Country Meadows Montessori School in Gurnee

Posted: January 6, 2026

My child has thrived since joining the toddler program at Country Meadows Montessori School. From the very first weeks, I could see noticeable changesnot only in independence, but also in confidence, communication, and overall happiness.
The teachers are incredibly patient, nurturing, and attentive. They truly understand toddlers and meet each child exactly where they are while gently encouraging them to grow. Ive been especially impressed by how thoughtfully the classroom is organized to support self-directed learning. My child now eagerly participates in activities, follows simple routines, and takes pride in doing things all by myselfsomething I credit directly to the Montessori approach practiced here.
Overall, enrolling in the toddler program at Country Meadows Montessori has been one of the best decisions weve made. The environment is safe, warm, and enriching, and it has helped my child blossom in ways I didnt expect so soon. Im grateful for the care, structure, and dedication the staff provides every day.
Highly recommended for any parent looking for a supportive and growth-focused early childhood experience!

Posted: January 6, 2026

Posted: December 17, 2025

We came to Country Meadows in pre-school without any knowledge on how Montessori worked. We've been amazed to see his growth, development and independence as he enters kindergarten and his overall confidence not only within school but also outside of school. For 5 years old, our son is very confident and outspoken, loves to ask questions and is very curious about everything. We love his love for learning and are very lucky to have such amazing teachers who foster a fun and safe learning environment!

Posted: December 17, 2025

Posted: December 1, 2025

Our children have attended public schools in Illinois and California, as well as parochial schools in Illinois. Now our youngest is at Country Meadows and is in primary, after being at the school since she was 15 months old. I have never had the positive relationship with the staff and teachers that we have now. The attention to the individual student, the respect that is shown among the students and staff both make this an exceptional place to learn. Her current and past teachers have a plethora of experience and are in constant contact with parents on all issues. Perhaps the greatest thing to happen is watching our student excel and develop rapidly, increasing her independence by leaps and bounds.

Posted: December 1, 2025

Posted: November 14, 2025

We transferred our son out of a local public school mid year due to bullying, and we found the support from Country Meadows Montessori school to be so meaningful and impactful. They were able to understand him emotionally and academically and place him in an incredibly supportive classroom. The staff, teachers, and families have been so welcoming, and it has been a 180 for my son who was struggling emotionally and academically in the public school setting. The Montessori approach is the most developmentally appropriate approach you could possibly take with a child and I so appreciate this valuable resource in our community. This is a life changer!

Posted: November 14, 2025

This school and community is amazing! My child has attended since 18 months old and is now in elementary. The small class size, low teacher to student ratio, and emphasis on maximizing each child's learning path is top notch. The integration and emphasis on "community" shows the kids how to value their peers and teachers, and is something that is so rare nowdays, especially in public schools. My child excels above grade level in all of the cirriculum and developmental areas, and this school fosters and will continue to nurture this trajectory! The staff clearly loves to be with the students, and they really feel like family!

Posted: November 14, 2025

Posted: November 11, 2025

I have served as the Administrator of our Montessori school since 2000 and have witnessed the strength, consistency, and authenticity of our program every day. While a few negative reviews have appeared during isolated moments of frustration, they do not reflect the overall experience of the families who learn and grow with us. Our not-for-profit school provides a true Montessori education delivered by dedicated, well-trained teachers who approach their work with care, respect, and professionalism. From toddler through middle school, students are supported in environments designed for independence, curiosity, and meaningful learning. Our community is close-knit, mission-driven, and deeply committed to nurturing confident, capable, and compassionate children.

Posted: November 10, 2025

We have been a part of this wonderful community for a long time now. We are so happy that our both kids had opportunity to attend this school. Our oldest kid is a high schooler now , who started this school at age of 4. Transition from Country Meadows Montessori school to public high school was not a problem for him at all because he had all needed educational, social and emotional tools to do so with success. Taking few honor classes at the high school and playing multiple sports , he still manages to be on the high honor students roll second year in a row. He never has too much homework or says that school is too hard , because this Montessori school thought him how to study on his own and use the time given at school for that purpose. The ability to choose their own work through the day at Montessori school foster the love for learning and curiosity and at the same teaches to utilize all given time for that purpose since early age. The multi age classes teaches kids to care for each other and builds the leadership skills. The conflict solving problems between the kids themselves teaches kids to be kind and empathetic to each other what creates good social skills. Our youngest one is the third grader now who started as a toddler at County Meadows Montessori school and even school year not even half through , he is reading big chapter books, writing journal , does research and presentations. He loves math and talks about division, multiplication and fractions with the passion. This school has a great music program where kids are learning recorder, xylophone and later ukulele, learning dance and making their own plays . All these fall , winter and spring performances on the big stage since the toddler age builds confidence for kids to speak in front of audience later. The administration and teachers are caring and kind and working with each kid to make sure kids needs are met to succeed on their own pace. I am proud to be a part of this community where my kids are treated with respect and progressively growing to success .

