Alcuin Montessori Achieves Rigorous ISACS Accreditation

Alcuin Montessori is pleased to announce it has been awarded accreditation with ISACS, the Independent Schools Association of the Central States.

Alcuin is now the only ISACS-accredited school in Oak Park and the near Western suburbs. Other ISACS schools in Chicagoland include the University of Chicago Laboratory School, Latin School, Avery Coonley School, British International School, Francis W. Parker School, Lake Forest Academy and Roycemore School.

ISACS leads schools to pursue exemplary independent education and empowers students to contribute and thrive in a diverse and changing world. Becoming accredited by ISACS is a rigorous seven-year process, during which every aspect of the school is examined and documented.

“We easily spent over 1,000 hours examining our governance, curriculum, fiscal and personnel policies, facilities, health and safety practices, teacher qualifications, and learner outcomes in preparation for our application,” explains Gina Gleason, Executive Director of Alcuin. “The accreditation proves that our programs are living and breathing our school’s mission, helping each child reach his or her full potential.”

“From the moment we toured Alcuin, we knew we had found something special,” shares current parent Jill Dudones. “Alcuin stood out from all the other schools we looked at, and the ISACS accreditation is further proof of the school’s commitment to quality and excellence.”

As Alcuin prepares to open a second campus to house its expanded program for infants, toddlers and middle schoolers, it is also now finishing another rigorous accreditation process through the American Montessori Society (AMS), the gold standard of Montessori school excellence.

“The dual accreditation is an important strategic initiative for Alcuin,” explains board president Kellie Beumer. “We have big plans for growth, and the dual accreditation demonstrates our commitment to offering a top-tier alternative to conventional education, ensuring our students are equipped with the academic, social and emotional skills they need for future success.”

About Alcuin Montessori

Alcuin Montessori School has been serving Oak Park, the western suburbs and Chicago for 57 years, and remains Oak Park’s most established progressive school for children ages 0-14 as well as one of the country’s oldest Montessori schools. Alcuin’s mission is to empower children’s inherent love of learning, inspiring and challenging each child to engage the world as an independent thinker, creative problem solver, and compassionate citizen. Classrooms operate on the principle of freedom within limits with children, under the guidance of a teacher, working at their own pace with their chosen learning materials. Different levels of ability are expected and welcomed within each classroom and education occurs in multi-aged classrooms, where children of various stages of development learn from and with each other. Alcuin Montessori School is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization and is preparing to open a second campus due to increased community demand. To learn more, call 708-366-1882 or visit Alcuin.org.