As one of the largest cities in the United States, it can feel like a challenge to find the best Montessori schools in Chicago. There are over 150 Montessori schools in the state of Illinois, so narrowing your search isn’t always easy if you don’t know where to start.
Despite the size of the city, there are plenty of small, private Montessori schools in Chicago that offer an excellent education. So, we're sharing some of the top Montessori schools that are highly rated by Chicago parents.
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What Is the Average Cost of a Montessori School in Illinois?
One of the factors in finding the right Montessori school for your child is the cost. Even though Montessori schools can be expensive, there are many benefits to Montessori education and their approach is much different from public schools.
The average cost of a Montessori school in Illinois is around $12,000 a year, although the tuition will vary by school. Montessori schools typically cost more than other schools due to the specific qualifications of the staff, and the cost of materials. When creating a Montessori classroom, every aspect is intentional to help children become independent and learn from their environment.
Top Montessori Schools in Chicago
There are many Montessori schools in Chicago that offer programs for different age groups and a wide variety of activities. If you’re looking for the right fit for your child, then here are the top Montessori schools in Chicago.
Montessori Academy of Chicago
- 1335 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
- Highly rated for its nurturing environment, engaged teachers, and wonderful community
- Contact school for tuition
Montessori Academy of Chicago offers a nurturing Montessori environment for children from 6 weeks old to middle school. Their school is open year-round. Also, all of their educators are Montessori certified. In addition to their academics, they offer various after-school programs and classes including yoga, ballet, and ukulele club.
The Montessori Academy of Chicago also has informational sessions throughout the year so parents can tour the school to see if it's the right fit for their child.
Near North Montessori School
- 1434 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60642
- Highly rated for knowledgeable teachers, amazing culture, and detailed communication
- Infant $5,338
- Young children: $16,606-$25,114
- Primary: $19,264-$21,727
- Elementary: $21,727
- Junior High: $23,253
Near North Montessori School was founded in 1963 and is one of the oldest Montessori schools in the country. While many Montessori schools only offer programs for younger children, Near North teaches students up to 8th grade. Part of their mission is to prepare students to reach their full potential in an ever-changing world.
At Near North, parents are encouraged to be a part of the school community by meeting with teachers, volunteering in classrooms and at events, and watching their children learn throughout the year.
Ravenswood Montessori School
- 1945 W Wilson Ave #2000, Chicago, IL 60640
- Highly rated for excellent communication, supportive staff, and nurturing environment
- 2 years old: $460
- 3 to 5 years old: $440
Ravenswood Montessori School provides a child-centered learning environment based on the Montessori method. Also, part of their mission is to provide a quality education that includes a challenging and supportive academic environment.
The educators at Ravenswood Montessori focus on language, mathematics, music, and science. They also have designated times for students to learn about technology without implementing screen time.
Chicago Montessori
- 1713 W Cullom Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
- Highly rated for great educators, excellent Spanish program, and vibrant community
- Toddler: $12,350
- Primary: $15,725
- Elementary: $15,725
- Adolescent: $16,775
Chicago Montessori offers programs for infants, toddlers, primary and elementary students, and adolescents. Moreover, all of the educators are trained and certified by Association Montessori Internationale to ensure an authentic Montessori experience for each child.
The Association Montessori Internationale, or AMI, is the organization Dr. Maria Montessori founded to teach her method to others. Chicago Montessori is the only Montessori school in Chicago that has an AMI accreditation for children up to 12 years old.
Gateway Montessori Chicago
- 4041 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
- Highly rated for caring atmosphere, authentic community, and highly-trained staff
- Community: $11,988-$14,952
- Children’s house: $10,918-$13,868
- Elementary: $15,122
Gateway Montessori Chicago is a not-for-profit Montessori school that offers three different programs for students. Specifically, the Community classroom is for children 15 months to 3 years, the Children’s House classroom is for children ages 3 to 6, and the Elementary classroom is for children 6 to 12.
All Gateway Montessori educators are specifically trained in the Montessori method and work as facilitators in the classroom to help children reach their full potential. The school campus includes a fenced-in area for outdoor play and gardening and a large, open communal area for children to learn and explore together.
In the News
On July 26, 2023, Chicago Parent published an article going over several great Chicago schools that parents could send their children to. Gateway Montessori was included on their list. The article noted the “vibrant” neighborhood that the school resided in, along with the child-centered programs the school featured.
Pink Tower Montessori School
- 3420 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
- Highly rated for small class sizes, caring teachers, and beautiful facility
- Sunshine room (2-3) $1,315-$1,675
- Rainbow room (3-6) $1,310-$1,575
Pink Tower offers a Montessori program for children ages 2 to 6. With each child, they focus on order, concentration, coordination, and independence as they learn to explore the classroom environment.
This Montessori school provides children with an authentic Montessori learning environment that includes activities such as outdoor play, piano lessons, and Spanish lessons.
Montessori Gifted Prep
- 4754 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60625
- Highly rated for diverse learning environment, authentic Montessori experience, and highly trained teachers
- Contact school for tuition
Montessori Gifted Prep offers a unique, academically-rigorous Montessori program for children ages 2 to 6. Their curriculum focuses on critical thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and creativity.
Through their academic program, their goal is to help prepare young children for the Chicago Public School’s gifted program. Montessori Gifted Prep offers a trilingual immersion program as well as a full arts and science enrichment program.
Guidepost Montessori at West Loop
- 1000 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
- Highly rated for caring staff, excellent communication, and academic-focused education
- Contact school for tuition
As part of the larger Guidepost Montessori network, Guidepost Montessori at West Loop is a trusted Montessori school in the Chicago area. Their academic program is rigorous and includes a range of activities to help children explore the world around them.
Guidepost Montessori at West Loop offers programs for children 6 weeks to 6 years old. They have a diverse school community and often take the students on trips to places such as Mary Bartelme Park and the West Loop Chicago Public Library.
Lincoln Square Montessori School
- 2953 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
- Highly rated for caring teachers, supportive community, and positive learning environment
- Sunshine room (2-3) $1,320-$1,690
- Rainbow room (3-6) $1,310-$1,590
Lincoln Square Montessori School accepts children between 2 and 6 years old. Each day they aim to follow the Montessori method by “following the child” and focusing on letting students take the lead in the classroom.
Students get to spend a large portion of their day outside to help foster their creativity and independence. In addition to their academic programs, they also offer extra-curricular activities such as music lessons and Spanish classes.
Wonder Montessori School
- 6717, 5630-5644 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60646
- Highly rated for its outstanding learning environment, patient educators, and quality education
- Infant and toddlers: $1,730-$1,850
- Toddler and twos: $1,325-$1,700
- Preschool: $1,130-$1,370
As a member of the American Montessori Society, the administrator and educators at Wonder Montessori strive to create an authentic Montessori experience. The curriculum is specific to the developmental needs of each age group, from infancy to preschool.
Wonder Montessori has been open since 1993, but their mission has stayed the same. They aim to create a diverse environment for young children that helps them grow into creative and competent life-long learners.
Conclusion
When you’re looking for the top Montessori schools in Chicago, there are plenty of schools to choose from. Factors such as tuition and reviews from other parents might impact your decision. The sheer number of options can be overwhelming, but hopefully, this list of top schools in Chicago helps you find a Montessori school that’s right for your family.
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