I married into a Czech family with little cultural awareness outside of what I had learned through…read moremy in laws and only had taken Romance languages in high school. I stared taking adult Czech language classes on and off and both times Klára then Kristýna had both been incredibly instructive, patient, and inviting. It can be humbling being a beginner but I always felt safe making mistakes and struggling and learning with the pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. I had taken a semester of Latin previously which helped me be ready for declensions. It was also a great way to learn more about my in law's culture and traditions. The school also puts on a lot of events with artists, historians, and the community at large to celebrate the Czech history and culture in Chicagoland and abroad. Everyone I've met is a fantastic steward of the culture and we're lucky to have them here. We'll be sending our 4 and 6 year olds there in the fall! It's reassuring to see their first cohort of their youngest students not just sticking with it but having really enjoyed their many years together learning.

From the owner: The revitalized T. G. Masaryk Czech School has excellent language, culture and history classes for…read morepeople of Czech ancestry as well as those interested in Czech, Moravian and Slovak cultures.

This is a newer school in Oak Park so I was a little nervous at first. The class sizes are small so…read morethe teachers are very attentive. Pricing is better compared to some in the Chicagoland areas. My daughter is taking Japanese classes here and so far so good. She really likes her teacher which I feel is important. The space also promotes learning, rugs and pillows everywhere but also small classrooms for teaching. On the weekends the environment is very quiet. Had a chance to write this review while sipping complementary coffee while waiting for my daughter. The staff here are always so welcoming!

I am Cynthia R.'s husband. We signed up for the whole summer back in January and have the email to…read moreprove it. When we showed up with our daughter for day 1 of the 2nd 6 weeks, we were shocked when they said we had not enrolled. Then they lied to us and said the session was full; we had a friend call the next day and found they had room. It wasn't until after repeated calls and emails that the director (does not deserve this title) informed us it was due to our child's behavior. We were only notified once of any issues and we immediately addressed them. In addition, we asked every day how things were and were always told "good" and "fine" and were never again contacted about any behavior issues. If we had been, we would have dealt with them but the lies and deceit are so very unprofessional and unethical. We have filed a formal complaint with the BBB of Chicago and have done the same with the Village of Oak Park. Our child did love Academia and is heart broken, is this how an institution of child learning acts and behaves? Buyer beware with this place!!

Enrolling our child into the Language and Music International program proved to be one of the best…read moredecision for our family. Originally we were drawn to the Spanish emersion element with the talented Maria Emilia, but we quickly learned it was so much more. The personalized attention to the children's learning styles, sense of community, variety in programming, flexibility and responsiveness is one of a kind. If you are searching for a place that values the linguistic, academic and social emotional development of your scholar, you may want to check them out!

Our daughter has thrived here over the past 6 years that she has been a student in the primary…read moreschool and Spanish immersion program. The school environment focuses on students' social emotional learning and their individual learning styles, allowing the kids to learn in fun and engaging ways. The school's non-traditional style means small groups, individualized learning, and opportunities for the kids to explore what they are interested in. This environment has really suited our daughter and has allowed her confidence, independence and love of learning to flourish.

Our 4.5 year old is in her second year at MLA. We are so grateful that she has been able to safely…read morecontinue to grow at school with her friends and teachers during this strange year, adding proper mask wear & care, mindful hand washing, and other health-and-safety focused skills to her practical life toolkit! We don't speak Japanese at home, but we incorporate songs and phrases that she has picked up from school, and we sometimes watch Japanese movies and videos, learning together casually at home. Similarly we don't aggressively augment her learning of letters or math, but instead follow her lead regarding what she is working on and enjoying at school enough that she wants to do it at home, too. It's been wonderful to see her drawings develop naturally, to overhear her speaking with her toys in Japanese, and to know what she means when she wakes us up to say she's "peko peko" every morning. As she's gotten older, we hear more about what she's learning and it is always with such true confidence, contagious enjoyment, and deep understanding: cycles of a pumpkin and a flower, details of different planets and their temperature, and how to cut out a heart (& not waste the folded paper with the outline!). She has always loved to do things her own particular way, which we have encouraged within the boundaries of safety and kindness -- it's clear that her teachers similarly support (and enjoy!) that individuality, while thoughtfully guiding her towards opportunities for growth in herself and collaboration with others. Clearly I could go on forever--we love this hidden gem of a community so much! Thank you, MLA!

We originally chose MLA because it is a dual-language Japanese Montessori school. While already…read morefamiliar with the Montessori approach for learning, what we did not expect was dedication of the school's director, Yoko-sensei, to your child's emotional as well as educational development. We also appreciate how the director is willing to offer-up constructive and honest feedback about your child. Our daughter's other schools were quick to say "she's doing fine" - minimizing amount the personal attention they would have to give. That is certainly not the case with MLA - they go out of their way to address your child's individual needs. MLA is so important to us that when we moved to another city 30 miles away, we chose to commute a total of 90 minutes each day just to keep her there.

