I am so thrilled that we found Devonshire Montessori, our son has been in their program since the…read morefall and he is absolutely thriving. He loves school - he walks in every morning happy and confident, proudly shows off his art at home and has learned so many practical life skills. He is always talking and singing about his teachers & friends when he's at home, and it's clear that his teachers really care about him. At Devonshire his innate desire to help and contribute is nurtured and that shines through so clearly at home. It's tough to leave your kid everyday as a parent, but I never worry if he's doing ok at school because it is SO clear how happy, secure, and connected he is at Devonshire.

Our experience at Devonshire Montessori School has been nothing short of exceptional…read more Both of my children have needed outside intervention services, and as a parent, that can feel overwhelming when navigating school partnerships. From the very beginning, the director and teachers have gone above and beyond to make sure our family feels supported--not just welcomed, but truly understood. The director has been incredibly proactive and compassionate, taking time to meet, communicate, and problem-solve with us. What has meant the most is how collaborative the school has been with our children's interventionists. The teachers have welcomed outside providers, implemented recommended strategies, and consistently followed through with accommodations to help my children succeed in the classroom environment. Instead of viewing extra supports as a challenge, they've treated them as an opportunity to better understand and support my children as individuals. The staff regularly communicates updates, shares observations, and works as a team to ensure consistency between school and outside services. That level of dedication is rare and deeply appreciated. Because of this partnership, we've seen tremendous growth--academically, socially, and emotionally. My children feel safe, supported, and capable. As a parent, I feel heard and valued. Their commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and individualized care truly sets them apart.

Skokie Montessori School has been such a gift to our family. Our son started at SMS at age 2.5…read moreafter a rough start at a different program, and we have been so impressed at how smoothly he adapted to the environment here. The care the teachers put into creating and maintaining a peaceful and orderly atmosphere has made all the difference for him. It has been clear from the start that Ms. Jackie, Ms. Adela, and Ms. Kit are incredibly invested in their students and the quality of the program. Our son quickly developed trust in the environment and the adults in the building, and as a result has been able to come out of his shell and find much joy and engagement in the classroom - on the weekends he even asks to go to school! We have watched our son's ability to concentrate deeply, recognize boundaries, and engage in positive social interactions take a big leap since he started attending SMS. At home, he practices many of the independent skills that are reinforced in the classroom: hanging up his clothes and materials, clearing his place at the table, taking initiative to clean up after spills, etc. We consider ourselves so lucky to have found this school and can't recommend it enough.

This school has been instrumental in the development of our kids. For those unfamiliar with the…read moreMontessori way like we were, we are now firm believers that this philosophy has set our children up for success in more ways than just in the classroom. Montessori emphasizes independence and order in a nurturing environment, which is especially essential during ages 2-5 years old. This particular school has a toddler classroom (2-3 year olds), 2 preschool classrooms (3-6 year olds), and an elementary classroom (6-12 year olds). Montessori mixes age groups so the child has the opportunity to be both a student and "teacher" to their peers. This is a unique opportunity unavailable at other daycares, preschools, or public schools. We felt it has challenged our children above their "grade level" by being able to see what older children are doing, and one of the main reasons why they are thriving. It also taught them how to help others in need. One of the misconceptions about Montessori is that children won't be well rounded if they only do what interests them; however, SMS ensures they're exposed to various materials in the classroom. Basically, the teacher caters each student's curriculum differently, while also teaching lessons in small groups. For 3-6 year olds and elementary, there's a progress report at the end of the school year on focus areas like personal development, motor development, work skills, math, language, art, practical life, sensorial, etc. For the toddlers, they are "playing" while learning at the same time. Each Montessori work/material serves a purpose! There are also two parent/teacher conferences each year available for all students. SMS is a small school with a clean, calm, family-feel environment. A hot daily lunch is included in tuition, but they also allow lunch brought from home if your child has a restrictive diet. Their current hours are 7:30 - 5:30, and the pricing differs. The staff is accessible via email and phone, and you can personally speak to the teachers at the end of the day. They do not have an app for pictures or that tracks everything your child does in a day, but the positive side is that the teacher is paying more attention to your child instead of being on a device. Also, they follow a school calendar year (2-week winter break, 1-week spring break, etc), which also allows time for the teachers to get well-deserved breaks as well. In the several years we've been with the school, there have been zero teacher turnover in the main teachers! We toured 5 different daycares, and SMS was the least chaotic, cleanest, and the teachers were the happiest, most patient, and nurturing. Overall, we have nothing but praise for SMS and the teachers!

