My child has been at Goddard since the summer and we are getting ready to leave to go to a new school that is closer to our new house, and we are heartbroken. The staff and teachers at Goddard so deeply care for her, and I have seen her grow both socially and intellectually in really incredible ways. The teachers have been curious about her and her needs, and I feel like she wakes up looking forward to attending. Everyone there knows her, and admin has been really accommodating and helpful when they didn't need to be. I was very picky and did a lot of visiting and research before I chose Goddard--I chose them because I love the private playground and community activities. But the school itself has been a really big blessing to my kiddo, and I have seen her explode in confidence, language, and social skills. I am very sad to be leaving. read more

Avoid this institution!!! They do not understand how to manage two year olds, justify injury after injury, and are racist. The Goddard School allowed my student to be bitten over and over again and then labeled my student as the problem and continues to take tuition while isolating him and pushing him out. I will continue to tell every single person I meet and speak to that this is the absolute worst place to send any child. read more

We cannot say enough positive things about The Goddard School on Armitage. Our daughter started at Goddard when she was 16 months, and she's now in the pre-K program. It has been amazing to see her growth. The Goddard team has been so incredible at every step of the journey -- whether helping with potty-training in her toddler class, or sparking her curiosity and sense of self in the pre-K class. The teachers are exceptional. They are loving, genuine, and apply a mix of instruction and compassion that has helped our daughter thrive. We are so appreciative of the Goddard community. They have been an absolutely integral part of our family. read more

Cross posting my review on Google since it seems like others share similar concerns here. Whether you agree with this review or not, do yourself (and your child) a favor and at least visit the schools I have recommended below (they are close to this location and similar if not cheaper price point). The difference in quality is night and day. This review is for Goddard in Lincoln Park. The only positive aspect is their great marketing and initial communication before your child starts at the school. However, once enrolled, the experience was extremely disappointing. Our two year old started on March 1, 2024, and our last day was July 24, forfeiting the remainder of the month even though we paid in advance because nothing is worth our child's physical or mental health. Important Issues to Note: This is a franchise; the owner did not have any childhood education experience before opening the franchise (clearly a red flag that we missed) or has obtained one since. This makes sense because it is run like a business and the primary focus seems to be the bottom line. They rely on the Goddard name from New York and the fact that they were the first franchise here in Chicago. Classrooms lack diversity. Classroom Concerns: The 2-year-old class has two teachers for 16 children, sometimes less. However, the teachers are overwhelmed and unable to control the class. Our son was bitten seven times from March to July. We did not receive incident reports for some of them because the teachers had too much going on. When we inquired about what they were going to do to solve the biting, we were told not to worry and it was developmental. Since this was our first experience with daycare, we believed them and thought this must be normal, even though one of the bites was on his face and that left a scar for weeks. When we asked for a third teacher in the classroom since it was clear kids were getting hurt (not just ours), they refused and instead made it seem like our son was the problem. They said he didn't know how to act in a school setting and the best way to handle that was for us to pay for an aide to follow him around all day (on top of the school fees). When we said we couldn't do that, they said our only other option was to leave. Interesting that we weren't the problem when our son was getting hurt for months but all of a sudden were once we asked for some additional resources after he started retaliating to kids hitting and biting him. We obviously decided to leave and are kicking ourselves for not doing it sooner because on his last day of school he was scratched deeply on the chest. We were not informed at pickup and received no incident report. We only discovered it when we brought him home. When we asked what happened, we were told another kid scratched our son (but could not say when exactly) and they "forgot" to tell us. There was also contradicting accounts between the owner and teachers It's clear their priority is the bottom line. Just visit anytime during the day outside of lunch hours, and you will see chaos and children behaving disruptively. Do yourself and your child a favor, whether you are enrolled here or thinking about enrolling here, and look at other schools in the surrounding area that we have recently visited. You can see a world of difference. Some that have stood out to us: Bubbles Academy Green Bean Bright Horizons on Clybourn These schools have good curriculums and a nurturing atmosphere and fantastic reputation. Word of Caution to Existing Students: Once you inform the school you are leaving, your child may be ostracized and become less enthusiastic about attending. Over the last few weeks, once it was clear we were leaving, we would pick up our son covered in snot and just generally disheveled. Consider using your child's teacher as a babysitter outside school hours. While this means paying extra money on top of the already expensive school fees, your child may receive preferential treatment compared to others, as there is no policy against babysitting for current students. Though we did not do this on principle, we saw the difference firsthand. read more