Posted: November 10, 2025

Posted: November 7, 2025

We have confidence that our kids are in great hands and love all the community this school has to offer fostering a sense of connection when away from home. our kids have a place to grow here!

Posted: November 7, 2025

If you are looking for a safe, energetic, traditional montessori environment this is the school. Not sure what montessori is? Then id still check it out. Our child has thrived since day 1 and I love that technology plays a role in the curriculum but its the sole way students learn. Its a great combination of traditional and modern ways of teaching that allow our child to learn at thier own pace which can be critical for a successful education.

Posted: November 7, 2025

Posted: August 9, 2025

Disappointed and Concerned Please Read Before Enrolling

As a parent who values transparency and accountability in education, I feel compelled to share our experience with Country Meadows Montessori in Gurnee, IL. While the school presents itself as a nurturing Montessori environment, there are serious concerns that prospective families should be aware of.

Lack of Oversight
Country Meadows is a private institution that is NOT registered with the Illinois State Board of Education. This means it operates outside the jurisdiction of the Board, and its teachers are not required to hold state-issued licenses. Parents expecting state-aligned standards or oversight may be surprised to learn that the school is not subject to the same regulations as public or accredited private schools.

Record Discrepancies and Retaliation Concerns
When our child transferred to a new school, we discovered significant discrepancies in the academic records sent by Country Meadows. Scores were lowered and evaluations altered in ways that did not reflect our childs actual performance. When we requested corrections, the school refused to amend the records and instead referred us to their attorney. This response was deeply disappointing and raised serious concerns about transparency and professionalism.

A Caution to Other Families
If you are considering this school, I strongly urge you to verify teacher credentials, ask about the schools registration status, and closely monitor your childs academic recordsespecially if transferring. Our experience suggests that retaliation and lack of accountability are real risks.

Education should empower children, not penalize them for leaving. I hope this review helps other families make informed decisions.

Posted: August 9, 2025

Posted: July 20, 2025

Poor management practices and ideas. Not recommended

Posted: July 20, 2025

Posted: February 21, 2025

Wonderful program, incredible teachers/staff and all around a family community. My children thrive here. CMMS is the best option around not only for our children but for working parents/guardians. They follow the school district schedule for holidays and spring/winter breaks but dont nearly have as many days off as K-8 schools. That in itself is refreshing. They also offer before and after school programs and summer camp! The tuition is fair. The best part is the wonderful opportunities us caregivers have to see our children in their element at CMMS through the school recitals, mother/fathers/grandparents days, ice cream socials, volunteering, field trips. Youll be so happy you became a part of the CMMS family.

Posted: February 21, 2025

Posted: January 11, 2025

Lower elementary was a mostly 5-star experience, with numerous field trips, outings, community service projects, and plenty of time spent outdoors. However, this changed after COVID. While it was a positive that CMMS offered in-person learning when many schools were remote, many aspects of Montessori education, particularly those connecting students with the world beyond the classroom, seemed to be lost. Last year in upper elementary, aside from the annual trip to NCI, there were no field trips, outings, or even walks to the park. The only outdoor time was spent on the school playground, which is primarily designed for younger children. Overall, it felt like a 1-star experience due to a serious issue with bullying by the teacher's assistants child, destruction of personal belongings, and attempts by the assistant to cover it up. The main teacher focused solely on "relational aggression" and refused to address the core problem. Students were even made to feel guilty for excluding the bully and were asked to apologize. The head of the school, who is also the teachers mother, heard a different version of events from her son and dismissed the bullying reports from parents and students. She conducted her own investigation and sought legal advice, unsure of how to properly handle the situation.

Fortunately, there are other Montessori schools in the area that remain true to Montessori principles, where children can thrive and are not subjected to bullying by peers or school staff. While CMMS may have been a great school in the past or may still be for younger children, I would not recommend it for older students. In these other Montessori schools, teachers review students' work, provide constructive feedback, and parents receive weekly updates, including pictures of their childrens daily activities and outings. Students at these schools spend time outdoors, go on tripsboth local and out of stateparticipate in camping, engage in community service, and gain hands-on learning experiences through partnerships with local businesses. I strongly encourage families to explore other options.

