About Us
Select Education Arizona
Rooted in Purpose. Growing in Wisdom.
At Select Education, we believe every child is a unique and powerful learner, capable of deep curiosity, creativity, and compassionate connection. Inspired by the Montessori philosophy, our private school serves children in 1st through 6th grade, nurturing the whole child—academically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Our symbol, the lotus flower, represents growth, resilience, and the unfolding of inner potential. Just as the lotus blooms beautifully from its roots, we believe each student blossoms when rooted in respect, purpose, and a prepared environment that honors their individuality.
We use proven Montessori methods to guide students through hands-on academic exploration, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement with the world around them. Our classrooms are calm, student-centered spaces that foster independence, empathy, and lifelong learning.
Whether working with math materials, exploring language, discovering science, or building community, students at Select Education are invited to explore at their own pace with joy, focus, and dignity.
Why “Select” Education?
The name Select Education reflects our commitment to intentionality. We’ve chosen to cultivate an environment where each child is seen, valued, and encouraged to pursue their own path to excellence—not through pressure, but through purposeful engagement.
We partner with families to create an educational journey that is rich with wonder, structure, and the deep satisfaction that comes from mastering meaningful work.
About Our Founder: Krista Cross
Krista Cross is the Founder and Lead teacher at Select Education. She received a Montessori education growing up in California. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with an emphasis in Child Language Development.
Krista earned her Montessori teaching credentials for Elementary I and II through the Center for Montessori Teacher Education (CMTE) and completed additional training from England in Early Childhood through St. Nicholas; both CMTE and St. Nicholas are certified by the American Montessori Society (AMS).
Krista then earned her Master of Arts in Education degree in Curriculum Development from Sarasota University; she also obtained a Master of Arts in Education in Administrative Leadership. In 2015, she became a faculty and Advisory Board member at Sarasota University, teaching online coursework in the area of Brain-based Education. In 2000, Krista was one of four recipients in Arizona chosen by the Milken Family Foundation. to receive the National Educator Award.