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Guidepost Montessori at Old Town

3.9(14)

#13 of 14 in Chicago

311 W Division St, Chicago, Illinois IL 60610

Rating Average star rating and review count.Source: Google

3.9 (14)

This school

3.9★

Chicago avg

4.5★

Illinois avg

4.7★

More reviewed than 84% of Montessori listings in Chicago.

About

Guidepost Montessori at Old Town is a Montessori school located in Chicago, Illinois.

Tuition & Programs

This school hasn't published tuition — contact them directly, or help other families by sharing what you know.

Is this an accredited Montessori school?

No accreditation or membership from a recognized Montessori body (AMI, AMS, or Montessori Canada) is on file for this listing. Because "Montessori" isn't a protected trademark in the US or Canada — a 1967 USPTO ruling put the term in the public domain — any school can use the name regardless of how closely it follows the method. That doesn't mean this school isn't authentically Montessori; it means accreditation status isn't the way to check here. Ask the school directly about their teacher training (look for AMI or AMS-trained staff) and ask to observe a classroom work cycle.

Accreditation is not the same as an operating licence. A provincial/state child care licence or private school registration only confirms a school is legally allowed to operate — it says nothing about whether the teaching method is Montessori.

Teacher credentials matter too. Ask how many lead teachers hold AMI, AMS, or MACTE-accredited teacher training — a strong signal independent of the school's own accreditation status.

Full guide: how to verify any Montessori school →

Upcoming tours

Part of Guidepost Montessori

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Location

311 W Division St, Chicago, Illinois IL 60610

Nearby Montessori listings

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Reviews

Parents report dramatically different experiences at this location. Positive reviews praise kind teachers, specific staff members (Jesenia, Melissa, Kassie), and a welcoming environment, particularly for the Spanish Immersion program. However, negative reviews cite chronic understaffing despite advertised ratios, poor hygiene and safety oversight (infants unattended, water leaks), inadequate daily programming, unresponsive communication, and delayed refunds totaling over $12,000.