I was raised in traditional schools and had no prior experience with the Montessori approach, so I…read morewasn't sure what to expect when we first joined Chiaravalle Montessori. But after four years at the school, I can confidently say that I am amazed by how effective this method is and how well it supports my child's individual growth. Our child is now in kindergarten, and one of the things that continues to impress me is the sophistication of the curriculum. Every day, he brings home work that I would have been doing in second or third grade--adding and subtracting fractions, solving word problems, and even working with four-digit multiplication. The school's approach really allows children to progress (and f accelerate) at their own pace. It's incredible to see how engaged and excited he is about learning. Even more importantly, he is thrilled to go to school each morning. Knowing that he wakes up eager to learn and be part of his classroom community speaks volumes about the environment Chiaravalle has created. Another standout aspect of Chiaravalle is the extraordinary educators. Over the past four years, our child has had three different classroom teachers, and every single one has been a true education professional, deeply dedicated to their students. They don't just teach; they observe, adapt, and create a learning experience that meets each child where they are. Their ability to recognize strengths and nurture individual potential is remarkable. Beyond academics, Chiaravalle is an incredibly close-knit and welcoming community. The relationships our child has built--with peers, teachers, and other families--are meaningful. It's a place where children are treated with dignity, encouraged to explore, and supported in becoming confident, engaged learners. We truly believe that Chiaravalle is giving our child the best foundation--not just academically but socially and emotionally as well. We feel incredibly grateful to be part of this school.

My son transferred to Chiaravalle during the fifth grade because his learning style wasn't…read morewell-suited for public school. His math scores were lagging and didn't improve despite trying things like teacher conferences and outside tutoring. After visiting Chiaravalle, my son was immediately attracted to the welcoming community and the modern Montessori learning approach, where students are allowed, encouraged, and trained to take responsibility for their own learning and community. He still doesn't love math (Chiaravalle can't perform miracles!) but he's back on track with what he needs to know and has much more confidence about his math aptitude. He's also learning tons of other great stuff--not just academics but also leadership skills (and the resilience needed to be a good leader) as well as executive functioning skills like how to keep up with his assignments and plan his own work schedule. He's in seventh grade now and in middle school they are doing such a great job getting him ready for ETHS. He's a social, outgoing person and we were not sure how he would do with the smaller class sizes. This turned out to be no problem, especially because students of different grades work together. He's friends with students who are a year older and a year younger than he is, in a way that I think would not be the case in public school. Overall, Sending him to Chiaravalle significantly and positively changed the trajectory of his education and development.

great school and amazing staff. The teachers are very attentive to the kids and do a great job of…read moremixing in music focused curriculum with games and playtime. really happy we chose this school for our kiddo.

We love Barbereux! Amazing teachers and staff. Would highly recommend this school to anyone looking…read morefor a fantastic preschool and kindergarten.

Midwest Montessori school has great teachers and so loving atmosphere. Learning experience is based…read morein every activity. A very family oriented place. Children love the school, so do parents. A great school community! Everyone is is always welcome! I do love the school, its teachers, parents and kids, amazing!

