Hello!
Thank you for visiting our donate page.
My name is Renee Bartleson, and I’m the director and lead teacher of Growing Sprouts Montessori. I’m excited to share our vision with you—and invite you to be a part of something truly meaningful for our community.
Starting a school from the ground up is a dream fueled by love, dedication, and a strong belief in the power of child-centered education. Growing Sprouts Montessori is a brand-new nonprofit organization supported by a local board of directors right here in our Helena community. Together, we are inviting you to help establish a Montessori organization that will serve the Helena community for generations to come.
Why I Believe in Montessori
As a child, I struggled to learn to read and often felt behind and unsure of myself. Without the opportunity for early education, I entered kindergarten unprepared for the traditional classroom setting.
Large class sizes and one-size-fits-all expectations made it hard for my teachers to see that I needed something different—something more personal, patient, and supportive.
Years later, as a teacher myself, I discovered Montessori education. It changed everything for me and I embraced its transformative philosophy built on trust, respect, and a deep understanding of how children naturally learn.
Montessori classrooms are designed to nurture a child’s natural curiosity, independence, and confidence.
Experiencing the beauty of Montessori brought healing to my own early struggles and opened my heart to the true purpose of education: to support the whole child.
That’s why I pursued my MACTE credential in Montessori Education and, after 8 years as a teacher, I’m passionate about bringing Montessori education to our community here in Helena, Montana.
About Growing Sprouts Montessori
Our philosophy emphasizes hands-on, child-led learning in a carefully prepared environment. We foster the curiosity, independence, and collaboration skills that empower children to be confident, lifelong learners.
Our small class size ensures individualized attention, while our single-classroom model gives students the stability of a close-knit community—creating a peaceful, focused, and productive space for growth.
We serve children ages 3 to 6, offering families a development-focused alternative to traditional education. Our program emphasizes:
* Creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking
* A multi-age classroom encouraging peer mentorship
* A supportive, community-driven school culture
At Growing Sprouts, we believe in cultivating a generation of confident, compassionate, and capable individuals who are prepared to meet the opportunities of tomorrow.
Every contribution helps us build a nurturing, inspiring environment for our students. Here’s how your support can help:
* $25 – Provide a Montessori puzzle or educational material for the classroom
* $100 – Fund classroom furniture to create a prepared learning environment
* $250 – Sponsor Montessori learning tools like math or language sets
* $500 – Support teacher training and professional development
* $1,000 – Help cover facility setup and classroom preparation costs
Every dollar brings us closer to opening our doors and welcoming our first group of young learners. Thank you for helping Growing Sprouts Montessori bloom!
Special Giving Opportunities
•$2,500 – “Founding Supporter”
Help us complete the Montessori classroom with high-quality learning materials, child-sized furniture, and hands-on tools that create a beautiful, functional space for our students. Founding Supporters will be recognized on a special thank-you display at the school.
•$5,000 – “Sponsor a Classroom Area”
Fund the setup of a key Montessori area such as Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, or Language. Your gift will directly impact every child’s daily learning experience. Sponsors will be honored in a permanent way within the classroom.
•$10,000 – “Plant a Legacy”
Make a transformational gift that ensures Growing Sprouts Montessori has the foundation it needs for success—covering major facility improvements, outdoor learning spaces, or expanded programming. Legacy donors will be celebrated in our opening year materials and at a special community event.
Join us on this journey as we develop the potential of every child at Growing Sprouts Montessori.
* Your donation is tax deductible.