Montessori Learning Center of Edison Park

We moved schools (from Near North Montessori to MLCEP) because we moved to Edison Park. The head mistress, Ms. Soosan, is patient, knowledgeable, and caring. Ms. Soosan has made things as convenient as possible for working parents. Drop offs can be done fairly early (I think 6:30…but I’m not sure cuz my husband drops off our son later) and pick up as late as 6:30pm. It’s year around, including most holidays. Snack and lunch are included in the tuition! Another thing which my husband and I appreciate is that the parent teacher conferences have evening hours, and that assemblies (2x per year, Christmas and the end of the year) on the weekend because we both work and taking off isn’t feasible. Additionally, for an extra fee, our 3, now 4 year old son, takes dance classes once a week. They have also done 2 field trips so far this year (which I have to admire because that’s got to be a challenge with so many little, little kids)!
Note on managing behavior problems raised by another reviewer: Our son was having problems at his other school due to sensory processing issues (he’s a seeker… not an avoider so he can get overly affectionate, loud, and active), but here these have seemingly not been an issue. While at his other school there was an underlying expectation that kids should be generally quiet and calm (even at 2 years old), at this school, my son can be his exuberant self (within reason)! The staff at MLCEP is caring but at the same time not too soft. My son would run over (and did at his old school) someone who is too soft. There has to be a balance between nurturing and firm and I think the teachers strike a nice balance so that the kids have fun, able to be themselves without developing bad habits. When I have needed to get feedback (complete Sensory and behavior profiles) for my son, they have been promptly completed. Both teachers and Ms. Soosan have also been reassuring and helpful. Having now been a parent at two Montessori schools, I would say that MLCEP has what’s great about Montessori while still having enough structure in place so that it’s not a free for all for more energetic kids (like my son).

This is truly a center for learning in which the children’s educational and emotional needs are the driving force. The director has dedicated her life to early childhood education and it shows. My three children all attended for 3 years. Not a place for high maintenance parents — it’s all about the kids here. Very reasonably priced and a great mix of families from both the neighborhood and some that come from a distance because they have seen the value in what MLC is offering. Highly recommended! Their biggest weakness is that they are so focussed on the kids I’m not sure they advertise themselves enough or show off. They are truly implementing the Montessori method and the results are amazing. A family run school that truly cares for your children as they would their own.

I am very happy with this school for my children. As an educator of 15 years, I find that the learning environment is extremely conducive to real learning, and the staff is friendly and courteous. In terms of the one negative review posted here, my son was bullied by the child of that parent for a month, and I let it go thinking that it’s going to be a part of my son’s life, so why not learn how to deal with these issues early? What a mistake that was! That child entered my son’s dreams and our whole family lost sleep for countless nights. I met with the father, and his response was «Boys will be boys, right?» Next, I went to the director, Ms. Soossan, who is FABULOUS!
Immediately, I had my son removed from the room, and his disposition about going to school completely changed. My son is so happy, that recently, I had my daughter enrolled in the school (in another room), and the two are so happy there that getting them dressed to go home is difficult! Ms. Peggy (in the Green Room) is one-​of-​a kind in her caring and loving behavior. My 2-​year-​old loves her. My 4-​year-​old went from a total introvert to just the opposite (in a good way), and now we call him «Mr. Social.» The school and the program are fantastic, and I highly recommend it.

Wow. My child did NOT share the experiences described by other reviewers, and I did not see what you all saw. I did at first, actually. I liked what I saw. My son was thrilled to start school and seemed to love his time there.
Eight months later, we were called in for a meeting and told that for the past four months, our son’s behavior had deteriorated, and they felt he needed to see a neurologist for evaluation. I asked why this was our first formal conversation on the issue, and I was told they prefer to gather extensive evidence before meeting with parents. (‽) I suggested a more consistent system of communication to correct some of the problematic behaviors they were seeing, and this idea seemed unusual to them. Right to the brain doctor is apparently the more sensible approach? And the more I resisted their rush to hand my son off to the medical profession, the more severity was used to describe his situation. They implied autism before the end of that meeting. «Well, you know… he doesn’t like to make eye contact…»
My son’s problematic behaviors included running out of the classroom to say hello to kids in the hallway or to try to bait the teacher into chasing him, throwing a paper plate like a frisbee after eating his lunch, and getting up during naptime because he hadn’t fallen asleep. Problematic in a preschool setting? Yes. Fodder for neurology? Not quite. And clinically opposite of behaviors evident in most children with autism spectrum disorder, for what it’s worth.
I have two degrees in education and seventeen years experience in top-​tier schools. I have no problem acknowledging and working to correct issues with my children. I also don’t rattle easily.
They agreed to a simple behavior checklist system. Within two weeks, the problematic behaviors had vanished. We were able to correct bad behaviors and reinforce and reward good ones. Crazy, right?
At this point, we began our search for a new school. The director of MLCEP made a dismissive noise when I told her where we were transferring our son, but he has yet to need that trip to the neurologist.
If your child has an excellent experience at this school, I’m happy for everyone involved. But I get the sense that kids who need something beyond what they find easy and convenient to deal with are outsourced for diagnoses and medication, as I have heard of similar experiences at this school.

My daughter learned so much there and I can’t wait to send my twins. The staff is great. The whole Montessori approach of learning gives the kids an edge as my daughter has now just completed her first year of kindergarten.

The staff at Montessori Learning Center of Edison Park cares about their students tremendously and treats them as their own. The director goes out of her way to accommodate working parents. Kids are encourage to develop at their own level, so for instances my daughter was extremely verbal so they identified ways to encourage her to continue to develop that strength; however at the age of 2 she showed little interest in potty training so they offered suggestions on how to approach the situation. One of the highlight of attending MLCEP is the holiday show. The staff and students work very hard to prepare this amazing show. I was simply amazed by each class and my daughter still loves to watch the video of the show. For the price, MLCEP cannot be beat. I encourage you to consider them if you are interested in a Monetessori education for your child.