play is the work of the child.
el juego es obra del niño.
- Maria Montessori
Our Story
Liberated Montessori is an authentic Montessori preschool in East San Antonio, serving children ages 6 weeks to 6 years. We follow Dr. Maria Montessori’s teachings, integrating a rich Spanish curriculum, Positive Discipline, and a strong focus on social and emotional well-being.
Founded in 2013 by Leslie and Sterling Whitmore in Dallas, our school began as an in-home program for 12 children. In 2018, we expanded to a larger facility in East Dallas, followed by a second campus in Oak Cliff in 2023. In 2025, we proudly opened our third location in San Antonio.
Our Programs
Nido
The Nido is an extension of Home. It's a calm, peaceful space where infants and young toddlers are given the freedom to explore within a safe and carefully-prepared environment, surrounded by materials created for the sole purpose of drawing out and nurturing their natural curiosities.
Toddler
This program takes advantage of the toddler’s natural drive and desire to act independently. The activities in this classroom recognize that children learn by doing. Classroom materials are always accessible, attractive, safe, and geared for the child’s success.
Primary
Children in this program begin with the simplest exercises based on the activities they are drawn to. The vast array of materials they may choose to work with are geared to aid concentration, coordination, and sense of order. Children leave this program as confident, independent, life-long learners.
Spanish Curriculum
At Liberated, we embrace the natural ability of young children to absorb language during their most formative years. The Sensitive Period for language acquisition, from birth to age six, provides a crucial window of opportunity for developing bilingual skills with ease and fluency.
Our program is designed to foster a love for the Spanish language through a multi-sensory, immersive approach that encourages rapid and lasting learning. We create a positive and engaging environment where children experience Spanish through songs, games, poetry, Latin American music, and authentic Montessori materials (such as nomenclature cards) translated into Spanish.
To ensure a rich and authentic learning experience, each classroom has one designated native Spanish-speaking educator who speaks to the children and leads activities exclusively in Spanish.
By providing children with consistent exposure to the language in a natural and meaningful way, we cultivate not only language skills but also an appreciation for Hispanic culture, setting the foundation for lifelong bilingualism.
Equity & Inclusion
Liberated Montessori is deeply committed to the ongoing work of creating, nurturing, and sustaining an inclusive, equitable, anti-bias, and anti-racist school environment.
At Liberated, we welcome all members of our community and prospective community with open arms, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, origin, religion, gender identity, or expression. We strive to foster a culture of belonging where every child, family, and staff member feels seen, valued, and respected.
We see this effort as ongoing and essential to the achievement of our overall mission. Children at Liberated are exposed to and encouraged to learn about different cultures around the world along with their celebrations and holidays. Students also learn about the many different types of families that make up our beautiful community.
Our school is progressive, diverse, accessible, LGBTQ+ friendly, and in a constant state of growth. We actively seek to educate ourselves and evolve our practices to ensure that inclusivity remains at the heart of everything we do.