Posted: January 11, 2025

Posted: June 16, 2024

Country Meadows Montessori School has provided our child with such a unique environment of learning. Prior to our child attending this school, we did a lot of research into the Montessori method and it just felt like the right fit for our family at home. When we found this school, it quickly became such a compliment to our parenting style and took it that much further in regards to the education of our toddler. The teachers here not only have to have additional education and training but really do take the time to get to know each family. They actively participate in your child's well being but also provide you the parent a sense of security. Our child, we felt, needed some extra attention with his speech and the school jumped right in to provide those resources on site for us. If you are having that debate on where to send your child, we would strongly recommend you look into Country Meadows - yes private schools can be an investment but you only get one chance with your kid's education and this is a environment worth investing in.

Posted: June 16, 2024

Posted: June 4, 2024

After a not so great experience with the first Montessori, CMMS has literally been a godsend for our Son. We are now entering our 5 the year at CMMS and have full intentions to continue partnering with CMMS.

Posted: June 4, 2024

Posted: May 29, 2024

Our child has attended CMMS since they were a toddler (now in upper elementary level), and overall it's been great. The younger students get to work and learn at their own pace, but it's not a day of simply undirected play - they have activities that prepare them for the academics that come later. As they age, they get helped by the children above them, and learn to help the children below them, which is great for socialization and leadership skills.

The elementary students occasionally give math and science presentations to parents, and their knowledge often outstrips my own. They also take assessment tests (using the Ohio standard) to help ensure they're keeping pace as well as to get them accustomed to taking the kinds of tests they'll encounter in public schools. They also occasionally have homework, especially if they didn't finish it during their work periods - which is good for teaching responsibility and getting them used to having homework.

It would be nice to have an art class that's not an optional after-school extra-cost, but the kids do have some free time to draw, and if I had a choice I'd rather the school focus on academics anyway.

Overall, it's been a great experience for our child.

Posted: May 29, 2024

Posted: May 28, 2024

Teachers and all the staff at Country Meadows are excellent. My Son has been going to this school for 3 years now.

Posted: May 28, 2024

Posted: May 27, 2024

Country Meadows Montessori School (CMMS) has provided exceptional experiences for our little one day by day and many opportunities for us like family in our school community. Our daughter has been attending CMMS from toddler up to now (lower elementary). During these 7 years she has found inspiration and guidance to love learning, respect one another and emotional growth. She increased her poise and self-confidence in addition to developing academic readiness.
We are always greeted by a warm and caring staff and teachers. CMMS teachers have been here for more than 7 years, that speaks about CMMSs positive environment for both students and staff. We are delighted to see the positive impact that the Montessori philosophy has had on our childrens development and the way CMMS have insight into hands-on, experiential learning and unique enriching for students.
CMMS has improved our lives in so many ways that it is hard to put it all into words, it is more than a school, we are a real family and school community.
Our daughter will be at CMMS in upper elementary next year.
Thank you!
Tulay Olmos Family, CMMS parents.

Posted: May 27, 2024

Posted: May 26, 2024

My children have been attending CMMS for 3 years now. We Highly recommend CMMS.

Posted: May 26, 2024

Posted: May 25, 2024

I am so happy with the teachers and all the staff at Country Meadows they have been excellent for my granddaughter.

Posted: May 25, 2024

Posted: May 24, 2024

It is a great school, we have been sending our kid since he was 4years old. The education system is good and he was been learning so much. It comes with other activities and diverse culture which we love.

Posted: May 24, 2024

So happy with the decision of enrolling My kids to the school

Posted: May 24, 2024

Es lo que siempre he estado buscando desde que llegué a Estados Unidos para mi hijo. Totalmente incluyente, amoroso, amigables en donde mi hijo aprende con amor, lo dejan ser la maravillosa persona que puede llegar a ser desde sus propias capacidades y experiencias. Hablamos español y somos hispanos y le han enseñado con todo el amor el inglés. Llevamos muy poco tiempo pero siento los cambios en mi bebé de tan solo 3 años. Se que va a ser lo mejor para él. Gracias, gracias, gracias infinitas!

Posted: May 24, 2024

Posted: September 30, 2022

Not what we expected.Not what we expected.Not what we expected.

