Montessori Schools

I'm not familiar with the Chicago schools, but I know from experience that a lot of parents (even those who aren't "poor") get financial aid (or "scholarships") from schools.

But I think the going rate around here for montessori is more like 10-12,000 a year for the priciest. (I'm in Oak Park - we also have a progressive school, the The Children's School of Oak Park in Cicero, that's quite inexpensive. Not montessori, though.)

I think when we started in montessori, preschool age, the cost was only a little bit more than full-day daycare (our school had after-care that was pretty inexpensive, but the tuition was high for the actual school part of the day.) So the initial cost doesn't seem like that much and then you get used to the school and end up sticking with it. I really like the philosophy and methodology, but I don't think it's the only way to get an excellent education, either.

Bottom line is that you have to do the best for your kids with the resources you have available. If you cannot afford a Montessori program, you look for another alternative that will provide your kids with the best education you can find. Montessori schools are great, but not the only way your kids will learn and thrive. I know SO many families that are paying huge mortgages that they can't afford, paying for expensive private schools and don't have a dime in savings. Your kids will be better served having parents that aren't strapped financially and stressed out all the time worrying about how to afford what they see others doing. Think about how far a year's tuition at some chi-chi school will go towards retirement or college savings!

I'm not there yet, my daughter is only 17 months old but I don't understand how people do it. I don't really know if my child's preschool tuition should be equivalent to our mortgage. If you ask me, there are plenty of relatively low cost preschools out there and your kids will be just fine. The park district has a lot of programs and so do most churches and I don't think most are religiously affiliated. Preschool to me is about learning to play nice with other kids and to share and for a little structure. You sound like a good mom and will work with your kids on letters and numbers and colors, etc. Don't feel
guilty that you can't afford a preschool that costs the same as most state colleges. This is all getting a little ridiculous if you ask me.

I heard that CPS just started a Montessori program? I don't know anything about it though. I know that Near North Montessori is about 13,000/year, and I think it is one of the priciest around. Problem, more than the price if you ask me, is getting in. Most of them only use lottery programs, and it is too late for this year, so you would have to wait until next fall. Then you have to pay a huge amount to apply, and it doesn't guarentee you get in, and if you don't, you don't get the application fee back (like $200 bucks). My son isn't old enough for the 07/08 school year, but I do plan on applying for 08/09. I pay for full day daycare, and honestly, I pay more for his day care than I would if he was going to NNM. Unreal. The cost of child care is just insane!

Jen

Alot of the magnet montessori programs have ways you can get financial assistance, regardless of your income. You just have to call the schools or go to the open housed and inquire. You'd be surprised the kind of funding available through these schools.

And, no the public schools are not all bad. What I'd suggest for you is to go the CPS website, and check the report cards for specialized schools. If you see one which fits your needs, go for it. Those schools fill up FAST. My daughter is only 17 months old, and I am already looking for a a school for her.

Good luck to you.

C.- i understand how you feel my son will be going here in the fall its is 5,200 so its not bad there are some other fees that they have as well so it ends up being 5,700 witch still is not bad so here is the link for his school the only thing is you would be like a month behide in payments. payments start in july and ends in like june i think i hope this help and just my 2 cents is montessori schools are the best they help the kids so well.