Montessori Language Academy

When we called MLA to ask about enrollment, the director invited us to come in and observe a typical day at our convenience. We were so impressed with their transparency, and quickly saw why the forest park school district recommended their program. I am an early child hood specialist in Chicago, and MLA impresses me with their curriculum, approach, and classroom management. Each teacher is professional and exemplifies the Montessori tradition. We are ending our first year in the program, and look forward to having our son graduate from MLA.
--Submitted by a parent

I recommend MLA without reservation, it is a great school. The communication is the best of any of the schools we have had over the years. We always know what is happening, and when with plenty of time to arrange to join a field trip or pay an extra fee. Their Japanese language is native. Their faithfulness to Montessori precepts is exceptional. They know their students; of all the teachers my children have had, they have given the most thorough reviews of my son's development in all the pertinent areas for his age, including gross and fine motor skills as well as social and cognitive development. Their discipline is respectful and consistent. As mentioned before, they have a very fine music teacher and art teacher, whose classes are included in tuition. My son has learned immensely here, especially to be an enthusiastic, self-directed and responsible learner.
--Submitted by a parent

Our girls have attended MLA since 2006 and their experience really exhausts superlatives. We've found MLA unique in the way it combines a gentle, nurturing environment with serious academic purpose. We were a bit worried that, at least initially, the girls would have a rough time with the Japanese immersion orientation, as neither had any previous exposure. To our relief that never proved an issue, and our girls felt at home with MLA from the very first day. We've been impressed and delighted with all that they have learned, and our own lives have been enriched many times over through our association with the unique community -- teachers, students and the other families -- that MLA has generated. We've had a chance to observe many other quality (and far more expensive) preschools across the country, and none is better.
--Submitted by a parent

The school has great teachers. The director has won the Golden Apple award in teaching. We love their language immersion program: Japanese. They also offer Music and Art classes on a weekly basis and they are covered in the tuition. Their hours work perfect for us as a Montessori school : 7:30 to 6pm. All in all, we like the school.
--Submitted by a parent

My older daughter is starting her 2nd year here and my younger her first. Neither their father nor I speak Japanese, but this has made no difference to my children's ability to learn. The teachers are outstanding, all extremely proficient in their fields. Although the school currently only offers instruction for pre-school age, the fact that there is an after school program makes this school all the more desirable. My only regret is that we did not know about the school sooner so that our oldest could have started at age three instead of age four.
--Submitted by Jeanine Pedersen, a parent