Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile

Guidepost Montessori develops a fundamental love of learning and equips each child with the knowledge, confidence, and tools needed to reach their highest potential as they grow into independent adults.

View of Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile showing the towering red skyscraper with trees out front and a branded Guidepost Montessori A-frame sign
Magnificent Mile
226 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611 US

Phone: 312-796-9400
Email: magnificentmile@guidepostmontessori.com
Monday-Friday | 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

Programs For:

Nido (6 weeks to 15 months)

Young Toddler (15 months to 2 years)

Toddler (2 years to 3 years)

Children's House (3 years to 6 years)

Elementary (6 years to 9 years)

Spanish Immersion Offered

Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile is one of the most trusted Montessori schools in Chicago.

Indoors, rooms are spacious, bright, and light-filled, creating a warm and calm space for children to work.

We pride ourselves on offering a nature-oriented approach to our programs, providing students with ample time outdoors to explore their creative needs and ideas.

Our school is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Chicago On Illinois Street just a block from Magnificent Mile. We are also walking distance from the famous Navy Pier, Chicago River Walk, the NBC Tower and Chicago Booth School of Business.

We serve families with infants through elementary-aged children, and we welcome your family to our community.

Explore Our Programs

What are the Montessori equivalent names for daycare, preschool, and kindergarten? Daycare corresponds to our Nido program, preschool years correspond to our Toddler program, and the kindergarten years correspond to our Children's House program. Click each image below to read a program overview and discover what your child will learn when they join our school.

New! 2023 Summer Camp

  • Dates: Runs as weekly sessions from June 19 - August 25
  • Camp Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am - 3:00pm (optional extended day from 7:00am - 6:00pm available)
  • Cost: $510 per weekly session
  • Address: Guidepost Montessori at Magnificent Mile, 226 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611
  • Phone: (312) 796-9400

Language Immersion Options

Children under the age of six absorb language effortlessly, which is why we are pleased to offer bilingual environments.

We offer-

  • Bi-lingual program in Nido
  • Spanish Immersion program in Toddler and Childrens's House
  • Bi-lingual program in Elementary

In our Spanish Immersion program, children learn both Spanish and English literacy skills, however, the prevailing language spoken throughout the day is Spanish. The overall emphasis on Spanish rapidly increases fluency, as children feel naturally compelled to communicate with their Spanish-speaking guides. Learn more about our Spanish Immersion program here.

Campus Highlights

Here's a glimpse of the various activities happening at our campus

Extra curriculars

Our campus hosts a bunch of super fun and creative extra curricular activities such as-

  • Robotics and Coding with Techie Kids Club for 6 years and up
  • Creative Movement and Tumbling with Inspired Dance Academy for 3 years old and up
  • Mandarin Chinese language and cultural extracurricular for 2 years and up

Full Size Indoor Play Area

Our campus boasts of a full size indoor play area with age appropriate equipments for children to play with and explore.

It allows children to gain advanced fine motor skills, practice independence in ways that challenges them and contribute to their overall physical and emotional development.

Bright and spacious classrooms

A sneak peak into our spacious, bright and light-filled classrooms.

  • Huge glass windows and doors allow for natural light into the classroom making it bright and welcoming
  • Our indoor spaces are clean, bright, and welcoming.
  • The "Prepared Environment" has furniture that is the right size for children.
  • Each room is full of age-appropriate materials to explore.

Meet our School Team

Head of School, Magnificent Mile

Sarah Silverman

Assistant Head of School

Gigi Hyun

Elementary Lead Guide

Shweta Tejani

Hear what parents have to say about Guidepost Montessori

Changing the world, one student at a time

We are a school where children find the joy in learning — and thus make it possible for them to continue learning for the rest of their lives.

To think mathematically.
To solve problems.
To create things.
To encounter great literature that inspires their character development.
To build themselves as capable, efficacious beings.
To place themselves in history and in society.
To spark meaningful friendships and deep personal values that last a lifetime.

Our goal at Guidepost Montessori is to serve each individual child, to help them realize their limitless potential, and the opportunities they will have to create real and lasting change throughout their lifetime.

young girl sitting at a table in a Guidepost Montessori kindergarten classroom cutting a banana

Hear from our Magnificent Mile Families

I can't give enough credit to Montessori education for my daughter's love of learning, life, and other people. The level of independence she has in cleaning, eating, dressing, and playing at home is beyond what I previously thought possible. So if you take nothing else from this review, look into the approach, and if you happen to be in Chicago, this is the best program of its kind I've seen.

Three kindergarten-aged school girls enjoy a conversation over glasses of milk, while two other students complete activities behind them in the well-organized Montessori classroom.

