About us

El Jardín (Montessori Chacala) is a non-profit school serving the community of Chacala, Mexico. Established in 2012 by Mar de Jade Community Projects, it became the first alternative school to provide quality education for families in need in our area. Currently, nearly 80% of children in Chacala benefit from our Preschool, Elementary, and Middle School Program.

Our Mission

El Jardín (Montessori Chacala) exists to provide quality and holistic education for every child in our community. Our purpose is to create a school that fosters creativity, promotes academic mastery, nurtures meaningful relationships, and inspires a passion for learning.

Balanced Education Model

El Jardín, at its founding, set out to re-imagine education for children in our community. In a rapidly evolving world, our primary goal is to integrate the best educational practices with innovative learning approaches. A guiding question we always ask ourselves is: 'How can we, as a school, best prepare our students for the present and an uncertain future? What is the fundamental purpose of education?'

We draw inspiration from Waldorf and Montessori pedagogy, shaping an educational approach that prioritizes academic mastery, self-awareness, social intelligence, and creative thinking. We believe that maintaining a balanced focus on these pillars is crucial in fostering the holistic and genuine growth of our students.

Self & Social Intelligence

• Self-esteem • Awareness • Love & Gratitude • Empathy • Joy & Play

• Collaboration • Willpower

Academic Mastery

• Practical Life • Language • Math

• Cultural Studies • Arts & Movement

• Science & Technology • English (ESL)

Creative Thinking

• Imagination • Openness • Inventiveness

• Curiosity • Intuition • Improvisation

• Self-Expression