The Story of The Mignone HIVE

This story shows how personal experiences shaped a vision for a more inclusive approach to education. It follows the journey from early challenges to the creation of The HIVE.

Early Life: Founder Daria Mignone Stone grew up as the fifth of eight children in upstate New York, raised by her single mother, Mary, who instilled faith, resilience, and creativity despite financial struggles.

Childhood Experiences: With little access to transportation, the family relied on parks, libraries, church, and thrift finds to nurture imagination, joy, and resourcefulness.

Community & Education: Daria thrived in school, graduating top of her class with AP credits, while her home life emphasized respect, discovery, and creativity.

Awakening to Inequities: Watching her siblings—some with disabilities or at-risk needs—struggle in the same system revealed the shortcomings of traditional education, shaping her path toward special education.

Teaching Career: As a teacher, Daria saw how schools often failed both students and educators, leaving many needs unmet.

Motherhood & Homeschooling: Becoming a mother deepened her awareness of these gaps, leading her to homeschool her children—an approach rich in learning but limited in social opportunities and specialized support.

Vision for a Solution: Drawing on her experiences, she envisioned an inclusive, community-based model that could unite accessibility, enrichment, and meaningful real-world learning.

Founding The HIVE: After years of development, she established The Mignone HIVE, LLC in 2023, launching its first programs in July 2024 in Chula Vista, California.

We create a world filled with colors, memories, and opportunities.

In the intrinsic value and worth of every learner.
That learning is lifelong—both rigorous and joyful.
That relationships are the foundation for growth, and that learning unfolds best through natural developmental pathways.
That the most powerful learning comes from internal motivation and curiosity—never coercion.
That field trips and real-world experiences open doors to meaningful discovery.
In the power of purpose—and the joy of serving others with it.
That a learner’s greatest strengths can also be their challenges—success comes through authentic self-understanding, self-regulation, and communication.
In the strength of community—every learner should know they are part of something bigger than themselves.
That collaborative problem-solving empowers us all—together, we can make a difference.