As our daughters wrap up their 6th and 2nd grade school years, I fondly think back to when my…read morehusband and I took our first tentative steps through the front doors of Chicago Waldorf School for a Thursday morning tour in the fall of 2013. We entered into a warm, inviting space and were greeted by friendly faces and a caring energy. What we heard and saw in those couple hours completely changed our view and understanding of what school should be. We came away with a sense of openness, excitement and newness. After experiencing one Waldorf tour and orientation, we knew at a deep level this was what "school" should look like and transferred our daughters mid-year from the school they were attending. The focus on experiential learning paired with the practice of meeting the child with a cirriculum that matches where they are developmentally is paramount to the Waldorf educational philosophy. The parent community is also a huge part of what we have grown to love about the school. It is a vibrant, energitic and fun group of people who call CWS home. My husband and I are incredibly grateful to be a part of it.

The Chicago Waldorf School....although I have much to say, I will leave this brief and to the…read morepoint. The school is poorly ran, they don't know how to accept change, they use people that willingly volunteer their limited free time until the person feels so used they never return to the "community". I happen to think that the philosophical base behind Waldorf education is way ahead of the curve; however, the people running the Chicago school are way behind. Maybe one day everything will click for them and the students can get the education they deserve without the distractions that have constantly plagued the school. - Alum

We love MGP! The staff, teachers, students, and parents have all been amazing!…read more Our daughter has been enrolled since she was 2, and we plan to enroll our son when he becomes of age.

Our daughter started at MGP (Lincoln Square location) a little after turning 3 years old. We have…read morehad nothing but positive experiences thus far. We love that each class has a spanish and mandarin teacher and our daughter recently learned to sing a song in Mandarin! Also, the test prep for SEES (Selective Enrollment Exams) has been immensely helpful so far in preparing our daughter. The teachers, principal and entire staff are always accommodating. Top notch Montessori education. Highly recommend!

I was a student of June Hellesoy back in the early 90s. I was only 6 but remember her kindergarten…read moreclasses with great fondness. If you are interested in waldorf early childhood education then it will be hard to find a more beautiful, heartfelt, nurturing location for your child. As a former student, I can vouch for it!

Definition of cult: (noun) A relatively small group that…read moreexcessively controls its members, who share a set of acts and practices which require unwavering devotion, and are typically led by a charismatic and often self-appointed leader. Yes, that's how I would describe this early learning center. Let me explain- my son (2 years) and I attended a Saturday playdate a couple months ago. As soon as I set foot inside those gates, I wanted out. Something felt off, and I felt trapped. It did not feel like a normal daycare open house. We were hounded by the staff the entire time, answering question after question about our son. I am all about alternative education, especially early childhood. I also have read some Rudolf Steiner and understand the spiritual aspects of his teachings. But this "secular" school had Christian mangers EVERYWHERE, and they admitted they teach about Jesus, which is not super secular at all. You would think in 2023, they would have left all of the prejudiced and supremacist Steiner teachings out, keeping just what is actually relevant in our current world. Just not so at this place, unfortunately. Everything was super white, "white is right", and non-inclusive. Which brings me to the finale of this horrible experience. They asked us to help them bake bread, and everyone attending took part in the process, and then we sat down to eat it. Not 6 hours later, my son is vomiting with a high fever, is weak, and won't eat anything. The very next day, I come down with similar symptoms. I have dubbed this event, the "Poison Playdate" for this reason, and reported the school to Chicago Public Health. They should be shut down for a potential rotavirus outbreak. On a side note, my friend volunteered briefly at another Waldorf school and she said they reused broth that was who knows how old in their "bread," so maybe this problem is more endemic than anyone could imagine. I won't be going back to any more Waldorf school events- I sincerely hope other parents use caution as well. Additionally, I contacted the school about our illness, and they denied any potential responsibility. Red flags all around

