Montessori Schools in the Chicago Area

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.4 out of 5  25 reviews

Parent: I wasn't sure what to expect when I heard there was a Montessori inspired high school. The more I learn, I realize that Montessori goes hand-in-hand with International Baccalaureate and Real-life Experiential Learning. The students have a lot of choice in their course selection, and within courses the students who have a burning desire to dive deeper are given that runway. My teen happens to be fairly aggressive in her academic pursuits, and she's thriving at Beacon. What I love, though, is that every student is invited to express the best version of themselves. Honestly the students are thriving because their teachers are amazing - they bring creativity, joy, authenticity AND rigor to the classroom. Thank you Beacon for recruiting, hiring, and retaining excellent teachers. I haven't seen anything like Beacon and wholeheartedly I support this model of educating students.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 213

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 1 out of 5  1 review

• grade C+

• Students 430

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Chicago Public Schools, IL•

• PK, K-8

• grade C minus

• Students 328

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Blue Island, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: My daughter has attended Council Oak since mid year kindergarten (Children’s House). Her anxieties with school vanished. I am a public school teacher, but chose to send her to Montessori school as I understand what quality teaching and learning looks like. Council Oak gives a quality educational experience. She was presented with appropriate work for her level. She was allowed to choose activities that she was interested in as well and being guided through the curriculum. At 8 years old she was explaining the binomial square and solving it! She grew socially and became quite curious about the world. The community is kind and caring like a family. Parental involvement is the best I’ve seen. I’m always amazed with her teachers (guides). When I read her report card, I could not believe how detailed it was. I thought to myself that they know her better than I do! I am thankful and grateful for the COMS community.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 57

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.91 out of 5  23 reviews

Parent: My family has been part of the Montessori Academy of Chicago for 10 years now. All three of our children began their Montessori journey at MAC in the Infant program, and celebrated many important milestones: from first steps to birthdays to starting to read -- and the special moments in between. The incredible talent of the MAC teachers and administration, and the safe, supportive environment of the school has guided our children personally and academically, and been an absolute cornerstone of our family. MAC has strong community relations, opening up opportunities for field trips, community involvement, and extracurriculars. They also have a phenomenal approach to cultivating an inclusive, diverse, culturally-rich community. Forever grateful for this standout school and could not recommend more highly!... Read 23 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 255

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Joliet, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-9

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: JMS has been our kiddos' home-away-from-home for many years. Our oldest is in 5th grade and has been a student since he was three and your youngest is in his kindergarten year. The staff are super communicative with parents and loving with the students.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 88

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.84 out of 5  25 reviews

Parent: We love Ancona. From the teachers, counselors, to administrators they all care about children. The WHOLE child, the mind, body, and spirit is cared for by this community. They build character and instill lessons that last. The parent community is amazing and you can be as involved as you want or have the time to be. The Montessori classrooms are full of beauty and the outdoor education is second to none. With green space in the middle of the city, how can you not love this place? Chickens, (maybe goats soon), fruits and vegetables, growing and learning how to make healthy life decisions. We’ve been there for 4 years and are happy with our decision to send our child there. Excellent education and positive life lessons. Learning can and should be fun! My daughter loves her classmates, teachers, and can’t wait to go to school. Spanish, music, outdoor learning, library, creative movement, gym, art…I could go on forever. She’s only in 1st grade! Check it out!... Read 25 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 203

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Parent: RPMS is a wonderful school. Many new montessori schools are popping up and implementing this approach for the first time, RPMS has been perfecting it for over 50 years. Their teachers are knowledgeable, deeply respectful of the kids and really emphasize community. I see the difference in the way my kids engage with younger children, manage conflict and are self-directed in their interests. I really can't say enough great things about our school!... Read 8 reviews

• grade A

• Students 360

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: Our experience at Near North Montessori School has been incredible. Having two children, with an older one close to graduation, I can see how the amazing teachers and staff have stayed true to Montessori methods and created an amazing journey to help all children reach their inherent potential. This is a place where children feel valued and when they leave they ready to make their impact in the world. Of course they have impeccable math and reading skills but they also leave with excellent social justice and executive functioning skills. They are respectful, curious and excited. I never knew how much of a partner the school would be when our family entered the school's doors so many years ago and I feel grateful that they have partnered with us, through all the ups and downs, to make our children be the best they can be. I am so happy we chose Near North Montessori.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 585

