Ancona School

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.

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!

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.

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

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.