Looking for the best Montessori schools in Chicago? A Montessori education can set the foundation for your student’s later success. The education method prioritizes a children’s physical, emotional and social development as well as their intellectual growth. And while Montessori teachers might teach the same basic skills and subject areas, every lesson takes an integrated approach.
To help families make informed choices, this list highlighting the Montessori schools in the Chicago area, uses a combination of publicly available data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau, along with community reviews, survey feedback, and academic performance indicators such as test scores and college readiness.
Read on for our unranked list of the best Montessori schools in the Chicago area.
Featured Montessori schools in the Chicago area
In this section, Chicago Parent’s advertising partners share their top school offerings.
Council Oak Montessori School
- Address: 2521 Grove Street, Blue Island
- Phone: 708-926-9720
- Grades served: Ages 3-Middle School
- Number of students: 60
- Type: Private School, Montessori School
Council Oak Montessori School’s thriving outdoor environment showcases the transformative power of connecting with nature. Through planting native vegetation with students, fostering bird habitats, and engaging in hands-on outdoor activities, the Montessori school—located along the historic Cal-Sag Channel in Blue Island, Illinois—creates an environment where children can understand and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.
In addition to its PreK–8 advanced academic Montessori program, Council Oak offers a diverse selection of immersive experiences centered around music, Capoeira, and nature. These thoughtfully designed programs empower children to grow with confidence and curiosity.
More Montessori schools in the Chicago area
Beacon Academy (A+)
- Address: 1574 Sherman Ave., Evanston
- Why it stands out: A college prep environment paired with a strong sense of community sets Beacon Academy apart. This private school is known for its high level of academics and close-knit student body.
Based on Montessori principles, Beacon Academy celebrates the whole-child while challenging students to rise to their potential. The private school serves students in grades 9-12 from across the Chicago area.
In the higher levels, students are offered the International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and may also follow the Experiential Learning (XP) track, a program unique to the academy. XP is a two-year social science and English program that brings real-world learning into the classroom. Many XP students also choose to take IB classes.
Joliet Montessori School (A+)
- Address: 1600 Root St., Joliet
- Why it stands out: Joliet Montessori School offers students an excellent education in a small school environment.
This school located in Crest Hill serves about 70 students in grades PreK-9. With small teacher to student ratios in an intimate school setting, parents can be sure their child is given ample attention.
Joliet Montessori School teachers focus on educating the whole child. From ages 3 to 12, children tackle big ideas in the classroom.
The school’s elementary students are grouped into two classrooms: lower elementary for first through third grade and upper elementary for fourth through sixth grade.
Montessori Academy of Chicago (A+)
- Address: 1335 W. Randolph St., Chicago
- Why it stands out: This school’s modern facilities paired with its innovative Montessori programming makes it a top choice for families.
Montessori Academy of Chicago is a standout school located in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago.
Children (infants through eighth grade) learn in a 48,000-square-foot facility with very small class sizes. The school uses Columbia University’s Reading & Writing Project from kindergarten through sixth grade within the Montessori framework.
Plus, older students visit the Nature’s Classroom Institute in Wisconsin for an entire week every year.
Ancona School (A+)
- Address: 4770 S. Dorchester Ave., Chicago
- Why it stands out: Small class sizes and an innovative curriculum make this school stand out.
Ancona School serves grades PreK-8 in a 15,000 square foot facility in Chicago.
Social justice is part of the framework of this school’s curriculum. Students learn from voices from all over the world in order to diversify their learning.
The school’s environment is led by teachers committed to an anti-biased education–they focus on culturally responsive teaching.
Near North Montessori School (A)
- Address: 1434 W. Division St., Chicago
- Why it stands out: This school is one of the oldest Montessori schools in the county and boasts excellent facilities.
Near North Montessori (NNM) School cares for and educates students as young as infants through the eighth grade from its four-story Division Street school.
NNM was founded in 1963 and is one of the country’s oldest Montessori schools–students benefit from its decades of Montessori practices.
The school has standout facilities: two gyms, a STEAM innovation space, rooftop urban farm, four music practice rooms, indoor swimming pool and tons of playspaces. For students interested in the performing arts, the school also houses a 300-seat theater.
Intercultural Montessori Language School – Chicago Campus (A)
- Address: 114 S., Racine Ave., Chicago
- Why it stands out: A rigorous dual-language program for young learners makes this Montessori school stand out.
This PreK-8 Montessori School is also a dual-language school.
Students learn Chinese, Japanese or Spanish as well as English. The school says the neurological benefits of language learning makes their students more successful in other academic areas.
The school’s intercultural teaching staff is made up of Montessori-certified, native speakers.
Forest Bluff School (A)
- Address: 8 W. Scranton Ave., Lake Bluff
- Why it stands out: A well-respected Montessori education in a setting taught by experts of the program.
Forest Bluff School serves children from birth through grade eight. The school was founded in the 1980s and has since grown into a well-respected Montessori institution.
Students at Forest Bluff school experience the full-fledged Montessori method in a picturesque setting. The school’s leaders are Montessori experts and some have even written books on Montessori methods.
Rogers Park Montessori School (A)
- Address: 1800 W. Balmoral Ave., Chicago
- Why it stands out: Great facilities and a team of experienced, caring teachers make Rogers Park a top school.
Rogers Park Montessori School serves children ages 2-14 in a welcoming community located in Andersonville.
Students learn from a cohort of teachers who hold degrees, are Montessori-certified and have years of classroom experience. The space is devoted to a holistic education–from the rooftop playspace to the gymnasium.
Students thrive in this school’s caring environment founded on Montessori principles.
Countryside Day School (A-)
- Address: 1985 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook
- Why it stands out: This school’s setting stands out–students take advantage of the picturesque four acre campus.
The picturesque Countryside Day School sits on four acres of wooded terrain. Students learn in a continuous Montessori program from 16 months through sixth grade.
Students learn to ask big questions in expansive indoor and outdoor spaces. There, children explore, collaborate and discover at their own pace. A team of caring, experienced teachers work to facilitate each child’s learning.
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