Maria Fernandez-Arencibia, Co-Founder, Coconut Grove Montessori School

In an interview with Invest:, Maria Fernandez-Arencibia, co-founder of Coconut Grove Montessori School, discussed the impact of tailoring curriculum to students can have on natural development and meaningful learning as well as how the school has grown along with Miami’s tremendous trajectory. “Our top priority is making Montessori more available to children by expanding to meet growing demand,” she said.

What have been the most significant milestones for the school over the last 12 to 18 months?

We celebrated our 25-year anniversary and have had the honor of experiencing unimaginable growth. This milestone and expansion have pushed us to find ways to accommodate more students while maintaining our high quality of education. For us, growth must be tempered with quality. For example, our standardized test scores are among the highest percentiles possible, an area we strive to maintain. Another recent accolade is that recently, we were re-accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and continue our affiliation with the American Montessori Society both of which authenticate programs of high standards.

Miami has seen a major influx of people from other states and countries, leading to a surge in student inquiries. Our multilingual curriculum matches this beautiful “melting pot” we call home. While this growth is great and we have a long waitlist, it also presents challenges in staffing and student placement. We’d love to welcome every child, but we simply can’t.

How has interest in multilingual education changed in recent years, and what impact does it have on student development?

We believe that exposure to multiple languages prepares students for an increasingly interconnected world. You’re speaking to me from Spain right now, and global interactions like this are becoming more common.

Many schools offer only an hour or two of a second language, but we focus on full immersion. Even in our toddler program, which starts at 18 months, students experience a bilingual environment. This continues as they progress through early childhood, making language acquisition as natural as learning to walk or ride a bike.

Young children absorb languages effortlessly. Some families speak Spanish or French at home and want to reinforce that, while others speak only English but recognize the value of multilingualism. Walking into our classrooms, you will hear children conversing fluently in Spanish, French, and even Mandarin. While Mandarin is taught as a pull-out program, our English-Spanish and English-French tracks develop fluency naturally throughout the day — in lessons, playtime, and even routines like lining up for recess. This constant exposure makes multilingual learning an integral part of their experience.

What sets Montessori education apart from traditional schooling?

Traditional education is widely practiced — it’s how I started teaching after college. But when I transitioned to Montessori, initially in a public school magnet program, the difference was striking. Montessori tailors the curriculum to the child, whereas in traditional education, children must adapt to a set curriculum.

Would you rather be in a classroom where you’re expected to fit into a mold or one that evolves to meet your needs? Montessori allows children to progress at their own pace. Some excel in one area while needing more time in another. My son, for example, was ahead of his grade level in math but followed a typical pace in reading. Montessori provides that flexibility.

Another key difference is that Montessori education is highly hands-on. If a child does not grasp a concept one way, we present it differently until they understand it. This approach respects their natural development and fosters deeper, more meaningful learning.

What are parents looking for in early childhood education, and what trends do you see shaping the future of education?

Parents want a strong foundation for their children. They prioritize small class sizes, individualized attention, and a nurturing environment that isn’t just daycare but a place where real learning happens. They also want to ensure their children are well-prepared for future academic challenges.

One major concern is screen time. At our school, we introduce technology in the fourth grade, but before that, we maintain a device-free campus. Even in the upper grades, iPads are integrated thoughtfully into learning. We don’t allow students to bring cell phones or smartwatches, even in the older grades.

I believe that as soon as you hand a child a smartphone, their childhood shifts. That’s why we carefully balance real-life interactions with digital exposure. While technology is becoming increasingly embedded in education — through smart boards, virtual field trips, and even AI in some settings — we are intentional about when and how we introduce it.

Classrooms across the board are moving toward more technology integration, even in individualized education plans (IEPs). However, at our school, we remain committed to preserving authentic, face-to-face interactions and hands-on learning for as long as possible.

What role do enrichment programs play in child development?

Our enrichment programs are special for two reasons. First, they let children choose activities based on their interests, giving them ownership over their learning. Second, they allow passionate providers to share what they love in a meaningful way. Their enthusiasm is contagious.

It’s like going to a restaurant — would you rather pick your meal or have someone choose for you? Children get that same opportunity. They can select piano, knitting, violin, sports, or other activities. Since these aren’t daily programs, they feel even more special. Sports might be twice a week, piano once a week, but each activity helps them develop their hobbies and interests.

We offer a variety of options — ballet, cooking, gardening — because every child is different. Some may love to cook but have no interest in ballet, and vice versa. We aim to balance cognitive, manual, and physical activities. One of the most special aspects is that when children harvest ingredients from the garden and use them in cooking class, they experience the full cycle of growing, preparing, and enjoying food, which makes learning deeply meaningful.

What key challenges do you foresee in the private education landscape, and how are you preparing to navigate them?

From an operational standpoint, a major challenge in Miami is securing space for expansion. Miami real estate is booming, making it difficult to find locations that meet school-specific needs. Unlike an office, a school requires playgrounds and first-floor space for classrooms. It is challenging, since land is becoming more and more scarce.

Another challenge is Miami’s rising cost of living. Teacher salaries have increased significantly to meet the cost of living, which means tuition must rise as well. Communicating this to parents is crucial. In a smaller city like Tallahassee, this might not be as much of an issue, but in Miami, the economic shift is significant.

Finding highly trained Montessori teachers is also a challenge. Unlike traditional educators, Montessori teachers must complete a full year of training followed by a year of classroom practice. As an American Montessori Society-affiliated school, we are committed to hiring only fully qualified teachers.

Fortunately, our teacher retention is excellent — our turnover rate is nearly zero. That’s a major advantage, but in the general educational landscape, schools need to fill positions, and finding Montessori-trained educators can be difficult.

What are your top priorities and outlook for the school over the next few years?

Our top priority is making Montessori more available to children by expanding to meet growing demand.  

We are fortunate that Florida’s education policies support school choice. The state’s voucher system — commonly known as the Step Up program — makes private education accessible to more families. Originally income-based, the program now provides tuition assistance regardless of income, typically covering around $8,000 per year. This financial support has been a game-changer for many families.

Looking ahead, we’ve also discussed introducing an English-Italian classroom. Since Montessori education originated in Italy, it would be a way to honor its roots while providing another immersive language experience.