Montessori School of Lake Forest

At the Montessori School of Lake Forest, children develop social responsibility through self-discipline and generosity. They are self-motivated and, in a sense, self-taught. As a result, they acquire deep self respect, and a deep love of learning that will remain with them all of their lives.

MSLF serves children from birth to 15 years at two locations. Our preschool and elementary classes meet at our Laurel Drive Campus in western Lake Forest, at 13700 West Laurel Drive. Our middle school classes meet at our Blue House Campus, adjacent to the Prairie Crossing Learning Farm in Grayslake, at 32470 Harris Road.

The curriculum at MSLF, based on Maria Montessori’s study of child development, is designed to maximize the development of children through prepared environments. Montessori trained directors conduct carefully planned lessons that children then carry out independently and repeatedly. Children are encouraged to build sensory-motor skills, socialization skills, high self-esteem, inner security, and abiding habits of concentration. Great care goes into preparing and maintaining classroom materials that are beautiful and inviting, and serve as essential components of the curriculum. Montessori pedagogy is approximately 100 years old and is practiced in nearly four thousand public and private schools in the United States, and throughout the world.