Best Special Needs Schools in Oak Park, Illinois (2026)

Nine Oak Park families founded Alcuin Montessori School in 1961 after visiting the nation's first chartered Montessori school, making Alcuin the first Montessori school in Illinois. We now teach children from 6 weeks to 14 years old on two campuses: ages 3 to 12 at our main campus on North Oak Park Avenue, and infants, toddlers, middle schoolers and Everstone @ Alcuin at our Roosevelt Road campus. Children learn in multi-age Montessori classrooms: Primary for ages 3 to 6, Junior Elementary for grades 1 to 3, Senior Elementary for grades 4 to 6, and Middle School for ages 12 to 14. Senior Elementary students spend a week at Nature's Classroom in Lake Geneva, and middle schoolers study Spanish, run The Bee's Knees Bakehouse, and travel to Washington, D.C., New York or Costa Rica. Everstone @ Alcuin, for ages 5 to 14, is designed for students with dyslexia and other literacy challenges. We are accredited by ISACS and the American Montessori Society. Tuition follows a sliding scale, our Day House program provides before and after care for ages 3 to 12, and we run a summer camp.

• Private Montessori school (infant to grade 8)
• Dyslexia
• Learning differences
• Montessori

The Children's School in Oak Park, Illinois, is dedicated to fostering a progressive educational environment for children from early childhood through middle school, specifically catering to those with diverse learning needs, including language-based learning disabilities and twice-exceptional students. The school's core mission revolves around nurturing a love for learning and encouraging critical thinking through a project-based curriculum that respects each child's voice and curiosity. This hands-on approach not only engages students but also promotes collaboration, allowing them to explore academic subjects in depth while developing essential social skills. What truly sets The Children's School apart is its commitment to creating an inclusive community that emphasizes social justice and equity. With a low student-teacher ratio, educators can provide personalized attention and support tailored to individual learning styles. The school's focus on emergent curriculum means that the direction of study is guided by the interests of the students, fostering an environment where they feel empowered to take ownership of their learning journey. Additionally, strong partnerships with families enhance the educational experience, creating a cohesive support system that extends beyond the classroom. Through these distinctive elements, The Children's School stands out as a nurturing haven where every child can thrive academically and socially.

• Private educational institution