OUR PHILOSOPHY

Our program seamlessly blends the Montessori method with a strong Christian foundation, creating a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment where students are encouraged to flourish. Developed by dedicated, licensed professionals with years of specialized experience, we take a personalized approach to nurture each student's unique strengths and support their individual journey to success.

In our thoughtful and engaging learning environment, students are invited to explore a wide range of academic opportunities—both through individual discovery and collaborative group activities. Our goal is to ignite curiosity, spark a lifelong passion for learning, and encourage students to think critically and creatively through hands-on experiences and attentive guidance.

The Montessori method promotes self-direction, responsibility, and emotional growth, enabling students to learn and progress at their own pace while building resilience and confidence. At the heart of our program, Christian values are interwoven throughout the curriculum, helping students develop strong character, integrity, and a Christ-centered perspective that guides them in their daily lives.

We believe that through this approach—academic, spiritual, and personal—our students are equipped not only to excel academically but also to grow into compassionate, thoughtful, and faith-driven individuals.

CORE VALUES

• Learning can only begin when children feel safe, secure, and loved, so it is best to use a warm, loving, and responsive approach to each child's needs.

• Faith-based education reassures that the foundational beliefs and values you teach at home remain consistent through your child’s school experience.

• Cooperative relationships between parents and teachers are vital to a child’s focus, security, learning, and achievement.

• Children benefit from the unique experiences of forming long-term relationships with their teachers and thrive in small, consistent, mixed-age group settings.

• Children are successful and flourish when the rules, expectations, and schedules at home & school are consistent and similar.

• Engaging academics, individual attention, and the opportunity to discover unique interests can help children develop confidence and lifelong learning.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

Lion’s Heart Montessori is a Christ-centered community committed to providing a learning environment that reflects Biblical values in both belief and practice. Our staff support and lead in alignment with our Statement of Faith, serving as educators and role models who reflect the heart of our mission.

We recognize that our families may come from various Christian traditions and beliefs; at the same time, we remain committed to being transparent about the Biblical foundation that shapes our mission and values. Even so, we find it essential that families are informed of the core spiritual convictions that influence our school’s environment and direction. Our academic instruction is thoughtfully integrated with a Biblical worldview, helping students see God’s truth in every subject and develop a love for learning rooted in purpose.

We seek to partner with parents and churches to encourage and strengthen each student's faith, cultivating both academic and spiritual growth. While we remain rooted in our Biblical truth, Lion’s Heart Montessori is a Christ-centered community dedicated to providing a learning environment that reflects Biblical values in both belief and practice. Our staff support and lead in alignment with our Statement of Faith, serving as educators and role models who embody the heart of our mission.

We recognize that our families may come from various Christian traditions and beliefs; however, we are committed to being transparent about the Biblical foundation that shapes our mission and values. It is essential that families are informed of the core spiritual convictions that influence our school’s environment and direction. Our academic instruction is thoughtfully integrated with a Biblical worldview, helping students develop biblical convictions. We approach all families with love, grace, and a desire to walk together in truth. Together, we aim to foster a community where faith, learning, and character development grow hand in hand.

• Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is only through His sacrifice that we are made right with God and offered new life (Acts 16:31; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 2:3–10).

• The Bible
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired Word—completely trustworthy and without error. It is our ultimate guide for truth, faith, and daily living (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21).

• The Nature of God
We believe there is one true God, the Creator of all things, who has always existed as three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1–2:3; Exodus 20:11; Matthew 3:15–17; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1–3).

• Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus is fully God and fully man. He came to earth to rescue us from sin by offering Himself as a perfect sacrifice. He died, rose from the grave, and now reigns in heaven, offering us hope and eternal life (John 1:1–3; Romans 3:23–25; Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:4; Mark 16:19; Romans 8:32–34).

• The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit works in hearts to reveal our need for Jesus and gives believers the strength to live in a way that honors God. The Spirit produces spiritual growth and character in those who follow Christ (John 16:7–8; Galatians 5:22–25).

• Marriage
We affirm that the Bible defines marriage as a sacred, exclusive union between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4–6).

• Sexuality
Scripture teaches that all forms of sexual immorality are sinful and contrary to God's design (Hebrews 13:4). God created humanity in His image, intentionally designing individuals as male and female (Genesis 1:26–28; Genesis 2:18–25). As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe we are called to honor God's design by refraining from actions or ideologies that reject or seek to alter one's God-given biological sex (Romans 1:26–32).

Carol Kilpatrick – Owner & Director

With over 25 years of dedication to education, Carol Kilpatrick brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as Owner and Director. A certified Missouri Director, child advocate, published author, and proud grandmother, Carol has served in commercial, private, and non-profit educational settings.

She is a firm believer in the Montessori philosophy and envisions Lion’s Heart to be a place where children not only learn, but are deeply seen, heard, and valued from their very first steps into school. She is deeply grateful for the opportunity to create an environment that sparks curiosity and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.

Carol has long been a dedicated advocate for families and is committed to fostering a warm, welcoming space where both children and parents feel supported. She is actively involved with the Justice Society, an organization focused on preventing child trafficking and advocating for vulnerable children.