Built by a teacher who couldn't find the school her child deserved — so she made it.
Magnolia Vine Kindergarten was founded in New Orleans by Lila Sandoval, a longtime early childhood educator, mother, and lifelong New Orleanian. After twelve years teaching in classrooms across the city, Lila kept dreaming of a different kind of school — one that felt more like a home, moved at the pace of a child, and treated families as true partners.
In 2011, she opened MVN in a small yellow house on Jefferson Highway with one classroom, ten children, and a big garden out back. Today we're a fully licensed kindergarten and early learning center serving families across the greater New Orleans area — but our heart hasn't changed one bit.
We're still small on purpose. We still cook lunch in-house. We still know every child's favorite book, favorite color, and how they like their crackers.
Four little roots.
Kindness is a skill
We teach it out loud, every day, in every hallway.
Play is serious work
Deep learning grows from unhurried, hands-on play.
Nature is the third teacher
Sun, soil, and sky are part of our daily classroom.
Families are partners
You know your child best. We build learning around that.
"A child who is loved learns. A child who is trusted flourishes. A child who is invited into wonder becomes a lifelong learner."