The journey of the formation of the Leadership Academy started when Louise Dyer discovered her passion for the Montessori method. It became a calling for her to share this unique philosophy and lifestyle with as many people as possible. Using her experience of owning and operating three other Montessori schools in Texas, she established the private school Oak Hill Montessori School in Tyler in 2008, offering quality Montessori education for children from 18 months through lower elementary.

A few years later, in 2015, the founders of Cumberland Academy became increasingly concerned that our society was not taking advantage of the tremendously formative early years before kindergarten. Most children are raised in a setting where parents are working, leaving those pre-school years spent in a day care. While many day care programs attempt to offer some academic instruction, most are not the high quality possible today. Most concerning, they are not coordinated with any particular education system which leaves the transition to kindergarten fragmented at best. As they began to search for an existing early education program which offered this sought-after continuity, they were increasingly drawn to the Montessori School and their friend Louise Dyer, the founder of Oak Hill Montessori School in Tyler.

After an initial meeting, each of them realized they had an opportunity to create something special. As often occurs in collaborative efforts, original and unique ideas evolve. When they began to question what special skills a graduate of this Academy might have, leadership almost instantaneously became the obvious answer. The Montessori-trained student will have all the skills necessary to be a future leader! Choosing a name for their collaborative effort was an easy decision!

In 2017 Oak Hill Montessori School transformed into The Leadership Academy, a private-charter hybrid, which provides even more families in the community with the opportunity for quality Montessori education for students age 2 to 8th grade.

At The Leadership Academy, students, beginning at age 2, will foster leadership skills which will enable them to respond with confidence to the unique challenges and opportunities they will encounter as the leaders of the 21st century.