Goddard school is not inclusive at all with anyone with special needs. They said since my daughter has trisomy 21, she would not be a good fit there. read more

We had such a wonderful experience at Goddard. The staff was very caring and organized. The teachers are passionate and provide excellent insight into progress and development. We loved our time there and recommend it to anyone searching for quality education. read more

Goddard on Armitage has been part of my family's lives for the past 8 years. Not only did my three children grow up with them, but it feels like my husband and I did as parents too. From the first day in 2014 dropping my daughter off in the infant room as we tried to go to work pretending like we weren't crying, Jason and Lauren have been there for us as partners in our parenting journey. With three very different children, we went through it ALL with them - social, emotional, physical, developmental, educational - every time we encountered a new phase of our childrens' development, Jason and Lauren's excellently chosen teachers were there for us. My Goddard mom friends and I laugh that we didn't actually potty train our kids - the Goddard Panda Room teachers did. Or how to take their plates to the sink - Penguin Room teachers. Or how to play Chess - the specials teacher. From advice on the best diaper cream to the best place to look for a pediatric physical therapist, the Goddard staff community was always my first stop. The teachers still ask about my older children, now long gone from preschool, with care and affection. We are so sad to have aged out of our Goddard home, as I can't imagine doing this next parenting phase without them. read more

My son has been at Goddard for almost four months and we couldn't be happier. He is in the infant classroom where the teachers are kind, nurturing and caring. They pay attention to him and the other students as if they were their own (Ms. Arie, Ms. Audie, Ms. Audrey..the list goes on). The app they use to communicate (tadpole) sends pictures everyday along a detailed summary of the days activities.. music class, story time, sensory stimulation, the list goes on. I'd like to quickly address the "waitlist" commentary below. I clearly remember signing up, submitting my application along with a $200 check knowing full well my son might not make it in. As a parent with a child finally attending Goddard (and hopes for another in the future), siblings should have priority with the waitlist. It's standard with other daycares and private schools in Chicago. Goddard is worth the wait. When it comes to finding the best place for childcare, a waitlist doesn't make a place good or bad. It is the teachers and the loving community. Goddard is top notch in my book. read more

My job transferred from the suburbs to the city (where I current live) and I had to find a new pre-school for my son to attend. Previously he attended a school that was onsite at my work that we really loved. In my search for a new school and was quite overwhelmed at all the choices. Just by luck, I found The Goddard School and after visiting so many other places, I knew this school would be the one for my son. The management is very professional and caring. My son has allergies and they are on top of all those details ensuring that he is in a safe environment. Jason, Gina, & Lauren really made our family feel loved and part of the community. They not only know everyone's names, they actually care about you and listen to your needs. Pros: The Teachers are all highly educated and have a high standard for the kids. My son was reading by 4 years old, playing chess, singing, speaking chinese/spanish, and has a wonderful love of education due to the many teaching techniques they foster. I also enjoyed the Luau at the end of school, the book fairs etc. My son loves the playground and in the summer liked water days! I also liked that they served quality food for Breakfast, Snack, & Lunch. Cons: There is no Kindergarten or elementary school. :) I would love my son to stay in this wonderful place for the rest of his school years because everyone is really amazing. We miss you all and want to thank you for what you have done for my son. He is thriving in kindergarten because of The Goddard School. read more

My daughter learned so much within 1 year. They have amazing program and great teachers. My daughter loves her teachers Mrs Carrie and Mrs Alyssa. They are absolutely amazing! So warm and welcoming! They treat all kids with special attention. We also get a very detailed report daily that describes pretty much the whole day along with pictures and fun videos of their daily activities . Mrs Tsakas goodbyes are always very special and my daughter is always looking forward to see her before we leave. I can't thank enough the whole staff! read more

It's a horrible, don't send your kids there, they don't care about kids, there will be a kid got injured every 2 or 3 weeks, and they don't do anything about it. If you go to talk to the owners, they just say bounch of the bullshit, never listen to your concerns or questions, just saying how their kids got injured before blabla(you know how it goes), at the end, you will realize that they won't hear and do anything about it. If you decided to go to another daycare, you have to tell them 1 month before, and here is the nightmare started. They start isolating your kid from other kids, and try to make your kid the bad one, they start blaming your kid for ridiculous things and start ignoring you. read more

