At The Mignone Hive, we believe:
The story of The Mignone HIVE begins with founder Daria Mignone Stone and her educational experiences. Growing up as the fifth of eight children in a small town and raised by a single mother, Daria's family faced financial challenges but was rich in love and learning. Her mother, Mary Mignone, took them to parks, libraries, church, and the pool, often walking due to a lack of transportation. Despite financial struggles, Daria learned about faith, hope, and finding purpose through God. Holidays were simple but joyful, and yard sales and thrift stores provided materials for creative projects and home art.
Daria and her siblings grew up in a small house in upstate New York, surrounded by nature and a close-knit community. Their home was always welcoming, fostering creativity, discovery, and mutual respect. Daria received a strong public school education, graduating at the top of her class with AP credits. However, she noticed that the education system didn't meet the needs of her siblings, some of whom had disabilities or were at-risk. This disparity deeply affected Daria and influenced her decision to become a special education teacher.
In her teaching career, Daria saw that the public school system often failed to meet the needs of all students and that teachers also faced limitations. When she became a mother, these inadequacies became more apparent, leading her to homeschool her children. While homeschooling offered rich learning experiences, it also presented challenges in providing social opportunities and specialized knowledge.
The idea for The Mignone HIVE emerged as a solution to these challenges, aiming to provide accessible, rich learning experiences. Daria explored various educational models over the years, finally establishing The Mignone HIVE, LLC in 2023. The organization began offering learning opportunities in July 2024 in Chula Vista, California.