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Rather than asking children to adapt to an outdated educational system, we design learning around how children naturally grow and learn.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.
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Personalized, mixed-age learning communities
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Research-based instruction grounded in child development and learning science
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Play, inquiry, and real-world experiences at the heart of every day
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Executive function, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving woven into the curriculum
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Flexible learning environments designed to support movement, focus, and independence
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Meaningful assessment focused on growth, not excessive testing
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Purposeful learning that extends beyond memorization into understanding and application
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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
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Salecia Host is an educator and early childhood literacy specialist with over 20 years of international experience in Australia, the USA, Finland, and China. Holding a Master’s in Play-Based Learning, she focused her thesis on the Finnish curriculum and pedagogy.
She champions 21st-century education that fosters curiosity, creativity, and child-led learning, while strengthening connections between school, family, and community. Her expertise includes curriculum development, teacher training, and playful literacies.
Salecia Host
Alpa Patel is the founder of Life of Math (LOM) and has been a math educator since 2010. With a master's degree in engineering and ACT tutor certification, she specializes in making math engaging through hands-on, research-based instruction.
Through Life of Math, she combines abacus-based whole-brain training with rigorous math instruction that develops critical thinking, problem-solving, and mathematical confidence. Her programs have helped countless students strengthen their academic performance and achieve outstanding results on standardized tests.
Alpa Patel
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Chloe Snook is an artist and teacher based in Orlando, FL. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts with a minor in Art History and Printmaking at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. She specializes in a variety of mediums and skills ranging from draftsmanship, printmaking, oilpainting, and ceramic sculpture.
She also has more than a decade of study in piano and violin. For the past two years she has been teaching during her summers home from college with her own business in which she created a curriculum which explored art history, a variety of mediums, artists, and modern artist jobs.
Chloe Snook
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Laila brings a vibrant global perspective and over a year of hands-on experience in early childhood support. Having lived across Europe, Asia, and the United States, she connects effortlessly with diverse families and speaks both Chinese and Finnish. As a proud Lake Nona resident, Laila is dedicated to cultivating a fun, safe, and enriching classroom environment where every child feels truly welcomed, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Laila Host
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Marcela López is a Graphic Designer and Teacher’s Assistant who brings an inspiring blend of creativity, warmth, and positive energy to the classroom. Dedicated to nurturing young minds, she plays a key role in supporting students’ individual learning journeys while helping craft an engaging, supportive, and vibrant environment where every child can thrive.
Marcela Lopez
Vicky combines over four years of hands-on early childhood experience with a deeply caring approach to learning. Dedicated to nurturing each child's independence, she provides a safe and supportive space where young minds feel loved and encouraged. Her patience, positive guidance, and genuine passion for working with children make her an invaluable asset to our team and community.
Vicky Primera
Collaborative Service Providers
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Dominique Jones
Dominique Jones is a Board Certified Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist with over a decade of experience in private practice and schools. She holds a B.S. in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida and an M.S. in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University.
She is passionate about early childhood development, helping children improve feeding, speech, and language, while fostering collaboration between families, educators, and professionals.
Melody Oliver
Melody Oliver is a certified Spanish teacher through ESL International, originally from Argentina, and deeply passionate about education.
She loves working with children and believes that learning should always be fun. Her teaching approach is rooted in play-based learning—using games, songs, and stories to create a joyful and engaging environment where kids feel excited to learn and express themselves in Spanish.
Ernest Jones
Ernest is an educator and advocate for children and families with over 15 years of experience in child welfare and family services. His background in child development and social services has given him firsthand insight into the gaps in early learning, especially where traditional tools fall short in engaging young minds and supporting whole-child growth.
He is the founder of Basketball Basics, a movement-based learning program that combines foundational sports skills with developmental milestones. The curriculum is designed to be both playful and purposeful, weaving in social-emotional learning (SEL) and parent engagement to create lasting impact.
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.
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Mornings: Inquiry-based core subjects (math, science, literacy, and humanities through play & projects), play groups, specialty programs
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Midday: Social-emotional learning, passion projects.
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Afternoons: Arts, engineering, Spanish, music, and creativity-based workshops
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Flexible schedule
No homework. No forced memorization.
Just meaningful, hands-on learning.
Afternoon Enrichment Options
Afternoon Enrichment: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
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Students can choose from special afternoon classes and programs designed to extend their learning through hands-on experiences.
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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.
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