15 years ago we chose Montessori Education for our children. It was an investment we were passionate 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. read more

Our son has been at WMS since January 2023, and we couldn't be happier with the quality of education 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. read more

Wheaton Montessori School - Primary school classroom - Montessori Schools Near Me - Wheaton, Illinois

I have had my kids at WMS since 2017. The school has amazing teachers and staff. No other Montessori school in the area even compares. WMS is also AMI certified which is a huge plus. If you're serious about your child's education in the Montessori system, there is no better school. read more

We literally moved to the area just so kids could go to the school. We love it. AMI certification means something. Anyone can call themselves a Montessori school, but Wheaton Montessori is the real deal. read more

After reading another yelp review on here I was compelled to write my own review as my perspective as a parent who has had a student at WMS since 2017 could not be more opposite. The ENTIRE staff is kind, patient and helpful to everyone, which is what they instill in the students. The school is extremely diverse. They are constantly teaching and leading by example a level of tolerance and inclusion that I have never seen pretty much anywhere. I have witnessed firsthand complete acceptance of all races, religions, genders and sexuality of students, parents and staff. Academically they are taught not only what every student should know, but it is done with a deeper dive and if it takes a student a couple extra lessons to grasp something, then that's exactly what happens. On top of all of that they are taught kindness, tolerance, and things they will need to know for everyday life. Cooking, cleaning, budgeting and confidence to name a few. Sending my son to this school, where he will stay through 9th grade, is among the best decisions we have ever made. We should all be so lucky to have a world run by the students that this school produces. read more

We have had our three kids in this program for the last 7 years. The school adheres faithfully to the Montessori model and the teachers care deeply for their students and their classrooms. I would recommend this place to anyone who values their child's education. read more

I wish that this school was something great, but I was really disappointed by the conversation I had with one of their employees about enrolling my child. Let's just say that it may say that they take all children regardless of race, religion, disability. This is just simply not true. It's sad and disappointing how rude this person was and how opposite she acted in our conversation versus what they tout on their website. This woman, was short, and just plain snobby. read more

It has been such a joy watching our kids blossom at Wheaton Montessori. Their independence, compassion, and self-confidence have all grown dramatically. The concrete skills they've acquired amaze me--our two-year-old can use scissors and fix himself a snack, and our five-year-old can read fluently, write cursive, and do multi-step arithmetic in her head--but even more than these, I value the curiosity, autonomy, and concern for others that I see being cultivated. The teachers see them, know them, and appreciate them. Mrs. Rogers sends home the most wonderful notes to tell us about the growth she's seeing in our kids. Wheaton Montessori is a wonderful, wonderful place. read more

WMS has been a fantastic fit for both of our children. Our experience with the school has been uniformly positive. The teachers and staff are excellent: well-qualified, engaged, and deeply caring. It's been amazing to watch our children grow, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. I am continually impressed by how capable the older children in the classroom are of helping the younger children. It's really a testament to how successful the school is at educating young people. Overall, an excellent school. Highly recommended. read more

If I could rate this school higher, I would. Montessori is the way education should be. This school is an AMI certified Montessori school, and it is just wonderful. My children love it. My children have never been happier and have never learned as much as they have here. I love what they are learning, how they are learning it and the great environment that they are in. I am an educator by profession and have worked in all types of public and private schools in my career, but for my own children (after a failed attempt with traditional private schooling) I cannot fathom sending them anywhere but here. I love this school, I love the caring staff and most of all I love how the Montessori style of education allows my children to blossom as themselves, not as how external forces want them to be, but as they are. read more

We are believe firmly in Montessori education and are thrilled with WMS. The school is very well led and the faculty and staff are capable and professional. I really enjoy the mix-aged classroom and have seen the benefits in our children. They work well in groups and with other children and have experience both asking for assistance and providing help to other children. The practical life lessons have been useful at home. We routinely get them involved in making meals and cleaning up after afterward. The Montessori environment offers the opportunity to move in the directions that interest each child and this has planted the seed of learning and exploration of topics early in our children. I am beyond impressed with the instructors and really enjoy the regular communication with the school and the consistent contact with the teachers directly. I am very confident that we are providing the best possible foundation for our children with WMS because of the strong leadership and school faculty and staff. read more