I worked at WMS two years ago for 5 years total and within that time learned and loved the…read moreMontessori Method applied here. From the wee seedlings to the elementary kids, I watched how these children flourished beyond anything else I've ever experienced during all my hours of student teaching at various schools. First off all, the organization behind every aspect of the school comes from the extensive training and education that the school founders have along with their decades of experience. Yes, decades. Everything offered at WMS is all very carefully considered and all the material there is hand-picked by their wonderful teachers and moderated by the head directress. By hand-picked, I mean hundreds of material is considered before being chosen. The material selected all depended on the season, subject, and mastery of each child in mind. This is no easy task. Secondly, the work is all relative. What your child is doing in the infant and toddlers program (from pouring to sorting) will lay a strong foundation for what they will be doing years later in the preschool and elementary program. I cannot stress enough how many times my jaw dropped when I realized how all of the works are so connected. All of the works encourage independence early on so they can master specific work later on. It all comes full circle. Third, the socialization that happens within the walls of the school is inspired by the work itself because the way the work is designed teaches children patience, compassion and empathy. A lot of the work here teaches children how to contribute to their homes and communities in a positive way. It also helps children find their confidence because they realize they can do so many every day things themselves that it sets them up for success academically - from tying their shoes to doing dishes the practical life work is such an essential part of their learning. The teachers have so much patience and love towards their students. It's really beautiful to observe. They develop connections with each individual child and because of the nature of the Montessori applied here, they have the ability to do that as opposed to teaching every child in the same exact way like most traditional schools. While working there it was pretty common for the children to be far more advanced than their friends and family who were in regular public and private schooling. Because of the method, they had the ability to cognitively identify and grasp things much easier in a safe and encouraging environment - all at their own pace. I look back on my time working here with a lot of fondness. As teachers, we took a lot of pride in the work we put into our kids. We provided them with quality education, but above all else a lot of encouragement to explore and play - all important parts of this method. We let our children lead and that is what makes this place so special. They all eventually became leaders in their own right. If you have any questions, reach out and book a tour! They're always really informative and it's a real peace of mind seeing the beautiful space your children will grow in before enrolling them there.

My review will be slightly different from the rest of the reviewers…read more Most of the reviews are from the perspective of parents who have or had children attend here. I will give you the perspective from a former alumni that graduated from here over 2 decades ago. While many of the teachers have come and gone, the leadership has remained steady with the founders since '93. I went to Wonder Montessori in the mid 90s, a few years after they opened, and I can honestly say it was the one of the most important educational experiences of my life. Of course, I did not realize it then, but reflecting back I can clearly point to my experience here to clearly shape the person I am today. Every detail was examined, and every individual considered. I am sure Wonder Montessori's mastery of the montessori method has improved in the years since. I can remember learning to use the computer here, learning about planets and plants and science in general. Singing songs in multiple languages. Even mundane life skills like washing the dishes, oh and of course - I learned to tie my shoes here. Even more importantly social skills on how to properly interact with your peers was developed, and if someone has been wronged we were guided to resolutions, often with apologies to the wronged party. Conflict mediation is an underrated skill. Parents, it is easy to forget how profoundly influential these formative years are for a child. In terms of social development and satisfying their intellectual and creative endeavors - positive and enriching experiences in these areas now will only compound in the years to come. Your children will be more confident, more independent, and more intellectually curious. Characteristics that will hopefully stay with them for the rest of their lives As for myself, what happened to me? While everyone's path in life is different, many years after here I attended an engineering college and studied electrical engineering, achieved moderate success as an entrepreneur and in my other professional endeavors. My final vote of confidence? I will be sending my kids here when they are ready.

