# From 18 Students to Over 100: Why One New Waldorf- and Montessori-Inspired School Is So Sought After

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/liberated-podcast-4897868/from-18-students-to-over-100-why-one-new-waldorf-and-montessori-inspired-school-is-so-sought-after
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/liberated-podcast-4897868/from-18-students-to-over-100-why-one-new-waldorf-and-montessori-inspired-school-is-so-sought-after.md
Podcast: [LiberatED Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/liberated-podcast-4897868)
Published: 2026-03-10T12:30:00+00:00
Episode link: http://www.liberatedpodcast.com
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/c378c474-ac1a-4738-bc29-87987b4e13ec/Jewell_School_AZ_audio_FINAL.mp3?dest-id=3264842
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Duration seconds: 2177

## Resource

In this episode of LiberatED , Kerry McDonald talks with May Jewell, founder of Jewell School in Queen Creek, Arizona. Since launching in 2021 with just 18 students, the Waldorf- and Montessori-inspired Christian school has grown to more than 100 students. May shares how she built the program, the challenges and rewards of being a new school founder, the regulatory burdens constraining her growth, and why families are increasingly seeking out alternative learning environments. *** Sign up for Kerry's free, weekly email newsletter on education trends at edentrepreneur.org . Kerry's latest book, Joyful Learning: How to Find Freedom, Happiness, and Success Beyond Conventional Schooling , is available now wherever books are sold!

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