Our daughter attended Goddard for almost a year. We did a lot of research prior to sending her. Goddard had wonderful reviews and during our school tour, we knew that we had found the perfect place for her. Jason, Gina and Lauren always welcome you with a smile and are available to answer any questions that you might have. Not only did my husband and I feel safe and secure in the facility, the educational curriculum is strong, and the healthy meals provided each day were a bonus. Our daughter loved her teacher, Ms. Kiki, and the classroom that she was in. It was fun, educational, and nurturing. Everything we had hoped for and more. The Goddard School is an excellent place for children to develop and grow educationally and socially. We saw our little one bloom before our eyes. We highly recommend! read more

We had our kids at Goddard for the last 4yrs: Andrew since 6 months old and Emma since 8wks old. The teachers were so helpful and dedicated throughout the years. We feel the curriculum has been great getting Andrew ready for kindergarten. Special thanks to Melissa (the potty training guru) for getting both Andrew and Emma trained in a week. The Tadpoles app is a huge plus! It gave us a summary of everything the kids did during the day. Since both Charlotte and I work, it helps us keep pace with everything they are doing at school. We made it a bedtime activity to see the pictures and videos from the app to catch up. Tadpoles even helped us with Emma since we had Andrew's records to use as a reference. Gina, Lauren, and Jason were great answering our concerns as the kids got older and moved thru the room transitions. When we made the decision to move to the suburbs, it was tough trying to find another preschool that could match our expectations. The Goddard team has set the bar very high. read more

Beware of the wait list. They gave a beautiful tour, told us we were third in line on the wait but did not mention to us that the children from the previous months wait list were also on the same wait and roll on. Reported them to BBB to investigate their policy on how many wait list dollars they take compared to how many children they actually enroll. Unethical. If you do manage to get a spot, by all means, beware of their under arching money practices. read more

We could not be happier with The Goddard School! The teachers and staff are amazing! We transferred our daughter here from another daycare and are so happy we did, we only wish we would have transferred her sooner! The teachers are all wonderful! They are engaged with the kids and so caring. We love seeing the emails we receive through out the day with pictures or a short video of her in class with her other friends. We receive a very detailed report at the end of the day listing all the developmental fun things they did that day, what and how much of lunch was eaten, naps, diapers, etc. We notice such a difference in our daughter in the short amount of time she has been there, she talks so much and loves going! Jason and the rest of the staff are wonderful, they make you feel so welcome. We are so happy to have found The Goddard school. read more

As our younger son gets ready to graduate from Goddard and head off to kindergarten, I had to share what an incredible experience we've had with Goddard over the last 7+ years. It has been absolutely fantastic and both our boys were excited to go to school every day. The teachers and staff are excellent and the administration is first class. With no immediate family nearby and two demanding careers, Goddard has provided us the support, care, and dependability we've needed to flourish as a family and both our kids will have left with an incredible educational foundation. I know there have reviewers complaining about the waitlist. We waited for almost a year to get our older son into Goddard initially and I know that can be a frustrating process, but once you get through that part it's more than worth the wait. read more

We love Goddard school very much. Our family moved to Chicago from Shanghai back in May 2012. We visited several schools before we moved here. This Goddard School is significantly better than the other options. We were so impressed. When my son started school he is around 2.5 years old and couldn't speak English at all. At the beginning, I was concerned and worried about how quickly he would be adjusted to the new environment. But the owner, director and teachers there were so supportive and made this transition much easier than we thought. I would say you have to trust teachers, school and your kids. The personnel there are absolutely professional educators, they know what they are doing and they are good at it. In half a year, my son can communicate in English without any problem. The school facility is new and up to date. Looks clean and adorable. Directors and owner are super nice and easy to work with. They are running and managing the school very well and came up with lots of creative and fun ideas. The teachers are versatile. They also offer Spanish and Mandarin classes. Every day you will get electronic report from the school with photos and videos of kids, which is such a pleasure to know what's going on in school every day. If you send your child to this Goddard school, you don't need to worry about anything. You are confident that they are safe, having fun and learning in the school. I keep referring my friends to this school. Once you have a tour there, you will definitely love it and don't want to go somewhere else. read more