Our family has been a part of the Smart Love Preschool community since 2021, and it's hard to put…read moreinto words just how deeply grateful we are for everything this incredible school has given our children--and us as parents. All three of our kids have grown and thrived in ways that continue to amaze us, and we attribute so much of that to the thoughtful, loving, and deeply respectful approach that Smart Love takes with every child. The Smart Love philosophy is unparalleled--genuinely child-led, grounded in emotional regulation, and rich with engaging, developmentally meaningful experiences. From the nurturing classroom environments to the vibrant outdoor space and hands-on garden program (where kids learn to grow from seed to harvest), the school is designed to inspire curiosity and joy. Our children are genuinely excited to go to school each day. They come home with bags full of "treasures"--artwork and projects that reflect their unique interests and imaginations. But beyond what they bring home in their backpacks, they bring home confidence, happiness, and a sense of being deeply understood and valued. Our oldest transitioned seamlessly to public kindergarten, and our middle child is currently thriving in the kindergarten supplement program at Smart Love. It's a small, intentional cohort led by a truly phenomenal teacher, and it has given our daughter the most enriching, confidence-building experience we could have hoped for before entering elementary school. Our youngest is currently in the preschool program, and we continue to be amazed by how deeply he is known, supported, and celebrated for exactly who he is. The director and staff at Smart Love take the time to understand each child as a whole person. Her insights and recommendations have been incredibly helpful--like having a trusted parenting expert in our corner. Smart Love has brought joy, stability, and meaningful growth not just to our children, but to our entire family. It's a supportive community where children shine, and where parents are seen, heard, and valued. We truly could not imagine a better early childhood experience.

This school is incredible. We started our 2 year old there this year in the playschool and we've…read morebeen absolutely blown away. The teachers and preschool director are just amazing. We were hoping for a school that would be a great start for our daughter but have been amazed at how the school has actually helped us to be better parents. Couldn't recommend more.

This school has been life-changing for my daughter. She has been able to fully use all her skills…read moreand intellect; she feels embraced by the school community, respected and accepted exactly as she is. I am deeply grateful to Fusion Lincoln Park for seeing my daughter and giving her the nurturing support and education she needed and deserved. I'd give ten stars if I could.

An Amazing and Fun school to learn at! I am always exited to get to school every day!read more

We feel so lucky that we discovered Baker. When we walked into Baker for an open house, we…read moreimmediately sensed the warmth of the staff and parent community. Our family is a two-mom transracial adoptive family. We were blown away with how comfortable we felt. Baker truly welcomes everyone. The hands-on learning experiences meet the needs of each individual child which has led our son to love school both academically and socially. Baker teachers and staff are flexible, compassionate, engaging, creative leaders in the field of education. Furthermore, Baker has resources that many private schools do without. There is a full-time learning specialist, social worker, and a nurse. We needed a school that would accept and embrace our son's food allergies. Baker goes above and beyond to make each student feel safe and important. Coming from a family full of educators, we realize that while no school is perfect Baker is a true gem!

