We are incredibly happy with our time at Devonshire Montessori, and after 3+ years we are happy to give them a glowing recommendation. Our daughter started at around 18 months old. After touring several schools, DMS stood out to us. We received some wonderful recommendations from family and friends but the clean and intimate environment, Montessori education, nut-free facility, and its close proximity to our home were instrumental in our decision to go with DMS. From the very beginning, the teachers and staff made us feel supported and, most importantly, our daughter was excited to go to school. They helped guide us as parents while creating an environment where she could truly thrive. Several years later, we have a preschool graduate who has now started kindergarten, and we are so grateful for the role Devonshire played in helping her become the confident, independent, kind little girl she is today. We are especially thankful to her teachers, the staff, and Mrs. Ioana for pouring so much love, patience, and encouragement into her and helping her find her voice and confidence. Leaving Devonshire was bittersweet, but we will always be grateful for the people and community that played such a special role in our daughter's early years. Thank you for being such an important part of our family's journey! read more

Our experience at Devonshire Montessori School has been nothing short of exceptional. 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. read more

I am so thrilled that we found Devonshire Montessori, our son has been in their program since the fall 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. read more

We've had a wonderful experience with Devonshire Montessori School. From the moment we first visited, we were impressed by how clean, organized, and thoughtfully prepared the environment was. The Montessori-inspired décor and layout truly encourage independent exploration, which was a perfect fit for our daughter, who enjoys playing and learning on her own. What amazed us most was how quickly she adjusted after a cross-country move! It was such a relief as a parent to see her feel comfortable so quickly. The teachers were warm, communicative, and incredibly supportive during those first few days. They kept us informed and helped ease our worries while guiding our child through a smooth transition. We're grateful to have found Devonshire--it's a place where children can thrive, and parents can feel confident their little ones are in caring, capable hands. read more

We have sent both children here. Their early childhood program is very good. The teachers care about each child, and communication is excellent. read more

Both of our daughters are enrolled at DMS, and it has been a wonderful experience. Our oldest started in Community 1 when she was 17 months and is now in Children's House at almost 4 years old. Our youngest is in Community 1 and started at 18 months old. We have really valued the communication skills and independence that the DMS teachers and Montessori method have helped foster in our girls. We feel supported by Ioana, Tania and all the other teachers who care for our girls every day. The teachers are invested in our girls' development and make effort to meet their unique needs and personalities. We truly feel in partnership with the staff at DMS, which provides us with a lot of comfort every day. I highly recommend DMS! read more

As a first time parent - during a pandemic - the fear of putting my daughter in school for the first time was overwhelming, to say the least. We discovered Devonshire Montessori School from another parent who had children there and I remember asking her, "do you feel like your child is safe?". Her confident response made us decide to make an appointment to get to know the teachers and the campus. During college I babysat many families with children in the local Montessori school so I was very familiar with the philosophy and knew what to expect. What I didn't expect was to feel so at ease the moment we met Miss Ann and Ioana. I felt instantly comfortable and I knew we found a place where our 18-month-old would not only be safe, but would thrive. Ann has always taken the time to listen to our concerns, our fears and the victories we have celebrated as our daughter has reached each milestone. Now that she is in the "big kids class" we have had discussions with Ioana about what we can expect in the coming year, both academically and socially. I feel I can approach them with any concern, thought, or question and I am heard and they take the time to share their insight. My daughter has blossomed here and we are deeply grateful for the care and patience they have had for her - pandemic babies are just Different! I cannot recommend DMS enough. We love being a part of this community. My husband and I have developed close friendships with the parents of my daughter's friends and it is not uncommon for us to bump into a DMS family and for my daughter to yell out her little friends name, even when we are far from the Skokie/Evanston area. Ann and Ioana are deeply knowledgeable when it comes to childhood development and the Montessori philosophy. They are very encouraging to the families as we work together to support our children. As a parent I know Ioana and Ann are devoted to helping the children develop and reach their full potential. read more

