15 years ago we chose Montessori Education for our children. It was an investment we were…read morepassionate about. WMS offered the perfect conditions to nurture and "grow" our children. I wrote an essay years ago, Locally Grown, about our experience of the treasured early elementary years. Fast forward and our oldest is graduating High School and youngest is a freshman. As a family, we are compelled to share our honest and sincere feedback of this experience from a retrospective perspective. These thoughts have been communicated with the head of school directly however, we feel called to share publicly as to offer insight to those families considering the AP. Our children's recommendation is: "Stay through 6th and skip the AP". The Adolescent Program at WMS presents a conflicting experience for several students and families, highlighting significant concerns and areas for improvement. While the school claims to provide a holistic approach to education, it falls short in crucial areas, leaving some students unprepared for the challenges of high school. The AP  has strayed far from the original Montessori philosophy, which emphasized neutrality, respect for individuality, and a focus on grounded, thoughtful education. The current approach has deviated from those principles, favoring an agenda-driven model that seems to place the needs of its teachers above those of the students. The most striking issue is the lack of preparation in foundational subjects, especially math and writing. My oldest states she was at a disadvantage due to the insufficiency in these core areas, leading to regret and frustration as struggled to catch up in her freshman year. She expressed she was profoundly underprepared for the rigor of her high school, acknowledging the gap could have been much wider had we not chosen to leave the AP before the completion of the 9th year. The social environment at WMS also presents challenges. We observed evident favoritism towards certain students, creating an atmosphere of exclusion and uneven attention. Additionally, teachers engage in questionable behaviors, including texting students and discussing other students in a negative light both in front of students and sometimes parents. A total lack of integrity. The teacher-student dynamic often feels less like a mentorship and more like a friendship-seeking relationship which undermines the authority and maturity required in an educational setting. For example, encouraging students to experiment with nail polish, twerking, and other frivolities rather than teaching math and writing. Some teachers seem more interested in fulfilling their own emotional needs through vulnerable adolescents than providing the guidance, wisdom, and leadership that students require. The program's attempt at inclusivity and open-mindedness is overshadowed by a lack of neutrality. Teachers actively promote personal social beliefs, leaving little room for objective discussion or diverse perspectives. The curriculum, too,  leans heavily into certain ideologies, and teachings, creating an atmosphere of comparison, while neglecting broader educational goals. As parents, we were told by staff "The adolescent brain is broken " and they will struggle with decision making and managing emotions. Indeed, the adolescent brain's developmental limitations are not adequately considered in decision-making. The emphasis on identity exploration, and identity-dependent worthiness, adds to the confusion and emotional turmoil during a period when students should be focusing on personal growth and academic development.  Our observation has been that the adolescent program has strayed from"following the child" to "following the cause".  A distinct contrast to the original Montessori philosophy, which emphasized neutrality, respect for individuality, and a focus on grounded, thoughtful education. The current approach appears to favor an agenda-driven model that often places the needs of the school and its teachers above those of the students. In conclusion, while the WMS Adolescent  Program may appeal to some families for its progressive approach, it is our determination it falls short in preparing students for future academic success and personal development. A return to the original Montessori mission--focusing on respect, objective learning, and appropriate developmental guidance--could better serve the needs of these adolescents during one of the most critical stages of their growth. Investing in a Montessori education was a good parenting decision but pulling them from the Adolescent Program was our greatest decision.

Our son has been at WMS since January 2023, and we couldn't be happier with the quality of…read moreeducation he is receiving. He attended preschool and Kindergarten (primary ages), and Montessori learning has been wonderful for his development. Thank you particularly to Mrs. Berdick for her help in bringing our boy out of his shell even more and helping him excel academically but also in his independence. We plan to have him enrolled through 9th grade, and we can't wait to be long-term members of this great community.

I could not be happier with this entire school and staff. My 5 year old daughter just finished her…read morefirst year here and this has become our second home and the staff like family. Everyone in this school are some of the most caring, patient, and knowledgeable teachers I've ever met. I've never heard a single complaint from amy of the parents here and honestly we couldn't be happier. Probably one of the best decisions we've ever made.

