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!

My perspective from touring the facility: small playground in the back, inside is dark, not a lot…read moreof natural light, furniture is old, everything smells like old, 2yo kids have a separate area in what looks like the "lobby" of the building until they transition to the main area. Meals are prepared in the kitchen of the building, it was the end of the day so dishes were piled up in the sink, cleanliness wasn't top notch. Owner didn't speak English very well so she didn't give me a lot of information. Price is better than other daycares. I can't speak of the way day to day goes but overall it didn't give me a very good impression.

We are truly thrilled to have our toddler at LPM. The founder and director, Ms. Gina, brings an…read moreunmatched level of care and dedication to the daycare. Several of the teachers have been with the school for over a decade, which speaks volumes about the strong and caring community they've built. I have also seen graduates of LPM who are now in high school and college visit the school or come back to volunteer. Ms. Gina even prepares home-cooked meals for the teachers every day - I've had the privilege of trying some, and she's an amazing cook! It's clear that she not only values her staff but goes above and beyond to care for them. The entire team, from classroom teachers to volunteers, are incredibly kind, nurturing, and truly invested in the children's well-being. While LPM doesn't rely on flashy marketing, my husband and I appreciate that this allows all the attention to be focused on providing quality care to the children. As I try to speak Korean to my child at home, I am especially grateful for the cultural sensitivity at LPM - Ms. Gina, Ms. Ellie, and at least one other staff member speak fluent Korean and honor Korean culture, which makes us feel right at home. If you're looking for a daycare that is a caring community and prioritizes heartfelt care for each child, LPM is the place to be.

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.

This review is NOT based on the education received at MAMG or any of the teachers. It is solely…read morebased on the experience of inquiring about the school and interacting w/ the site director. I called MAMG to schedule a tour and gather information. The lady I spoke with was so dry and seemed uninterested. Regardless, I scheduled a tour as maybe she was having a bad day and I realize that not everyone can be cheery all the time. :) The tour went well, and I made sure it was scheduled w/ another person. She was friendly and kind. I asked this lady for a packet or folder of information and she was surprised that the first lady I spoke with never emailed it to me. She took down my email address and said she would request that lady to send it to me. Guess what? I never received it! I just think that is horrible practice. I have enrolled my daughter elsewhere. But, I thought the business owner/manager should know about the incompetence of the person I dealt with. I am happy to speak further about it...as I don't want to call out this individual on a public platform.

My son spent 4 great years here, from the infant room, to toddler room, to primary. Our son was…read morewell cared for in all of them and we believe he developed well there, both socially and academically. Their communication is great, the Bright Wheel app they use is fantastic, and they are very accommodating in all the best ways, while continuing to do what's best for the kids. I've also been impressed with their willingness to help when we've needed assistance with our son's transition to kindergarten, even after our son was no longer enrolled there. Would recommend to anyone that they can trust them with their child's education, safety and wellbeing.

The teachers, staff, and the whole school environment are amazing! We love the morning sessions and…read morethe after-school program. Our daughter is always happy and excited to come home, and the teachers are so loving and caring. We've had an awesome experience at SMS. Seriously, everyone we know has sent their kids there at some point, and we totally recommend it to anyone in the area.

We have sent all 3 of our sons to Sauganash Montessori School and could not be more pleased with…read morethe educational experience that they have each received. The classrooms are bright, beautiful and well-appointed with Montessori learning materials. The teachers and staff are wonderful! We have had to adjust our son's pickup times because of our work schedule, and they are always more than accommodating. Our youngest son is currently at Montessori and is thriving! He has become increasingly more independent and loves school.

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.

Our 2 year old has been at Montessori of Edison Park for 6 months. I'm extremely happy with the…read moreschool. The staff is dedicated, caring and energetic. The school is very well run. My daughter loves the school. She gives the teachers hugs when I pick her up. I'm happy to have found the school.

my children been at this school since 2024. Since changing principal's ive had the worse…read moreexperiences here. they have a policy that's states say you can make arrangements for tuition when unable to pay but doesn't give you the option. the moment you can't make a payment they kick your children out of school. I have lost my long term job because of this!!! They are rude. staff talks about each other. they change teachers every couple of weeks. they can't keep staff. the principal shouldn't be teaching in class rooms if there is enough staff. this past year and a half by far is the worst. we miss Mrs ferand. she actually helped her community and cared about her students education. ms Taylor cares more about the money than she does these babies education. ms Thornton don't get me started on her.

This school has moved from Sheridan Road to Devon Avenue, so you might be confused from the Yelp…read morelisting. It comes up correctly when you Google it now. My daughter and most of her neighborhood friends went here for preschool, and we can't say enough good things about it. It is a wonderful preschool with caring teachers. The Montessori approach taught my child independence and helped her express herself creatively. We loved it, and we miss having it just around the corner!

Both of my daughters goes to North shore Academy for kids. 3 years already. I love this school…read morebecause teachers are great, they teach kids how to be a kind and social person, kids love new students and helps them to feel like at home. They use a Montessori program a lot there. Teachers and kids very friendly. They do potty training. Which is awesome!! You can ask any questions about how your child is doing at school and you always find the answers. Very recommended.

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!

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.