Who We Are

Garden of Joy Montessori International School is a home-based preschool located in East San Jose. We are deeply committed to providing a loving, nurturing, and enriching environment for your beloved children. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing environment, and comfortable space where your little ones can grow, explore, and blossom just like flowers in a beautiful garden!

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Montessori Education Excellence

Our home-based environment follows the principles and foundations pioneered by Dr. Maria Montessori. We believe in providing a comprehensive and well-rounded educational experience that focuses on the individual needs and interests of each child. We strive for excellence in early childhood education through respecting and acknowledging that every child is different and grow at their own individual pace.

Why Montessori

Montessori education respects how children naturally learn, encouraging independence, curiosity, and confidence. Through hands-on materials and self paced activities, children develop strong academic foundations while building focus, problem solving skills, and a love of learning. The supportive, child centered environment also nurtures social, emotional, and practical life skills, helping children grow into capable and motivated learners.

Benefits of Montessori

Montessori education benefits young children by fostering independence, confidence, and a genuine love of learning through hands-on, self-directed activities. Children learn at their own pace in a calm, structured, and well prepared environment that supports deep concentration and respect for individuality.
Mixed-age classrooms promote social skills such as cooperation and empathy, while practical life activities strengthen motor skills, responsibility, and self-regulation. These elements support well-rounded growth across academic, social, and emotional development.

Program

A loving, joyful, and nurturing garden for the whole child

Pre-Primary Program

Children between 20 months and 3 years old, potty trained not necessary.

Primary Program

Children between 3 years and 5 years old, potty trained.

Kindergarten Program

Children between 5 years and 6 years old, potty trained.

Trilingual Exposure

Trilingual exposure in school helps children develop strong cognitive skills, cultural awareness, and communication abilities, giving them a confident and flexible foundation for learning in a globalized world. Our children are exposed to the three commonly used languages in California - English, Chinese, and Spanish.

English

English is used as the primary language for daily communication within the school.

Chinese

Children are exposed to Chinese helping to develop cultural awareness in a fun way.

Spanish

Children practice Spanish through play, and music, making language learning engaging

Individual Development

Everything we do is thoughtfully designed to support your child's unique growth and happiness. We carefully observe each child to shape a learning environment that sparks their interests, using gentle guidance in small groups so everyone can flourish at their own pace. Our days are filled with healthy, nutritious meals and enriching outdoor adventures—from gardening in our own plots to exploring local parks—because we believe hands-on experiences in nature are key to building a strong body, a curious mind, and a joyful heart.

Individualized Progress Tracking

We use Montessori Compass to document each child’s progress and guide our lesson planning. Lessons are presented individually or in small groups, allowing every child to learn at their own pace while being appropriately challenged and supported.

Outdoor Nature Experiences

We believe that meaningful contact with nature and regular physical movement are essential to a child’s healthy development. It is important to developing responsibility, coordination, and respect for the natural world we live in.

Healthy Meals

We provide morning and afternoon snacks as well as a nutritious hot lunch each day. Our program participates in the California Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) through Love Little Children, Inc.

Jessica B, Parent

"Miss Sierra's school (GOJMIS) is truly a special place. I am so thankful to her, the other teachers and the environment they have created for the children and my son attending there. Her program keeps my son engaged, and I'm so proud of the learning he has achieved not just academically, but also values. Miss Sierra and her staff not only focus on developmentally appropriate academics, but also on social-emotional development."