Testimonials

What Parents Say about Daycroft Montessori School

“An incredible learning environment”
“Daycroft has been an incredible learning environment for my children. They have not only grown academically, they have also gained important social and leadership skills. It’s wonderful to see how they approach new problems with confidence and creativity.
“Daycroft’s low student-to-teacher ratios, along with the flexibility and skill of the teachers, have allowed each of my children to flourish, even though they have different personalities and learning styles. I’m convinced that Daycroft gives them the solid foundation they’ll need to be successful in their future endeavors.”
—Terri Middleton, mother of Lauren, Mark, Paul, and Jake

“Tremendously enriching”
“The cultural diversity within the Daycroft community is tremendously enriching, both for my children and for our family as a whole. My children interact with other children from all over the world. I believe this will be beneficial for them as they grow, and when they are adults taking part in the global community that the world is fast becoming.
“The Montessori approach to teaching allows my children to develop awareness that they are individuals who have value in their own right. This empowers them to be confident girls who are affirmed, and this, I believe, is what has encouraged their academic progress.
“Daycroft is a unique school that is nurturing and developing unique human beings who will be well prepared to be productive citizens with sound ethics and an empathetic disposition to the social issues in our country and the world in general.”
—Barbara Ruwende, mother of Chi Chi and Yeukai

“A lasting bond”
“Do you remember who your best friend was in 2nd grade? When you stop and think about your childhood, you might realize that everything you do as a parent today will have a lasting effect on your child.
“I’m thankful as a Daycroft dad that we enrolled our children here. Our slice in time of the dynamic Daycroft community began when we enrolled our oldest son about eight years ago, and sadly we have only a few years before our youngest son moves on to middle school.
“At Daycroft I’ve served as a lunch room parent, participated in workgroups that maintain the school, helped with extracurricular sporting activities (it’s not the win or lose but who brings the healthy snacks!), and many more activities. My boys will be adults way too soon, so I’m thankful for the opportunities Daycroft provides to build a lasting bond.”
—Alan Gregory, father of Sam and Jack

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“We cannot do better”
“At Daycroft, the teachers, children, and parents work as a team. The teachers do an excellent job of meeting the children where they are academically. They challenge students, and encourage them when they need more attention and assistance.
“As parents who believe strongly in the Montessori method, we feel we cannot do better for our children’s education.”
—Terri and Mark Fisher, parents of Andrew and Brooke

“Truly no child is left behind”
“When it was time for our daughter to enter kindergarten, relatives introduced us to Daycroft. They had a daughter attending kindergarten at the Oakbrook campus. They spoke very highly of the school, the faculty, and the Montessori teaching method.
“I visited the Oakbrook campus and met the admissions administrator, a preschool teacher, and a kindergarten teacher. Later I toured the Zeeb campus and met with the Head of School and various faculty members. Each person I spoke with was warm, friendly, and extremely helpful in answering my questions.
“Daycroft’s low student-to-teacher ratio, with two teachers in each classroom, and its ‘learn at your own pace’ teaching philosophy, so that truly no child is left behind, were important to us. We like the school’s emphasis on independence and creativity, along with its dedication to fostering a spirit of community among the students and their families. Daycroft’s strong commitment to cultural diversity and to developing awareness to the needs of others put Daycroft at the top of our list of school choices.
“My husband and I decided to enroll our daughter in the Zeeb campus kindergarten program for the 2006-07 school year. We were very pleased with her teachers and the Montessori kindergarten program. Our daughter enjoyed her experience and learned much more than we ever imagined. She is now attending first grade at Zeeb.”
—Debra LaMay, mother of Chloe

What Students Say about Daycroft

“I like how the teachers are really funny and nice. I like how all of my friends are nice and supportive. I enjoy how there is always something fun and educational to do, and sometimes even parties!”
—Nicole – Grade 5

“I like Daycroft because the teachers are really nice, but they also want to push you to your limit. I also like Daycroft because there is a lot of diversity. I came here in the middle of the year and now I have so many friends. Daycroft is like a whole big family.”
—Sami – grade 5

“I like Daycroft because we do a lot of experiments, we read a lot of books, and we have art!”
—Nikita – Grade 4

“I like how they teach things at Daycroft.”
—Michaela – Grade 3

“School here is very fun, exciting, and cool. You learn a lot about various things, from rocks to division. It’s great!”
—Catherine – Grade 5

“I like Daycroft because everyone is nice and kind. I made new friends very quickly. It is very nice here. Also, I like the teachers.”
—Yara – Grade 4

“I like Daycroft because it is fun and friendly. Daycroft is also an environmentally friendly school. My class is working to make our school a green school.”
—Peter – Grade 5

“I like Daycroft because it lets me work at my own pace and nothing is too hard or too easy. Daycroft is a great place in so many ways. The best thing about Daycroft is the culture of kindness.”
—Liza – Grade 2

"I love the teachers. I like the classrooms. I like the children. But most of all, I love the school.”
—Bridgette – Grade 3

“I like the principal because she is nice and cool!”
—Kaylee – Grade 5

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Memories from Daycroft Alumni

“Daycroft rocks!”
“My time at Daycroft was so much fun. I loved it! My teachers made things fun and they taught in a way that was easy to understand. I learned a lot of cool tricks in subjects like math and writing. One trick I really liked in writing helped me learn cursive. I still use many of these tricks today.
“I really enjoyed after-school activities like jump rope, t-ball, coach pitch baseball, and soccer. The coaches and my teammates were so supportive of each other. It was never about winning and losing. We all depended on each other.
“Altogether, the only word I can use to describe my experience at Daycroft is: ‘Incredible!’ Daycroft rocks!”
—Kari Hart

“Wonderful teachers”
“I graduated from Daycroft after 6th grade in June 2004 and I now attend Greenhills High School. I loved Daycroft for the five years I was there. It had just been built on Zeeb Road when I started 2nd grade. The highlights of my years there were the evening musicals at Christmas, written by Sheila Chaps, and the Spring Play.
“I also remember, in 3rd and 4th grade, starting to learn time management, with the ‘3 before Thursday and 5 before Friday’ rule. I still use the same kind of concept that Mrs. Sperendi and Mrs. Wahl taught me.
“Our 5th and 6th grade garden incorporated science, gardening, and learning about the environment with Mrs. Sczchwski.
“I also loved the library and helping Mrs. Main re-file the books. I always found one I wanted to sit right down and read. I really looked up to Mrs. Main and thought she was so cool. I still do.
“I loved going to school at Daycroft because of all of the wonderful teachers and environment there.”
—Catherine Lillard

A Teacher’s Perspective

“Teaching at Daycroft is about allowing children the freedom to explore the world and build upon ideas with their own sophisticated thoughts.”
—Lissa Main, Library and Technology Coordinator

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