Wheaton Montessori School

1980 North Gary Avenue

Wheaton, IL 60187

18 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-9
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on June 26, 2023

Our daughter has attended Wheaton Montessori for 10+ years, and it's been a great experience for her and our family.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2023

Wheaton Montessori has been an absolutely amazing place for my daughters development as a pre-k student. The teacher's and staff are so dedicated to the students and families. My daughter is not only excited to go to school but is also learning practical life skills and advancing in writing, English, and math almost two years before starting kindergarten! The classroom environment is unparalleled with kids 2.5 to 6 years old learning individually and collectively. I've seen the growth in discipline, critical thinking, independence, confidence, creativity, social skills, and joy in our child already developing faster in just one year. I believe this is a huge result of the Wheaton Montessori experience. There's such a bond between teacher's and students that form's and that extends to the parents and community. Being on the same page as a parent with the teacher's and staff and having regular conversations, connections and participation with the school has been a real blessing as a parent. Having such an open and easy line of communication with our daughters teacher has helped her not only in school but us at home as parents too. Sharing what we've noticed at home and hearing what her teacher's are noticing at school has helped our daughter tremendously and us as parents too. Also as a parent having regular opportunities to connect with other parents has truly made our first year a positive community experience and built new friendships for years to come. I cannot say enough great things about what Wheaton Montessori has meant to our daughter and family in just one year already. I look forward to continuing to see our child grow there in the future.
Submitted by parent on July 30, 2020

I am the father of a 4 year old boy who attends Wheaton Montessori in their primary classroom. This review will note how I have held Wheaton Montessori's response to COVID-19 and how my child, of his own volition in turn, has held these changes as well. Wheaton Montessori has placed higher standards than what is required for their classroom settings by governmental officials. In addition to this, they have also kept the community abreast of unbiased research regarding classrooms and classroom management during the time of the pandemic. When I have felt a concern or held a question, I have been able to reach out to the office and administration to express it through phone or e-mail. Their responses have been prompt and they have taken the time on the phone over long periods of time to address my concerns. Inevitably, this has alleviated my stress/concern as well.My son, on weekends, asks, "is tomorrow a school day?" If I say yes, he says, "Good, I want to get back to work." At home he is faced with a prepared environment of art, building, dirt, playground equipment, chalk, bikes, books, and other forms of productivity including shared activities with myself, his mother, and his younger brother; but, Wheaton Montessori seems to be held in his mind too as a place he feels at home in, challenged by, taken care of, and thus it remains a place he wants to go and asks to go to. Prior to enrolling him in the summer program, we were concerned that he would not wear a mask. This is because he simply wouldn't put one on. However, during the first day, he got acquainted with it and now easily puts it on on his own. He will even wear it at home if there is a visitor who comes by to talk outside. The way in which Wheaton Montessori holds the child during the portion of the week they attend school is of immense benefit through the emotional, social, cognitive, motor/physical, and practical domains of development. We look forward to our days ahead and take comfort in the hope and safety Wheaton Montessori is able to demonstrate and uphold during this critical international crisis.
Submitted by parent on December 20, 2016

We've been part of the WMS community for 2.5 years now and we absolutely love it! The amount of growth and development I've seen in my son is just amazing. We love the sense of independence and the love of learning the school fosters and can't wait for our 18 month old baby to start in January 2018 :)
Submitted by parent on December 17, 2016

We have two kids at WMS and have been there for three years. Very pleased with the school. The teachers and communication are great. After visiting and observing the classrooms, I became convinced that this was a wonderful place and Montessori a superior method.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2016

It has been such a joy watching our kids blossom at Wheaton Montessori. Their independence, compassion, and self-confidence have all grown dramatically. The concrete skills they’ve acquired amaze me—our two-year-old can use scissors and fix himself a snack, and our five-year-old can read fluently, write cursive, and do multi-step arithmetic in her head—but even more than these, I value the curiosity, autonomy, and concern for others that I see being cultivated. The teachers see them, know them, and appreciate them. Mrs. Rogers sends home the most wonderful notes to tell us about the growth she’s seeing in our kids. Wheaton Montessori is a wonderful, wonderful place.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2016

WMS has been a fantastic fit for both of our children. Our experience with the school has been uniformly positive. The teachers and staff are excellent: well-qualified, engaged, and deeply caring. It's been amazing to watch our children grow, not only academically but also socially and emotionally. I am continually impressed by how capable the older children in the classroom are of helping the younger children. It's really a testament to how successful the school is at educating young people. Overall, an excellent school. Highly recommended.
Submitted by parent on December 09, 2016

WMS is incredible! As a former teacher, I cannot say enough good things about this school. The teachers are amazing and their program truly fosters a love of learning. Students take part in the classroom community and take ownership of their education from day one. I have watched my almost-three-year-old blossom into an outgoing and independent little girl who begs to go to school every day (after clinging to me and begging not to go at the beginning of the year). In observing classes, it always blows my mind to see the children moving around the classroom freely, yet all being focused on the work at hand. In a sea of schools moving to curriculums that are heavily dependent on standardized tests from a very young age, WMS stands out as a place where students can explore their own interests and learn the way that children were meant to learn - through exploration of the world around them.
Submitted by parent on December 03, 2016

We've been at WMS for more than three years and are thrilled with the education, faculty, and staff. Our children are thriving personally and academically. The school leadership understands child development and has worked to build a traditional Montessori environment that fosters that development. The teachers are exceptional and truly care about the well-being and growth of each student. The parent community is welcoming and a tremendous resource. We could not be happier with our school and look forward to watching both our children and the school community grow.
Submitted by parent on March 23, 2016

