Morning Program
Serving children ages 5-11 in Lake Nona, Orlando
Our Morning Program is redefining education by providing homeschooled children with the skills, experiences, and support they need to thrive in the 21st century. Grounded in child development, learning science, and research-based instruction, we combine rigorous academics with play, inquiry, executive function development, and authentic learning experiences.
Rather than asking children to adapt to an outdated educational system, we design learning around how children naturally grow and learn. Our small, personalized learning community nurtures curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, emotional well-being, and the confidence to become lifelong learners prepared for an ever-changing world.
We’re Not Just Educating Children, We’re Preparing Them for Life.
It’s time to rethink education!
The world has changed, but schools haven’t. At Developing Minds, we equip children with what truly matters, critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and real-world skills. This is learning reimagined. This is the future of education.
What Developing Minds Offers
No grade levels
Learning support based on ability and readiness
Multi-age groups
Children learn from and mentor each other
Inquiry & Project-Based Learning
Real-world skills, not just facts
Play-Based Education
Backed by neuroscience
The child as center of instruction
Learning is based on ability and readiness
Think outside the box
We prepare creative thinkers
Art, STEM, Movement
Seamlessly integrated into the learning process
No homework
Unless it's meaningful and nurtures the learning path
Experiential Learning
We connect learning with real life.
Spanish Lessons
Expanding their world and opportunities
Built in Therapy services
Speech, OT and learning intervention as part of our day
Afternoon Clubs
Afternoon enrichment clubs reimagined
A One-of-a-Kind Education – Unmatched
At Developing Minds, we're building the kind of school today's children deserve.
-
Personalized, mixed-age learning communities
-
Research-based instruction grounded in child development and learning science
-
Play, inquiry, and real-world experiences at the heart of every day
-
Executive function, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving woven into the curriculum
-
Flexible learning environments designed to support movement, focus, and independence
-
Meaningful assessment focused on growth, not excessive testing
-
Purposeful learning that extends beyond memorization into understanding and application
-
No homework, allowing children time to play, explore, and connect with their families.
Most importantly, our students don't just attend instruction, they become curious, confident learners who take ownership of their education and develop the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Meet Our Founder & Lead Educator
Mariana Carazo – Founder, Head of Learning Center, Pedagogy & Curriculum
Mariana Carazo is not just the founder and Head of Learning Center at Developing Minds, she is the heart and visionary force behind a bold educational revolution. With a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Teaching from Columbia University and over two decades of experience leading curriculum innovation and pedagogical transformation, Mariana has devoted her life to redefining what learning can be. An expert in play-based, inquiry-driven education, she has built her own learning lab from the ground up, transforming a humble garage into a thriving learning center and proving that true learning flourishes when children are given freedom, purpose, and joy. Her mission goes far beyond opening a learning center, Mariana is pioneering a movement to restore childhood, replace outdated practices with brain-aligned teaching, and create learning environments where each child is empowered to think, lead, and love learning. Her story is one of courage, creativity, and commitment to a future where education meets the needs of this century, not the last.
Meet Our Educators & Learning Support Team
Our Educators: Experts, Mentors, and Facilitators of Learning
At Developing Minds, our educators are far more than teachers. They are experienced professionals, mentors, and facilitators who design meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity, foster independence, and help every child reach their full potential.
United by a passion for education and a commitment to continuous professional growth, our team brings together expertise in child development, literacy, executive functioning, play-based learning, and evidence-based instructional practices. Every learning experience is intentionally designed to meet children where they are and challenge them to grow.
What defines our team:
📌 We don't simply teach— we inspire, guide, and create meaningful learning experiences.
📌 We don't force learning—we cultivate curiosity, engagement, and a genuine love of learning.
📌 We don't rely on outdated educational models—we apply the latest research in child development, learning science, and evidence-based teaching practices.
📌 We believe every child deserves to be known, understood, challenged, and celebrated.
📌 Above all, we are deeply passionate about what we do and about making a lasting difference in the lives of children and their families.
Our Team
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Collaborative Service Providers
.jpeg)
Learning Center Schedule & Enrichment Programs
📌 Regular Homeschool Learning Center Hours:
Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Learning at Developing Minds is dynamic, immersive, and balanced.
-
Mornings: Inquiry-based core subjects (math, science, literacy, and humanities through play & projects), play groups, specialty programs
-
Midday: Social-emotional learning, passion projects.
-
Afternoons: Arts, engineering, Spanish, music, and creativity-based workshops
-
Flexible schedule
No homework. No forced memorization.
Just meaningful, hands-on learning.
Afternoon Enrichment Options
Afternoon Enrichment: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
-
Students can choose from special afternoon classes and programs designed to extend their learning through hands-on experiences.
-
Programs include arts, STEM workshops, music, movement, and creative labs.
We believe in balancing structured learning with unstructured exploration, so our afternoon enrichment programs offer both guided experiences and open-ended play.
Integrated Learning Support Team
Supporting Every Child’s Success
Our Learning Specialists Team is an integral part of our learning center. From the moment a child enters our admissions process, we assess their learning needs, strengths, and areas for growth to ensure they receive the necessary support in the most effective way.
✔️ Every student is assessed during the admissions process to determine their specific learning needs.
✔️ If a child requires additional support, services such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, or learning interventions will be integrated into their learning center schedule, not outside of learning center hours.
✔️ We collaborate with families to create an individualized learning plan that ensures every child thrives in our program.
With extremely limited spots available, this phase of our project will carefully select families who align with our mission of rethinking education.
Limited Spaces Available – Submit Your Admissions Request Today!
The Science & Research Behind Our Model
Why This Works
Kids who learn through play and projects retain 3X more information than those who memorize.
Inquiry-based learning leads to higher problem-solving skills and real-world adaptability.
Emotional intelligence and mental health support lead to happier, more confident learners.
Request more information
Please complete this form to request more information about the educational center. With your name, email, your child’s age, and a short message, we can guide you to the most suitable option and outline the next steps. Once submitted, our team will review your request and contact you by email.
FAQ
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07
- 08
- 09
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
