for the school. 

​

Our goal is to continue to improve exterior and interior renovations; purchase new classroom materials; support MVM's administration; and create & nurture the MVM community of families with outings and events.

​

​