My family has been part of NCA's diverse community for 4 years after my two boys started at the…read moreschool in Pre-K. I've been continuously impressed with the school. Its leadership, responsiveness when issues arise, offerings for students (and families), and overall culture, is phenomenal. Their tagline of educating "minds that think, hearts that love, and hands that serve" truly is their mission, and it shows in everything they do. Here are a few reasons why I love the school: - Their academic benchmarks far surpass all traditional CPS schools. - They have excellent in-school programs. eg. school-wide morning meetings; a "house" system that brings the whole school together and focuses attention on moral leaders from past/present; a buddy system matching older students with younger students. - They have excellent programming outside of school too. eg. flexible early care starting at 6:30am and after care until 6pm, chess club, after school arts and crafts, soccer. - They handle student conflict (eg. bullying) exceptionally well, with immediate responses focusing on restorative justice, not just discipline. -Their focus on ethics, (I saw this as a non-Catholic). They don't over-index on the religion component. Rather, they focus on the ideals of Catholicism (eg. Love of God and neighbor, service to others, human dignity, social justice). They also hand out "Wildcat awards" to students each day in morning meeting, calling out students who exemplify moral behaviors. For example, my son came home yesterday, beaming with pride, showing us his award certificate received earlier that day (pictured). -Reasonable tuition with discounts for multiple students + financial aid. I plan to send my kids here until the age out in 8th grade. They are thriving at NCA.

I want to share my family's experience with Northside Catholic Academy (NCA) during the 2024-2026…read moreschool years. We enrolled our daughter after a positive summer camp experience, specifically requesting placement with a PreK assistant teacher. However, once school started, things changed. Our three-year-old became fearful and anxious about attending. A notable incident occurred during a field trip. My daughter felt uncomfortable and stepped out of a group photo. In front of me, the lead teacher responded by kneeling close and sternly telling her that if she couldn't follow the rules, I wouldn't be allowed on future trips. This upset her further and deepened her fear of school. After witnessing this incident, we were told by others that the lead teacher had a militant approach and that several families had previously withdrawn their children from her classroom. When I raised my concerns, they were brushed off, reflecting a rigid approach that parents have discussed for years. Another troubling incident involved a bathroom accident. My daughter asked to use the restroom but was told to wait until lunch ended. She couldn't hold it, leading to a distressing experience that could have been handled with more compassion. The classroom environment felt overly strict for young children. While structure is important, play and social interaction are critical too. During center time, children were limited to one center for 45 minutes, and lunch was often expected to be silent. As room parent, I saw this firsthand. The assistant teacher was warm, but it was clear the overall approach was lacking. Despite volunteering over 550 hours, I often felt dismissed when advocating for my child. It was frustrating to feel unwelcome for raising concerns, especially when issues were acknowledged only after families chose to leave. Given NCA's small size, it was surprising that an advisory board member only asked about my dissatisfaction on the last day of school. While coming from a good place, this conversation felt more about declining enrollment and the school's future if enrollment didn't increase than about addressing my concerns. I also noticed favoritism within the school community. After serving on the parent organization board, I resigned because the environment felt divisive, with some volunteers treated respectfully while others were not. As enrollment season approached, the principal sent a mass email urging board members to submit positive reviews to counter negative ones. This email stated, "It can take 15 positive reviews to offset a single negative one." While I understand the desire for positive feedback, all families should be encouraged to provide honest opinions, not just those in leadership. It was concerning to hear that honest negative reviews like mine were flagged for removal. As a prospective parent, I would want to know that some positive reviews may have been solicited in this manner. The timing of numerous generic positive reviews across multiple platforms raises questions about their authenticity. Parents deserve transparent feedback when making educational decisions. During my time at NCA, I was saddened by the departure of many dedicated young teachers, raising questions about the school climate. I witnessed conflicts and parent concerns that were not effectively addressed. Bullying is a notable issue that isn't consistently managed, likely influenced by adult behaviors. On several occasions, I felt disrespected by the principal. Once I began advocating for my child, I felt labeled as a problem rather than treated as a partner in my daughter's education. On a positive note, my daughter's PreK 4 teachers during the 2025-2026 school year were exceptional. Their kindness and genuine love transformed her experience, providing the nurturing environment we sought. Every child knew they were valued. If it weren't for them, we would have pulled our daughter from NCA during the 2024-2025 school year. However, the previous lead teacher continued to make both my daughter and me feel unwelcome, lacking even a simple acknowledgment. This ongoing hostility felt unprofessional. While there are caring teachers at NCA, my overall experience raised serious concerns about leadership, communication, and how parent feedback is handled. The school felt more cliquish than welcoming, contradicting the community spirit described in other reviews. I encourage prospective families to ask detailed questions about classroom culture, communication practices, and how concerns are addressed before making a decision. I hope meaningful changes are made so that all students and families receive the supportive experience they deserve, starting with improvements in leadership.