Baker nurtures that spark for learning…read more We started at Baker last year. When district 65 wouldn't allow us to switch our assigned school, we realized just how curious we were to explore other options outside of district 65. We noted what we valued most in our kids schooling experience & as we heard really good things from others and read about Baker ourselves, it seemed to tick all the boxes... but on the website. And any website can say whatever it wants to say, but was there proof? Concrete proof of all the amazing claims? And tuition almost prevented us from taking a tour at all. But we had to just go see for ourselves. Once we toured, we were so excited and we just knew. The school is adorned with student creations and with self portraits and It's colorful! it's vibrant, it's lively. It's welcoming!! The energy is just good. Once we saw the classrooms, I knew I wanted my kids to go here. I wanted this to be their daily experience. The rooms have movement, they're (again) vibrant & lively. You WANT to learn in this space. I had toured our district school prior and I remember feeling anxious and so put off by how sterile and uniform and bland my sons kindergarten room was going to be. Like he's never going to sit still and shut up. And I don't want that for him. I knew if he wasn't stimulated enough & not challenged enough, he was going to act out. That his blossoming brilliance & sensitivity we see, would turn into goofiness & misbehavior. And my daughter would just be squashed & silenced by that method of teaching and atmosphere. That environment was going to kill the spark for learning for them. It would dim who they are. Environment MATTERS. The academic material is received so much better in a joyous, stimulating & nurturing environment. That is Baker. In our district school, I wondered... where's playfulness and joy and various charts and expression and tools for learning and learning through discovery and PLAY?? Baker is that. Baker values that. We value that! We have been at baker for a school year and a half now. During these extraordinarily fundamental years... the ones that shape their experience & relationship with schooling and academics for years to come , the years that shape confidence and self awareness and help establish their voice... these are the years I want them learning by exploring, by seeing and feeling and truly experiencing what they are learning vs the way I did ( and the most of us did) which was through our ability to regurgitate the material. The resources are outstanding. Our teachers have been extraordinary so far. My children are being nurtured. They're being taught well and excelling in all areas. They're overcoming challenges as well as being challenged. They are seen for who they are. They're thriving! And I see proof of that every single day. Baker is a community. I'm watching my kids cultivate community. Baker fosters that. I am proud to have my children at Baker. And I'm proud to share of my time, gifts and talents with Baker to help our school continue to grow, . I am proud to be as involved as I am. I'm invested! And genuinely interested in doing so. Despite running a small local business and having a family and all the time constraints and responsibilities like everyone else, l make time because this school matters to me. Because it matters to my husband. Because this school matters to my children. We are so fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend. So fortunate to be here. I always wanted to feel genuinely confident in our kids school and where they were going to be spending so so much of their time and who with. I love this school. I love the people who make up Bakers teachers and staff. As parents we are acknowledged and heard. As parents, we notice so many other parents genuinely involved in school. Invested in more ways than one. Again, community. A strong ever growing & involved community. I don't know what middle school is like or any of the other grades. However, I can confidently speak on our personal experience with lower school. And we have been thrilled. No school is perfect. Not even this one. But this one is really really good for our family right now. And we're so happy to be a part of it

Positive: Clean daycare, some friendly staff, some useful feedback but mainly geared towards…read morecomplaints about your children. Negatives: Lack of followup from the owner on multiple occasions, exaggerates normal child behavior to create a sense of immediate need for therapy (maybe there is a $$$ relationship there), video system not working in case you need to check something. They are a business first and foremost and not a daycare. If you are looking for a more traditional, not soldier building machine, steer clear. If your child is docile and low level of energy, great place.

My kids went to Casa Dei Bambini for years. We absolutely loved the experience. The teachers are…read morelovely and truly care about the children. They treat the children with respect and provide a calm, supportive environment. When one teacher left, I cried. The new teacher the following year was just as wonderful, though. Oana is the director/owner/primary teacher in one classroom and she's just wonderful. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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.

I was pretty picky when it came to daycare for my baby, but I am very happy with The Goddard School…read morein Lockport. They're professional, but friendly & caring. The mix of fun & learning has been really helpful for my 8 (now 9 month old). She loves it there. The pictures & video updates are the best--gets me through my work day & I feel like I know what she's up to & she's exploring & having a good time. The staff are wonderful with her and us. Highly recommend!

The Goddard curriculum is undoubtedly one of the best preschool systems out there. However, this…read moreparticular location leaves something to be desired. The management is top heavy (too many directors, none of which are particularly knowledgeable), and they are not kind or warm and welcoming. I agree with another reviewer in that any question or inquiry was received with attitude and no compassion. I also strongly disagreed with their cell phone policy. For some reason, the teachers are allowed to keep their phones on them, which proved to be a massive distraction. I'm can't count the times I walked by a class where a teacher was scrolling their feeds and babies/toddlers were on the other side of the room, unsupervised. I previously attended a different Goddard school which enforced their no cell phone policy and I was shocked to see this policy was not enforced here as well. The teachers we had were fine, but one in particular was very unfriendly to my son. None of us quite liked her. The food provided is alright, but beware... The milk is advertised as being organic and I saw the gallon jugs which were plain ol prairie farms brand. I also agree with another reviewer about the cleanliness - the bathrooms were frequently out of soap/toilet paper/paper towels, and the landscaping was rarely touched- overgrown bushes and litter everywhere. In all, I would recommend it for the curriculum but not much else!