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Lake Bluff, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.39 out of 5  18 reviews

Alum: As a student at Forest Bluff I overlooked the value that (guided) independent study provided me and shrugged it off as an insignificant difference from the "block" scheduling used at traditional schools. More than a decade later, I can easily identify the Montessori alumni from my other peers: they're the colleague that improve existing protocols, take initiative wholeheartedly and lead others with passion and empathy. Forest Bluff allowed for me to see my career as an opportunity for growth rather than an unceasing "to-do" list. I'd recommend this school to anyone that wants to provide their children with an educational experience that fosters creativity and character. Go take a tour and find out how the Forest Bluff curriculum continues to guide students to impactful futures! You won't be disappointed.... Read 18 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 150

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Northbrook, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: We love Countryside! The teachers here genuinely care about our children and love to teach. The blended age classrooms allow our children to seamlessly move up a grade level in areas of strengths, and receive extra support in areas of weakness allowing them to thrive. Our children are visual learners, and there is so much hands-on learning to instill the subject matter. The students are taught and encouraged to help other students, be mentors to younger students, take care of the classroom, and gain confidence and independence with an increase in responsibilities. CDS helps the whole child, and has instilled a love of learning into our children.... Read 6 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 170

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Evanston, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: The best school ever! The teachers are incredible. They create supportive and amazing relationships with their students that inspire a joy of learning. My children are now 10 and 13 and still excited to go to school every day and have become confident and independent learners. The parent culture is warm and inviting. It’s truly the unicorn of schools.... Read 3 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 334

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Clarendon Hills, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-6

• grade unavailable

• Students 250

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Naperville, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: An amazing school! I went there for 4 years, and it is awesome. You should definitely go. Now. I mean it.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 242

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Our son has had a full academic career at Intercultural spanning preK thru 8th grade. The strong cohesion between the school's dual language and Montessori programs makes for an exclusive education. Ms. Xiang sets expectations high with her leadership in the Chinese Program! It has been a joy to watch our son grow from reciting his numbers and colors in Mandarin to developing a command over the language, both in written form and contextually. Exposing him to one of the most difficult languages at the age of 3, when his brain was hard wired for language reception in an environment that fosters peer collaboration, allowed a from of communication to blossom into love, respect and objectivity for the complexity of cultures that shapes his outlook today. This is light years beyond the 2-year foreign language requirement that I grew up with and not something our single-language family could have offered him otherwise. We greatly value the outcome of his full 11-year immersion education!... Read 2 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 236

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Hoffman Estates, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-10

• grade unavailable

• Students 187

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Wheaton, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-9

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: Our 13-year-old twins have been at Wheaton Montessori since they were two-and-a-half. They have been supported and loved everyday of their time there, and so excited about school that they frequency complain they do not want to stay home on a weekend or holiday. The school provides an amazing structure and environment for the kids and families alike. It has been one of the best choices we have made for our kids.... Read 2 reviews

• grade unavailable

• Students 178

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Lake Forest, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: The teachers at MSLF are passionate about the Montessori philosophy and are committed to providing a great education in the classroom and helping teach life skills that will help my children advance outside of the classroom as well. I cannot stress enough how much I appreciate how much this school has helped my children grow.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 157

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Woodstock, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• grade unavailable

• Students 155

• Student-teacher ratio 6:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-3

• grade unavailable

• Students 150

• Student-teacher ratio 4:1

• Hammond, IN•

• Private School•

• PK, K-6

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat rat... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 148

• Student-teacher ratio 23:1

• Oak Park, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: Wonderful school! Loving teachers, happy children, following each individual child, beautiful classrooms, peaceful environments, loving the community!... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 141

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Chicago, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: My son went to preschool here and also took part in the after school care program. I truly feel he was taught well and treated with care. I would 100% recommend it to any parent looking for a safe and caring facility to put your kids through school.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 134

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Schaumburg, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-1

• grade unavailable

• Students 126

• Student-teacher ratio 21:1

• Gurnee, IL•

• Private School•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: The children seem happy and motivated to learn. The classrooms are beautiful filled with Montessori materials that seem to excite the children to want to work with them. The teachers are Montessori trained and there is not turnover in staff like at other schools. The school has a wonderful music and dance program that all age children participate in. P.E. is offered everyday and the playground is natural and offers a lot of play space as well as equipment. Community is a big theme here.... Read 1 review

• grade unavailable

• Students 125

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1