Quest Academy

500 North Benton Street

Palatine, IL 60067

51 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-8
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 17, 2020

Our 8 year experience with Quest Academy has been nothing short of magical. Not only has it fostered a fearless joy for learning in our child but has laid an extremely strong foundation of her character with their robust character education program. The faculty is exceptionally talented and pours its hearts out to nurture a child's intellect and cultivate newer passions. Whether it is technology, sciences, social sciences or fine arts like drama there are enough avenues that can be explored by each child - be it as part of the school curriculum or through a plethora of clubs/after school activities. The current administration has an excellent pulse on the unique strengths and needs of each child in a small gifted environment, and has done a phenomenal job in keeping up with the growing academic/non academic demands of our ever evolving world and education system. It truly has been a transformative experience for our child and I would strongly recommend! Go Knights, Go Quest!! .
Submitted by student on February 06, 2019

I am an alumna who had an excellent experience at Quest. I was challenged every day and given social opportunities in a good environment. 5/5!
Submitted by parent on December 26, 2018

Our kids have been at Quest Academy for the last two years and we and they have had such a wonderful experience so far! Our kids LOVE going to school everyday because they are being challenged while having fun. The small classroom sizes allow the teachers to differentiate within the classroom. Each student is having a personalized education which is what each student should have. Students are supportive of one another and help and encourage each other throughout the day. The resources at Quest Academy allow the students to be exposed to much more than they would at a high rated public school. Students as young as three are learning Spanish, there is a virtual reality lab, and technology time. All students take art, music, and drama which provide a well rounded education. We know many families who have left Quest to try out the nearby high ranking public school just to return to Quest because the quality education and opportunities at Quest do not compare to anything else. The teachers are all incredibly kind, loving, and compassionate and every teacher has multiple degrees and certifications. The teachers really know our kids; they know their strengths and areas of opportunity and guide them so they are reaching their maximum potential and exceeding their goals. We also appreciate the emphasis on character education where students are encouraged and taught to have gratitude, generosity, self discipline, honesty, modesty, respect, patience, responsibility, courage, industry, compassion, and loyalty. They spend their time serving the community and put together various service projects throughout the year. Lastly, the community at Quest Academy has been another positive aspect of the school. Our kids have developed many close friends and we have built strong relationships with other parents. There are plenty of school related activities and programs to help engage the families and students. The school is very ethnically and socioeconomically diverse. Students travel from near and far to be at Quest passing other comparable gifted schools in the Chicagoland area to be at Quest Academy. Overall, we have had only positive experiences at Quest Academy. Transferring our children to Quest was the best decision we made and one we wish we made sooner.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2018

As the parents of two kids who attend Quest Academy, we’ve had a great experience so far. The staff and faculty are amazing and very qualified when it comes to gifted children. We’ve been at Quest four years with and each year we’re happier as parents. Our kids also love it. We really appreciate how Quest personalizes the learning experience for each child. It’s a great school with very strong academics. Also, the families of Quest children become fast friends and we all spend a lot of time together. We highly recommend it!
Submitted by parent on October 02, 2018

My daughter graduated this past year from Quest. Thankfully, we found the school when she was in first grade. I can not say enough about the faculty and staff at Quest. They have laid an incredible foundation for her not only academically but morally as well. The Quest community is an amazing community of dedicated teachers, children and parents who highly value education and character development. Thank you Quest!
Submitted by other on September 28, 2018

Excellent. As a former student of Quest, I can constantly see my Quest education at work- even decades later. My well rounded education exposed me to different people, situations, and facets that I would have never been shown at any other school. I am extremely thankful that my parents sent me to Quest.
Submitted by parent on September 24, 2018

Our child has attended Quest since Preschool and the school has been a real blessing in our lives. As someone who has worked with kids and teens, I know what happens when smart kids are not challenged. They get bored, frustrated and often give up. Quest has challenged my child in multiple dimensions and she has been allowed to thrive in a peer group that keeps her on her A game.
Submitted by parent on September 23, 2018

Quest is an amazing place. Our child has attended Quest since Kindergarten and it is the best decision my spouse and I have ever made. He is now a fifth grader and we can't imagine him being at any other school.
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2018

Satisfying and enriching to see our kids develop comprehensively
Submitted by student on September 22, 2018

It is awesome. I have gone to quest since I was in kindergarten and I love it! The teachers make you wait until you are ready to move on to something new which I like, and they also teach you at your own pace. I´ll always remember my teachers here. Overall, I think it is great!
Submitted by parent on September 22, 2018

Amazing! My child went here for 6 years and had an exceptional experience. Quest prepared her well for high school- it used the same textbooks that her first and second year honors courses did!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2018

