I made an appointment online, showed up with my 2 year old) hired a babysitter (for my baby twins) so that I could tour), and the front desk lady said she had no idea (even though I got a thorough email confirmation). The lady wouldn't even let me peer into the classroom though no one was In there (no children/teachers). She literally put her body in front of the door to block me as I tried to peer in. She kept saying they are not touring due to Covid (over and over), yet not once even acknowledged the fault of booking me a tour appointment. Her tone in general was condescending, and the way she spoke to my daughter and kept TOUCHING her hair without even asking was NOT Montessori. This place really needs a new front desk person. This could be a good school, but based on the front desk lady alone, I was completely turned off, and was not interested in trying to book another tour. read more

terrible place, went for a tour and as I was walking in I heard teachers yelling aggressively at the children. Through the tour nothing was Montessori about this place. not welcoming at all, a short blonde worker was dressed inappropriately for the childcare setting another classroom smelled like mariJuana. read more

Would give 0 stars if I could. Students are not learning and regress in potty training, education, socially, and other ways. There's no structure and no support from the director. Parents and employees should strongly avoid this place. read more

Our son is wrapping up his first school year here. He's 4 and he loves it. Loves his teachers, friends, organic lunches and going to preschool at Lectura in general. He's learning Spanish and is doing well with numbers, letters, singing, dancing, telling stories, you name it. They also bring in programs in the afternoons like Yoga, Soccer, Art and Piano which is really cool for the kids and is easier than organizing rides to/from for parents (for extra fee). We are looking forward to what he is going to learn and experience this summer during summer camp and in the upcoming school year. read more

I have been with Lectura since they opened with both of my girls ages 4 & 7. I love this school and all of the teachers. I was sold when they told me they provided an organic lunch. Last year I decided to enroll my oldest in a charter school with CPS to save money since she was going into 1st grade. Wow, you never really know how good you have it until ... (you know the saying). I did the summer program at the school this past year as well as a camp that was offered through my oldest school. What I loved about Lectura's camp was the children where still learning even though they where in camp. My youngest would come home excited talking about the different continents they where "visiting". They still did the usual field trips and played in the water but learning was still a main focus. My oldest daughter was so excited about the cricket and centipede they caught during an excursion in they school's back yard. My daughter will be doing 2nd grade at Lectura. I'm really excited and so is my daughter. I asked my 7 year old, just to see what she would say, which school did she want to attend this year? She looked at me as if to say , "Is this some type of trick question?" Even though she loved her 1st grade teacher and asked if she could be her mommy too, even though she made great friends and loved playing chess and doing yoga at her school, without hesitation she said "I want to go to Lectura." I swear kids know a good thing. read more

We had a horrible experience at this daycare my son hated this place! Cried every time we dropped him off his teacher would yell at all the kids and one day I walked in early and they had my son who is 18 months old outside on the wet floor. And another occasion I picked him up early and he was outside crying on the floor under 90 degree weather. I pulled my son out of this place immediately. I feel so bad for the kids that go here read more

STEER CLEAR!!!! My son went to school here for two years and I am so sorry that I didn't pull him out when the problems first started! The first year he did well, liked it and was progressing in learning letters, numbers, etc. Ms. Leti and Ms. Brooke were great (I believe both are gone now). During his second year (2015/2016), it was nothing but a bad experience. He was in the 4 year old preschool program and had 3 teachers during that year. Teachers were fired or left with no notice whatsoever. Horrible transitions for the kids. My son's behavior went downhill, teachers had no idea what he did/did not know. I told the teacher one day that he didn't know his letters - the response?? "He doesn't?" I'm sorry - isn't this your job! My son was acting out because of the way he was being treated by some of the teachers. Some were so uncaring and downright mean. I would make complaints and the teacher would confront me about my complaint - unprofessional!! The front desk manager Nikki is a joke. She actually told my son that he was going to have to go to a different school if his behavior didn't improve. Never mentioned that to me, but had that conversation with my 4 year old. Talked to the owner on numerous occasions about how my son was being treated - no real improvement. His skills that he knew the previous years - some numbers and letters - disappeared during his last year there. He hated going to school, started to cry every day and did not want to stay, became very angry and oppositional. He became a different kid during that time. I would get reports from teachers that all the boys were piling up on my son on the playground. Why are you allowing that to happen??? This isn't pre-school fight club! I pulled him out at the end of the school year. He was suppose to start Kindergarten but in no way was he ready after his time at Lectura. Had to hold him back as he could not write at all, could not recognize pretty much any letters and hated anything to do with learning. Switched preschools for the next year and what a difference!!!! I have my sweet, caring boy back! And, he's so ready for Kindergarten now! I did not have a kid that didn't want to learn - there were just teachers who weren't interested in teaching! read more

