West Suburban Montessori is a community committed to providing an exemplary AMI Montessori education to children from birth through adolescence. The highly qualified and AMI Montessori-trained faculty work in collaboration with each child's caregivers and the local Oak Park/River Forest community to support the physical, intellectual, and emotional development of each child, both in and out of the classroom.
At West Suburban Montessori School, we believe that a quality Montessori education is an aid to life, and that in committing to the education of the whole child, we are committing to building a better world for future generations, and, ultimately, a more peaceful world. Each primary and elementary environment is led by a dedicated, AMI-certified guide.
At West Suburban Montessori School, we believe that a quality Montessori education is an aid to life, and that in committing to the education of the whole child, we are committing to building a better world for future generations, and, ultimately, a more peaceful world. Each primary and elementary environment is led by a dedicated, AMI-certified guide.
Services
For over 30years, hundreds of families have chosen to become a part of our vibrant community. We are accredited by the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). AMI was created by Maria Montessori in 1929 to preserve the integrity and standards of her work with children. WSMS was incorporated in 1988 by Mrs. Niranjana Bashyal, a teacher-trainer, with the intention of providing the Oak Park community with a traditional AMI Montessori School.
Exercises of Practical Life: Direction provided by a Montessori-trained Directress helps the child to coordinate his or her intelligence, will and movement by offering activities which are intelligible to the child, appealing, and manipulative. These activities are called the Exercises of Practical Life and are familiar to the child.
Our AMI Montessori School embodies the educational principles established by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870- 1952), an Italian physician who dedicated her career to the study of children. She understood that, given the proper environment, children flourish, developing practical and intellectual abilities through individual discovery and exploration of language, math, geography, biology, geometry, art and music.
The first step in our admissions process is showing parents our school. We schedule group tours monthly and welcome the chance to show prospective parents the school. Once an application has been submitted, Patricia Eggerding, our Head of School will sit down with parents to answer any further questions.
Our family is so grateful for WSMS, a school that cares deeply about fostering every child's love of learning and one where learning really has no bounds. This school is Sofie's community. Yes, Jaime and I participate as much as we can as parents, but not in the same way the children do. As is part of the design of the Montessori education, WSMS is really the children's community.
Reviews (16)
Tanya P.
Apr 22, 2020
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Our son began going to WSMS last summer and has flourished. He loves school and the community created with his classmates and teachers. The head of the school, administrative staff, guides and aides are all phenomenal. Additionally, the sense of belonging provided for us as parents has been incredible. It isn't simply a school, it is a community of support. We have been so happy with our decision to send our first born and plan to send our second child here, too.
Mariana O.
Oct 22, 2019
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I went through the reviews, to kind of browse before I give mine...I was so surprised by the 2 negative reviews. And not because everyone doesn't have the right of an opinion, but that what caused the negative opinions are so far from the facts! It is true that there are volunteering opportunities and events, but no-one is forced into them. My daughter goes there for 6 years already and I have never felt any forceful volunteering pressure. They do ask, but I am able to pick what I can do considering my work schedule. My daughter has thrived in Primary and Elementary, socially and academically
Jennifer S.
Jan 16, 2018
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All 3 of my kids went here- it's amazing how much they learned and all the different skills they took from there and use every day of their life. The school is very well-run, organized, clean and all of my children absolutely loved it and had a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this Montessori
school compared to all the others in the area, it's hands-down the best!!
school compared to all the others in the area, it's hands-down the best!!
Phil D.
May 08, 2017
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This school is a hidden gem in the greater Chicago area...as good as a Montessori school gets with incredible teachers and strong leadership.
I've had two sons attend here for pre-school. When the school started an elementary program a few years ago, sending my first-grader there was an easy decision. There are a number of things that WSMS does well:
- Nurturing a love for learning: the teachers and the classrooms foster an environment in which a child's intellectual curiosity thrives. Interests in science turn into lessons in math or research projects.
- Teachers' attention
I've had two sons attend here for pre-school. When the school started an elementary program a few years ago, sending my first-grader there was an easy decision. There are a number of things that WSMS does well:
- Nurturing a love for learning: the teachers and the classrooms foster an environment in which a child's intellectual curiosity thrives. Interests in science turn into lessons in math or research projects.
- Teachers' attention
Victoria A.
Dec 05, 2016
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From the moment we entered the gym at the open house, we could tell WSMS was a special place. My normally shy son felt so comfortable and was having fun immediately. At every corner I was pleasantly surprised. His teacher was beyond gifted in her work with the children, the child care staff was caring and good at communicating with us and the school administration was professional, responsive and loving. After our move across the country and my son starting 1st grade I could see how everything he learned at WSMS was giving him a head start in school. His reading and math foundational skills
Mona R.
