Avery Coonley School

1400 Maple Avenue

Downers Grove, IL 60515

21 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 09, 2024

Warning: Before you begin the process of applying be forewarned that this school does not take into account your position on the waitlist. This means that even a qualified candidate for their school - that has completed all the necessary steps in the application process - will get pushed aside for a candidate that might have a 'higher' score than your child. This type of unfair procedure reflects on the character of the school and those who run it.
Submitted by parent on May 24, 2024

I cannot recommend this school enough. My children attended the preschool program and it cultivated them into curious, engaged learners who love to go to school. The campus is beautiful, the teachers are the best I have come across, and the individual focus that each student receives is incredible. If you have a gifted learner, you’ve found your home at ACS.
Submitted by parent on February 07, 2024

Both of my sons started at ACS in K and graduated from 8th grade. Highly intelligent children NEED a place like Avery Coonley. These children need to be challenged and have to know what it is like to work hard to achieve academic success. Too often, high-IQ kids are bored in school and become disengaged or lazy. My sons needed ACS to value the importance of hard work and dedication to their classes. Due to the challenging course work, the skills they learned at ACS provided them with the tools to go on to have successful high school and college careers. In addition, smart kids need to be where it is "cool to be smart". At ACS, students can just focus on academics without some of the external garbage you can get at some public schools.
Submitted by parent on August 26, 2020

A total zero. In short, Avery Coonley school claims to be a "gifted" school, but doesn't offer basic services to address any learning challenges (which, if you've done your homework, you'll know many gifted children have). They are stuck on a curriculum which was progressive...in the 19th century (no joke - they will proudly tell you about it). They have not updated their curriculum to meet today's gifted child. They are only a good choice for you if your child has no learning challenges, no ADHD, can sit still at a desk and "behave", and is ready to grind through hours of homework nightly. They prune their student body so that when grades and test scores matter, they do well. It's a statistics factory, not a school. In reality, it’s a school for smart, mostly wealthy kids who aren’t necessarily gifted – they just perform well on tests.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2020

This school has been an absolute gift for our entire family. Our two sons go to Avery Coonley and we’ve been a part of this community for the last 8 years. I’m grateful for their experiences here in so many ways, but I would say that the following really encapsulates why Avery Coonley is so special: (1) The teachers are amazing. They KNOW your kids. They get them. During our first parent teacher conference in second grade, the teacher identified something about our kid that we had not realized. Her experience and knowledge led us to a whole new understanding of our kid and changed the way we parented him, for the better. (2) The ethos that mistakes are a good thing. At every grade level, they teach the kids that you can’t really learn without making mistakes, that you need to take risks and get out of your comfort zone. (3) The whole-child approach. As you would expect, the academics are very strong here. But it is the other aspects they bring to the table that make this such a special place for me. The Music program and the PE program are outstanding. Music and art is incorporated in every project they do. They teach in a truly cross-curricular, project-based, experiential, approach - whether they are tapping maple trees to make maple syrup, or building an Egyptian Mastaba to memorialize a famous person they respect who recently died, the kids are learning by doing and gaining confidence and self-awareness every step of the way.
Submitted by parent on October 25, 2019

I would give the school 5 stars. We are so proud to be apart of this amazing community of teachers, staff and parents who understand and care for the overall needs of each student.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2019

My daughter has been going there for 3 years now. She was at another private school prior to going at Avery coonely. My other daughter goes to public school. so i feel i have a good comparison. In my opinion Avery Coonley is an awesome school. my daughter who would get bored in the other school finds it challenging and fun. in addition to amazing academic coaching( not teaching) she has a fair mix of sports and other activities to engage in. Given the cost i was originally not sure and enrolled as wifey was keen. from year 2 i am all bought in. its worth the money
Submitted by parent on August 05, 2019

My older daughter has been and Avery Coonley since she was in Kindergarten. My younger daughter, since the Early Childhood program (they are currently in 7th & 4th). It has been a incredible experience. My children are confident learners, they are curious and willing to take risks as well as enjoy being challenged. The entire environment at ACS is supportive and dedicated to gifted children being themselves and celebrating their natural desire to learn. The teachers are exceptional. They share the same love of learning as their students and communication with teachers constant and encouraged.
Submitted by parent on December 18, 2018

This is a great school with strong teachers and an effective curriculum that addresses the needs of gifted students. The summer program is not reflective of the school because it is open to anyone. The school only accepts students who have tested above a certain level. Does your child need to be motivated? Yes! This is not a school for everyone or every child. Is your child smart AND motivated? If the answer is yes then check this school out. If your child is smart and not willing to work hard, then look somewhere else. Admission has nothing to do with money. There is a strong percentage of scholarship students. The parents who have given negative reviews have an ax to grind obviously.
Submitted by parent on July 28, 2018

Terrible school. Period. They clearly are removing negative reviews. Their enrollment is way down. We felt descrimiated against at this school. It just isn’t worth it. They are stripping these children of normal childhoods with the outrageous hours of homework. IT ISNT WORTH IT!!! There are other things to learn like good morals. If you are smart, you are smart. There is NO way all these children are “gifted.” Safe your money!!!
Submitted by parent on July 27, 2018