my kid got be up by a 7th grader and she was in 5th do not recommend and it will make you pay money…read morefor everything save your money!

What a great school. My kids are happy and thriving in the supportive and caring environment with…read moreseasoned teachers and a cohesive administration. We feel so lucky that this Fine and Applied Arts Magnet Cluster is our neighborhood school! Go Owls!

We have had a wonderful experience at Kids Future Day Care Center. The staff is incredibly caring…read moreand supportive and work really well with parents to make them feel comfortable and keep everyone on the same page. Our toddler also clearly loves it there. He is always happy to arrive and we see him cared for and doted on by the teachers everyday. Communication is top notch with use of the app, email, and one on one conversation. The tuition includes food which really sets this apart from other daycares. The progress reports are also very helpful to make sure we're aligned on growth and development. Highly highly recommend Kids Future!

Our son has been going to Kids Future for the past year and we cannot say enough good things about…read morethe care he is receiving. A few highlights about why we love KFDC: 1. They keep the kids on a great schedule. Kids thrive on routine and the center has a great schedule that includes free play time, circle time, and a good amount of time for lunch and naps. 2. We've seen leaps and bounds development in our 3 year old during his time at KFDC. He can write his own name already and is even starting to read some short words and I think this is because of the learning repetition that they have in their daily circle time. 3. They regularly get the kids outside. There is a park nearby that they utilize regularly but will even get the kids out for a neighborhood walk if the playground isn't an option on a given day. 4. They use Procare to provide regular updates on your child's day. They send a lot of pictures and information so I feel updated on what my child does and I can also talk to him about his day when he comes home. 5. STAFF! We have seen minimal turnover during our time at the center and this is super important for kids at this age. We've been at other centers with higher turnover and seen it have a negative impact on our kids. Our son truly LOVES his teachers ad KFDC and it is nice to know they have been there awhile. 6. Price. They are an outlier in terms of affordable daycare in the area. For the level of care their provide their pricing is very reasonable. If you choose Kids Future as a care option for your child you are making a solid investment in your child's care and education.

We LOVE Willow Tree. We've only experienced the preschool room, but we love the teachers,…read moredirectors, and families. They implement well-planned thematic units that are very engaging: incorporating thematic sensory bins, books, songs, and outdoor exploration. They go to the park/walk two times a day as many days weather permits. They promote diversity and open-mindedness. They are very communicative. Also, they collect entire portfolios of work and feedback on many areas of development. My son is shy, but has made friends at Willow Tree. We also love that we get to see all of his classmates at the park in our neighborhood. I definitely recommend Willow Tree!!

Our son started at Willow Tree at two years old. As a first time mom the decision to put him in…read moreschool was such a tough one. I had so many questions and reservations, would he eat, would he sleep, would they love him!? I took some time to research a few schools in the area, talked with other parents and after meeting Ms. Suzy and talking with the teachers decided that Willow Tree would be a good fit for our family. To be honest his first day I still had reservations about it but I quickly found out that they really care about these kids. Our son had a tough time when I would drop him off at school in the mornings but Ms. Suzy was always there to provide a little love and distraction. And soon enough that distraction was no longer needed but Ms. Suzy and Mr. Sam were always there to say good morning and get our guys day started off right. Over the next couple of months we saw such a positive change in our son. He was talking more, playing nicely with other children, singing songs, even saying the days of the week. It was so wonderful to see him learning and growing. We had to move out of state after a few months of him starting at Willow Tree and leaving this school was an extremely tough decision. Just knowing how much he was learning, how much fun he was having and how much we loved the teachers made leaving so tough. It is a great group of loving teachers who really care and are teaching these things more that I felt I could in a day! I also want to note something that I really didn't think about in the beginning but I loved that they have males on staff. One of Gray's favorites was Mr. Sam and he still talks about him today! I highly recommend Willow Tree for your children and wish I could have moved them to California with us! We miss them more than there are words to say.