Oct 05, 2014
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I took my child out of this school after a year in which my child learned little to nothing -- no reading, no math, no numbers, no letters, nothing. We are so very dismayed and disappointed! Now we are scrambling to help my child catch up, though my child is very bright and was reading at a rudimentary level before we enrolled. Still trying to figure out what happened. I had experience with Montessori before this and know that kids with Montessori backgrounds are ahead of the game, not behind. So I know the problem wasn't the Montessori method. I also had an upsetting and somewhat bizarre
Alex H.
Nov 05, 2013
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Its now been several months since our twins started public school at Longfellow Elementary in Oak Park and with every passing week my thoughts go back to WSMS and their experiences there.
What surprises me is how well they handle the structure and homework (!!) of 1st grade considering how 'unstructured' Montessori was? But the fact is that the freedom within structure setup of Montessori kept alive their natural curiosity motivation and when that showed up in the more structured environment of the public school, they just adapted to that behavior, but then RELISH the learning they
What surprises me is how well they handle the structure and homework (!!) of 1st grade considering how 'unstructured' Montessori was? But the fact is that the freedom within structure setup of Montessori kept alive their natural curiosity motivation and when that showed up in the more structured environment of the public school, they just adapted to that behavior, but then RELISH the learning they
Abbey L.
Nov 05, 2013
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There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful that my children have the opportunity to attend West Suburban Montessori School. I'm confident that I'm helping them to become the caring and well-rounded tiny folks I always wanted them to be when I drop them off each morning. And it's more than just an amazing education, and an incredible foundation for learning: it's a community. I'm proud to volunteer and take part in activities at the school, because I believe it's important to model that kind of behavior to my kids. WSMS gives families the opportunity
Jane H.
Nov 05, 2013
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WSMS is a wonderfully diverse school with engaged, enthusiastic teachers and staff. It is a true community school. I disagree with the review that it is difficult for working parents. My husband and I both work and both travel for work as well. We have three young children - one a recent graduate and two currently enrolled at the school. Work / life balance is a challenge for many families including ours, but I have found the staff to be very understanding - even when juggling schedules becomes difficult.
I actually love the rule about no commercial characters. It is less distracting to the students
I actually love the rule about no commercial characters. It is less distracting to the students
Jodi T.
Oct 25, 2013
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Not a good place for working parents. In the span of 6 weeks we were asked 4 times to go to mandatory meetings/events where kids are not allowed, and both parents are expected. They are all about rules (there are a lot!) and care more about dress codes than learning. It's like the Marine Corps. If you don't drop everything and meet them in person they will try to manage you out. They talk a lot about this being a "partnership," but partnership to them is a one way street. They also require you to volunteer, completely missing the voluntary aspect of the word. They have fees
Jaime Z.
Feb 13, 2013
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Our daughter started at West Suburban Montessori School this school year. We are in love with the school. Our family wholly believes in the Montessori education philosophy, and WSMS is Association Montessori International certified. The AMI certification is a big deal; any school can say that they are a montessori school and not really follow the philosophy.
WSMS supports an incredible community, integrating families quickly in a busy world. The school program and child care are both warm and supportive. The environment that has been created is just perfect for 3-6 year olds. The tuition rates
WSMS supports an incredible community, integrating families quickly in a busy world. The school program and child care are both warm and supportive. The environment that has been created is just perfect for 3-6 year olds. The tuition rates
Scott E.
Feb 07, 2013
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Michelle B.
Jan 24, 2013
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My daughter has attended WSMS for 1 1/2 years, and I continue to be impressed by the dedication of the teachers and staff to both the well-being and the education of the children. My daughter spends her whole day at WSMS--first in child care, then in the Montessori classroom, then in after-school extracurricular activities such as Spanish, music, and art, and she ends her day in child care. As a full-time working parent, it means so much to know that she is enjoying her day at school. My daughter has thrived with the variety of opportunities for her to grow and learn every day. In addition
Alma K.
Jul 07, 2011
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My older daughter attended WSMS for 3 years, and now my younger daughter is a student. We've been thrilled with the academic and social progress both girls have made and although we don't use full-time child care, the time they've spent in the child care room (whether on the occasional afternoon or in summer camp) has been filled with happy memories.
We've found the school offers an excellent value and we've made many friends among the highly-involved parent body
We've found the school offers an excellent value and we've made many friends among the highly-involved parent body
Vanessa J.
Jan 14, 2010
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Our son is in his second year at WSMS and we are thrilled with his progress. We plan to send our daughter next year. In addition to being a great, and affordable, Montessori school, the school also has a wonderful community feel. We feel lucky to be a part of the WSMS community. What a wonderful staff, student body, and great parents. Big thumbs up...and a special call-out to our son's teacher, Mrs. Wasik. Highly recommend this school.
Matt C.
Jan 06, 2010
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My son has gone to West Suburban Montessori School for the past two years and I have been very happy with the school. From the first day we visited the school the warmth of the staff, teachers, building and families was very obvious. The classrooms are very big and have lots of sunlight. I have noticed tremendous growth in my son- from simple motor skills to more complex math and reading basics. Most importantly, my son loves the school and his teacher. I look forward to having my other son starting at WSMS next year.