Overall the experience is terrible and not worth it at all. The attitude of management is pathetic. I have enrolled my child in a summer camp. They don't really have any standard curriculum and I felt they are just on par with YMCA and don't deserve to charge any premium. I am not going to put my child ever again and don't recommend anybody to do so.
Submitted by parent on May 19, 2018

Generally poor. Our daughter applied twice to Avery Coonley with the second time Avery Coonley pursuing us.The first time we were told there was one opening and we did not get the slot. Okay, that's fair. A year later, we were called again by the school to apply. We did and went ahead with another shadow day. During the shadow day my daughter finds out that 4 or 5 more students started mid-year when the school told us only one opening was available. We never got a call for any new positions opening during the year.I agree with the reviewers who think its about the money. It truly is.My daughter spoke with one student who commented, "The only reason I'm here is because this is were my parents want me". and he was one of the students who started mid year.They also will not disclosed the number of new students each year, for those so called few openings, who are obtaining financial aid to attend the school. I'm assuming zero to none.Extremely disappointed, a selection process shrouded in secrecy and sad I have to put my daughter through that with the school acting like you almost made it so keep applying when they have no intention of having you if you are needing financial aid.Shameful.
Submitted by parent on June 15, 2017

Our son has attended since Kindergarten and we are very happy with the experience. The environment is inviting and friendly, and the grounds are beautiful. The school does a great job nurturing long-standing community-building traditions while incorporating the latest technology in the classrooms. The teachers and staff know the children well, and enjoy guiding their development. The teachers are experts in their subjects and are passionate about their craft. The school is for gifted and highly motivated learners; the teachers differentiate and individualize in order to meet the child where he/she is at. The peer set in each classroom cannot be matched elsewhere. Avery Coonley is the place where it is cool to be smart and everyone is engaged in the learning process. Our son has thrived here.
Submitted by parent on March 30, 2017

I am saddened that I enrolled my child in this school. The rigorous testing that my child had to go through to get into the program, as well as the screening process was horrific for a 4 year old. Interestingly enough, the people on the admission board have BAs. Almost humiliating for a school that prides themselves on a high level of education. These people are NOT qualified to judge children. Children do NOT get in on their merits or IQ scores, rather who donates the most money etc. The teachers single out the "top" children and put their efforts toward these children. The rest are forgotten. It's quite disturbing for a volunteeeing parent to observe in the classroom. I would NOT recommend this school as a parent of a child who attended this school,
Submitted by other on November 21, 2016

Our children each attended ACS all of the ten years (Jr. K - 8th Group) available to them, and we all love the school. From collecting sap to boil down maple syrup to the 3rd Group overnight to Lake Geneva to the 8th Group trip to France, ACS provides a stimulating, invigorating learning experience. The administration is open and atune to parent concerns, and the staff is observant, energetic, and informed regarding student strengths and needs, allowing kids to accelerate where they are able. Art and music are safe at Avery Coonley, and creativity is encouraged at every level, 2nd graders having as much chance to win the photography contest as older students. My favorite aspect of the school is the family atmosphere of those older students' freely interacting with smaller children, bringing them along in the strong, vibrant traditions of ACS.
Submitted by parent on March 08, 2016

on the kids who are actually smart enough to get into the school on their own merrits.
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2015

Our family loves The Avery Coonley School. Our daughter recently started kindergarten after having been in ACS’s Junior Kindergarten the year before. (Their “Early Childhood” programming starts at 3 years old.) We have been consistently in awe of the teachers’ depth of knowledge into children’s learning, especially as it applies to gifted children. Their emphasis on “educating the whole child”, particularly the social-emotional needs that are often unique to gifted children, is really quite amazing. And, the fact that our daughter will be among like-minded peers through 8th grade is immensely valuable. The newly renovated lower school is beautiful and modern while retaining the charms of the 100+ year old institution. It’s worth noting that our family comes from an entirely public-school background, but we have found the ACS community — parents, teachers, staff, and students — to be extremely warm, welcoming, positive, and down-to-earth. We’re thrilled to be part of this school community for years to come!
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2015

We chose The Avery Coonley School (ACS) because we believe the school teaches its students how to think and not what to think. Both my husband and I are professionals and cannot underestimate the importance of critical thinking skills, analytical rigor, and the pursuit of intellectual curiosity, both in the workplace but also in life. We believe ACS is a special place and it s magical watching our children grow as individuals here and knowing that their love of learning is flourishing.
Submitted by parent on September 18, 2014

Avery Coonley is simply incredible. My daughter loves the school. The teachers and staff are supportive, engaging and talented.
Submitted by parent on November 04, 2013

School is phenomenal. Teachers are committed, enthusiastic, and genuinely concerned about your child. Mr. Barton, head master, awesome and very involved. The students actually love to go to school and love to learn. There is mutual respect amongst the faculty and student. A very unique environment, conducive to learning. Worth every penny!