My child goes to Meijer and I can't believe how they treat students that are not in their favored…read moreprograms and or favored in general my child got in trouble for trying to stand up to somebody who did something wrong and protect the girl that was behind it and or the victim and she got sent away from her class because apparently it was a rumor even though multiple kids hadn't seen it and they should have taken it more seriously but the point it's I can't believe they're protecting a boy that SA girl maybe they should take more precautions of how to retreat the situation instead of just saying as a rumor and sweeping it under the rug

Even though this school claims to be inclusive it really isn't. It's very exclusive for the parents…read moreof the community who are majority wyt/wealthy and not for kids outside of the community who come here for the "Montessori" program. Which I wish parents really got a chance to observe a real Montessori class setting as they will VERY quickly realize Mayer isn't a true Montessori school as it claims, no way it can be when it's a PUBLIC school. We had our kids in Montessori before moving to Chicago and this is is NOT what it claims to be. A lot of the teachers here need REAL cultural awareness and also confidentiality training. There is a guard that works here that definitely needs some people's skills she really lacks interpersonal skills. A few of us were in the building and over heard how disrespectful she is to the students , yelling and yelling g them to "shut up" when addressing them, unbelievable really that they would have someone like that around kids. The LSC has the principal controlled and we believe she even fears them, which is sad because she's cool and great things could happen here. It's shocking that in a school with so much $ students have such limited access to quality music, art and language programs - and how there isn't much visible pride in having a "multicultural" school. All in all Mayer is pretty lame considering everything it claims to be, just another public school. Needless to say we're very excited to be leaving and going to La Salle where they are welcoming from the moment you walk in. Anyone looking at Mayer thinking quality and wholesomeness , keep looking.

Update: April 20, 2015 My children are now 7 and 3-1/2 years…read moreold and I and they love the school as much as ever. Currently, the school announced that they do plan on expanding the school. Update: August 16, 2014 My 6 yr old daughter & 2-1/2 yr old son attend. The school and parent community is still incredible and my only wish is that they expand their elementary program to middle school. Original review: It may not seem like much from the outside, but this school is a hidden gem. I honestly believe that there is no better learning or childcare environment than Gateway Montessori School. My daughter is 3 years old and has been attending Gateway since she was about 10 months old (Infant Program). When my wife and I were interviewing daycares, nannys, etc. for our daughter, we asked ourselves 3 important questions: 1. Can you we trust the Institution and Providers? 2. Will our child be Loved & Respected? 3. Will our child be learning and developing to her full potential? Can you we trust the Institution and Providers... ? Both my wife and I have complete trust in the school's Directress, Shelley Torres (and teachers). Once you meet her, you will understand. She teaches the 1-3 year old class and has the composure and patience that few have (and that is necessary for this age group). She has a long history as a Montessori teacher (AMI) and upholds to the standards that make a true Montessori school a great education. Gateway is a small school with small classes so you know all the teachers and assistants. The school hosts teacher presentations (as well as guest-lectures) and classroom observations. These are great opportunities for parents to see how teachers work with children, understand the classroom environment & materials, and talk with teachers. We leave our daughter at Gateway everyday knowing that she is in the best care outside of family. Will our child be Loved & Respected...? I see everyday not only how loving and respectful the teachers are to the children, but how my loving and respectful my daughter is to others. The teachers exemplify the qualities that I value in a caring & quality school. Among other things, they help the children become independent, guide them with reasoning (rather than control), support them emotionally, and encourage them to support their classmates with love and respect. I think my daughter has developed a true sense of empathy and understanding through working in the classrooms. Will our child be learning and developing to her full potential...? Number One, I want my daughter to be Happy (and she is). Number two, I want my daughter to Learn (and she does). Not only do the children build on their knowledge, but they learn about independence and practical life. They are drinking from cups in the infant class, baking bread in the 1-3 yr classroom, and learning about the trinomial equation in the 3-6 yr classroom. My (limited) experience with Montessori... My wife and I had never heard of Montessori education prior to attending a Gateway lecture. After meeting the director, learning more about Montessori, and seeing the school we were completely sold. Whether you are already familiar with Montessori education or not, you should see Gateway. As my wife and I have learned, this is no ordinary school.

