Midwest Montessori School

926 Noyes Street

Evanston, IL 60201

3 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-K
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on January 24, 2019

We have had our three daughters go through Midwest Montessori. Two of them have graduated through kindergarten, and the third one will be in Kindergarten next year.We are the type of parents who will evaluate and compare all options before making a decision. We visited many other preschools, Montessori or not, public or not, in the Evanston/Wilmette area, and Midwest Montessori stood out.First, the teachers are exceptional. They are patient, encouraging and extremely knowledgeable. MMDS is a demonstration school, so the teachers are actually “master teachers” who are also role models for new teachers. The whole school is completely immersed in the Montessori philosophy, in the original sense: what Maria Montessori taught and wrote, not the edulcorated version that has been simplified or perverted to fit new pedagogical fads, that you may find at other Montessori schools. It is thus individualized to each child, at the same time making sure that the child is eager to learn new things. The kids learn courtesy, dispute resolution, and many useful practical skills. However, they also learn academic topics very efficiently, thanks to wonderful Montessori materials for Math as well as reading, writing, geography and science. When you enter the classroom, it is quiet and orderly. The students are busy, each on their own project, and they always put back their work in place after they finish it. Second, the school is small, with just two classrooms, both of which feel spacious and light with large windows. They only do pre-K to Kindergarten, so the little children do not feel overwhelmed by older ones, and they are the center of attention. Children are in mixed age groups, so the oldest ones mentor the younger ones, thereby creating role models for the youngest at the same time as it builds self-confidence for the Kindergartners.It is a diverse community, with children speaking Russian, French, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Hindi, and of all ethnicity. Because of its proximity to Northwestern University, it also tends to attract academically gifted children, who thrive in this self-paced environment.
Submitted by parent on March 14, 2014

I have a 3 year old at this school. I am one of those who think choosing a high quality preschool is one if the most important things a parent does since preschool is when the foundations are built and the trajectory for love of learning is set. I toured 6 preschools in Evanston (both play based and montessori). While I found a few other schools to be fun, warm and welcoming, the Midwest Montessori School stood out as exceptional. My happiness with the school goes beyond the wonderful little kids and patient & caring teachers. It's the ideal blend of engaging activities, peaceful environment and genuine love of learning. My son loves it there and I couldn't be happier. On another note -- I pick up a friend's daughter at another preschool and she is always coming home with cutesy cookie cutter projects (the kind where all the kids work looks the same) and requests for donations or to buy certain products. I'm thankful that MMS just sends home authentic, original work and they never hit me up for more money. Plus the work/play he does there seems so much more interesting and engaging. This is a true montessori school, true to the montessori principals.
Submitted by parent on March 05, 2012

I have had 2 children attend this school for 3 years through Kindergarten and I have two currently in the program as 3 yr olds who will continue through their Kindergarten year as well and I cannot say enough about this fantastic school. It is a true Montessori approach with wonderfully compassionate, patient and professional instructors. The support staff is the truly amazing and makes you feel as though the school is an extension of your own family. They have a "no fund-raising" policy which prevents the feeling of obligation you get at many other private schools ( even at the pre-school level). My children love attending school at Midwest and my older two have expressed a desire to go back and visit regularly. The school has prepared my 1 st graders well for their public grade school experience and they were above average in their math and reading skills upon finishing their Kindergarten year at Midwest. I feel so fortunate to have my children enrolled at Midwest Montessori Children's House and look forward to the next few years as a parent at this truly magnificent school.