Texas Rising Star Certification

Montessori Oaks is a Texas Rising Star ★★★★ School
High-quality, state-recognized early education for infants–6 years.
Tesxas Rising Star - 4 stars certification

What Is Texas Rising Star?

Texas Rising Star (TRS) is the state’s quality-rating system for child care programs that go above licensing standards. A Four-Star rating is the

highest level, awarded to schools with exceptional teaching, environments, and family partnership.


  • Higher standards in safety, learning, and teacher training
  • Ongoing evaluation and improvement
  • Recognized by the Texas Workforce Commission


Texas Rising Star Program – TWC Texas Workforce Commission

Montessori Oaks four-star certified program

What a Four-Star Rating Means for Your Child

Expert Teachers: Ongoing training + observation-based instruction


Enriched Classrooms: Beautiful, calm, hands-on Montessori environments


Proven Learning: Strong foundations in language, math, and practical life


Social-Emotional Growth: Independence, focus, kindness, and collaboration


Family Partnership: Clear communication, conferences, and progress updates

FAQ

  • What is Texas Rising Star (TRS)?

    TRS is Texas’Quality Rating & Improvement System (QRIS) for early-learning programs—designed to recognize schools that exceed minimum licensing standards.  (Texas Workforce Commission)

  • What does a Four-Star rating mean?

    A Four-Star rating is the highest TRS level. It means the program has met required structural criteria and achieved strong scores in key areas such as teacher-child interaction (40% weight), indoor/outdoor environment, staff qualifications, and program administration. (texasrisingstar.org)

  • Why does this matter for my child’s preschool?

    Research shows children in high-quality early-learning programs (like TRS Four-Star schools) are better prepared for school entry—with stronger cognitive, language, and social-emotional skills. (texasrisingstar.org)

  • Does being TRS certified mean tuition is higher?

    Not necessarily. TRS certification reflects quality standards, not simply cost. Families still work with the school’s published tuition. What matters is that you’re choosing a provider that has been externally validated for excellence.

  • How long is the certification valid?

    TRS certification typically lasts three years before full reassessment. Annual unannounced monitoring visits may still occur during that cycle. (texasrisingstar.org)

  • How do I find more details or see the full certification criteria?

    You can download the guidelines directly from the state.

TRF Certification Guidelines

This 60-plus page document covers eligibility, star-level scoring, category weights, assessment processes, and much more.

Download Guidelines PDF

If you think your child would thrive in a Montessori environment, give us a call or schedule a tour online. We would love for you to visit our school and learn more.