There’s something special about witnessing Montessori education in action. From thoughtfully prepared environments to everyday interactions among students, parents, and educators, visiting another Montessori school offers educators a fresh perspective and a new lens on Montessori.
At The Montessori Event in Chicago, we’re giving attendees a chance to do just that.
On Thursday, March 11, 2027, school tours will guide attendees beyond the typical conference setting and into local Montessori schools, offering a firsthand look at how different communities bring Montessori principles to life.
Different Schools, New Perspectives, Same Mission
School tours are a valuable experience, and we encourage all attendees to take part. No two Montessori schools look exactly alike, which is part of what makes these visits so worthwhile. This year’s school tours showcase a variety of Montessori settings, from public, charter, and private schools to large and small communities in urban and suburban Chicago neighborhoods.
Every school brings its own approach, experience, and strengths to Montessori education. From classroom design and the ways educators foster independence to how schools build relationships with families, each environment offers something to discover. Sometimes, the most meaningful insights come from places we hadn’t initially considered visiting.
An Opportunity to Observe, Connect, and Learn
Observation is second nature to Montessori educators. School tours offer a chance to apply that practice in a new setting. As you walk through classrooms and connect with fellow educators, you may notice familiar practices, discover a different approach to a shared challenge, or find inspiration in something as simple as how a learning space is organized.
Each visit includes a guided tour and an opportunity to ask school administrators or faculty members questions, creating space for meaningful conversations about the work happening in their communities.
Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School serves deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing children from infancy through middle school providing an inclusive, accessible environment where every child is treated with dignity and respect.
Brickton Montessori School provides authentic Montessori education that honors each child’s identity, nurtures belonging and curiosity, and develops confident, adaptable learners with academic mastery, practical skills, and responsibility.
Intercultural Montessori Language School nurtures independence, curiosity, empathy, and lifelong learning through cultural diversity and global citizenship. Their culturally rich classrooms and year-round community celebrations honor traditions tied to each target language.
Lupine Montessori School was established to create an authentic Montessori school rooted in community, compassion, and a shared vision for transforming education. The school serves children and families from birth through eighth grade.
The Montessori Academy of Chicago was established to provide families with a comprehensive Montessori education and child care program for children from birth through age six. The Academy prides itself in its dedication to authentic Montessori practice and continuous excellence.
Rogers Park Montessori School is a co-educational day school that enrolls children from ages 2 to 14. It is a community of families and educators guided by Maria Montessori’s philosophy.
Seton Montessori School is an AMS-accredited school serving children and families through Parent-Child, Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Summer Camp programs. Its six-acre campus includes four buildings, outdoor classrooms, animal pens, a swimming pool, a nature labyrinth, wooded areas, a Green Roof, and other thoughtfully designed environments that connect children with nature and support hands-on exploration.
Unity Academy of Chicago is a Montessori school that integrates academic excellence with Islamic values, nurturing children to become confident, compassionate, and responsible individuals who are prepared to succeed in both this world and the hereafter. The school provides a safe, supportive environment where students develop strong character, intellectual curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning while honoring their faith and cultural identity.
Explore Montessori from a Different Lens
As you plan your time in Chicago, we encourage you to keep an open mind and explore all available school tour options. These school visits aren’t about deciding which school does Montessori best. They’re about seeing how Montessori philosophies work in different settings and learning from one another, even when we do things differently.
Consider visiting a school that serves a different age group, operates in a different setting, or simply offers an experience outside your usual everyday work. You might be surprised by what resonates with you and what you bring back to your own Montessori community.
School tours take place Thursday, March 11, 2027, with transportation provided to and from McCormick Place Lakeside Center. Registration is $79 per person.