Montessori Academy Of Chicago

Montessori Academy of Chicago describes its teaching philosophy as an authentic, child-centered Montessori approach in which students take the lead in their own learning, with an emphasis on independence, self-discipline, self-motivation, and grace and courtesy. The school highlights prepared environments, freedom within clear structure, active hands-on learning, teachers as guides and facilitators, mixed-age classrooms that support mentoring and leadership, and a focus on developing responsible, self-assured global citizens. (montessoriacademychicago.org)

Montessori Academy of Chicago says families should begin with a one-on-one tour or an Admissions Coffee Chat held every other Wednesday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., then apply either through its online Transparent Classroom application or by submitting a downloadable form; after availability is confirmed, the school sends an Enrollment Agreement, and a signed agreement plus a non-refundable $1,000 deposit secures the spot. (montessoriacademychicago.org) Published timing is program-specific: pre-natal/infant, nursery, and primary applications are listed as rolling, children are placed for the academic year based on their age on September 1, and the downloadable elementary and middle school materials list January 15 application deadlines. (montessoriacademychicago.org) Requirements vary by division: primary applicants with school or daycare experience are asked for a current or recent teacher recommendation, while elementary applicants must submit three teacher or school-personnel recommendations, a signed records release, any relevant evaluations or IEP/504 documents, and a writing sample; middle school applicants must provide recommendation letters/forms, records release materials, transcripts from the previous school year, any relevant evaluations or IEP/504 documents, and a writing sample. (montessoriacademychicago.org) I did not find a formal public waitlist policy on the admissions page or application materials; instead, the school says it will contact families about availability after receiving the application and fee, and the pre-natal form asks whether a family wants to be considered if space opens earlier than needed. (montessoriacademychicago.org) I also did not find any publicly stated admissions priority categories; the forms collect sibling information, but the website materials reviewed do not explicitly say that siblings or any other group receive preference. (montessoriacademychicago.org)