My daughter attended the Goddard School for pre-school and pre-K before starting kindergarten in August 2013. I didn't want to write a review until I could see how well Goddard actually prepared her for kindergarten. Not only did Goddard prepare her for the academic aspect of kindergarten, but it prepared her for the emotional and social parts as well. Though being the youngest in her class, my daughter is excelling at Ogden International. She wasn't afraid, she made friends quickly, and she's ahead of almost all of her peers academically. And while I'd love to take credit for that, most of the credit is due to Goddard. Jason, the owner, and Gina, the educational director, are nothing short of amazing. They work tirelessly for the kids and you can tell. They learn your names immediately and somehow know everything that's going on with your child (it truly is incredible). They are in constant contact with the students, teachers, and parents and there is a full line of communication among all three. Whenever I emailed a question, Gina or Jason would answer it ASAP. I felt that my daughter and I were the most important people there. And while I know that this is obviously not the case, it's great to feel that way. The teachers are just as wonderful. All they want is for your child to reach his/her potential while, at the same time, having fun and making friends. They care so much for each of their students--you can see it. They have "report cards" that they complete so you can see how your child is progressing and what he/she needs to work on (on all levels--social, academic, emotional--it's an exhaustive list). The teachers also email daily reports that include not only what your child did that day and what he/she learned, but you also get pictures! I loved seeing those every day. It was one of the selling points of Goddard. And when my daughter finally "graduated," they gave me a book with actual pictures of her and all her drawings, report cards, and just little notes about her. That was above and beyond and I cherish it. Because I couldn't be there (I work), they were. And they took care of her. And now I can share her memories of Goddard with her and feel like I was a part of it. My daughter loved going to school and I loved taking her there. If they had a program that extended through kindergarten, 1st grade, etc. I would have kept her there. She was safe, she had fun, and she learned more than her peers in kindergarten. Goddard made it as easy as possible for me (and her) to transition to kindergarten. One final note (re: security): This seems to be a hot-button issue these days so I feel like I should mention it. The school is extremely secure. In order to even enter the main entrance, you need to scan your hand print. There is always someone at the front desk, too, watching the comings and goings of everyone through those doors. I always felt that my daughter was safe and I was never concerned about her safety. I strongly recommend Goddard to anyone who wants to prepare their children for kindergarten. They will arrive more confident, less scared, and they will be ahead academically. Thank you, Goddard! read more

Beware! Most reputable schools return your deposit if you are never offered a spot. This school charges $200 non-refundble fee to be on a waitlist. They never return it. Even if you are never offered a spot! In theory, there could be hundreds on the waitlist. Plus, siblings of existing students also go ahead of others on waitlist. I believe this school must make a lot of money maintaining a long waitlist. They have very few openings available at any time, yet they happily take your $200 and place you on a waitlist (forever). Are these the type of people you want teaching your children how to treat other people?!? We ended up at L&L Academy and couldn't be happier. My kids love their caring teachers at L&L, and we didn't pay for a waitlist. My recommendation -- look elsewhere. There are plenty of quality programs in Chicago that do not run the waitlist scam that this school runs. read more

Beware. Goddard Will meet with you, give you the tour and tell you how excited they are to have you join the school. Then they will take your money to go on the waitlist. What they don't tell you is that you can be on the waitlist for more than a year not move up a single spot... Because they will let siblings and any number of exceptions jump ahead of you on the list. These guys are dishonest, pure and simple. It's left a really sour taste in my mouth and I wouldn't even trust them with my children. Dishonest. Save yourself the trouble. Look elsewhere. Update: see owner's crappy self-justifying response below. If anything, just reinforces my review. Other parents have had similar experience. read more

Our child has been at Goddard for almost 8 months now and we couldn't be happier with the care he's received. The teachers are friendly and attentive. They know my child and the other kids in the classroom and that leaves me at ease when I drop him off for the day. The staff is responsive and answers all of my questions in a very timely fashion. We were also on the waitlist for awhile, but it was worth the wait. I'm excited to be a part of this school for years to come. read more

