Root and
Bloom Academy
The attention of homeschooling. The community of school.
We’re a Montessori-inspired learning academy in McAllen for curious kids ages 4–8. We offer a small class size, no screens, and a teacher who meets your child exactly where they are. 4-day and 2-day drop-off programs available.
Now enrolling our founding class for September 2026 with only a few seats remaining.
You might be looking for us if any of these are true…
You love the idea of homeschooling but worry about friends and socialization.
A classroom of 25 feels like a place your child could get lost.
Your child finishes their work early and then gets bored or restless.
Strict rules and punishments at a bigger school made your child feel like they couldn't be themselves.
Your child sometimes falls behind and then loses motivation to keep trying their best.
If any of these ring true, Root and Bloom might be the middle path you’ve been looking for that offers the individual attention of homeschooling with the friends and community of school.
Root and Bloom was designed from the ground up to be a warm, joyful place where children feel safe to learn, explore, and be themselves.
A small class. We truly get to know each child and meet them where they are; by challenging the ones racing ahead, and supporting the ones still growing.
Less screen time, more hands-on. Kids learn by rolling up their sleeves, working on projects, and solving real challenges.
Academics + life skills. Reading, math, science, and social studies alongside life skills like financial literacy, empathy, and public speaking.
Kindness first. We do everything with understanding and compassion, so children feel safe to be themselves.
We’re a special learning academy in McAllen, and our goal is for every child to learn that they can do anything when they combine effort with imagination.
Meet Our Teacher
Ms. Martina Lyles brings over 25 years of experience across Montessori and traditional classrooms, including St. Joseph’s Catholic School and St. Matthew's Episcopal School. She is fluent in both Spanish and English, NCME Montessori certified, holds a certificate in Early Childhood Development, and is CPR/First Aid certified.
Ms. Lyles believes young children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and are allowed to be genuinely curious. She is excited to meet every child who walks through the door — and to be part of the magic that happens when children are given the freedom to be themselves.
Ready to see if we’re the right fit?
The best way to know is to talk to us.
The fastest way to reach us is a text: (956) 212-4470. Or click the button below to send us a message and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Meet Our Founders
Sunaina Chugani Marquez spent 18 years researching and teaching consumer psychology (Baruch College in NYC, San Diego State University, and UTRGV) before leaving academia and starting Root and Bloom Academy.
Matt Marquez holds degrees from Stanford University and Northwestern University. He is a marriage coach and founder of Grow More Joy Coaching.
Sunaina and Matt co-founded the RGV Gentle Parenting Community and spent years looking for the right school for their feisty 5-year-old. They never found the perfect school, so they created Root and Bloom Academy with their daughter as the first happy student!