We have had our three daughters go through Midwest Montessori. Two of them have graduated through…read morekindergarten, and the third one will be in Kindergarten next year. We are the type of parents who will evaluate and compare all options before making a decision. We visited many other preschools, Montessori or not, public or not, in the Evanston/Wilmette area, and Midwest Montessori stood out. First, the teachers are exceptional. They are patient, encouraging and extremely knowledgeable. MMDS is a demonstration school, so the teachers are actually "master teachers" who are also role models for new teachers. The whole school is completely immersed in the Montessori philosophy, in the original sense: what Maria Montessori taught and wrote, not the edulcorated version that has been simplified or perverted to fit new pedagogical fads, that you may find at other Montessori schools. It is thus individualized to each child, at the same time making sure that the child is eager to learn new things. The kids learn courtesy, dispute resolution, and many useful practical skills. However, they also learn academic topics very efficiently, thanks to wonderful Montessori materials for Math as well as reading, writing, geography and science. When you enter the classroom, it is quiet and orderly. The students are busy, each on their own project, and they always put back their work in place after they finish it. Second, the school is small, with just two classrooms, both of which feel spacious and light with large windows. They only do pre-K to Kindergarten, so the little children do not feel overwhelmed by older ones, and they are the center of attention. Children are in mixed age groups, so the oldest ones mentor the younger ones, thereby creating role models for the youngest at the same time as it builds self-confidence for the Kindergartners. It is a diverse community, with children speaking Russian, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Hindi, and of all ethnicity. Because of its proximity to Northwestern University, it also tends to attract academically gifted children, who thrive in this self-paced environment.

Mosaic Montessori is a wonderful childcare facility. Our kid started when she was 17 months and is…read morenow 2.5years and she has absolutely thrived. She knows all of her letters and their sounds, can count to 20, and absolutely adores her teachers. The teaching staff is kind and gentle while maintaining structure. They also work hard to meet the specific needs of each child while nudging them to grow and adapt. They're also partners in helping manage any behavior challenges (what? Toddlers being difficult?? No way........). The meals and snacks are healthy and balanced. They also have great respect and care with allergies or dietary needs. The cost is beyond reasonable as well. All in all we are huge fans.

We placed both of our children at Mosaic and they both adored the experience and thrived. The…read moreteachers are patient and wonderful; always willing to go the extra mile to accommodate any needs or last minute requests. All of the staff are nurturing and kind - they truly treat the children as if they are family and always exhibit sincere care and concern for the kiddos. Mosaic offers a broad range of activities and learning opportunities for all ages. Our kids were always coming home singing songs they learned and new tidbits and facts they learned each week! The center's Covid19 precautions are top-notch as well, and we felt extremely comfortable sending our 3 year old back in June. My eldest graduated from Mosaic two years ago, and she left wanting to become a teacher when she grows up - and I know it is because of the wonderful experience she had at Mosaic.

After my family moved to the area from out of state my husband…read morewas diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. After his loss, my son was really struggling with grief and depression. I was looking for a small school with a personal touch. My son was an incoming Junior and they said they would waive the language requirement. a year later they sprung on me in August, that they would not waive the requirement and he could nit graduate on time. They recommended that I move him to public school, so I did. After which they refused to refund my $16,000 payment for first semester Senior year. He didn't attend a single day. They also, harassed me for second semester payments with collection calls and refused to sign a social security form to help me get social security as a widow of 3 children. The head of school was incredibly degrading when I called her to discuss a possible refund. Beacon Academy claims to be a holistic approach and a caring environment. Don't buy it.

Beacon Academy is a brand new high school located in downtown Evanston, IL. This is the first…read moreMontessori-style school in the region. Beacon opened on Monday, August 25th, 2014 to a new freshman and sophomore class. Beacon has a tremendously dedicated staff and faculty. The team has been assembled from both the Chicago/Evanston area and other places across the U.S. to create a visionary school that others will use as a model for the future. Jeff Bell, Kate Anderson and others have worked hard for many years to reach this historic milestone. The mayor, alderman and others in the city met the staff and students for the ribbon cutting ceremony on the 25th. It's a remarkable achievement and one that I am very excited to be part of. Our daughter is one of the 30+ pioneers embarking on an amazing journey of learning, leadership and community. I highly encourage you to visit and welcome Beacon to the area!