My daughter has been at DMS since she was 16 months old. She started in the toddler classroom and is now concluding her time in the children's house as she is off to kindergarten this fall. We have had a wonderful experience at DMS. As I reflect back on our time at DMS I am grateful for all of the learning experiences they have provided not only to my daughter but also for the guidance the teachers have provided to me as a parent as well. What we love about DMS: -guided independent learning -treating the children as individuals who have autonomy, privacy and freedom -practical life lessons (cleaning windows, taking care of the fish, setting up for snack/lunch, floral arrangements, etc.) -teacher/student ratio -healthy, organic lunches which are included in the monthly tuition -firm but loving and nurturing environment -diversity within the classrooms -peaceful environment for the children to learn (on two occasions I was able to observe my daughter's classroom and was shocked at how quiet the classroom was while all the children did their "works") -soccer classes provided by Windy City (optional and extra cost) -low turnover -very reasonably priced tuition Constructive feedback: -Ms. Ioana could probably use some administrative support as she is the Head of School but is also teaching daily in the Children's House -Communication app to provide updates throughout the day for parents -More outdoor time for the children Overall, we are very pleased with our time at DMS and will miss it greatly when it's time for Kindergarten. DMS has been a huge part of laying down the foundation for my daughter during these critical early years and know that she will carry her experiences with her in the future. read more

Our son has been going to Devonshire Montessori for the past two years and we have been blown away by the teachers and curriculum there! Our son had been crying at school drop off most days before he started and Devonshire and now runs in excited everyday. He has had so many attentive teachers who understand him and what he needs to succeed. It is always hard to leave your child for a long day but it makes it so much easier knowing he is developing both academic and practical skills. read more

During the year my son attended school, developmentally he improved with speech and social skills. We loved the teachers and their dedication to the kids. Unfortunately, due to horrible communication starting at the top with loana who is head of the school - somehow my son was counted-out for fall admissions and relayed this message to me with zero regard for how working parents might be impacted. I would have never even known about this had I not been ahead of things. No apologies for the very critical screw-up, nothing. One would assume someone who is in-charge of filling seats at their school would have questions about the possibility of one of their students not returning? And for what reasoning? For the mere significance of reputation. Neither was the case for us - we deeply trusted our son in their hands and 100% planned for him to return in the fall. Which makes a concerned parent question why didn't you ask questions or is there an ulterior motive involved? loana needs to work on intentional and efficient communication. The very few interactions I had with her in the last 8 months was acknowledged by her with very delayed responses. Items that one would consider time-sensitive, her response timing was up-to and over a week via email. It's absurd and very adolescent for someone who owns a specialized daycare. A sense of urgency with parents and follow-up to ensure cards weren't mis-shuffled is the bare minimum of her responsibility. Do better. read more

I spent a lot of time visiting and researching Montessori schools in our area and I'm glad I chose Devonshire Montessori School for my daughter. My daughter's teachers have been incredibly loving and attentive and the staff turnover is low, reflecting the school's commitment to its employees and their dedication to the children. Devonshire Montessori School is aligned with the tenets of Montessori education, which may not be for all families. If you're looking for a school with teacher-led academic instruction all day, this might not be the best fit; however, if you value a learning environment where students have the freedom to choose their activities within a structured framework, then this is the perfect place and for a reasonable price compared to other Montessori options. The school is beautiful in its minimalism. It's an organized and intentional child-centered space, full of art and creativity. It's orderly and calm, which we felt was important because our daughter was a Covid kid and hadn't been exposed to loud or highly stimulating environments before starting school. My daughter has thrived at DMS. As a two-year-old, she spent time on practical life and motor skills. Thanks to the development of those skills she proudly sweeps, cleans, arranges flowers, does dishes, and sets tables at home. Now in the older class, she's focusing on her passion for art and developing her social skills and independence. There are set hours for morning and afternoon work but my daughter always feels like she is being creative (which is huge for her) and incorporating play. She loves the lessons she receives from Ms. Ioana and she prides herself on her competence and problem solving. Our daughter is hungry for lessons and we wish other staff were empowered to offer lessons when Ms Ioana is tasked with running the school; however, the school's self-directed learning and hands-on learning model has been instrumental in her educational growth so it isn't a deal breaker for us. The school culture at Devonshire Montessori promotes kindness, community, and the importance of good stewardship. When my daughter comes home singing a song or talking about a book, the content is always beautiful in its simplicity and values. My daughter reports feeling safe, valued, and respected at school and she loves her classmates. While it's been a tad challenging to meet other families due to our early pickup time, I've found that the families of the other students are all kind, intentional, and involved. Additionally, I appreciate the school's security measures. The campus is locked during school hours, and children are brought to the doors during pickup. Other parents have told me that the school has security cameras; thankfully, we have not experienced any situation (nor heard of one) that would call for asking to review camera footage so I cannot verify the claim. A few other pluses include catered lunches that are healthy, and delicious so I don't have to pack lunch and snacks daily, and weekly soccer instruction with Coach Fadi which has done wonders for my daughter's coordination. While the school doesn't offer daily updates through an app or email, I've found the teacher updates during pickup time sufficient. There is also a monthly newsletter and two family nights held throughout the year. Ms. Ioana, the head of the school, has been a wonderful resource for me as a first-time mom, providing guidance and insight into my child's development at DMS. I strongly believe that my daughter's kind character, creativity, and growing independence are greatly due to the staff and the Montessori model at DMS. read more

