Who We Are
Montessori at Heart, Cambridge in Mind
"The child is both a hope and a promise for mankind."
– Dr. Maria Montessori
Our Story
Two Roots, One Vision
Bodhana & Learning Tree Montessori is a community built on a shared commitment to nurturing students in a respectful, inclusive, and thoughtfully prepared environment.
Though each began independently—Learning Tree in 2002 and Bodhana in 2012—both schools were guided by a common belief in the power of the Montessori method to transform education.
United in 2022
These two like-minded schools came together under a single umbrella, uniting strengths, values, and vision.
This merger was not just a structural decision—it was a conscious step toward offering a more cohesive and comprehensive learning journey for students from 18 months through adolescence.
Why We Exist
Our roots lie in heartfelt conversations with parents who have been seeking something deeper: not just academic success, but an education that prioritizes independence, inner confidence, and a lasting love for learning.
"What does the child truly need in this moment of development?"
– Our Guiding Question
Our Approach
Freedom with Responsibility
Students choose their work and follow their curiosity within a structured, purposeful environment.
Respect for the Student
Every learner is valued, heard, and guided with empathy and understanding.
Purposeful Work
Learning is meaningful, hands-on, and connected to real-world experiences.
Our classrooms are open, calm, and intentional. Children are free to choose their work, follow their curiosity, and move at their own rhythm. Trained adults observe, guide, and respond, ensuring that each student receives what they need—socially, emotionally, and academically.
Cambridge Integration (2024)
With the launch of our Adolescent Program, we introduced the Cambridge curriculum as a natural extension of our Montessori foundation. This thoughtful integration allows students to explore abstract thinking, develop critical life skills, and prepare for board certifications—all while preserving the heart of self-directed learning.
Montessori at Heart, Cambridge in Mind
Our Cambridge affiliation brings internationally recognized academic rigor and examination standards from Class 6 onwards, preparing students for IGCSE certifications. Yet, we never lose sight of what makes Montessori education transformative—the emphasis on independence, curiosity-driven learning, and respect for each student's unique journey. This dual approach ensures our students gain world-class academic credentials while maintaining the confidence, creativity, and love for learning that Montessori nurtures from the earliest years.
The Montessori Method
A child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations by Dr. Maria Montessori
About Dr. Maria Montessori
1870 - 1952
Born in Italy in 1870, Dr. Maria Montessori was a remarkable educator whose insights remain profound. She believed each child is a secret which is gradually revealed as he/she develops. Maria Montessori was adamant that intelligence blossoms when imagination is sparkled.
The first woman to graduate from the University of Rome La Sapienza Medical School, Dr. Montessori became a physician in 1896. Her medical background and scientific approach to observing children led to revolutionary insights about child development and learning.
Dr. Maria Montessori, circa 1913
"No human being is educated by another person. He must do it himself or it will never be done. A truly educated individual continues to learn long after he leaves the classroom because he is motivated from within by natural curiosity and love for knowledge."
— Dr. Maria Montessori
Historical Foundation
Montessori began to develop her philosophy and methods in 1897, attending courses in pedagogy at the University of Rome and reading the educational theory of the previous two hundred years.
In 1907, she opened her first classroom, the Casa dei Bambini (Children's House), in a tenement building in Rome. From the beginning, Montessori based her work on her observations of children and experimentation with the environment, materials, and lessons available to them.
She frequently referred to her work as "scientific pedagogy".
The Montessori Method of education, developed by Dr. Maria Montessori, is a child-centered educational approach based on the scientific observations of children from birth to adulthood. Dr. Montessori's Method has been time tested, with over 100 years of success in diverse cultures throughout the world.
It is a view of the child as one who is naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment.
"Enjoyment", "Happiness", "Empowerment" are the words we hear only in a Montessori environment. It is not what the teacher does or what the school provides... it is what the child experiences at the end.
Core Principles of Montessori Education
Montessori education is not a system of teaching but a method of guiding children in the total development of their personalities and enhancing key periods of their growth and learning.
Child-Centered
Deep respect for children as individuals with focus on social and emotional development
Mixed Ages
Multi-age classrooms allow close teacher-child relationships and peer learning
Prepared Environment
Everything has a specific place, fostering order and positive growth
Freedom of Movement
Children move around the room instead of staying at desks
Self-Correcting Materials
Materials designed for children to learn through their own errors
Concrete to Abstract
Emphasis on hands-on learning before abstract thinking
What Makes Us Different
We believe education is not about grades or conformity—it's about building identity, purpose, and joy.
Our Environments
Designed to feel like a second home—safe, beautiful, and full of opportunity.
Our Teachers
Intentional, observant, and deeply respectful of each student's unique journey.
Our Students
Trusted, empowered, and invited to take ownership of their learning in meaningful ways.
We honor the dignity of every learner, and we believe that when given trust and time, students grow into thoughtful, empathetic, and capable human beings.
Come Visit Us
We'd love to meet you and share what makes our school so special.