Alcuin Montessori School

My daughter went to this school for 3 years, and I could not have wished for a better start to her education. The teachers are awesome, every thing and every one excelled in all fronts. Great job guys... and happy thanksgiving.
—Submitted by a parent

Love, love, love. There is nothing more I can say about the school. The Executive Director is always available to parents, the admissions/marketing person is very communicative and easy to talk to. Plus the teachers are AMAZING! I can't say enough good things about this place. Our son has never been happier.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is currently in Alcuin's extended day program (kindergarten) I can't imagine not having him here all the way through 8th grade. At Alcuin, he is respected as a human being, and appreciated as a child. The school realizes that everyone learns at their own pace. The new Executive Director is full of inspiring ideas, has an open door policy and embraces parent ideas and suggestions. The Admissions Director is well informed, polite, funny (humor counts for alot in my book) and keeps the parents in the loop with up to date information. We love our son's teacher for her patience and knowledge. Like I said, we can't imagine not having our son here till her graduates 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

We moved to Oak Park so that our son could attend Alcuin. The teachers, staff, parents and students are amazing. It is an amazing environment for a child to develop a love of learning. Why should you consider Alcuin for your child - From their site "Alcuin students are learning how to think, how to make decisions, how to manage their time, work independently, and most importantly, how to be a respectful and compassionate human being" Our son is in his second year and we are extremely happy with our decision to send him to Alcuin. I feel the school does a great job at communicating with the parents about what is happening at the school and in the class room. Contact anyone listed on the school's site at http://alcuin.org/ to learn more. Come join this passionate community and provide this amazing educational experience for your children.
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 kids at Alcuin. Our fifth grader has been here since she was 2, and our little one also started at 2. We expect both kids to attend through middle school because we and they are so happy with the faculty, the (recently improved) staff and even the wonderful old facility. It's the oldest Montessori school west of Boston and its history has made it resilient as well as special. What it lacks in facilities is more than balanced by the rich breadth of program.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attended Alcuin s primary program and I could not have been more satisfied. The teaching is exceptional and I also found the administration to be professional and dedicated. The Executive Director is top-notch. Teacher turnover is virtually nonexistent and the (rather small) turnover in the administrative office has allowed Alcuin to acquire some excellent new team members, including a communications specialist! Donations of time and money are components to every private school experience so I did not find this out of the ordinary.
—Submitted by a parent

Alcuin Montessori offers a fabulous Montessori education to students from toddler - Middle School. I have one son in 6th grade and one in 8th and am so thankful for the school. Not only are my children academically engaged and prepared, but they are involved in the Oak Park community and have become active students and stewards. Their social skills and conflict resolution skills have been supported and developed - they are truly learning how to learn and learning how to live.
—Submitted by a parent

As a former Montessori teacher and administrator, I have been thrilled with the experience my children and my family have had in our 4 years at Alcuin Montessori school. The faculty is loving, dedicated, and philosophically exceptional. Having the choice between sending my children to a top notch city Montessori school and Alcuin, in Oak Park, I have found Alcuin offers the best of both worlds. My children are safe, yet independent, inquisitively respectful, joyfully challenged, and learning and growing at their own pace. I would encourage anyone interested in providing their children with the best of what education has to offer, to explore Alcuin Montessori School and enroll!
—Submitted by a parent

My child loves his teacher (she's wonderful and has so much patience and love) and he truly looks forward to going to school every day. The admininstrative staff is always available and open to answer any questions with a smile.
—Submitted by a parent

My children have been at Alcuin since they were 3 and 4 years old. They are now in 3rd and 5th grades and flourishing, academically and emotionally. They exhibit confidence and grace in the things they do at school, home and elsewhere. I attribute so much of this to the Montessori education they are receiving. Most importantly, my eldest attended 1st and 2nd grades at the Oak Park public schools, and we found the education at Alcuin so much more invigorating. I know my children will reap the benefits of this type of educational inquiry for many years to come.
—Submitted by a parent

We have two children who attend Alcuin one in elementary and one in primary and the teachers are wonderful. Our experience with the administrative staff has been first rate.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been here for 5 years and I'm constantly impressed with how she grown academically, emotionally and intellectually while at Alcuin.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was at another Montessori school for two years and struggled the entire time. I had just about given up with Montessori when I enrolled him at Alcuin. In the month he's been here, he's already begun early reading and cursive. He's accomplished more in one month here than two years at the other school. I am ecstatic and grateful.
—Submitted by a parent

my daughter has been going there 3 years (parent/infant through 1st year primary) she loves it and is an articulate well adjusted kid for a 3 year old.
—Submitted by a parent

Though this school has had some rocky administrative changes in the past few years, that has not prevented the teachers from being incredibly committed, knowledgeable and excellent. A new facility would certainly help increase the appeal of the school, but the quality of education is fantastic and the partnership between parents and teachers to support children is of the highest caliber.

This school's leadership has incredibly low standards. Communication with parents and among staff is virtually non-existent. No one in the administrative staff takes responsibility for running the school so most of the work is left to the parents. The long-time teachers are great, which is the only positive element. There has been increasingly high staff turnover in the past five years, though. Tuition is overpriced and pressure to donate on top of tuition and required volunteer time is outrageous.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has a lot of promise, but it currently is in decline. On the upside, the institution recently expanded to include a middle school program. The teachers involved are wonderful. The primary teachers are wonderful, too. On the downside, the administrative office is in complete disarray. There is no organization or communication. Problems are not handled effectively. There also has been a lot of turnover in faculty at the elementary level, which has had a negative impact on classrooms because there is no consistency.
—Submitted by a parent

This school provides every student with an excellent elementary education so kids can go on and be succesful
—Submitted by a student

Our son has attended for more than 3 years. The school's academic approach is pure Montessori, and the teaching staff to have excellent academic credentials and respect for the students as individuals. School goes up through middle school and tries to build a diverse student body. The building is currently an old church with limited facilities. Make great use of the parents and community resources. Works to highlight the many cultures and languages of the student families as well as Yoga, Art, Language, Cooking, etc. There is a full-time 'learning expert' that provides tutoring and individual attention, who is thought by some to be a little quick to suspect learning challenges like ADD, ADHD, etc. No fenced playground or parking, and a school neighbor has been waging a years-long effort to have the school moved. The tuition is high end of national average but they offer financial aid.
—Submitted by a parent