Wheaton Montessori School is the only Association Montessori International–approved school in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. It offers curriculum for children from 3 to 12 years of age. The school is non-denominational and non-profit and employs only teachers who have both a masters degrees and teaching certificates.
The school offers a hands-on curriculum that teaches the children responsibility through everyday activities such as washing their own lunch dishes and feeding the fish in the classroom. Basic elementary education is also taught using hands-on techniques.
The Naperville Christian Academy is a private Christian classical school. The school enrolls students from kindergarten through tenth grade. The school will be 11 years old in the fall of 2010. It provides a Christ-centered education for its students. The school is located behind the Trinity Church of the Nazarene but is not affiliated with the church.
Founded in 1927, South Suburban College provides its students with a comprehensive, community college education. The college accepts students from Oak Forest and other south suburban communities, including Homewood, Harvery, Hazel Crest, Midlothian and others. For a complete list, visit the school's website.
Nearly 7,000 students enrolled for the fall 2010 semester, with about 4 percent being Oak Forest residents. Annually, about 17,000 students attend South Suburban College. The school offers 30 career education programs awarding Associate Degrees, as well as certification in areas such as computer information sciences and pharmacy technician. Other programs include court reporting or other health-related specialties.
As a community college, South Suburban offers transfer programs, which enables students to attain basic coursework before transferring to a larger college or university. Each spring, the college hands out 200 scholarships through its South Suburban College Foundation.
The college also has an Oak Forest extension, at 16333 S. Kilbourn Ave. The Oak Forest location offers college services and courses, including paramedic and paralegal training.
The school's Bulldog baseball team is well-respected in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
St. David's Nursery School is a part of St. David's Episcopal Church of Glenview. It is located at the same location as the Church. It employs highly qualified teachers and staff with extensive backgrounds in early childhood education. It encourages parent involvement and has many volunteer opportunities.
The mission of the Skokie Montessori School is to recognize and respect the fundamental value, dignity, talents and special needs of each child. Designed to provide an ample variety of learning experiences geared to the developmental needs of children from two to 12 years old, each program provides a high-level curriculum in the areas of science, geography, mathematics, language, sensorial activities, practical life activities, art and music. Skokie Montessori aims to provide children with a stimulating environment to enhance their interest in learning, while promoting social interaction, emotional development, physical coordination, and cognitive preparation. The Skokie Montessori is a member of the American Montessori Society, and is registered under the Illinois Board of Education and licensed from the DCFS.
Diamante Montessori School is a nonprofit preschool formed in 2002 by two parents and an experienced Montessori teacher. The school offers Toddler, Preprimary and Kindergarten Enrichment programs for children aged 2 to 6 years. The school is housed inside a quaint stone building with stained-glass windows, and situated in a quiet residential section of downtown Glen Ellyn, on the corner of Park Boulevard and Hillside Avenue.
