Discover Montessori, LLC

Discover Montessori is okay, but honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the health environment. The classroom spaces are generally kept tidy because of the Montessori 'order' philosophy, but with the kids constantly sharing tactile materials and hands-on tools, it feels like a total germ swap during flu season. Communication about when a bug is going around the class could definitely be faster; I usually find out from another parent before I hear from the school. Also, being a smaller private setup in that Touhy Ave location, I wish they had more dedicated outdoor space for the kids to get fresh air and run around instead of being cooped up. It's not bad, but I've definitely seen more proactive wellness policies elsewhere.

My son has been at Discover Montessori for a bit now and honestly, I'm pretty impressed with how they handle the germ situation. Since it’s hands-on Montessori, all those wooden toys and materials get handled a lot, but the classroom always feels fresh and you can tell the teachers are big on making sure the kids wash their hands. They are pretty strict about the 24-hour fever rule, which can be a pain on my work schedule, but it definitely keeps the major flu outbreaks at bay in the Edison Park location. Communication is usually good—I get an email if there's a case of pink eye or a cold going around the class. Only downside is the playground can get a bit muddy, but the kids love the outdoor time anyway.