I enrolled my son in the Toddler 2 community when he was 19 months old. Prior to enrollment, my son…read morehas been in Early Intervention since he was 7 months old, working with both an Occupation and Speech Therapist. He was speech delayed and developing areas of concern within his development, along with his emotions surfacing = very tough time! Transitioning from his sitter 5 days to Montessori setting 5 days was certainly an adjustment for him. It took my son a few weeks to stop crying at drop off, and months to get acclimated to the routine, work periods and the environment, and even then, still working through normal toddler behavior ie. biting, hitting pushing. As a single mom, with an only child, it was important to me that my child become independent, resilient and was within a supportive environment where his development can continue to progress regardless of the phases he is experiencing. By far, this was the BEST DECISION I have ever made. The Lead Guides and Leadership team work super hard to invest in training to ensure the classrooms are lead professionally with love. It genuinely warms my heart to know that my son has developed close relationships with his teachers and has learned to really care and love his classmates. My son was diagnosed to be on the Autistic Spectrum right around 2yo, which increased my concerns for him to develop emotional connections. I deeply know that if my son was not supported in the way he was at Guidepost, he would not have developed his emotional muscles as strongly, and build true personal connections like he has. I believe in Montessori philosophies and approach, and with the school's help and practicing this approach at home, has made me believe that my son will have equal opportunity in the world and positively make a contribution, (ok ok I know he's only two :). ) All this to say, if you're looking for an extension of your own home, where structure, community, kindness, genuine care and development opportunity is present, this is THEE PLACE. The experience is truly invaluable, no amount of money can actually repay the hard work these teachers put in every single day. Genuinely, you cannot put a price on, peace of mind, circle of community, support and programming. You will not be disappointed. Shout out to Carolyn, Sam, Taylor, Ms. Jenny, Ms. Carmen, Ms. Mariela, and Ms, Dono (many others who's names I can't spell I am so sorry). Chauncey and I will always have a special place in our hearts for you all.

We have been so happy here! The whole team from Sam down feels deeply invested in giving our child…read morethe best possible experience she can have, and the moment you walk in you can feel what a happy, thriving community they've built. They go above and beyond to keep the children engaged, happy, comfortable, and active - proactively identifying any concerns and raising them to parents to ensure their little ones live their best lives and get all their needs met. The facility is attractive, clean, well run, and always filled with laughter. And our child is absolutely thriving. We could not recommend it more!

Our son (4 years old) attended here for about a year. It was a mixed bag…read more It was affordable for the area. One of the teachers (Mrs. Nowack) was wonderful. She was on top of things. She was friendly to parents and kids. She genuinely cared about her work. The other teacher (Mrs. Carrie) seemed to be going through the motions and she tended to characterize kids who were physically active as "problem children." And surprise surprise, most boys in class were problem children. I am glad that we left for another preschool in the area. Class sizes at Oakton are a bit too big to effectively manage that age group. Staff seemed stretched too thin and low on morale. I don't think they were compensated enough for this tough job.

Hi! I am a mom of 2 kids, one of my kids graduated from…read moreOakton ECE Center and one is currently attending. Like most parents, when it came time to choose a preschool, I was really nervous. I had gone to a couple of open houses and I didn't find what I felt was a good fit until I walked into the classroom at Oakton. I loved it right away! My son seemed to love it right away, too. Mrs. Monique, the director, gave us a tour and everyone was warm and welcoming. I got a sense of integrity, excitement, a strong sense of community as well as diversity in the classroom which were all qualities I was looking for! I also really like it being attached to the college and campus. Since then, my kids have really thrived at Oakton and we have made so many great friends and memories. I can't say enough good things about it! I hope I have more kids so I won't have to say goodbye after my youngest graduates in a year! So glad I discovered such a wonderful Early Childhood Education Center that gave my kids such a fantastic start!