Posted: September 30, 2022

Posted: May 23, 2022

We love this school, the teachers and staff have been wonderful. Our little girl was enrolled in the toddler program in February, the teachers have helped us in so many ways. Yes the potty training is important, but what were most excited for happened yesterday morning when our daughter started singing along to one of her favorite songs. Shes a late talker and this was a huge milestone. Besides that I love that when I drop her off at school she gets hugs from her teachers and smiles every day. That may sound weird, but thats one of the things we wanted for her- to feel safe and cared for when shes not with us so she could focus on other things rather than being scared. Her teachers are just fantastic- especially Miss Genie and Ysabella, The fact that she goes
To her teachers without hesitation and cant wait to run into school in the morning brings us such joy and comfort. Its nice to know we made the right decision to enroll her at this school.

Posted: May 23, 2022

Posted: February 4, 2020

The classrooms run in 3 year cycles and for the most part rely on a sensorial experience to learning with the Montessori materials until they reach upper elementary and seventh & eighth grade when they begin homework. This is a life skill they will need for future schools they attend

Posted: February 4, 2020

This is the foundation of the program. Respect is promoted on a day to day basis with the adults as role models. Even very young children are displaying compassion among each other.

Posted: February 4, 2020

I have found the open door policy for the head of school to be effective and the office manager is wonderful.

Posted: February 4, 2020

The 3 year cycle in each classroom effectively promotes learning at the child's own pace.

Posted: February 4, 2020

Conflict resolution practices seem to promote children learning to use their words. I have not experienced a bullying situation.

Posted: February 4, 2020

Very low turnover and highly qualified. Atmosphere in the school is respectful.

Posted: February 4, 2020

Excellent. I have had two children grow up at this Montessori school and found the experience to be the best investment. My children were very prepared for more traditional programs when they left showing confidence and resourcefulness. Their standardized test scores showed increasing ability year after year, well above national percentile rankings.

Posted: December 5, 2017

I cannot overstate how wonderful of an environment Country Meadows Montessori has. It really is one big community. From the littlest preschoolers to the eighty graders they all just get along as one giant community. The children learn not only school type of topics (reading, writing, arithmetic, etc.) but how to be a good well rounded human being. From the practical life skills (from buttoning, to setting a table, to cleaning up after themselves) to conflict resolution and collaboration amongst their peers. These are priceless lifelong skills that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

Posted: December 5, 2017

Unlike most schools there is NO HOMEWORK at Country Meadows Montessori. This is at least up to the level our children are at from preschool to the 6-9 year old classroom. I greatly appreciate this as studies and personal experience have shown more negative habits and issues arise from homework at such young ages.

Posted: December 5, 2017

The teachers our two children have had have been great with our children. They not only teach them scholastic items, but also teach them how to be more responsible and self sufficient human beings. They teach children how to control their impulses. How to set a table and use their napkins correctly. From academics to practical life skills, they have it all!

Posted: December 5, 2017

We feel that Montessori develops character in its students, like integrity, compassion, and respect better than we could have imagines over a traditional school setting. This is very much due to the structure of the Montessori environment they are in - in that it is a mixed age classroom (3-year cycle). Thus, the older children help guide and teach the younger children. The children then learn how to collaborate, teach, and model behavior. When I say teach the younger children I mean they help them and direct them with far greater patience than I could ever muster as an adult. It is not just a teacher dictating what needs to be done. Their peers foster and take part with the learning and teaching as well. It is very rewarding to them when they can help the younger children learn as well.

Posted: December 5, 2017

Again this is another great advantage to the Montessori approach to learning. It is very much self directed by each child's unique abilities and aptitudes. All children get age appropriate lessons from the teacher, and then each child will work on mastering the lesson before they are ready to move on at their own pace. During this time they will get help from both the teachers and their peers until they have mastered it. Now here is the best part - every child moves along at their own pace on each lesson. There is no whole class doing the same thing at the same time. It is very much based on each student. Once a child has mastered a skill in say reading they are then presented the next level lesson on it, until they master that one as well. Some children may take only a couple weeks on a lesson and others a few months on certain ones, while excelling in others. The beauty of the three year cycle though ensures that essentially every child has not only mastered all the required skills for that age range but has often times gone far above and beyond what is required in many of the various academic disciplines.

