Founded and Led by Educators.
Our CEO, Dr. Jovan Wells, is a thoughtful and innovative Texas based leader in public education with Urban and Suburban experience. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Wells has received numerous local, state and national accolades. Dr. Wells has also worked closely with organizations such as the National Math and Science Initiative, the Texas Instruments Foundation to enhance STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) initiatives, and the American Montessori Society and the Shelton School to design high quality Montessori magnet programs.
Small Class Sizes with Low
Teacher-to-Student Ratios
At STEAMspark Montessori Experience, we strongly believe that smaller class sizes have the greatest long-term benefits for students. The smaller teacher-to-student ratios benefit students in many ways including individualized attention, a more focused classroom with fewer distractions, stronger peer-to-peer relationship building, greater participation and confidence in students, and a more personalized and differentiated learning experience for each student.
Degreed Lead Teachers in all Classrooms
STEAMspark ensures that every Lead Guide in the classroom is a degreed and accomplished educator. This depth of knowledge and expertise that STEAMspark teachers possess enables student achievement not only during their time at STEAMspark, but also contributes to achievement throughout their educational journey. (University of Missouri-Columbia. ScienceDaily, 22 May 2018.)
Authentic Montessori Curriculum – Member of American Montessori Society
STEAMspark Montessori Experience uses traditional Montessori aged groupings, 6 weeks to 18 months, 18 months to 36 months, and 36 months to 6 years old.
All environments have a planned uninterrupted work time from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. five days a week. This uninterrupted time allows the students to practice academic and character education skills, build concentration, and increase attention and stamina.
During this time, students choose Montessori works that are interesting and challenging to them. They receive new lessons from an AMS trained guide or assistant guide. The students are free to work at their own pace, level, and interests within the prepared environment. The prepared child-centered environment is organized with carefully designed materials which were created using brain research to help students be as successful as possible. The students take responsibility to care for and restore the environment on a regular basis. The school and class communities are respected for the peace and joy they both bring to all students, staff, and families involved at STEAMspark Montessori Experience.
Chef Inspired Meals Prepared On-Site by Chef and Nutritionist
Chef Faby, STEAMspark’s onsite Nutritional Chef, develops a menu of meals for students that are healthy, delicious and meet the daily nutritional goals of students. All dietary restrictions are accommodated at STEAMspark. Whether your family is gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian. Our farm-to-table chef will prepare their breakfast, lunch, and snack from fresh, delicious, and nutritious ingredients.
Enhanced COVID Procedures
STEAMspark has robust procedures in place in order to maintain the health and safety of all students, staff, and families. Check in and out procedures are limited to the front vestibule of the school with required masks and distancing of families. Each family must complete a health check, that includes temperature checks and verification of COVID health statements, as they check in their child. Upon entry into class, each student will have their temperature retaken periodically throughout the day. If during any of the daily temperature checks a student is found to be a health risk, their parent or guardian will be called immediately and they will be moved to our on-campus Healing Haven (wellness room) with a staff member until able to be picked up. Students are welcome to wear a face mask in class, though not required at this time. Able Toddler II and Primary students will wear a campus provided face shield in class. Social distancing will be taught and encouraged in the classroom with students.
STEAMspark guides and staff are also required to complete daily health assessments and temperature checks, as well as wear face masks and face shields, depending on the activity at hand.
Sanitizing stations will be present in each classroom for adults and age-appropriate students, in addition to common areas like entries, hallways, and the playground.
All campus door handles will be equipped with NanoSeptic, nano-technology-powered, self-cleaning surfaces.
Janitorial staff will deep clean STEAMspark daily upon dismissal of the last student.
Advanced Ventilation System
Every single STEAMspark classroom is equipped with a dedicated variable refrigerant flow system (VRF). The VRF allows each room to filter independently and manages air independent of other rooms in the system. The advantage that the VRF provides, especially in the midst of the pandemic, is that it allows each unit to be self-contained and only circulate air within that specific classroom.
Beyond the profound health benefits that the VRF systems bring to the students of STEAMspark, the noiseless functionality make it the optimal system to be placed in our prepared environments for learning. The units provide no risk or disruption or distraction to the Montessori work cycles and concentrated learning of older students and are even quiet enough to appease even the most sensitive Nido sleeper.
Small Group Literacy and Numeracy Enrichment
STEAMspark utilizes small group literacy and numeracy enrichment groups with students. Highly-qualified Guides focus on individualized skills and strategies for each child through the use of fluid formative assessments and flexible group structures. This differentiated instruction provides systematic and comprehensive coverage of the strategies needed to move students to greater achievement in literacy and numeracy and overall success within the students educational journey.