The Goddard School in Lincoln Park is absolutely wonderful. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. Jason, Gina, and Lauren have created such a wonderful environment for all the children that are fortunate enough to attend this special place. It is really more than just a school. Our son was here for almost a year before we moved across the country. We really wanted to be at a Goddard School because we had such a great experience in Chicago. We chose one of the Goddard locations near us and while we are very happy there I have to say that neither location near us compares to Lincoln Park. Not even close. Goddard LP has set the bar very high. This is such a wonderful, warm, and welcoming atmosphere. The school is so clean and well kept, the teachers are all so special and so attentive, and every detail really makes a difference. Things like the teacher bios on the walls, the lunch and ingredient lists (our son has multiple allergies), the newsletters, the timely notices for functions, moms/dads night out mixers, etc. They seem like small things until you go somewhere that operates differently. At the LP location you feel so connected to the school and they become like family. I thank you very much and with my whole heart for being my son's first school experience. We couldn't have picked a better place if we tried and you all should be so very proud of what you have created for so many families in Chicago. We miss you! read more

This is an *exceptional* school on all levels. Goddard Lincoln Park has far surpassed our expectations and we are admittedly picky. Our son is currently 3.5 years old and has been there for a year. He has developed socially, emotionally and academically so far beyond our expectations. The curriculum is more robust than anything my friends have experienced at other highly regarded schools and the environment is incredibly nurturing. I always feel a sense of loving comfort from the moment we walk into the door until the moment he leaves. The staff values the unique qualities of each child. I wish every child could have an experience that is even close to what my son has experienced. I cannot day enough to properly describe how wonderful it is at this Goddard location. From Jason, to the lead and asst teachers, to the enrichment teachers. This place is the best. read more

As a testament to how strongly I feel about the school, I'm writing my first ever Yelp review. Our son attended the Goddard School from the infant classroom through his second birthday. It was abundantly clear from our initial tour of the facility and meeting with the owner and staff that it was head and shoulders above the other options we considered. That was validated by our experience at the school. Our son learned a ton from the curriculum and the time he spent with other kids and his teachers in a classroom setting. It was also incredible to see how much the staff and teachers truly cared about his well being and happiness. I've already recommended the school to friends and confidently give it 5 stars. read more

Incredible school! Amazing teachers truly partner with parents to create a supportive learning environment for all ages. Professional administration, highest quality facility and programming, development-focused curriculum. I strongly recommend this school to any family. We had two kids there and saw every classroom through our experience. Love love love! read more

Both of my girls have been at The Goddard School for close to a year now, and having been at quite a few daycare centers in multiple states, I can wholeheartedly say this is the best one we've been at. The facilities are incredibly clean, the teachers are professional and invested in your children, and the administration is run as good if not better than any corporate environment I've worked in. My oldest is thriving and literally skips into school. She is learning so so much - the center is more of a school in my opinion than a daycare, based on the skills she's learning at age 3. She comes home singing songs in Spanish and I love it. My younger daughter has some slight developmental delays and her teachers work wonders with folding her into age appropriate activities, coordinating with her physical therapists, and ensuring that she's keeping up. Also, because the families tend to stay there for a long time there is wonderful parent community. I've met so many amazing moms and really enjoy the Goddard Moms group. Keep up the great work, guys! read more

I would normally give 2 or 3 stars for this school...but my niece goes here, and she is in love with her teacher, Miss Kay. She's her favorite person in the world, and it's obvious she plays a really positive part in her life. She's patient, kind and actually has creative and fun activities for the kids, unlike their other teachers in the past. She's also open to help out and babysit for some of the parents, which is more than a big plus. Again, this school is..OK. But I haven't heard my niece stop talking about Miss Kay so she definitely bumped it up for them. read more

Like other reviews the non refundable application is nonsense. 13 months later - we got in! That's crazy that there is a lack of communication on how long the waitlist is. We were told 4 months to start and just kept hearing about the extension coming. The policy for $200 application is just a way to make money. They need to be honest about the timeframe to get in and honestly should have it be refundable. Seems like a great school, but there are also other great schools around. What are they doing with all this extra money. Please relook at your policy! read more