We had our 3 year old son at Montessori Academy of Glen Ellyn (MAGE) and removed him after he came…read morehome with a dislocated arm. We understand accidents happen. However, we were not notified of any injury at the time it occurred or when we picked him up. To this day (weeks later) MAGE has been unable to tell us how or when our son was injured that day. Due to our son's age, he was unable to articulate what happened, but it is obviously unlikely he did this to himself. Due to the lack of information provided by MAGE, the pediatric doctor requested x-rays to eliminate the possibility of a broken bone. After x-rays revealed no broken bones, his arm was adjusted back into place. We were asking for 100% reimbursement of the $530 for the x-rays which was our out-of-pocket after insurance, and MAGE denied our request. We are very dissatisfied with how this was handled.

My girls have been attending this Montessori school, and it has been a truly wonderful experience…read more Ms. Joanne, along with all of the amazing teachers we've had--Ms. Jennifer, Ms. Prabha, Ms. Mary, Ms. Aruna, Ms. Tania, Ms. Michelle and Ms. Debbie--and the entire staff are incredibly compassionate and supportive, genuinely invested in each child's independence and personal growth. We especially appreciate the cultural activities, in-depth exploration of diverse topics, and the frequent field trips that make learning engaging and meaningful. These experiences spark curiosity, build awareness, and deepen understanding. The teachers are clearly dedicated and intentional, creating a warm, supportive space where children truly thrive. Highly recommend!

Most incredible Montessori school. I was struggling in traditional school system. I likely would…read morenever succeeded in school if it weren't for the innovative & creative curriculum tailored each students needs.

TLC in Lombard has an amazing staff with so much heart and caring mindset…read more My granddaughter gets excited about going to school here, the teachers make an effort to engage the kids and develop them in a very individuated way. They are committed to proving a safe, fun, and loving full day of learning. TLC Montessori is a amazing place! I highly recommend sending your children to their school. Many, many thanks Zara's family

Tender Loving Care Montessori provides optimal care with a great education program for children 15…read moremonths and older. My toddler is always happy when we arrive.

We started at Guidepost Downers Grove when it opened. It has been a wonderful experience, everyone…read moreis great and they really care about the children. We would recommend.

From the owner: Our school in Downers Grove is now accepting pre-registration deposits for first-priority placement…read morein our programs! Guidepost Montessori in Downers Grove is one of the most trusted Montessori schools in DuPage County, Illinois. Indoors, rooms are spacious, bright, and light-filled, creating a warm and calm space for children to work.

2 of my kids went to Sunrise Montessori. Ms.Singh is a superb teacher. My Kids learned how to read…read moreand math before going to big school. My kids love it here.

We used this daycare for 2 years for our son. I would give them more stars if I could. We were in a…read morepinch with babysitting and Mrs. Singh and crew welcomed us with open arms. She is an incredible teacher and their staff prepared our son with math, reading, writing, and politeness skills. I could see my son flourish each day. We miss this daycare and highly recommend if you're looking for a good place for your child.

Incredible school like no other, for students who are academically advanced / gifted and crave…read morechallenge and empowering learning experiences. The teachers are masters in their field, the school day is incredibly vibrant with PE every day and fine arts, language & stem classes. The extracurricular options are vast. The students are incredibly kind and supportive of each other.

Great school but tends to greatly favor children whose parents are the biggest donors. Not fair in…read moremany ways if you are a medium donor.

My daughter has finished 3 years at Diamanté Montessori, and I am forever grateful for the…read moreexceptional educational and foundational experience she has received from all of her teachers. I am encouraged by all of the progress she has made thus far, and fully recognize the curriculum as well as the personal nurturing of her development by all the educators were instrumental to her learning evolution. The environment at Diamanté is one rooted and centered around supporting the child. It has been evident in the past 3 years that we have been the fortunate recipient of exceptional tutelage for our daughter from all of her deeply committed teachers. We will miss Diamanté so very much and the memories we have had as a family here will be fondly reminisced upon, always.

Diamante provides a wonderful and safe learning environment that is dynamic, fun and consistent…read morewith the Montessori method!