My son has grown in every way attending Wheaton Montessori. WM is authentic Montessori experience, where the whole child is involved in the learning process. Academics is only one slice of the whole pie. They teach executive functioning skills as the child learns how to set up his project, clean up after himself, tie his shoes, learn to stay on task as they complete a project all the way through with an incredible amount of focus. They develop fine motor skills through hands on activities, a very important part of the development process. Kids learn how respect one another in the AMI classroom, which so important and I feel is a lost art in conventional classrooms. And most important, they look forward to going to school every day.
Submitted by parent on February 27, 2016

We continue to be so happy at WMS. Sending our kids here was a life changing decision. Thank goodness we found this wonderful school!
Submitted by parent on July 20, 2014

By far the best decision we have made as parents is sending our boys to Wheaton Montessori. They have attended since age 2.5 and will be entering 4th and 7th grades. As noted in other reviews the staff cares deeply about quality and continuous improvement. They invite feedback from parents and obtain expert feedback through regular review and certification from AMI. The staff is very attentive to the individual needs of our boys. They are are attuned to our boys' strengths and weaknesses and continually strategize with us on ways to develop their talents and address their struggles. We feel truly like part of the team. The parent community is outstanding. We trust them to reinforce the values and lessons that our children learn at school and we can depend on them for support when we are worried or frustrated about the normal struggles we all face. Perhaps most remarkable is the student community. They look out for each other. They attend to others who are upset or hurt. They communicate to correct behavior that is inappropriate. It is amazing to observe and makes us tremendously proud of the type of people they are becoming. In summary, we highly recommend Wheaton Montessori.
Submitted by principal on June 28, 2014

Wheaton Montessori School serves ages 3-15 in authentic Montessori programs that are fully recognized by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). The school is designed to encourage and nurture children in the self-discovery of their world through activities carefully designed to meet their developmental needs at each stage. Our teachers, many of whom have been with us for over a decade, posses Masters Degrees as well as AMI Montessori certification and attend regular professional development training. We consider it our obligation to make sure each and every student is truly known and that individual needs, whether academic or social, are met. We are very proud of what we do and believe that our students and families are well served by our commitment to Montessori principles. We offer two parent/teacher conferences a year, four Parent Nights to learn about what we do, and we welcome parents to visit throughout the year and observe in the classrooms as often as they wish. Class sizes are consistent with AMI guidelines and designed for the optimal experience of the children. Our students love to come to school because this is a school designed for the way they learn naturally. Please call or stop by for a visit anytime.
Submitted by other on June 22, 2014

Mass exodus at this school due to low academics and socialization issues. Class size very large and teachers overwhelmed. Beware of smoke and mirrors. Not recommended by many.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2014

I have 2 kids at WMS; both started at age 2.5 at the primary level. By the time they finished kindergarten, they could add, subtract, multiply, and divide; read fluently; and write "research papers." Finishing 4th and 2nd grade now, they've built on those skills each year and continually impress me with their breadth of knowledge. Teachers and staff are attentive, caring, and always available to address questions/concerns. There are several parent ed. nights each year, 2 formal parent-teacher conferences (though teachers are happy to talk to parents at any time), and opportunities to observe in the classroom. At the end of the year, we get a 6-7 page report for each child, detailing what he learned that year, where his strengths lie, what topics would be helpful to reinforce at home, and how he's doing emotionally and socially in the classroom. Because the school follows the Montessori philosophy, there are no tests, per s . Teachers are constantly observing students and don't need tests to evaluate a child's progress. However, when my older son took the ITBS last year, he scored well above grade level in every area. Bottom line: I could not be more delighted with this school.
Submitted by parent on June 05, 2014

I am thrilled with this school and also responding to the bizarre low rating. I am a state certified educator with more than a decade of teaching experience in local public and private schools, and have chosen WMS for my children. My children are excelling academically and socially. They have challenging work , a caring community in which to learn and some of the most talented and dedicated teachers I have ever met. This school is the best possible learning environment for children and it has exceeded my expectations. I am continually amazed at the work my children bring home. Thank you WMS and we are thrilled about the new junior high!!
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2014

Responding to the negative post that strikes me as nothing short of bizarre. My child graduated several years ago. Public school teachers have commented consistently very positively on his math and science aptitude. Daily work at this school is documented, parent observations are welcomed and encouraged, and conferences are comprehensive. At a recent school function almost all the school's graduates showed up, which is something remarkable in itself. They were obviously delighted to see each other and their teachers. By all reports doing well socially and academically. No mention of tutors. In my work I've interfaced with dozens of schools and have yet to meet a faculty whose commitment and competence approaches that of the staff at WMS.
Submitted by parent on June 02, 2014

I have children currently attending and who have graduated from Wheaton Montessori. I have been very pleased with the education they have received. WMS has given them a excellent foundation of acquired knowledge (that continues to surprise me) but also - and perhaps more importantly - the skills and curiosity to continue learning.
Submitted by parent on April 16, 2011

I have had 3 children go to Wheaton Montessori School and both my husband and I were very happy with the results. The children learn to be confident, independent, and focused. Because it is a follow the child learning style, it worked for each of my children. My gifted child was reading and doing math in the thousands at age 4. My daughter and other son are smart but not quite as advanced.