About Us
Joliet Montessori School, located in Crest Hill, IL, is a not-for-profit school that has been serving children since 1966. Recognized by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) along with the Illinois State Board of Education and accredited by the American Montessori Society (AMS), Joliet Montessori School offers a classic Montessori education. We welcome children ages 3 – 12 of all ethnic, racial, cultural and religious backgrounds.
History
Montessori education has proven itself a worthy method for more than a century, but it only came to the Joliet area in the mid-1960s, when Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Baca of Joliet organized with several other area families to bring this innovative philosophy to life.
Working together, they funded and established Joliet Montessori School in January of 1966, and in September of that year, 63 children filled two classrooms rented at the Guardian Angel Orphanage at the intersection of Plainfield Road and Theodore Street in Joliet.
Two years later, the new building was completed at Root Street and Weber Road, just a few blocks from the original site. Since 1968, the school called this location home, adding classrooms, grade levels and facilities to become the premiere Montessori school in Will County.
Mission & Values
Joliet Montessori School inspires students to engage academically and socially every day, developing independence, a love of work, and a respect for all.
We are committed to providing Will County families access to the benefits of the Montessori method of education. We stress the importance of independence, initiative, responsibility, compassion, and respect.
We believe that learning is most effective and enjoyable when the student is given an active role in his or her own student career, and that making education fun instills a lifelong love of learning that will help children succeed at every stage of adolescence and adulthood.
As a non-profit, non-parochial, state-registered private school, Joliet Montessori School is dedicated to sharing this love of learning with children without regard to ethnic, cultural, religious or economic background. Teaching our children how to transform curiosity into learning is a global concern, and we educate with a global perspective across every grade level.
Equity & Diversity
Joliet Montessori School is committed to equal opportunity and respect for diversity. The school admits qualified students of any race, color, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its education and other programs.
Portrait of a Graduate
Joliet Montessori School Graduates…
- Strive to meet their academic potential.
- Take responsibility for their education.
- Contribute consciously to their community.
- Treat others with grace and courtesy.
- Commit to lifelong learning.
No educational environment could ever come close to providing my daughter the confidence to learn in the same way JMS has! We came to JMS for the traditional approach to Montessori after reviewing many local preschools, but we stay for the sense of community, nurturing environment that has given our daughter so much confidence to learn, and absolutely amazing staff.
I couldn’t imagine a better experience for our daughter as she starts in her educational journey than what we have experienced at JMS. Watching her grow and become a articulate and confident little learner has been so special.
My daughter started her educational journey at 18 months in the parent toddler program at JMS and is now in her second year in the 3-6 year old primary classroom. Watching her grow and develop at each stage has been amazing over the last three years.
- Heather
