Creative Learning Montessori School

Extremely high turnover for teachers, staff in general. In the last few years the school has lost more than one of their main teachers each year. Only two good ones remain. Unstable environment and constantly changing plans/layouts. They come up with new ideas each year, test them out, then realize these ideas don’t work, change again, etc. Very disruptive for the students to be in such a constantly changing environment. Controversial ideologies are implemented in the curriculum and parents are not given a choice to opt out. If the parents decide to pull their children due to the controversial curriculum, the school steals their $1500 deposit. Families have to pay a $450 “field trip” fee during enrollment for the next school year. During the school year, they cancel field trips left and right , basically stealing the money that the families paid for the field trips in advance. Refunds are never offered. They “charge” for certain field trips for example the Shedd Aquarium and then end up taking the students on a “Illinois resident free day” to the Shedd, which does not cost the school anything, except for the bus fee. They charged families for an overnight field trip to one of the museums ($85) and notified parents later that the museum was under construction and they could not attend the field trip. Nobody ever got their money back! Instead they hosted a “sleepover “ at the school to compensate. The school is run by an emotionally unstable Head Of School, with an enormous ego, who is not interested in any feedback, constructive criticism.

My husband and I transferred our daughters to Holy Family Catholic Academy from another Catholic school in the area. One entered 4th grade and the other entered 2nd grade. Naturally, we were concerned about how the transition would go, but it turned out to be the best experience we could have hoped for.The teachers are knowledgeable, kind, and welcoming. From the very first day, the students welcomed our daughters with open arms, making them feel included and comfortable. The sense of community at Holy Family Catholic Academy is truly exceptional.One of our daughters struggled with reading, and her teacher quickly identified the issue and took action. The school arranged for a reading specialist to work with her twice a week, providing the extra support she needed to succeed. The improvement we have seen throughout the 2025–2026 school year has been remarkable, and her report cards clearly reflect the progress she has made.Both of our daughters have grown academically, socially, and personally. They have become well-rounded students and genuinely love going to school every day. We are incredibly grateful for the caring teachers, supportive staff, and welcoming community at Holy Family Catholic Academy. We highly recommend this school to any family looking for a nurturing and academically strong Catholic education.

We have had three boys graduate from St. Anne School in Barrington, Illinois. Our boys attended St. Anne from 3 year preschool through 8th grade. Our oldest went on to 4 successful academic and athletic years at Barrington High School and is currently a student-athlete in College. The other two boys are freshman student-athletes at Barrington High School. We believe the well-rounded, faith based education they received at St. Anne School is the foundation that has been critical to their success. Especially during these uncertain COVID times, we are forever grateful to the teachers and administration at St. Anne. The teachers at St. Anne kept our boys focused on school from day one of the COVID shut down through 8th graduation. These days are very difficult for young people and the structure, discipline and faith that has become almost second nature to each of them, has been a tool they have been able to use during these uncertain times. We realize as their parents, they do not fully understand this gift from St. Anne; yet we know this gift will always guide and support them through their life.