Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Esanu.
Hi Alina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Our story began as parents searching for a school in North Dallas for our daughters, Teodora and Madalina — a place that nurtured the whole child, balanced strong academics with creativity and emotional growth, and fostered a deep connection with nature. When we couldn’t find a school that truly reflected those values, we decided to build it ourselves — not only for our family but for other like-minded families seeking the same balance of heart and academics.
We found a beautiful five-acre property and, within just one month, transformed it into a welcoming three-classroom school. It was a true labor of love — from painting walls and building outdoor learning spaces to creating a small animal farm that quickly became part of our students’ daily rhythm. And that’s how Adventure Academy of Melissa was born.
From the very beginning, our vision was to offer children an education that feels both meaningful and magical — where learning is rooted in nature, curiosity, and hands-on discovery. We chose The Good and The Beautiful curriculum and blended it with Montessori and Waldorf philosophies to create a program that nurtures academics, imagination, and character.
Today, Adventure Academy has grown into a vibrant community where children thrive through real-life experiences — caring for animals, exploring science outdoors, and finding wonder in every season. What truly sets our school apart is how deeply we listen — to the children’s interests, to what inspires them, and to the feedback of our parents. We see education as a partnership built on trust, communication, and a shared love for learning. Watching our students grow and flourish reminds us every day why we started.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has felt incredibly guided, as if everything unfolded exactly as it was meant to. While we didn’t face major obstacles, it was certainly filled with long days, late nights, and countless details that demanded patience and perseverance. We were fortunate to have friends and parents who spent weekends helping us paint, build, and bring our vision to life — their kindness and belief in what we were creating meant the world to us.
Building Adventure Academy of Melissa from the ground up — from designing classrooms and outdoor spaces to caring for animals and preparing materials — was both challenging and deeply rewarding. We are especially grateful for our incredible teachers and staff who believed in the vision from the very beginning and joined us with remarkable dedication and passion.
Because we had such a clear sense of purpose, every challenge felt like part of the adventure rather than a setback. Looking back, I wouldn’t describe the road as difficult, but rather as beautifully demanding — one that required heart, teamwork, and a deep belief in what we were creating together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Adventure Academy of Melissa?
At Adventure Academy of Melissa, we believe education should nurture the whole child — mind, body, and spirit. We’re a private, nature-based school in Melissa, Texas, where learning grows from curiosity, creativity, and connection. While we follow The Good and The Beautiful curriculum, our program is secular and inclusive, welcoming families who value curiosity, compassion, and holistic learning.
Our approach blends strong academics with Montessori and Waldorf philosophies, creating a balance between structure and wonder. We truly listen to our students — their interests, questions, and inner spark often guide our lessons. In the same way, we value our families’ voices deeply; parent feedback is essential to how we grow, refine, and improve each day.
Our five-acre campus is home to a small animal farm — including a gentle donkey named Blanco, playful goats, and a flock of chickens (with a new baby chick that recently hatched).These daily interactions teach empathy, patience, and responsibility in ways no textbook ever could. Children spend much of their day outdoors, exploring, discovering, and learning directly from nature in our open-air classroom with a dedicated outdoor teacher.
Adventure Academy of Melissa currently serves students from Pre-K through 4th grade, and each year we plan to add a new grade as our students grow, ensuring a continuous, nurturing learning journey. With a 1:8 teacher-to-student ratio, each child receives individualized attention and support tailored to their strengths and interests.
What makes Adventure Academy special is the sense of community and authenticity that fills every corner. Whether students are tending the garden, studying under the trees, or collaborating on creative projects, they learn through real experiences that build confidence, compassion, and a lifelong love for learning.
We’re proud to be more than a school — we’re a place where children are seen, families feel connected, and learning unfolds through curiosity, hands-on experiences, and the natural world.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my fondest childhood memories comes from the forests of Moldova, where every fall my family and I had a beautiful tradition of collecting mushrooms together — a magical adventure where the world came alive around us. I loved running freely among the trees, singing out loud, and letting my imagination shape everything I saw. Using sticks, leaves, and whatever I could find, I created little playgrounds and secret worlds where play and nature blended seamlessly.
The sound of the leaves, the crisp fall air, and the colorful foliage were simply stunning. Finding mushrooms felt like a treasure hunt — full of excitement and curiosity, never knowing what we might discover next. Those moments taught me to observe, to dream, and to find beauty in simplicity — the same values I now share every day with the children at Adventure Academy of Melissa, inspiring them to explore, create, and grow.
Pricing:
- 2 days per week: $900/month
- 3 days per week: $1,100/month
- 5 days per week: $1,330/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adventureacademyofmelissa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventure_academy_melissa?igsh=dHl6aHhndGVlZWw4&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14MnyY7DfhL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: BOOK A TOUR: https://adventureacademyofmelissa.com/book-a-tour
Image Credits
Ellen Turcan Photography