My son has been in the young toddler classroom at DMS for the past year and he absolutely loves it! Drop offs are a breeze and he looks forward to seeing Miss Ann, Miss Ashley and the rest of the kids. As a first time parent, DMS has been a god send. I don't worry all day because I know he is having fun and in good hands. I highly recommend DMS! read more

We have two children currently at DMS and we couldn't be happier. Our first child started at DMS in the fall of 2021, as soon as he was old enough at 15 months. With many COVID restrictions still in place, we were nervous about putting a child into preschool. But from the moment we started, we knew we had made the right choice. We loved the caring atmosphere and the personalized care given to meet his unique personality and needs. As our son grew, we watched him build real relationships with both his classmates and the staff. DMS felt like a family, and we loved watching our child and his friends grow under the careful direction of Ioana, Miss Ann, and the rest of the teaching staff. Throughout his development, Ioana and the staff worked with us to ensure that both our child's and our family's needs were met. Our family keeps kosher, and from the beginning, the staff allowed our son to bring his own lunch and ensured he was well fed. His lunchboxes always came home, which is a significant achievement in preschool! When we had our daughter, there was no question that she would join the DMS family as soon as she was eligible. She started at 15 months and has blossomed under their care. The DMS staff followed her lead and worked with her at her own pace. She showed early interest in potty training, and the staff supported her and provided us with a booklet on their potty training methods so we could all be on the same page. Our oldest is now in the Children's House, and we are preparing to send him off to Pre-K with his older siblings. He has been excellently prepared for this next step, and we know he will take the lessons from DMS with him as he joins his siblings at "big kid school." Thankfully, we still have a few more years with DMS while our youngest child attends, and we look forward to watching her grow and learn. Every day when I pick up my children, they are smiling and excited. Our older student eagerly tells me about his day, and our toddler is thrilled to show me her art. We have shared our love for DMS with friends, some of whom now attend, and we would recommend DMS to any family without hesitation. read more

I appreciate the teachers and the care they have shown my son and daughter. It is now years later and my son is still showing the benefits of such a strong start to his education. He is exceling in 3rd grade math because of his love of math and strong skills built in Montessori Math. My daughter has also slowly grown in bravery and they have treated her with such respect as she has learned to join the group and participate in lessons. read more

Our son started at Devonshire Montessori School at 18 months old and found it hard to settle. The teachers made a huge effort to help ease his transition and I was impressed by their commitment to balancing his comfort with their teaching philosophy. He has developed so much through their teaching, academically and emotionally. The Montessori approach is so defining for a young mind and paves the way for a more open mind to the unknown through life. The teachers are great about letting us know the good and the bad and helping us parents navigate through the challenges that our son has faced. Their emphasis on practical life before academics is wonderful and enables my son to take part in helping out at home and enjoying doing so. The principal offers great guidance where we are unsure as first time parents and balances being a full time teacher with running the administration of the school. The range of teachers offers my son the cultural experience and linguistic experience that I wanted so much for him at this stage of his education. I would thoroughly recommend this school. read more