Located in Mission, TX, Stepping Stones is a nonsectarian early childhood program serving preschool and kindergarten students in a small city setting.
Founded in 1905, the school enrolls 10 students with a student–teacher ratio of 5:1 supported by 2 teachers.
Stepping Stones has 100% students of color, ranking in the top 20% statewide for diversity among private schools in Texas.
The school's tuition is $25,000 per year, which is above the Hidalgo County average for elementary private schools.
Stepping Stones is recognized for its long history and school resources compared to other private schools in the state.
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
- Grades: Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
- Enrollment: 10 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Stepping Stones ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Texas for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
School Type
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
Student Body
Total Students
10 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
100%
State avg.: 41%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
2 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
National avg.: 11:1
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are Stepping Stones often compared to?
Stepping Stones is often viewed alongside schools like The Fun Of Learning Montessori Center by visitors of our site.
When is the application deadline for Stepping Stones?
The application deadline for Stepping Stones is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Nearby Private Schools
Popular comparisons: Stepping Stones vs. The Fun Of Learning Montessori Center
The nearest high school to Stepping Stones is South Texas Christian Academy (4.1 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Covenant Christian Academy (2.9 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Lavalette International Montessori Institute Llc (1.9 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Lavalette International Montessori Institute Llc
Montessori School
302 S Bryan Rd
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 585-4344
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 585-4344
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-K | 109 students
Covenant Christian Academy
(Christian)
4201 N Ware Rd
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 686-7886
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 686-7886
2.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 261 students
The Fun Of Learning Montessori Center
Montessori School
11958 N Shary Rd
Mission, TX 78573
(956) 584-3676
Mission, TX 78573
(956) 584-3676
3.5 miles
Gr: K | 14 students
Taylor Christian School
(Christian)
2021 W Jackson Avenue
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-7574
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-7574
4 miles
Gr: K-5 | 6 students
7001 N Ware Road
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
4.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 184 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
7001 N Ware Road
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
4.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 184 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Juan Diego Academy
(Catholic)
5208 South Fm 494
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 583-2752
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 583-2752
5.4 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 78 students
506-510 East Van Week St.
Edinburg, TX 78541
(956) 867-8721
Edinburg, TX 78541
(956) 867-8721
6.5 miles
Gr: 1-10 | 3 students Tuition listed
Oratory Athenaeum For University Prep
(Catholic)
1407 W Moore Rd
Pharr, TX 78577
(956) 781-3056
Pharr, TX 78577
(956) 781-3056
6.8 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 307 students Tuition listed
1000 Las Alamedas
Edinburg, TX 78541
(956) 289-1616
Edinburg, TX 78541
(956) 289-1616
8.3 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 214 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Covenant Christian Academy
(Christian)
4201 N Ware Rd
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 686-7886
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 686-7886
2.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 261 students
Taylor Christian School
(Christian)
2021 W Jackson Avenue
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-7574
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-7574
4 miles
Gr: K-5 | 6 students
7001 N Ware Road
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
4.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 184 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1100 Gumwood Ave
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-3651
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-3651
4.3 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 428 students Avg. class size: 28 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
St. Johns Episcopal Day School
(Episcopal)
2500 North 10th Street
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-0231
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-0231
4.4 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 317 students Avg. class size: 17 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Lavalette International Montessori Institute Llc
Montessori School
302 S Bryan Rd
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 585-4344
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 585-4344
1.9 miles
Gr: PK-K | 109 students
Covenant Christian Academy
(Christian)
4201 N Ware Rd
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 686-7886
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 686-7886
2.9 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 261 students
The Fun Of Learning Montessori Center
Montessori School
11958 N Shary Rd
Mission, TX 78573
(956) 584-3676
Mission, TX 78573
(956) 584-3676
3.5 miles
Gr: K | 14 students
7001 N Ware Road
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
Mcallen, TX 78504
(956) 682-1117
4.1 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 184 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1100 Gumwood Ave
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-3651
Mcallen, TX 78501
(956) 686-3651
4.3 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 428 students Avg. class size: 28 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Rafael A Cantu J High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5101 N Stewart Rd
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 323-7800
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 323-7800
0.4 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Jessie L Jensen Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
510 N Glasscock Blvd
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 580-5252
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 580-5252
0.5 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 615 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
John H Shary Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2300 N Glasscock Rd
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 580-5282
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 580-5282
0.7 miles
Gr: PK-6 | 652 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Vanguard Monet
Charter School
1020 N Los Ebanos Rd
Edinburg, TX 78540
(956) 403-5020
Edinburg, TX 78540
(956) 403-5020
0.7 miles
Gr: PK-5 | 198 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Sharyland High School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1106 N Shary Rd
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 580-5300
Mission, TX 78572
(956) 580-5300
0.9 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,527 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
School Reviews
Endorse Stepping Stones. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
Parents should feel comfortable asking how private schools screen employees. Learn which questions matter, what answers to expect, and why transparency about hiring and student safety is a hallmark of a well-managed school.
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
A school's facilities reveal far more than appearance. Learn how building maintenance, emergency preparedness, and campus safety practices can help parents evaluate school leadership, oversight, and long-term commitment to student well-being.
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Before enrolling your child in a private school, learn how to verify that it is legally operating, properly accredited, and authorized to issue recognized diplomas with this practical parent checklist for making a confident school choice.
