South Loop Montessori School

Faculty is largely great. Administration is above par. Discipline (admin) is terrible. On the surface, bullying and other common problems are not tolerated, as long as students are of the ‘right’ minority. Administration sides with one demographic often. ‘Assistant principal doesn’t like anyone that’s white or perceived as white’, quote from a Hispanic student.

Our son started at Pre-K 3 and now is in the 3rd grade. He loves going to school. His classmates are not all catholic which is not a requirement. Teacher to students ratio is far lower that in any South Loop public schools, so students get more personalized attention, improved academic performance, greater student engagement. Teachers can tailor their instruction to individual student needs, provide more one-on-one help, and identify struggling students more easily. Students also benefit from stronger relationships with their peers and teachers, which can boost confidence and a positive attitude toward learning. The student-teacher ratio has been found to be one of the strongest indicators of student success and engagement. School celebrates the holidays of other religions, so all students feel welcomed. Many parents volunteer and socialize and you can feel that they really care about the school.

I love the school itself. They relocated last year and it isn't in the best area. The teachers really care but they seem to be overwhelmed sometimes due to the extended school hours. My child has been going to this school since 1st grade, and she loves it. The activities, learning courses, programs etc are all amazing. The only bad thing Is some children here can be a really bad influence, and they tend to expose other children to things that children should not speak of.

As new parents at BISC - SL we have been highly impressed with all aspects of the school for your 12-year old daughter. They offer a world-class education with a focus on the individual student, giving them the tools and confidence to learn. What they avoid is the pressure-cooker system of rote learning and memorization that is in fashion at many top private schools. Great new campus in a safe part of Chicago, and an expanding list of sports, make this a great option when considering elite schools in the Chicago.