Longwood Elementary School

I am a parent of a current student at WSD and also a WSD graduate who was so well prepared for high school that my oldest will be the third WSD alum to graduate from the high school in our town with an Associate of Arts degree from the local community college at the same time as receiving a high school diploma. (Thank you to the previous two alumni for showing us the possibility of Dual Credit.)My family's experience of WSD is that school is enjoyable, interesting, and engaging. Two weeks into summer break, my oldest would ask, "when do we get to go back to school?" WSD feels like a second home to my children. A place where they feel cared for and seen, and also an environment they get to contribute to and take care of. A place where they play an important part and make a difference. As a parent, I see a vibrant, caring, kind, enthusiastic, interested student community. My oldest experienced several different academic settings before thriving at WSD. We continually choose this school year after year. I marked Special Education as a 4 of 5 instead of a 5 only because as a small, private school, WSD does not have the capacity for supporting the range of needs that a public school can. That said, my experience is that WSD teachers are well educated to recognize and support diverse education needs in many different directions, including both accelerated math and supporting students with dyscalculia. Each student is challenged and supported to do their best. One of my favorite parts of the academics as a parent is the thorough and multiple-paged semiannual "report card" that we receive. The student's report contains a skills/performance evaluation matrix by each teacher they have, and also a paragraph or two by each teacher about how the student is performing in that subject and developing in the classroom community. Through these mid- and end-of-year reports, it is clear to me that my children are seen and known for who they are and are becoming. WSD faculty and staff are top notch. I recommend this school to anyone, especially if you are interested in fostering a lifelong love of learning and in nurturing the whole child.

Honestly, I cannot say enough good things about this school!! The first day that my 4 year-old son attended the school, he came home happy, cheerful, and proud to be a student of "Montessori school." He felt safe, included, and confident as a new little learner in his classroom. His enthusiasm and interest to learn and explore new things grows everyday. I cannot thank enough his teachers for guiding and encouraging him to learn and explore new things in school. I found everyone working in this school, right from the administrators to the teachers, to be caring, dedicated and compassionate individuals who love working with children. They work tirelessly to support and guide them in order to help them gain meaningful knowledge at their own pace.In short, this school is a hidden gem tucked away in North Aurora road and all parents who want their children to experience authentic Montessori method of learning in a school, should definitely visit and explore this school. I only wish their organization had a prominent website that was solely dedicated to the school and shared their curriculum, vision and mission. Had there been a proper website of this school instead of the "montessori unlimited", we would have enrolled our son long ago when he was 3; we learned about this school from a friend and I'm so glad we visited them soon after. Thus, a prominent website and/or a strong presence in social media will, I strongly believe, help many more families to be aware of this wonderful school that provides authentic Montessori learning experience to children.

This is a great school that keeps children from straying from God's path. The educational philosophy as well as the faith roots are what I seek, great schools, rules and good intentions that keep my children safe in mind and body and stocked and absorbing love every day. I will not let my child leave this great school until he goes to college.