Located in the Historic Houston Heights, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church began a new ministry, in 2001 with a commitment to providing the community an Episcopal Montessori program which nurtures the growth of both the child and the family. St. Andrew's Episcopal School is a program for children from age 12 months through 5 years with certified, trained, and expereinced Montessori teachers. Our classrooms are communities of children and our school is a community of families, all of which are dedicated to the goal of allowing each child not only to learn but to experience the joy of learning - for it is from experience that a child creates knowledge.
Our Mission
The mission of St. Andrews Episcopal School is to enrich childrens lives through respectful exploration of spiritual, cognitive, physical and creative learning while nurturing the environment, the community, the family, and the child.
Our Episcopal Montessori School holds up the values that the two traditions share so well:
A Questioning Curiosity
Open Minds and Hearts
An Inviting, Inclusive Community
Meaningful Ritual
And all in the context of Love
The Reverend Barbara Lewis 
Accreditations and Associations
St. Andrews is fully accredited and is affiliated with several licensing and certifying organizations:
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Fully accredited by the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools (SAES). SAES accreditation is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) and by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Commission of Accreditation.
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SAES is the only denominational accrediting association so recognized. Associate School Member of the American Montessori Society, AMS.
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Licensed through the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
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Certified by the Diocesan Schools Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas.
Our Philosophy
Our Episcopal Identity
We are truly an all-embracing community, with respect for diversity and individuality. We strive to display this core value in all we do. In addition to an open invitation to our families to share in the life of the parish, we have a chapel service once a week for the Early Childhood (3-5 year old) class. The toddler classes incorporate gratitude and compassion in their daily life.
As an Episcopal Montessori program we hold a global perspective. The philosophies of the Episcopal Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Montessori education are all-embracing. When working with very young children the religious life of our school is not based in instruction in the Episcopal faith, but rather the exposure to the rituals and values of this faith that are appropriate at this age.
We also provide daily models of service, including good stewardship and care for others throughout the day. Children are not allowed to do anything that will harm themselves, others, or the environment. Children are allowed to express themselves freely, to express their feelings, and to explore their world in the ways that interest and call to them. These freedoms are limited by the freedom of others to do the same. There is the development of a sense of empathy – a love of neighbor – and an equal encouragement of a respect for oneself. This is a statement about love of and respect for all that God has created.
The Montessori Whole Child Approach
The primary goal of a Montessori program is to help each child reach his or her full potential in all areas of life. Activities promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation.
The Prepared Environment
In order for self directed learning to take place, the whole learning environment — classroom, materials, and social setting/atmosphere — must be supportive of the child. The teacher provides the necessary resources, including opportunities for children to function in a safe and positive environment. Together, the teacher and child form a relationship based on trust and respect that fosters self-confidence and a willingness to try new things.
Multi-Aged Grouping
Children are grouped in mixed ages and abilities most often in three year spans: 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-15, and 15-18. At the infant/toddler level children are grouped approximately from birth to the age of mobility (crawlers), from crawling to age 12 months, from 12 months to 18 months, and from 18 months to age three. There is constant interaction, problem solving, child to child teaching, and socialization. Children are challenged according to their ability and are rarely bored.
The Montessori Materials
Dr. Montessori’s observations of the kinds of things children enjoy, and go back to repeatedly, led her to design a number of multi-sensory, sequential, and self-correcting materials to facilitate learning. We use these materials in our classroom settings.
The Teacher
Originally called a “directress,” the Montessori teacher functions as a designer of the environment, resource person, role model, demonstrator, record-keeper and meticulous observer of each child’s behavior and growth. The teacher facilitates learning.