Now if my son could write the review he would say "this is the best place, ever!" I cannot say enough about The Goddard School. From the staff, the owner, teachers - the facility and playground... everything is top-notch! I have toured a lot of preschools around the city that this was hands-down the place we felt happy and safe. Very clean, organized, secure and current with curriculum and technology. It's a place full of love (I know it sounds cheesy, but true). I'm always greeted with a smile, and the teachers are just wonderful! I have 2 boys in the preK and jrK classes. I highly recommend! _______ I feel that I need to update my post 6 months later. We moved to another area of the city which offers 2 preK classes within walking distance. We toured and my son actually sat in for a little play to feel out the new spots. He (nor I) felt the same comfort and love that we did at Goddard. My 4yo turned up to me and said, "mommy, can we go back to my regular school now? I need to go to Goddard." And just like that, we re-enrolled for the jrK class. I go out of my way 4 times a week to take him there. And I'm glad we did! This place is just the best! He has learned so much in the preK class that folks are just amazed at what he knows. Now, can I give them 10 stars? read more

There are a few pros and cons for the school. Pros: 1. In general, its a great place for my 2 year old son. It is safe since they have a little park on the school premise and an indoor gym in addition to it. It scares me when these other pre-schools would bring scores of toddlers and young children crossing busy city streets to parks. 2.The menu is all organic and with a good variety. 3. The premise is clean and beautiful. 4. The teachers are all highly qualified. They have an organised schedule. Cons: 1. Cannot bring your own food. My son is hungry in between the meals. However, we are not allowed to bring outside food. That is a rule for all preschool. It still makes me sad when I know my baby is hungry in between meals. On the other hand it is probably better for him not to snack too much in between meals anyhow. read more

Our son (4 yo) attended this school and we are so glad he did. The staff is great and very friendly. His teachers were Miss Ali and Miss Megan who took such great care in making sure our son transitioned well. They were caring, supportive and, most of all, seemed to really enjoy doing what they do. The day is filled with various activities which include but not limited to language arts, creative art, music and nature study. They also have a private outdoor play space and will use it for water days (weather permitting). We are moving out of state and that is the only reason we had to leave the school. Would highly recommend!!! read more

Our son attends Goddard and I couldn't be happier with the school. The teachers are dedicated to the children's needs. They have an outdoor play space and an indoor gym which is important for child development. I love when I pick up my child and I see Jason, the owner outside playing with the children. Recently, they brought in a music teacher and my son comes home singing the different songs he learned. I'm an elementary teacher and I'm thrilled with the standards that are set at Goddard. read more

My daughter has been going to this school for just a couple of months (she is 17 mo,).. as well as my husband working there, and we couldnt be happier!! She has grown so much in such a short time. I know it sounds bias since my husband works there ,but honestly he wouldn't be working there or my child going there if we didn't believe in this school and the staff. The teachers are warm and loving and it shows her teachers Miss Julie & Miss Charlotte are wonderfull!!!. I couldnt be happier with our choice of school for my daughter to grow in as well as my husband to work for and represent. read more

Excellent school, amazing teachers, incredible staff, and most important, a creative, fun, play-based learning environment that motivates my son as he *wants* to go to school each day. We started our son at the Goddard School shortly after it opened a few years ago. We selected this school as the directors and teachers expressed an interest in a collaborative approach to our son's adjustment as we recently adopted him from the another country. It was a difficult transition for him and each day, the educational director and teachers met with us, talked to us and suggested strategies on how to help with the adjustment. Additionally, our son initially had some developmental delays and the teachers worked with us and his therapists and this approach was quite successful. Within a year, he exceeded the benchmarks and milestones for his age and loved going to school and playing with his friends each day. I share this as I think it is very important to find a school that embraces that collaborative approach, values and appreciates your child, listens and works with you to make sure you and your child have the most positive educational experience possible. The play-based curriculum is so important for learning and also for developing social and emotional learning (SEL) skills for your child. The teachers are caring, passionate and creative and encourage parent involvement and volunteerism. The facility (and security) are excellent as well. It's a wonderful community at the Goddard School, and I'm proud to be a Goddard parent. We recently relocated and based upon our experience at the Goddard School in Chicago, we selected another Goddard school near our new home in Maryland until he starts kindergarten in the fall. We are so grateful to all of the teachers (special thanks to Kay, Cara, Stephanie, Hannah, Kathryn, Amanda and Bridgid), Jason, Gina and Lauren...as their devotion, compassion and passion for learning have helped our son develop into the wonderful little person he is today. I can only hope the rest of his educational experience can be this positive!! read more

