Rising Star Montessori School

Rising Star Montessori School offers a curriculum that includes language arts, math, interrelated study of life and physical sciences, history, culture, geography, the arts, practical life skills, and cultural studies. The program is based on the philosophy and methods developed by Maria Montessori and includes mixed-age groupings, uninterrupted blocks of work time, and freedom within a structured learning environment. It integrates traditional public and private school curricula and employs current research and theories in child development and educational methods.

• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: School hours are 8:00am to 5:30pm

Rising Star Montessori School was founded in the fall of 1982. The school is a private school that serves children from 2 years old through five years old and offers full day Toddler, PreKindergarten, and Transitional Kindergarten programs, including a new Toddler program starting at 2 years old. The environment is described as calm, orderly, and attractive, with a peaceful learning environment where members work together as stewards of their classroom community. The school has a very diverse staff and student body and celebrates diversity through activities and cultural studies.

The mission of Rising Star Montessori School states that for over 40 years it has provided a high quality educational program for children based on the philosophy and methods developed by Maria Montessori. The mission also states that the program includes thorough preparation in basic academic skills, physical abilities, and an extensive curriculum in cultural subjects, with academic excellence in a warm, nurturing environment that promotes the self-esteem of each individual child. The mission further states that the school advocates global diversity by studying many cultures, embracing and respecting people in the modern world, and practicing a philosophy of “Education of Peace” in professional and respectful interactions with children, parents, and staff.

The leadership and founding team includes Co-Owner and Founder Ann Rose Gavey M.ED., Co-Owner Rex M. Higginbotham, Operations/Financial Director Sima Patel, Administrative Director Cassie Shephard, and Founder Marion T. Boyd. The program lists Co-Owner Ann Rose Gavey M.ED. as having an M.Ed. Rising Star Montessori School holds Licence Number 013420949.

The school encourages parents to come and present their cultural celebrations to the classes. Children learn about many different cultural celebrations, including the winter solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Christmas, Las Posadas, Santa Lucia, Lunar New Year, and Cinco de Mayo. Classrooms use weekly rotating responsibilities such as trash monitor, line leader, class botanist, and zoologist.

Parent and caregiver testimonials describe a very supportive atmosphere for introverted kids and note that one child did not want to move on but was too old to continue. Another testimonial states that the school met high standards after a search from the Lamorinda area to Hayward and describes the school as dedicated to the education, growth, and happiness of each child from PreK to 5th grade. Additional testimonials state that Rising Star believes in community, child growth, parent involvement, and educational achievement, and that a child who started at 2.5 years old learned a lot both academically and socially, with the parent feeling very safe and expressing appreciation for the teachers.

Last updated March 18, 2026.