Follow the child, find the wild.
An indoor Montessori work cycle and an outdoor program in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood. Children choose meaningful work, build skills at their own pace, and spend real time in the natural world.
Three ideas shape every day
Follow the child
Children lead.
Children choose their work and stay with it as long as they need. Teachers guide, observe, and step in when it helps.
Independence through real work
Children are trusted with real tools and real jobs: pouring, sewing, caring for plants, cleaning up. Each small task they master helps them feel capable.
Having fun
Learning is best through play.
Our days are full of songs, laughter, muddy boots, and big discoveries. Children who are having fun stay curious, and curious children love to learn.
Pick one, or put them together
Each program runs 3.5 hours, morning or afternoon. Families can enroll in both, so children are with us from 8:30 to 3:30.
Wind Rose Montessori
A prepared classroom following the principles of the American Montessori Society, designed to support independence, concentration, and a child's natural love of learning.
Overview of the Montessori program →
Magnolia Explorers
Where little feet make big discoveries. Outdoor adventures through Discovery Park, the Ballard Locks, Fisherman's Terminal and the streets of Magnolia.
Our outdoor program →Shire and Rivendell
Each program runs for 3.5 hours. Enroll in one program, or in both so your child is with us from 8:30am to 3:30pm. At midday, teachers meet at a designated point to transition children between programs.
Shire Class
No nap / restGreat for children who are ready for a focused morning followed by active outdoor time.
Rivendell Class
Nap / rest availableIdeal for children who benefit from an active outdoor start and enjoy a focused or restful afternoon.
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn.”
Montessori is the foundation of our classroom, but we know other approaches to early learning have wonderful ideas too, and we bring them in when they help a child. From Montessori, we honor the work cycle, the prepared environment, sensitive periods, observation, independence, and the child's natural desire to learn. From Reggio, we bring in project work and documentation. From Waldorf, we borrow the rhythm of the seasons, which shapes much of our outdoor curriculum.
Read about our approach →
Meet the teachers
Our guides are warm, curious people who love young children and the outdoors, and each one brings something of their own into the classroom, from ukulele songs to salmon studies.
About us →See our curriculum in action
We share our days on Instagram: works on the shelf, walks through Discovery Park, and seasonal projects. It is the best way to get a feel for life at Wind Rose.
Follow @windrosemontessoriJoin our waitlist
Free to apply. We enroll year-round as spaces become available.
Apply →Questions?
Toileting, outdoor readiness, tuition, schedules, kindergarten readiness and more.
Read the FAQ →Must haves
Gear and recommendations to make life easier.
Make life easier →