We have been absolutely thrilled with the caliber and quality of Intercultural in Oak Park. The…read morecommunity we've created with other parents, the support we feel from the school administration and teachers, and the leaps we've seen both our kids make academically, emotionally, and socially are all reasons we've stayed all the way through kindergarten for both kids. The Spanish immersion was a no-brainer, but the Montessori method was new for us - I truly credit this method in helping shape our kids into little world citizens who are independent, inclusive, curious, and kind.

Um, I was sad after reading the first review. Not knowing what sort of experiences others have…read morehad, my daughter seems to love it at Intercultural. It's a wonderful departure for her from regular day care, and I love the fact that she is getting a healthy dose of the Japanese language every morning. The teachers communicate well and are good at sending home what the children have been working on. My daughter just started at the beginning of November and is happy every morning that she attends school as opposed to not wanting to go to her previous day care. Obviously I don't have as much experience with the school as others do- I am interested to hear what others think. I give it 4 stars simply because it is super expensive. (As are all private schools of quality) We're shelling out a lot of cash monies to read a bad review of this place..... eeek. Thought I'd update my review - Feb. 08 - my daughter does not attend this school any more. We took her out at the end of last school year. She seemed to be the one kid who couldn't handle not understanding the language. She wouldn't talk to, or hardly look at the (Japanese) teachers. It made me sad to take her out because I really wanted her to have the early understanding of another language. She also seemed to dig the Montessori learning techniques. She's super happy at her new school and seems much more comfortable. comfortable

We absolutely love Bilingual Montessori Lab and cannot recommend it enough. Miss Claudia is a true…read moreprofessional with over 30 years of experience in Montessori teaching, and it shows in every aspect of the school. Our child has been attending Miss Claudia's school for the past two years, and the growth we've seen has been remarkable. She has developed so much independence, confidence, and curiosity, and she genuinely looks forward to going to school every single day. What we appreciate most is the well-rounded, hands-on curriculum. It is deeply rooted in practical life skills, nature-based learning, and is thoughtfully guided by each child's individual abilities and interests. The environment feels intentional, nurturing, and empowering for young learners. We are so grateful to be part of this community and highly recommend Bilingual Montessori Lab to any parents seeking an authentic Montessori experience with full Spanish immersion.

From the owner: Bilingual Montessori Lab Academy (BMLA) is an authentic Spanish immersion Montessori school in…read moreForest Park, IL, serving children ages 3 to 9. We specialize in nurturing the "Magic of the Child’s Brain" through a scientifically-backed curriculum that combines bilingualism with the Montessori method. Our programs include: Primary (Ages 3-6): Focused on independence, practical life skills, and natural language acquisition. Elementary (Ages 6-12): Encouraging deep research, social awareness, and biliteracy in English and Spanish. At BMLA, Spanish is not just a subject; it is a daily experience. Our students develop advanced cognitive flexibility, problem-solving skills, and a global perspective in a calm, beautiful, and child-led environment.

Worst school ever I hate it I rather be dead than be in that school people are very disrespectful…read moreand annoying principles are not understanding for my needs and social worker laughed at me while crying very weird and I feel disgusted I never wanna step foot in that school ever again

When I attended this school from 1965 til 1974, & then Morton East til 1978, the Cicero school…read moredistrict was considered one of the best & was the best funded school district in the state. I received a very good education. My parents never had to pay for anything then, & we had excellent educators. When we moved out in 1978 to the far NW suburbs, it was because my dad wanted to get out before the house was worth less then what they paid for it in 1960. Cicero has really hit the skids.

As we maneuver finding reputable Music Lessons, we sure do miss My Music Lessons! Their passion for…read moremusic was contagious, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and creativity in every session. The personalized approach to teaching catered to individual learning style, making the lessons both enjoyable and effective. We have yet to find another like!

What's to say about My Music Lessons? In a word, great! Conveniently located in Oak Park (steps…read moreaway from the CTA Oak Park Blue line), they are the real deal. With a bit of competition in this space, they hold their own. We've had our kid in now over a year, who's gone from beginner (ZERO musical knowledge), now approaching advanced, and he sounds great. We've done guitar, piano, and now adding vocal lessons as of today, and can't say enough about where he's at. My Music Lessons is very accommodating and so helpful ensuring your child has good training and the time allotted to do so. I'd be remiss in not mentioning that Ashley on the front line provides the best service and communication, hands down! She stays on top of everything and makes sure you understand exactly where you're at..awesome! Simply stated, you won't go wrong starting and keeping lessons going here!

I just completed the course with Caroline; she is an excellent professional! She provided many…read moreresources and feedback during the course, and I am amazed by how much I learned over that time. I have improved my pronunciation and intonation and learned tips to improve my speech, and she even teaches me how to breathe to have a better tone and relax when speaking. Not only have I noticed the improvements, but people around me also recognize them. I highly recommend Caroline's 12-week accent reduction program; this program was exactly what I was looking for!

Caroline is an outstanding instructor and her English Accent Reduction program is world class…read more Personally for me, it was a way to develop my communication skills and become a better communicator in English. I highly recommend Caroline's 12-week accent reduction program to my friends and colleagues.