Ancona School

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Ancona School Photo #1 - In a community of cultural and economic diversity, Ancona's progressive, social justice curriculum rooted in the Montessori tradition educations students to become creative problem solvers, confident risk takers, and life-long learners.
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Ancona School Photo #1 - In a community of cultural and economic diversity, Ancona's progressive, social justice curriculum rooted in the Montessori tradition educations students to become creative problem solvers, confident risk takers, and life-long learners.
Outstanding education is just the beginning! Since our founding in 1962, Ancona has been a community school dedicated to diversity and committed to social justice.
At every grade level, our students learn to identify inequality and are empowered to address injustice in the world.
From 3 years old through eighth grade, Ancona students explore, evaluate, and grapple with real-world challenges in thoughtfully-prepared experiential learning environments.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 237 students
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / May. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

School Overview

Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-8
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Difference, Dyslexia
Year Founded
1962
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Student Body

Total Students
237 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
67%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Ancona School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
27 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
20 students
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Dec. 15 / May. 1 / rolling
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $17,300 - $25,250 depending on grade level. Please visit anconaschool.org for more details.
Summer Program Cost Notes
The cost above is for our full 8-week summer program. Families are welcome to register for 1-8 weeks, at $350/week, or $2,600/ All 8 weeks.
Admissions Director
Melanie Ahmad

Sports

Total Sports Offered
4 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
8 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Board Games, Chess, Cooking, Dance, Gardening, Improv

Arts and Music Programs:
Choir, Private Music Lessons

School Notes

  • Half-day and full-day Montessori preprimary
  • Progressive 1st - 8th grade curriculum
  • Award-winning Outdoor Learning Space
  • 4,000 square foot farm
  • Before and after school for all grade levels
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ancona School offer a summer program?
Yes, Ancona School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What sports does Ancona School offer?
Ancona School offers 4 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for Ancona School?
The application deadline for Ancona School is Dec. 15 / May. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Dec. 15 / May. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
What neighborhood is Ancona School located?
Ancona School is located in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 1 other private schools located in Kenwood.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (6 reviews)
5  
The Ancona School is an amazing community. The community is kind and diverse. Students are encouraged to be independent and thoughtful learners. The academics are rigorous and student high school placement is excellent. Another unique feature of the school is the garden and farm. My daughter loves taking care of the chickens, which is an experience few students get to experience. My daughter transferred into the middle school and I regret not switching her sooner. The kids are happy!
- Posted by
5  
It can be easy to love your school in the best of times, when resources are plentiful, schedules are predictable, and systems are operating from positions of comfort and strength. But what I have come to appreciate throughout this extraordinarily difficult year is how important it is to choose a school you will still love, even in the worst of times. In responding to the early days of the pandemic in the spring of 2019 and continuing throughout the summer, Ancona was thoughtful and measured in its response -- gathering input, communicating quickly and clearly, and taking decisive action as needed. In preparation for the new school year, parents had regular opportunities to provide feedback, to ask questions of the school administration and the Board of Trustees, to hear from staff and teachers, and to engage in the difficult discussions at hand. Despite the high stakes and stressful circumstances, these conversations were constructive and respectful, thanks in large part to the tone set by the Head of School, a remarkable leader and educator. I do not take for granted how rare it is to be a part of a community that works together, talks to one another, listens to one another, and supports one another when times are tough and emotions are high. Ancona is a school that is small but mighty, and its size allows for adaptability and community engagement in ways that would not be possible in larger schools. Even though it is never possible to make everyone happy all of the time, I have found that Ancona was able to develop a plan for both in-person and parallel learning that meets the diverse needs of its families. This was made possible thanks to the careful planning and financial stewardship of the school leadership, and of course by the passion, professionalism, and dedication of the teachers. Ancona is a warm place, a place where the students (and parents) have a voice, a place where everyone is on the same team, and a place that has demonstrated the compassion, creativity, and resilience that it aims to foster through its education.
- Posted by
5  
Ancona is not just a school, it has become our village. Writing a review will never do this institution, this community enough justice. The kiddo (who is now 7) started there at the pre-K level when we left Old Town to move somewhere where I would not keep being mistaken for "the help" or nanny of my bi-racial child. A friend recommended we check out Ancona. Even on the admissions visit day, a mother (who is now a dear friend of mine) yelled from across the street "Are you considering enrolling here? You will absolutely love it!" And she was 100% right. This is the type of school that is not just right for our child, but for the whole family. From the amazing head of school Nancy, to all the administrators, and our beloved teachers: this community educates and nurtures the whole person and you can see that in how Ancona students interact with one another, engage with our local community, and how emotionally and socially intelligent and connected they are to issues of social justice and global citizenship. And for those who are leery or under-educated about Montessori education and/or are focused more on data or metrics, Ancona students are just as prepared and competitive as students from other institutions in terms of high school placement. Our kids go on to Walter Payton, Latin, etc. and go on to become awesome humans and impressive alumns. So, don`t let "boogey man" narratives about Montessori education scare you. I, for one, cannot say enough great things about our "home." All I can say is, you need to check Ancona out!
- Posted by
5  
We had a great experience at Ancona with both our sons, from the Montessori pre-primary program through 8th grade. Both went from Ancona to Walter Payton High School. The faculty is excellent, and the school really takes seriously being all about what's best for the kids.
- Posted by
5  
Ancona was a great school for both of my sons (Black), who enrolled at P3 and stayed through 8th grade. The diversity in the school and in the curriculum was great. Furthermore, the teachers met my sons where they were and worked from there. They both thrived at Ancona and were more than prepared aademically and socially for a selective Catholic HS here in the city. We're so glad we made the decision to join the Ancona community
- Posted by
5  
I highly recommend this school. My kids have been going here since pre-K and I feel that not only are they being set up to go to the high school of their choice, but they are learning to make their own choices to become informed and engaged citizens.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • School Type: Montessori School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-8
  • Enrollment: 237 students
  • Average class size: 20 students
  • Application Deadline: Dec. 15 / May. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Chicago, IL is $10,546 for elementary schools and $18,028 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Chicago, IL is 87% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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