"Highly recommend this school"

Our daughter has learned numbers, letters, cooking/baking skills, cleaning, setting the table, how to dress herself from the waist down including shoes, how to play with others but also how to respect each others' independent work, and so much more. The guides are absolutely fantastic and so well versed in the Montessori method. I've never noticed any kind of negative treatment or action. They are always willing to stop and talk to us about our daughter's accomplishments for the day. We even feel like they celebrate each one with us.

My husband and I wish we weren't leaving Chicago so that we could send our 2nd baby here soon too. Needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend this school.

Children in a well-organized mixed-age Montessori classroom ponder over an activity using blocks of different sizes, classic Montessori classroom materials

"My kids are having such great experiences at this school"

Our family has been a part of this community for over 2 years, and we love everything. The staff is so caring, hardworking, and genuine - I can go on. My kids LOVE their teachers so much, which is so heartwarming. The classrooms are bright, clean, beautiful, and the gross motor space is huge for children to run around!


My kids are having such great experiences at this school. They care for each of their classmates which is truly special. My 4 year old can read, write cursive, geography, etc - wow!

GIF of stills from the Transparent Classroom app which allows you to stay on top of your kids' daily activities in real-time.

Stay connected to your child's learning

Thanks to our app Transparent Classroom, you get a window into your child’s experience of school daily.

Your child’s Lead Guide will share what your child is learning and what their real-time assessments are - this way you can very closely follow your child’s development throughout the day, months, and years you stay within the Guidepost network. If you transfer from one of our locations to the next, your child’s progress and continuity will be tracked in the app and readily accessible. Read more about Transparent Classroom here.

In this app you will see important notes and milestones such as:

  • Daily toileting, eating (bottle feeding for infants), and sleeping habits
  • Curriculum introduction, progress, and completion
  • End of day summary of all activities
  • Notes such as bringing in more diapers or a new set of clothes
  • Reminders for upcoming classroom events like birthdays, holidays, or special occasions

Interested in becoming a room parent? Let your child's Lead guide know!

Take a peek at our school

@guidepostmontessori_magmile
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What sets us apart from traditional schools

As the largest network of Montessori schools in the U.S., Guidepost Montessori is recognized for its outstanding academic standards, its steadfast commitment to Montessori education, and its deep respect for the potential in every child. At Guidepost, it is our mission to empower and equip your child with the knowledge, confidence and agency needed to reach their highest potential.

Two preschool aged children completing different in-class Montessori activities.

Education for life

Our education provides the freedom and guidance needed to construct a sense of self and purpose through joyful, meaningful work. We support your child in all areas of their development – social, emotional, physical, academic, and beyond.

Three kindergarten-aged school girls and one kindergarten school boy enjoy some laughs while completing a school activity.

Deeply individualized learning

Lessons are carefully structured and designed to appeal to each student's level of development and needs. Our proprietary curriculum gives students increasing responsibility over their learning as they grow.

One guide watches as two preschool aged students complete a Montessori classroom activity.

Dedicated teachers supported by industry experts

Our programming has been designed by leading education experts, and is implemented by passionate, qualified teachers. All of our Lead Guides are required to be AMI, AMS, or PMI Montessori certified and receive ongoing training and professional development.

Shelves are stacked with colorful paper and organized with classroom tools like scissors, pens, paintbrushes and glue. Students complete work in the background.

Carefully prepared environment

At the heart of our school is our belief that children thrive when given freedom and responsibility in environments prepared for them. Guidepost Montessori classrooms are light, airy, calming, aesthetically beautiful spaces. Each material is carefully chosen and carefully displayed — to inspire and entice your child to explore.

 Students gather around a guide on a reading rug as they intake a laptop PowerPoint presentation on metamorphic rocks.

Year-round programming

We think the education of our students is stronger when we can serve the whole family, which is why we are committed to very few closures throughout the school year, and offer extended day options for families.

A teacher helps students learn how to read in a classroom setting, with sticky notes, open laptops and a student on a barstool in the background.

Continuity and mobility

Our schools offer a continuing Montessori education for children as young as 10 weeks through to 18 years old. With a growing network of 100+ schools across the U.S., China and Europe - combined with our virtual and homeschool options - we can support continuity and consistency in your child's education to meet your family's changing needs.

Giving your child the keys to life

Guidepost Montessori offers a unique and holistic approach to education for children of all ages with over 120 brick & mortar schools, virtual and homeschool, and Spanish and Mandarin language immersion options.

Our curriculum fosters independence, creativity, and a love of learning. Book a school tour today and take the first step in giving your child the gift of a Montessori education.

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