Quest Academy has proven year after year to be an exceptional school with excellent teachers and an administration who cares about the children’s needs: academically, emotionally & socially. I feel I can speak from the breath of knowledge of having been at the school for 12 years with three different children at different learning capabilities. The teachers know how to differentiate and give each child what they need to succeed. Bullying is not tolerated nor is classroom misbehavior. The main focus is on the children’s achievement as well as sound character. They even have a character education element in their curriculum. I have three years until my last child graduates from Quest Academy and we feel fortunate that this school exists for the gifted children who truly need it!
Submitted by parent on August 07, 2018

Horrible experience. We basically got through the year! It was a terrible feeling to drop your child off each day when you didn’t feel confident that their social/academic needs would be appropriately met.
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2018

I am a parent of two children who go to Quest Academy. This school is excellent! The staff and faculty go above and beyond to help and encourage my children to do their best. There is also a real sense of community and they stand by their mission. I would highly recommend this school to any family.
Submitted by parent on July 29, 2018

Our experience is two fold: school & classroom.We came to Quest because our prior gifted school closed. We were looking for not just a gifted school but a school that also had a culture of respect and compassion where character counted as much as intellect. (Sounds idealistic but why not) We were promised all that and more by the Head of School. He was very dynamic and seemed to truly care about the students. Well he was fired 3 months in with no real reason given. The school abruptly changed its focus away from technology. The school admitted it did not follow its own admission policies in order to increase enrollment. The Board admitted one reason head of school was dismissed was “recruitment”. The Board consistently states the school is financially sound but parents are hounded to give, give, give. The school had to rewrite its policies and procedures because of unknowns and inconsistencies. This school is looking for an identity and the 2 other “gifted” schools seem much more together on their identity. Now the classroom/learning was also a failure. First Grade did not have differentiated learning as promised. Students were not separated in Reading and Math. Parents had to supplement at home with little guidance from the teacher. Classroom behavior was chaotic. Bullying was overlooked and when addressed, very ineffective (blaming the victim/appeasement). I personally observed aggressive behavior (grabbing), angry speech (I hate you), disrespect to teachers (giving no answer or very sarcastic comments). All this is tolerated. As of last year, there was no standard discipline system. Each classroom had their own and it was not reviewed or monitored. We addressed these concerns with teacher and administration many times. I offered to help create some action plans, work with concerned parents. We were given lip service with no action nor follow up. It was very disheartening. Please beware if you are choosing Quest. Ask detailed questions with specific examples. Be hyper observant and take notes as those will serve you well when Quest challenges your concerns. If you are going into First Grade the teachers are the same so be cautious. There is a reason there is now only enough kids for one Second Grade. Our experience was aweful but we are just one family. Please read the rest of our review and then judge for yourself. Enter with eyes wide open.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2018

We moved my son from public school to Quest in the 3rd grade. I wish I’d done it sooner. The individual learning and the breadth of subjects has accelerated his learning and helped him love school. Before Quest he only loved gym. Now his favorite subjects are performing arts, science and Spanish. The teachers focus on individual learning styles and focus on progress of the learner. It’s made a world of difference.
Submitted by parent on May 08, 2018

Our experience was a nightmare. I hate myself for bringing my children to this toxic place. They are all fake people in this school and they truly do not care about your kids. They only care about your checkbook!!!
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2018

Our 2nd grade daughter started at Quest this year after her prior gifted school closed. The closing was very emotional and difficult but we feel so fortunate to have found Quest. Not only do they have a challenging curriculum but they also focus on the social/emotional development of each child. We have a wonderful relationship with her teacher and work as a team when it comes to ALL issues. Besides the typical classes, Quest also offers all of their lower school with Art, Drama, Music and Spanish. Our daughter came home at winter break and could recite the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish with the accent! Needless to say we had so many impressed relatives over the Holidays. We highly recommend this school!
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2018

Our 8th grade daughter has been at Quest Academy since kindergarten. Quest provides a challenging education in a nurturing environment. Beyond the core academic subjects Quest Academy provides all student with music and drama. These two programs do wonders for building confident and well rounded children. Quest Academy was the right choice for our daughter. We wish they offered high school.
Submitted by parent on January 23, 2018

After 11 years, I am now in my last year as a parent of a Quest Academy student. I have seen my children blossom and grow in these years at a school that has nurtured their dreams, built their self-confidence, and created life-long learners with a distinct advantage in high school and beyond. My now freshman is excelling at all honors and advanced subjects, and has been lauded by her teachers for her writing, presentation and research skills. She has been well-prepared for a public high school and is fully motivated to push herself in her learning.I will dearly miss the teachers, administrators and families of Quest as we move to high school - it is truly a community with a singular mission to provide the best education to ALL of our children.