Guidepost Montessori at Old Town
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.
Phone: 708-441-3831
Email: oldtown@guidepostmontessori.com
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)
Spanish immersion Offered
Guidepost Montessori in Old Town is one of the most trusted Montessori schools in the Old Town neighborhood of 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 in a growing community on the north side of Chicago situated right next to the parking lot of Aldi and walking distance from the Brown line L station. We are just across the street from the Chicago Public Library near North Branch. Our beautiful campus is conveniently located off of West Division St. in the Old Town residential towers and amongst the best of our city's culture and history.
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.
Language Immersion Options
Children under the age of six absorb language effortlessly, which is why we are pleased to offer bilingual environments.
We offer Spanish Immersion Program in
- Toddler
- Children's House
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.
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.
Hear from our Old Town Families
This school has been absolutely amazing, and I couldn't be more thankful for the wonderful staff. I feel like they've gone above and beyond to make my son and my family feel welcome. My son loves going to school so much, and I know he will carry his love for learning with him throughout his life because of his positive experience at Guidepost Old Town. I highly recommend this school!
"Guidepost has been a perfect fit"
Guidepost has been a perfect fit for our pre-schooler! The staff at Guidepost are truly amazing. The guides are compassionate, understanding, and informative. I love the app they use to provide daily updates about what my little one is learning. Since enrolling at Guidepost, my daughter's independence has increased, she's learned skills to more effectively express her emotions when she's upset, and she has learned so many things! Each day on our drive home she tells me about her daily artwork, the fun playground, and the new lessons she learned. Aside from the education component, the community is phenomenal. The school has hosted multiple virtual events, including pumpkin painting and hot cocoa in October and a book fair!
"The best decision we have made"
Enrolling our daughter at Guidepost has been THE BEST decision we have made. We were nervous because she is so young and due to COVID, hadn't been around many other children or had any experience in a school environment but the administrators and guides at Guidepost were welcoming, patient, helpful and kind. After only 3 weeks, our daughter LOVES school and can't wait to go each morning. And we see her developing new skills in front of our eyes. We could not be happier with our experience at Guidepost!
Meet our School Team
Kassandra Koll
Vannesa Ovalle
Gabriela Reyes Casadiego
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!
Start your journey with us
Look Inside Our Classrooms
Interactive Tour
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-
- Dance
- Soccer
- Cooking (upcoming in January 2023)
Campus benefits
Our campus offers
- Free parking during picks ups and drop offs
- Stroller parking available inside the campus
- Big outdoor play area
- A huge indoor gross motor room
Spanish Immersion
We offer Spanish Immersion program in our-
- Toddler Community (2 years to 3 years)
- Children's House Community (3 years to 6 years)
Learn more about our Spanish Immersion program here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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