Montessori Language Academy

We've had nothing but good experiences with this school.  Everyone at the school is very professional and welcoming, and my son enjoys going there.  The feedback that we received from the teachers was actually useful, and allowed us to make changes at home to address some behavioral issues that we hadn't noticed.  We would be sending our son to kindergarten here too, but for the fact that it's a bit of a commute from our house.  We wish we lived closer.

Our daughter just graduated Kindergarten from MLA.   She attended for three years and we are very happy with the school.   They really did a great job during the pandemic keeping the children safe and healthy.   She got an excellent education and fantastic Japanese language training.    Would definitely recommend.

Our 4.5 year old is in her second year at MLA. We are so grateful that she has been able to safely continue to grow at school with her friends and teachers during this strange year, adding proper mask wear & care, mindful hand washing, and other health-and-safety focused skills to her practical life toolkit!

We don't speak Japanese at home, but we incorporate songs and phrases that she has picked up from school, and we sometimes watch Japanese movies and videos, learning together casually at home. Similarly we don't aggressively augment her learning of letters or math, but instead follow her lead regarding what she is working on and enjoying at school enough that she wants to do it at home, too.

It's been wonderful to see her drawings develop naturally, to overhear her speaking with her toys in Japanese, and to know what she means when she wakes us up to say she's "peko peko" every morning. As she's gotten older, we hear more about what she's learning and it is always with such true confidence, contagious enjoyment, and deep understanding: cycles of a pumpkin and a flower, details of different planets and their temperature, and how to cut out a heart (& not waste the folded paper with the outline!).

She has always loved to do things her own particular way, which we have encouraged within the boundaries of safety and kindness -- it's clear that her teachers similarly support (and enjoy!) that individuality, while thoughtfully guiding her towards opportunities for growth in herself and collaboration with others.

Clearly I could go on forever--we love this hidden gem of a community so much! Thank you, MLA!

This is a fantastic school. My child was already  bilingual, but after 3 years of attending this school he is fluent also in Japanese. The teachers are outstanding. Responding to any questions and thoughts immediately. My two other girls were attending different preschool, and I can only say I'm sorry I didn't sent them to this one. This school was our home and we regret we are moving. Thank you teachers!

My child attended MLA from age 3-6 and I couldn't be happier with the school!!

Looking back, I was skeptical that my rambunctious, social kid would take to the Montessori method. But he thrived and is now a confident, kind, soon-to-be first grader. The teachers genuinely care for the students and are trained and certified in the Montessori model.

My child started preschool, not knowing how to speak or write Japanese, and he can now read books in Japanese and hold conversations with native speakers. Apart from the language aspect, the school encourages older students helping younger students. This mentoring relationship was so important in helping my child adjust to the rhythm of school and supported him when he needed help washing his hands or using the restroom as a preschooler. And when he was the kindergartener, he helped the 3 year olds. I could see how he took pride in caring for others and being independent. The curriculum is both academically rigorous and flexible so that if a child is struggling with a subject, the teachers work with him/her to work through the challenge. And if a child is excelling and needs more difficult work, the teachers provide that. My child and his classmates were doing math and reading several grade levels above the average kindergartener, and they received music and art classes, as well as fieldtrips to the Shedd Aquarium, Brookfield Zoo, and the Museum of Science and Industry.

MLA is a gem of a school and I highly recommend it to families interested in a great bilingual Montessori experience.

We originally chose MLA because it is a dual-language Japanese Montessori school. While already familiar with the Montessori approach for learning, what we did not expect was dedication of the school&#39;s director, Yoko-sensei, to your child&#39;s emotional as well as educational development. We also appreciate how the director is willing to offer-up constructive  and honest feedback about your child. Our daughter&#39;s other schools were quick to say &#34;she&#39;s doing fine&#34;  - minimizing amount the personal attention they would have to give. That is certainly not the case with MLA - they go out of their way to address your child&#39;s individual needs. MLA is so important to us that when we moved to another city 30 miles away, we chose to commute a total of 90 minutes each day just to keep her there.

Our 4.5 year old is in her second year at MLA. We are so grateful that she has been able to safely continue to grow at school with her friends and teachers during this strange year, adding proper mask wear &amp; care, mindful hand washing, and other health-and-safety focused skills to her practical life toolkit! We don&#39;t speak Japanese at home, but we incorporate songs and phrases that she has picked up from school, and we sometimes watch Japanese movies and videos, learning together casually at home. Similarly we don&#39;t aggressively augment her learning of letters or math, but instead follow her lead regarding what she is working on and enjoying at school enough that she wants to do it at home, too. It&#39;s been wonderful to see her drawings develop naturally, to overhear her speaking with her toys in Japanese, and to know what she means when she wakes us up to say she&#39;s &#34;peko peko&#34; every morning. As she&#39;s gotten older, we hear more about what she&#39;s learning and it is always with such true confidence, contagious enjoyment, and deep understanding: cycles of a pumpkin and a flower, details of different planets and their temperature, and how to cut out a heart (&amp; not waste the folded paper with the outline!). She has always loved to do things her own particular way, which we have encouraged within the boundaries of safety and kindness -- it&#39;s clear that her teachers similarly support (and enjoy!) that individuality, while thoughtfully guiding her towards opportunities for growth in herself and collaboration with others. Clearly I could go on forever--we love this hidden gem of a community so much! Thank you, MLA!

Photo of Montessori Language Academy - Forest Park, IL, United States

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