Posted: December 5, 2017

I am genuinely amazed at how well all the children not only in a mixed age classroom (3 year/grade level difference) but within the whole school overall. They all get along incredibly well. I mean there are even kids from fourth thru eighth grade that say hi and bye to my preschooler and give him hugs. I think very much because of the mixed age environment and the strong collaboration fostered from the earliest grade levels the children just really learn how to deal with disagreements in an effective way and learn to live harmoniously with each other. It really is quite a sight to behold how patient and caring they are with each other, and how they all know each other.

Posted: October 5, 2017

Negative. A discriminative partial practice under the name of an educator.

Posted: October 5, 2017

Not applicable. My child attended the pre-school class, there was no homework.

Posted: October 5, 2017

The teacher that my child had in their pre-school appeared indifferent, arrogant, and not open to direct communication. Per our experience, the teacher did not have an effective skill dealing with younger children.

Posted: October 5, 2017

Per our experience in pre-school, the teacher did not demonstrate any compassion for the children. It seemed they could only handle kids who were submissive all the time.

Posted: October 5, 2017

The teacher that my child had in their pre-school did not seem to take direction from the principal. There were clear misalignment in the communication we received from both sides.

Posted: October 5, 2017

Per our experience in pre-school, the teacher did not have any effective skill dealing with differences in children. It seemed they could only handle kids who were submissive all the time.

Posted: October 5, 2017

We felt being discriminated and bullied by the pre-school practice.

Posted: May 3, 2015

Our children have been at Country Meadows since pre-school and we have been very pleased with their progress both academically and socially. Specifically, we value the school's focus on respect for every person (being different is OK!), the fluid way that students can move into and out of areas of interest, the fact that classes are structured with students of different ages, and the natural diversity that exists at the school. We also value the level of involvement that the teachers have with us as parents. I would say on average we get a phone call or SMS from the head teacher two times a week and emails weekly. She is always available for questions or concerns even on weekends. It is important to understand that this is a private school so, like nearly all private schools, the families pay for 100% of the costs the instructors, administrators, facilities, etc., etc. That said, the tuition is very competitive with the other Montessori schools in the area that we have looked at and it is a not for profit school.

Posted: November 21, 2014

We have had wonderful experiences at other schools with two other children. If you send your child here, negotiate the contract before you start. Make them agreeing to meet your expectations for your child's education; don't just agree to pay the bill. I can accept that there was a bad fit between my child and her teacher that happens. What I cannot accept is the disrespect we encountered from the principal and board. To this day, the principal has not called me back (it s been eight months). I've even tried engaging her via third party mediation and she still will engage. We expected (and paid) to be a partner in the education of our child. The principal wouldn't even talk with us about options (changing teachers?) or sit down with us and the teacher to discuss solutions. Nothing. She had a secretary call me back. We eventually received a righteous letter saying we made the wrong decision to leave. My daughter suffered significant emotional distress during her seven months at CMMS. I signed a contract, but CMMS failed to provide the service I paid them for. Their behavior is worse than bad business; it is unethically for a school to put money ahead of the child's well-being.

Posted: April 26, 2014

My son has gone to this school for 3 years we love the school, learning style, all staff and teachers. The music teacher is great with annual theatre performance done by all kids. If your looking for a healthy environment with advanced learning I recommend the school.

Posted: July 30, 2012

We heard that teachers are good but the people on the adminstrative side are mean and they show "don't care policy". I wish there is some one above principal whom you can talk with to explain the situation. Something does not seem right while talking with these folks.

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Woodlake Apartments	Apartment Complex	Gurnee	IL	1.3 mi
2	Forest City Nimitz	Neighborhood/Subdivision	North Chicago	IL	5.7 mi
3	Forrestal Military Community	Neighborhood/Subdivision	North Chicago	IL	6.2 mi
4	Reserve at Eagle Ridge	Apartment Complex	Waukegan	IL	6.3 mi

#	Name	City	State	Overall Rating	Distance
1	Libertyville	Libertyville	IL		5.5 mi
2	Waukegan	Waukegan	IL		5.6 mi

Base	Distance
Great Lakes Naval Station	6.7 mi.
General Mitchell ANGB Milwaukee	40.2 mi.
Coast Guard Chicago	41.5 mi.
Coast Guard Milwaukee	44.2 mi.

Country Meadows Montessori School

Gurnee, IL 60031

Refine Search

National Ad

Country Meadows Montessori School

Gurnee, IL 60031

Refine Search

National Ad

Email Address *

*We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.*

We take your personal information very seriously and will never give it to a 3rd party. If you don't enjoy the email series, you can always unsubscribe at anytime.