My son just started his third year at Gateway Montessori and both he and I couldn't be happier…read moreabout it. This hidden gem of a school has enriched my child's life immensely and witnessing how he has been progressing with hands-on math, science, geography and culture as well as reading and writing has been brilliant. Did you know the second smallest country in North America is Belize? I didn't until my four year old informed me of it and then pointed on a map to where it was located. Shelly, the headmistress, is wonderful and has a way with children that is astoundingly calm, nurturing and loving. All of the teachers have been incredible as well, so much so, that during summer break my son woke up one morning and out of nowhere asked if he could write his teacher a letter. The letter was "Dear Tracy, I love you." The TL;DR of this review would be the same but changed to "Dear Gateway, I love you."

We are extremely happy with Childtim-Evanston. From the very beginning, the staff has been…read moreabsolutely incredible--professional, attentive, and genuinely caring. It gives us such peace of mind knowing our 18month old is in a safe, nurturing, and loving environment every single day. Our daughter transitioned from the infant class with Ms. Party and Ms. Kiyah! They were both excellent, it was a difficult transition for me, being unsure what my daughter's experience will be in the Toddler room with new teachers. However, I found that she was extremely happy every morning during drop off and ran to her teachers arms. The teachers (Mrs. Parlina, Alina, and Keyorah) go above and beyond to make each child feel special and supported. They create a warm atmosphere where learning feels fun and natural, and it's clear they truly care about every child's development and happiness. Our 3 year old son also attends preschool/camp here during school breaks, and his experience has been just as wonderful. He looked forward to going, which says everything about the positive and engaging environment they provide. His teachers Mrs Maya was great! Ms. Osiana has been fantastic. Amazing staff overall. I highly recommend Childtime- Evanston to any family looking for exceptional care, dedicated staff, and a place where children truly thrive.

REAL MOM REVIEW! I'm a true helicopter parent. but when I say I'm happy I am happy! My son just…read morestarted at the Childtime in Evaston and the transition was so easy the staff in the Preschool and PreK classroom have been amazing with his transition . I am so happy I followed my first mind and choose this location. The diversity in teachers, the super smiley director, who told me straight up I don't sit at the desk I love being in the classroom rocked my world! But that's not everything it was seeing happy babies walk out the infant classroom and parents of children all ages stopping to talk and listen to the teachers that let me know we could not have chosen a better location. the center needs some cosmetic work it gives a nostalgic vibe with modern day education for young children.

An amazing school that graduates smart, confident, and well-balanced students. It's been an…read moreunexpected gift to be able to send our child to Chicago Friends School. Being from the east coast, I'm aware of the values of a Quaker education - observing my child's (and other students') growth only highlights its impact even more - I wish more people knew about it. The classroom environment and skilled, caring faculty provide individualized learning rather than the tug and scrum between discipline and attention we've experienced in other schools. If you are searching for the right school for your K-8th grade learner, give Chicago Friends a go. Now more than ever, our kids need this kind of education. It's a great place.

We are new to CFS this year. Our child is in the 6th grade. From day one, the whole community have…read morebeen welcoming and the experience have so far been amazing for our child and our family. We were initially unsure about the pacing and whether the academic rigor will be there due to the smaller class sizes. But it hasn't been a problem. Our child comes back each day and tells us that he is being challenged in his classes and that he is enjoying the "difficulties" because it's "fun" which tells us the he is on track. He also tells us that the kids has been welcoming to him as "the new kid" and that he is free to be himself and make friends with kids both older and younger. We think CFS is perfect for anyone who is looking for a nurturing environment socially with a more individualized learning based of each child's needs.