Our children attended this school for over a year (toddler and preschool programs). Owners may have good intentions but lack any business sense, and do not communicate well with parents. There is not much investment in materials or infrastructure (have you seen the back yard and fence?) in 1.5 yrs, there were only 2 fieldtrips. There is a lot of disorganization, and/or understaffing, as children work/learn very little. Although nice personally, only 2 teachers had any formal training (only 1 Montessori certified teacher besides owner). Teacher and family sudden departures are a huge problem. They were just too much for us. We have found a true bilingual Montessori school and couldn't be happier about leaving. read more

My son has been at Lectura Montessori for a year and a half. He started out in the toddler room and had wonderful teachers that I will always remember. He is now in the preschool room and is doing very well. When we visit our Spanish speaking family, they remark on how well he is speaking Spanish. I credit Lectura Montessori for this. As far as his day-today life here is concerned, I could not be happier. His day is structured, he is well cared for, and he is having fun. I truly believe he is learning/thriving and he seems to have bonded with his teachers. When I come into the classroom at any time, I like what I see. The children are engaged and having fun. The staff has always been supportive and communicative, any time a question or concern has come up. read more

Both my sons have been at Lectura since they were 15 months. I have full confidence in the safety of my children here, which is my absolute #1 concern. They have been supported, learn quickly, and enjoy their work, teachers, and friends. It is a diverse environment both with the teachers and the students which I appreciate. It is also reasonably priced. read more

Lectura Montessori is a beautiful center , that is truest adjusted at the Montessori teaching styles. The teachers are wonderful and as soon as you come in the center the vibe is wonderful and the staff is very welcoming and friendly. read more

Disappointed with my childs experience here. Gave this place a couple of months but the quality of staff and teachers never improved. Admin/office clerk lacked compassion and never was able to remember our names or who we were picking up. read more

My child was at the school for summer 2016 and in the 2 months there I witnessed: -3 teachers quitting and 2 teachers fired within 2 weeks of each other. Many of them complained to the parents how they were underpaid and uninsured making around $9(without a degree) - $12(with a degree)an hour. They mentioned they were either leaving because they were talked down to by the owners, paid unfairly or both. Leddi and Alejandra were our favorite teachers and once they left, my daughter cried everyday at drop off begging me not to leave her there. This was a red flag to me. -The teachers blared the music in the one's and two's room while the children were napping. Children were walking around aimlessly and crying. None of the teachers consoled any of them. I couldn't tolerate the level of the music. -When the teachers quit and the school was understaffed, they asked the parents to chaperone a field trip to the Garfield Park Conservatory. When my daughter and I arrived to help, the owner was sitting outside the front of the building, texting on his cell phone with his chin in his hand, not helping with the children who were inside the conservatory, under chaperoned. I found this to be odd and didn't understand why he wasn't with the class. It made me uncomfortable. -A child got smacked hard in the eye with a metal lock on the gate in the outside back play area. Not one of the teachers did anything to help the child, one teacher just smiled at me. She seemed uncomfortable. -My child was bitten by another child the first week of school. There were several cases of hand, foot, mouth in the classroom while my child was there. -A teacher sitting on the floor in the three's and four's room with 3 children around her watching television on her phone. Not teaching. -The outside back playroom in undesirable conditions with rust all over the "antique" teeter tauter and saddle seat apparatus with dried out foam mats on the ground. Unshaded. -I was told I was to pay $500 for their food plan but the owner told me not to pick the vegan option because it was "too difficult to serve to the children", that I should pick the vegetarian option even though she had restrictions and that I would have to personally bring in my own food to accommodate my child's needs. Found out one day that she was only served broccoli and apples for her lunch. What was the $500 for then and why were they giving her an unbalanced meal? -Three children being changed/using the potty at the same time. They were all pantless and their private parts were on display for the other children. My daughter was one of them. She was crying while this was happening. I walked into the room and saw what was going on. I talked to the owner. He said he would talk to the teachers. I approached each teacher afterward and all of them said he NEVER spoke to them. DCFS rule is only one child is to be changed at a time. This was when I started looking for a new school. -When the building I lived in was sold and I was forced to vacate immediately upon sale, I immediately talked to the owner regarding my situation. Even in the circumstance I was in, the owner refused to issue a refund for the $200 deposit. He threw in my face that he has a large waiting list and there are many kids that are waiting for a spot to open. I was blown away. Talk about terrible customer service. He said either my kid stays for two more months or I do not get my refund back. I explained that the move was out of my control but he could care less. I pulled my daughter out of the school the first day of the school year. I spoke with another parent after this experience and she mentioned several parents pulled their children out of the school that month for similar reasons. I understand that his deposit rule is in place, but if he had such a large waiting list, he would have let me leave immediately, refunding all of my money and separate amicably while letting another child start the first week of school and not losing any income. I wouldn't be writing this review if he handled his business in a respectful manner. It couldn't be clearer to me and I feel that he is in this for the money and not the best interest of the children. Lastly, I also asked for my $300 yearly supply deposit back. He only issued a partial check in the mail. I have called at least a dozen times speaking to either him, his wife or Office Manager Nikky, requesting the rest of my deposit and I still have not received it. They said I would get my money back but I am still waiting and 4 months have already passed. read more

