Sarit Kapur, Founder & Thought Leader, ExcellED Montessori Plus
In an interview with Invest:, Sarit Kapur, founder of ExcellED Montessori Plus, emphasized the need to prioritize education from birth to age 5, citing that “90% of brain development happens by age 5.” ExcellED’s inquiry-based, bilingual model prepares children to be adaptable problem-solvers in a tech-driven world, Kapur said. “At its core, our model is inquiry-based learning. Montessori is a foundational method for us, which is why it’s in our name. It helps children build independence and confidence at a young age.”
What major changes have impacted ExcellED Montessori and the broader San Antonio education landscape this past year?
When we talk about education, most people focus on K through higher ed. But we need to shift that perspective and start at age 0, with infants. The age group from birth to 5 isn’t typically overseen by school districts. It’s mostly the private sector and doesn’t get much attention except from new families and working parents.
The reality is 90% of brain development happens by age 5. These are the most formative years, and yet this sector often gets overlooked. That’s what inspired us to start ExcellED in 2018–2019. Melissa Zamora, our COO, has worked in early childhood education for over 25 years and is a trained Montessori teacher. I’ve worked across education sectors for two decades, including K–12, and I saw firsthand how little focus there is on the 0–5 age group.
We wanted to change that by delivering high-quality instruction during this critical period, not just babysitting. Young children are capable of learning far more than we usually expose them to. Our mission became clear: give them the tools, structure, and environment to develop important life and learning skills early on, so they enter kindergarten with a strong foundation.
Why is San Antonio the right place for ExcellED Montessori to grow?
I’ve lived in Texas for over 25 years, most of that time in San Antonio. Melissa also grew up here. It was natural for us to start here. But beyond that, when you compare San Antonio to cities like Austin, Dallas, and Houston, you’ll find far fewer high-performing preschools, especially those using the Montessori method.
There are many daycare options, but not as many that offer high-quality early childhood education. That gap made San Antonio the ideal launch point for our model.
What distinguishes your educational model from others in the area?
At its core, our model is inquiry-based learning. Montessori is a foundational method for us, which is why it’s in our name. It helps children build independence and confidence at a young age. Everything is hands-on and sensory-rich — “what the hand does, the mind remembers,” as Maria Montessori said.
But we go beyond Montessori. Some of our teachers use elements of Reggio Emilia and traditional methods. We integrate this into an inquiry-based curriculum. Each month, we explore a central question — one of our favorites is, “Do bugs go to preschool?” Questions like these spark curiosity, foster creativity in our teachers, and encourage children to think critically.
Ultimately, we’re preparing children not just academically, but to be problem-solvers. That skill is at the heart of everything we do.
How does your curriculum prepare students for STEM fields, AI, and future careers?
We place an explicit focus on physics because it’s hands-on and lends itself well to early exploration. We have a science teacher who conducts weekly physics experiments with our students.
We’re also developing a module on artificial intelligence. I was introduced to AI in the early 1990s during my computer science studies, and it’s clear how important it’s become. The question now isn’t whether children will learn spelling and grammar — AI tools are handling that. The question is: how do they learn to use those tools effectively? Our littlest learners are already chatting with Alexa and Siri at home. They’re curious, fearless, and quick to try new things. Instead of shielding them from AI, we need to guide them — help them think clearly, ask better questions, and make smart choices.
Understanding how to prompt AI correctly is essential. “Garbage in, garbage out” still applies. If they can ask the right questions, they’ll get meaningful answers. That ties directly back to our inquiry-based learning — teaching them to ask thoughtful, effective questions.
What is the teacher talent landscape like in San Antonio, and how are you addressing hiring and retention?
That’s one of the biggest challenges we face. In the K–12 system, teachers need undergraduate degrees and certifications. In preschool, that’s not the case, especially since the industry is largely private and not funded by tax dollars. As a result, compensation can’t compete with K–12, which makes it difficult to attract highly qualified talent. Hiring the right educators — those who are passionate and committed to early childhood — is by far our greatest challenge.
How do you ensure a safe and nurturing environment for students and staff?
The childcare industry in Texas is heavily regulated. The state has detailed protocols that all preschools must follow. Every aspect, from classroom ratios to playground specifications, is subject to regular inspections. But we also go beyond those requirements. We have enhanced security measures like controlled access, ID verification, and safety procedures for drop-off and pickup. The state sets a strong baseline, and we build on that with our protocols to ensure a secure environment for every child and teacher.
What are your top strategic priorities over the next two to three years?
San Antonio continues to grow, especially with young families, including those in the military. Our goal is to expand access to our program across the city. We have four campuses: Stone Oak, Fair Oaks, Medical Center, and Northwest Military. But we want to reach more communities.
We’re also focused on strengthening our dual language program. San Antonio is about 65% Hispanic, and many families are seeking bilingual instruction. Our Stone Oak campus offers a dual language model in both Spanish and English. We’re collaborating with UTSA’s bilingual studies department to enhance that program further, using inquiry-based methods that align well with our own.
We’ve even seen multilingual success stories. One child came in speaking only Russian and left speaking both English and Spanish. Early childhood is the best time to acquire language, and families are increasingly recognizing that.
Bilingualism and problem-solving go hand in hand. Research shows that people who speak multiple languages tend to be better problem solvers. It’s not just about language, it’s about cultural flexibility and expanding the ways we think. That mindset starts early, and we’re committed to fostering it from day one.
