Choosing a School
Investing in your child’s education is one of the most critical decisions that you will make. A key part of that choice is evaluating the educational concepts and approaches that a school employs. To learn what make Montessori special, please visit Why Montessori.
How does Crystal Lake Montessori compare to public and private school alternatives?
Comparing Montessori schools? Less than half of the Montessori schools in the country are accredited. Find out
why Accreditation matters and what the difference is between a fully accredited and an affiliated program. You can also download our free guide for parents here with 7 traits of an authentic Montessori school.
“It’s not every day that I stop to write accolades or give a testimonial, but after looking into all our Montessori options for our daughter, I really wanted to express how thankful we are for finding Crystal Lake Montessori. Your reputation precedes you. With the guidance of your wonderful teachers, we have watched our daughter develop before our eyes in many ways – academically, socially, emotionally and physically.”
- Paul & Kathie Forslund, Parents
Student/Teacher Ratio
The national average for public school is 16 to 1
The national average for private school is 12 to 1
The ratio for Crystal Lake Montessori is 8 to1
Class Size
National average for public school class is 25.
National average for private school is 19.
Crystal Lake Montessori class size is 14.8
More Hours of Instruction Per Day
McHenry Public Schools: 6.5 hours
Crystal Lake Montessori: 7.0 hours
= 7.5% more instructional hours
School Grounds
3.6 wooded Acres with Playground
32,000 square foot building
Full Gymnasium & Stage
Special Programs Offered
Crystal Lake Montessori offers instruction in Art and Music for Elementary and Middle School. All levels receive Spanish lessons.
Accreditation
Crystal Lake Montessori is in the top 2% of American Montessori Society schools when comparing school size, breadth of the program, having every age level accredited and being DCFS (Department of Child Family Services) certified.
For more information see Accreditation.
You already know choosing a school for your child is an important task. You want to set them on a course for success and provide them with a place of learning that will best suit them. Asking yourself some key questions may be helpful in your search:
What kind of learner is my child?
Does your child enjoy completing tasks independently? Are they socially driven? Do they rely on their senses to help them explore the world around them? What are their areas of strengths and areas in which they may need more support?
How do we define success?
For many people, definitions of success have changed over time. What is the ultimate goal of a quality education? Do you want your child to pursue a high-paying career? Should they find a way to contribute to their society? Do you want them to follow their own path to success?
How can a school prepare my child for a changing world?
Traditional models of education were developed to prepare people for a workforce of the past. The way people work is different, and it can be difficult to predict how it will continue to evolve. Does a school have the ability to teach children to be both independent and cooperative? Are they learning to think critically and creatively? How is innovation fostered?
