Ancona School

Ancona is a truly exceptional place with strong leadership, exceptional teaching, and a warm social environment. All of these basics facilitate what the school is all about -- creating in each student an open-minded, confident, creative risk-taker. I have a sixth grader and a fourth grader in the school now. But prior to arriving at Ancona, we had sampled four other schools. No comparison. Ancona manages to balance the many important aspects of cultivating young minds and emotions: academics, self-expression, importance of community, skills, play, values, self-discipline and respect . . you name it. Strongly recommended to anyone considering a move to Chicago or a shift from another local school.
—Submitted by a parent

A wonderful, nurturing school. Each child receives individual attention and support as he/she develops into in a critical thinker.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so happy with Ancona. Our kindergartener is reading out loud, says math is fun, knows all the countries in South America, and talks about civil rights. What an amazing place! The teachers are kind and patient and can handle a "spirited" child. The community is incredibly diverse. Choosing Ancona was absolutely the right decision.
—Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's sixth year at Ancona. We love the small, nurturing environment, the commitment to peace and social justice, and the truly exceptional teachers. I understand that this sounds like an advertisement, but really each one of those things is true. The curriculum is challenging, the teachers can meet individual students at their own level, and my daughter is developing her abilities to work with all her classmates, not just her friends.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent, I see the academic and personal growth in my children practically everyday. I really like all the opportunities for parent participation.
—Submitted by a parent

Ancona is simply an amazing place. I have never found another school so committed to children's individual learning and development.

I have never seen a private school in Chicago so diverse. The teachers are more concerned with how your child thinks and relates to the world around her versus the latest gadget or trend. One of the best educational institutions that focuses on the whole child.
—Submitted by a teacher

The curriculum is nice, but you're treated differently depending on how much money and influence your family has. I remember the politician's, lawyer's and doctor's children being treated better and chosen for more things than me and my lowly mail carrier / elementary school teacher parents who saved every dollar for me and my siblings to go here.

Ancona is a wonderful creative school. The staff is fantastic. Are experience at Ancona has been entirely positive.
—Submitted by a parent

Because at Ancona, children are educated wholistically. They're taught to think critically about the world around them, and the exposure to all facets of life and education are presented in everything done within the school. The faculty is phenomenally brilliant, and they enjoy sharing themselves and what they know to the children and their families. All schools should model The Ancona School!
—Submitted by a parent

Because our kids love going to school...
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her third year at Ancona as a second grader. Her positive overall development I attribute in a large part to Ancona. She is an engaged, empowered and balanced child, but even more importantly she loves to learn.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our 1st year at ancona and my son is in the pre-primary program (K) and he's having a wonderful experience. The teachers/staff are wonderful and really take the time to get to know the children. My son is thriving in this environment. A wonderfully diverse community.
—Submitted by a parent

They truly put the child first, the whole child!
—Submitted by a parent

Every day that I drop off my daughter, Ancona makes me happy. She is flourishing in her class with a fabulous pre-primary teacher. The Montessori style combined with the best of progressive and caring education is awesome. Also, Ancona is super diverse, both racially and economically, so our family fits in very well there.
—Submitted by a parent

I was a parent of two students at The Ancona School (PK through 8), who loved Ancona and made many friends there, both students and faculty. I also taught there myself for 5 years. It is an exceptional school, focusing on the whole child. Very parent-involved also.
—Submitted by a parent

Wow. This is our second year at Ancona and we cannot say enough about the teachers, the administration and the curriculum. We always feel welcome, the teachers engage the children in projects that have so much depth it is amazing. Great place for above average learners, the teachers keep the children challenged.
—Submitted by a parent

After 4 fours of experience with Ancona (one child who recently graduated and one who is an 8th grader) I continue to be impressed by the degree that programs are tailored to the needs and ability of each child. I also am impressed by the racial, social, and economic diversity within Ancona's educational community.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children that attend Ancona School. I am pleases with the teachers and their use of a curriculum that constantly challenges my children to think and work as problem solvers.
—Submitted by a parent

Ancona has been a pleasure on so many levels. The teachers are committed, passionate and truly gifted with children. The curriculum is innovative and student centered -- yes they teach the basics and core curriculum -- but the kids get to express their interest in various subjects and delve into the topics that interest them at deeper level. The school encourages the students to take academic risks and try new ideas and as a result they have exceptional problem solving skills. The school is small and nearly every teacher and administrator knows every student's name which means that every child is well cared for.
—Submitted by a parent