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.

My daughter and son attended 30 years ago and Ms Kristie was there teaching and caring for them,…read morenow my 3 yr old grandson goes there 5 days a week ad he absolutely looks forward to it everyday. Its a small group and they give the kids individual attention. They build social skills and the kids make friends. I highly recommend this school.

I hope everyone is lucky enough to experience this incredible program! SSYY is an absolute treasure…read more- which is all thanks to the Program Director, Mrs Kristie. Despite preschool being the first "away from parents" experience for most littles, Mrs Kristie makes children feel safe and comfortable, and does an amazing job building community among the students. The curriculum is fun, creative, and focuses on social and emotional skill development and academic learning. Over the course of 6 consecutive years, all 3 of my kids went through SSYY and I continued to be more impressed year over year! We love Mrs Kristie and are forever thankful for the foundation that she created for our children!

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!

We've been at MGP for a year and a half and our child is very happy. Any concerns or challenges…read morewe've had have been met with open communication. We really appreciate the access to additional learning and enrichment opportunities, as well as the community there. The teachers are all lovely and knowledgeable and our child has been supported in his development.

The Learning Experience - Sauganash has been like a second home to my family, caring for my two…read morekids over the years. It has been a source of comfort, knowing my child is in good hands. Ms. Deb, Ms. Perla, and the rest of the staff are friendly, communicative, and caring. They have a great curriculum, with activities for my child to learn and have fun with. He loves going to school, running to his classroom, ready for that day. I'm so happy this center exists with its flexible hours and wonderful staff!

i have never seen a place like this . I love how it looks like a school so they get use to it when…read morethey get older. they are so caring & treat them like there own . this is not just a place to play they teach them so many things as well . I would definitely recommend this place to family & friends .

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.

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 daughter has been attending Gateway Montessori School since she was 3 and it was located on…read moreMontrose Avenue. It's now in a brand new building on Pulaski specifically built for the school and my daughter is now in 5th grade. She loves it. She feels connected to the community and safe in the environment. I love the school, the teachers and the Director who has 35 years experience and I learn from her every day. The new space is large and bright with a lovely garden area for playing. The classroom sizes are still small with one trained teacher "Guide" and one assistant in each room. Classes are broken into 15months to age 3, age 3-6, and elementary age 6-12 years. Gateway is one of only two Montessori schools in Chicago that is recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). This means they follow the original teachings of Dr. Montessori and they have all the required materials. All of the classroom teachers have under graduate degrees as well as the required AMI certification program for the level they teach which requires several years additional training. I feel really fortunate to have found Gateway Montessori.

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.

Mary's ABC Academy is a wonderful daycare! As a mom and teacher, it was super important that I…read morecould find a place I could trust to take care of my 2 year old daughter. I searched for months, set up tours, had a list of questions ready, compared and visited many daycares before I finally found one that made me feel like, "Yes! This is a place where my daughter will feel safe, loved and grow!" And that place was Mary's. The lead teacher, Jessica, is so kind and patient. She always has time to meet and tell you how your child is doing as well as discuss any concerns you or she may be having or even just to praise how well your little one is doing. Mary is usually with the younger kids (fourteen months-twenty four months, I think) and every time I see her she is right there with them either reading or playing with them. My daughter comes home everyday with a big smile on her face and says, "Mommy! I had so much fun today!" She's constantly singing new songs and is so proud of the artwork she makes that week. They have fun events for the kids like puppet shows and Minnie and Mickey visits. The daycare itself is colorful, clean, organized and honestly, it's what I was hoping it would look like. They have an open door policy, so we always feel free to stop by and check in on our little one (during nap time, we knock on the window instead of ringing the doorbell. Don't wanna wake the littles!). I would recommend this place to anyone looking for childcare. The staff is genuinely happy to be there and I feel totally comfortable leaving my daughter in their care. Hopefully they have a spot open for my other daughter who will be old enough to join them next year because this is definitely the place she will be attending too! Highly recommend this place!

Fantastic daycare for my son. I had looked at close to fifteen locations and could not find one…read morethat was clean enough or even close to Mary's. This is a wonderful place for daycare and my two year old loves it. They are kind, genuine and truly care about children. Highly recommended!

We switched to this location of KinderCare from Ladybug on Irving park. We were worried about the…read morechange but surprisingly our kiddo liked it better and didn't miss her old daycare much which was more upscale. The director Michelle is super accommodating and we had 0 problems with Early Intervention therapists visiting the kiddo at school (Ladybug requested additional fingerprinting even though they had Early Intervention screening ). But the best part was that our kid became potty trained on day one because her teacher Ms Mary takes time to put them on a potty at regular intervals . The group size is smaller than at our previous school and pretty relaxed atmosphere.

I enrolled my sweet girl in late January. I was so nervous to put her in school as this was the…read morefirst time she would be separated from me. I spoke to Ms.Gaby on the phone and explained to her my situation, she was super energetic and happy to talk to me about kindercare and gave me a virtual tour (covid times). She literally put my mind at ease. I came in to grab some paper work met with the director Ms. NEFALI and her team. They were amazing and so happy to have my little one there. Honestly this facility is the best and the teachers treat your children like their own. I am incredibly fortunate to have my baby girl here, she is happy and well taken care of. Not to mention every single teacher there is genuinely happy to work there. Thank you ladies for all you do you are the best of the best.

I can't say enough about the excellent level of care that Academy of Creative Thinking has provided…read moremy son over the past 2 years. It is always difficult to entrust your child's care in the hands of strangers, but Hector and his staff made our son a part of their family from the beginning. Unfortunately, my son is starting pre-school elsewhere, but our experience at ACT was fantastic. We cannot wait to go back next summer and see everyone. Very highly recommended!!!

Not LGBTQIA affirming…read more Let me say, first of all, though, that the staff at the Academy of Creative Thinking were wonderful with our 4-year-old and he loved it (especially how often they get to play outside). However, we are a two-mom family, and recently, Mr. Hector (the owner/director) made it clear when he returned a book about diverse families, saying it was "not on the curriculum" because he "disagreed" with it,  that our family would not be acknowledged - let alone affirmed - at the Academy of Creative Thinking. I do not know if Mr. Hector read the book ("Love Makes a Family"), but it simply describes ways all families love each other with pictures of a wide range of families, including single parents, grandparents, and two mom or two dad families. I was shocked and disappointed that this was considered offensive. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but to quote James Baldwin, when your opinion "is rooted in . . . denial of my humanity and my [family's] right to exist," then we choose not to associate with such views and will protect our child from them too.