Living in Chicago I was always a little skeptical of paying a lot of money for preschool and/or private school in general. We sent our oldest to a Montessori school through kindergarten and it was a great experience, but we were shocked when he tested lower in reading and math compared to other kids in his class when he got to first grade public school. He's a bright kid so he quickly caught up and excelled, but we felt that he should have been more prepared for first grade, based on the $$$$ we spent. We sent our youngest to the Goddard School and really didn't know what to expect. Jason, Gina and the entire staff were so accommodating, very nice, professional and diligent in working with both the kids and parents. Our son attended the Goddard for two years and loved all of his teachers. While there he learned how to read, write and do math and we feel he is far ahead of where his older brother was at his age. We think the curriculum and environment that they provided was very conducive for learning and allowed kids to have daily. We're constantly updated through an app throughout the day on what the kids are doing and learning and we receive a full report at the end of the day, including what they ate or didn't eat for lunch. Twice a year the teachers meet with the parents to provide comprehensive feedback about how your child is progressing, which is also an opportunity to get to know the teachers better. We also really enjoyed meeting other Goddard parents and a few of them have become friends outside of school. We highly recommend The Goddard School in Lincoln Park. Although the tuition is not cheap, it's doable and well worth the experience. read more

Very few things in life deserve a 5-star rating. Often times it's used to be nice; your Uber driver, a local restaurant, etc. However, the Goddard school on Armitage in Lincoln Park EARNED it's 5-stars. This place is nothing short of exceptional; the director, office staff, teachers, building, curriculum, etc. I could write a short story about every detail that wowed us over our time there but the most important thing is that our kids have significantly benefited in every facet of life from their time there. Our oldest son attending the school for over 2 years and our youngest for almost 9 months. We highly recommend the Goddard school. read more

GREAT school, great staff, wonderful environment! My daughter went there for 2.5 years and truly loved it. Thank you!

Our daughter started at Goddard when she was 2.5 in 2012 and recently just "graduated" as she will be moving on to Kindergarten this fall. We LOVED attending Goddard and already miss the sense of "community". We've been living in a bi-coastal situation so our daughter has attended a few different pre-schools. Rest assured, she always missed Goddard when we are away. Jason, Gina, and Lauren are fantastic administrators. They hire bright, enthusiastic,educated teachers (not just day care workers!) that love what they do. Every teacher our daughter had was lovely and we had no complaints (at other preschools we found ourselves begging to get into another class). The facility is shiny and new (it's SO clean)!!! And we took great comfort that the food was always organic and the kids learned to eat different things through normal peer influence (the food is family style - all the kids are eating the same thing). We really had a great experience at Goddard. It's comforting to know the kids are in good, loving, capable hands. And wow - our daughter is reading, writing, doing math and FULLY ready for Kindergarten. We couldn't be happier with this decision. read more

I'm really happy with our experience here. Five stars all the way. My son started at Goddard School Lincoln Park when he was 16 months old. He's now 3.5 and in the preschool program with Miss Kay and Miss Sara. The teachers do a great job showing the kids how to get along and play together all while learning through fun activities. Lately, they've been into a new "theme" each week. One week was all about construction and they built all kinds of towers and buildings with blocks and legos and other building materials, including a really neat structure out of boxes. Another week was all about the doctor and dentist. They just did a week with "mail" as the theme. Each kid had a mailbox. They colored and put stickers on envelopes to put in each others box. I also like how safe it is at Goddard. I see some preschools crossing busy streets to go to the neighborhood playground where anyone could be there. Really glad the Goddard School playground is on-site and that the facility is so secure. Gives me peace of mind! read more

EVERYTHING! Goddard is run as a true business, so we never worried about anything while our son was at school as we knew he was in a clean, organized, structured environment cared for by the best of childcare professionals. The curriculum is not only impressive but strategically designed for both development and engagement. Although our son was only in one classroom, the classroom and resource teachers who cared for our son truly loved him and he was so comfortable with all of the Goddard staff. Jason, Gina and Lauren are true professionals, not only friendly but organized and always available for any questions. The Goddard school is far more impressive than any local schools competing in the Chicago-city area. We have been so blessed to have been part of the Goddard family and truly miss the entire Goddard team! Thank you, Goddard, for joining the Lincoln Park neighborhood 4 years ago! read more