Guidepost Montessori at Wicker Park

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.

street-facing view of Guidepost Montessori at Wicker Park school building with Guidepost Montessori branded sign on brick façade
Wicker Park
1530 N Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622 US

Phone: 773-663-4732
Email: wickerpark@guidepostmontessori.com
Monday to Friday | 7:00am - 6:00pm

Programs For:

Toddler (2 years to 3 years)

Children's House (3 years to 6 years)

Spanish Immersion Offered

Guidepost Montessori in Wicker Park is one of the most trusted Montessori schools in Chicago, Illinois. Indoors, rooms are spacious, bright, and light-filled, creating a warm and calm space for children to work. Our school is conveniently located in the heart of Wicker Park, on the corner of Pierce and Damen Avenues.

Explore Our Programs

What are the Montessori equivalent names for preschool and kindergarten? The 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.

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 Wicker Park Families

We are very happy with our choice. We do not live in the area and originally picked it because it offers a three-day - half-day toddler program that was not available closer to us. To be honest, our number one priority for school was schedule and to have her socialize with other kids. We had every intention of finding something closer to home once she turned three (options seemed to open up more!) but our daughter loves it, and we continue to love it! Plus, sometimes when it isn't freezing she likes taking the train. We plan on sending our son when he turns 2 later this year. She is now doing 5 half days in Children's House and we love her teachers.

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.

"Guidepost is a wonderful school"

Guidepost is a wonderful school with caring and attentive staff and administration. You can tell they truly love working with children and are excited to help them learn and grow. My daughter loved her time there, and the extended day programming was especially fun for her! Highly recommend.

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

"My daughter is thriving in the environment"

Love this school!! My daughter has been going here for almost 3 years and is thriving in the environment. The teachers and other aides are amazing and really connect with my child. They help her learn at her own pace and have taught her way more than I could have imagined. She is not even 5 and can write, read, do simple math including multiplication. They use materials to teach her spatial reasoning and a host of other skills. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Get to know the Montessori method and it has a lot more structure than probably people realize. And more than that they teach life skills and how to be kind to others. Highly recommend!

Meet our School Team

Head of School

Alexander Phillips

Assistant Head of School

Travis Neese

Toddler Spanish Immersion Lead Guide

Gladys Contreras

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

@guidepost_wickerpark
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Start your journey with us

Language Immersion Options

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

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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