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About The Meraki School
A Modern Take on The Classic One-room schoolhouse
We believe students thrive in an environment that blends hands-on, project-based learning, and personalized, explicit instruction. Our goal is to ignite a lifelong passion for learning, where literacy opens doors to understanding diverse perspectives and a deeper understanding of the world. Through the development of critical thinking skills, we equip students to navigate challenges independently, stay motivated, and lead with intentionality in a fast-changing world.
The Meraki School, a microschool built around the idea that education should be as unique as each student, focuses on the four core subjects three days a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays), leaving plenty of time for extracurricular activities and the opportunity for each child to explore their discovered and latent passions. With small class sizes, a hybrid model, and peer-to-peer learning, we’re able to offer a personalized learning experience that truly meets each child’s needs. We believe that public education isn’t always a one-size-fits-all solution, and students achieve academic excellence when given the freedom and support of an alternative environment.
About Ms. Ariana
About Me Professionally
Hello, I’m Ariana and I wanted to share more about myself, the face of The Meraki School.
Originally from California and now a Texas transplant, I have spent the past eight years deeply committed to elementary education and now resulting in the creation of my absolute dream: The Meraki School. I earned my bachelor’s degree in 2020 in Elementary Education with a minor in English Language Arts. My teaching career sprouted in a 4th grade classroom, where I taught for two years while simultaneously working as an ESL instructor online.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I recognized the growing need for additional instructional support as families navigated remote learning. From there, I launched a tutoring business, which I have successfully run for the past four years. Over this time, I have had the privilege of working with over 30 elementary-aged students, offering personalized instruction across various subjects, with a particular focus on literacy and offering a summer STEM program.
Two years ago, one of my students’ parents approached me and asked if I would privately teach their child, to which I gladly agreed. I have been a private teacher for the past two years and am excited to expand this further! That’s where The Meraki School comes in.
About Ariana
About Me Personally
I’m all about personal relationships and believe you can’t learn from someone you don’t like. With that, I want to share a bit about myself personally. I’m happily married and a mother to two beautiful children. I’m an avid reader, passionate traveler, hopeful gardener and aspiring yogi. My heart is happiest surrounded by those I love and studying whatever has sparked my interest lately. Whether it’s exploring the vital role of micronutrients in gut health or learning about the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program’s efforts to protect art during WWII, I am a student at heart. Those close to me describe me as zealous, driven, well-rounded, understanding, and authentic.
Nothing gives me a bigger dopamine hit than watching a child grasp a difficult concept. The moment their eyes light up, when everything clicks into place, that’s what drives me. The educational system is a vast complex ecosystem that has evolved over decades, and I’m committed to contributing to its continued growth and transformation. I want nothing more than to see a child thrive and reach their fullest potential. I believe a better tomorrow starts with the youth of today.
Why "Meraki?"
When I began dreaming of opening my school, I wanted a name that carried deep meaning—something my students could take with them for the rest of their lives. This summer, while visiting the Greek island of Crete with my family, I shared my vision with a local Greek woman. While my children played with her son, I told her how I hoped to create a school one day where students not only thrive academically but also grow into passionate, creative, and well-rounded individuals. She then told me, “You must teach with meraki.”
In Greek, meraki means to do something with soul, creativity, and love—to leave a piece of yourself in your work. It perfectly captured what I wanted for my school and my students. I hope that every child who walks through the doors of The Meraki School will carry that same spirit of meraki into everything they do, leaving their own unique mark on the world.
Future Vision of The Meraki School
It’s no secret we’re growing! At The Meraki School, we are committed to a vision of steady, purposeful growth that never compromises the quality of our students’ education. As we expand into a full K-12 microschool, we’ll maintain small class sizes and a close-knit community atmosphere, ensuring that every child’s unique educational journey remains at the forefront.
In the coming years, we aim to enrich our curriculum with meaningful, immersive experiences that bring learning to life. Our students will embark on annual educational trips to pivotal historical landmarks—from the Alamo in San Antonio to the museums and monuments of Washington, D.C.—deepening their connection to our nation’s history. For senior year we dream of a capstone trip to Europe that will provide students with a firsthand view of World War II landmarks, Renaissance art, and other cultural treasures, giving context and depth to their studies and instilling a global perspective.
As part of our commitment to developing well-rounded thinkers and leaders, we also plan to introduce a competitive speech and debate program. This will give students the opportunity to hone their speaking skills, master the art of persuasive communication, and develop strong critical thinking abilities—skills essential for success in any path they choose.
At The Meraki School, our future vision is to cultivate not only knowledgeable students but also confident, ambitious, and globally minded individuals ready to make their mark on the world.