I agree that there is a lot of drama in the administration. However, our experience has been positive. My preschooler loves the school and is thriving. We are very impressed with the preschool teachers and the progress my child is making in Spanish, maths, and reading, especially in the past few months. The classroom is calm, organized, and well-normalized in the Montessori method. Overall, our child spends a lot of time at the school (extended day) and is very happy, confident, and intellectually simulated, and loves school. To us, that is the most important thing. Thank you to the teachers who have made this such a good experience for us. read more

My daughter has been enrolled into Lectura Montessori for just over a year and a half. I was not that knowledgeable about the Montessori method when I first approached the school about enrollment. During my first year as a parent my knowledge of Montessori has grown and I now value the methods used in Montessori. My 3 year old daughter is primarily raised in a Spanish speaking environment so it is important that she develops in Spanish and English. After her first year at Lectura, she has developed a greater understanding and larger vocabulary in both English and Spanish. Lectura has been a very positive experience for our family and our child's development. Good job Lectura! Keep up the great work! read more

Yes, there has been some unfortunate events that have lead to some "drama" but the truth is it has lead to many necessary changes towards something more positive, healthier and wonderful. I must say, my husband and I have witnessed at this school much growth, positivity, true commitment from the owners and teachers, a school that allows a strong parent involvement, a community- a family. My son and daughter began at Lectura Montessori in August of 2011. They have thrived immensely since then. They both always show enthusiasm when it is time to head to school and a sense of pride along with a smile from ear to ear when they get picked up. Not to mention story after story of what they accomplished that day; what they are currently working on; what place they visited for their field trip or where they are going next; of how they dealt with a problem and fixed it on their own- whether it was with their materials or a situation with a classmate in which they used their words to express their feelings with the guidance of their teacher(s); how they were in charge of serving the milk for their classmates; that a teacher rubbed my daughter's back and hummed a lullaby to help her fall asleep; how my son researched information over the Internet at school and presented it with ease and received much positive feedback, or simply hearing them tell someone that they like school when they are asked if they do. The stories go on and on. Aside from that, they both have shared with my husband and I how and why they like their teachers, the owners and the rest of the staff. Just yesterday my son asked if he could attend their summer camp program some days of the week! The preschool classroom indeed is very organized, peaceful and follows the Montessori method the way it should. I am even more impressed with what I have seen in the preschool classroom after all the administration challenges that have come to pass as well as with the rapport the teachers allow to develop between themselves and the parents. Kudos to the committed teachers who seem to love their job from what I have been told by they themselves on several occasions! Despite the issues that have occurred, I have seen the owners and staff who have stayed behave professionally, commit to the children primarily, work diligently together with parents to move forward and stay focused to the mission of the school- which is for the children to feel safe, happy, respected and embraced by an environment that allows them to love to learn. That is what the founder, Maria Montessori, is all about. That is what Lectura Montessori School is all about. read more