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Prairie Flower Montessori School

3130 Turpin Road
Decatur, IL 62521

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Tel: (217) 423-5200

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Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #1 - Part of the Montessori curriculum is the study and care of plants and animal that are outside, as well as inside, our classrooms. An alumna cares for the chickens that reside in a coop in our outdoor environment.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #2 - Our "Prairie Flower Montessori School" sign sits at the entrance to our parking lot. At arrival and dismissal times, parents enter our property down a small road to the west of the lot.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #3 - This is the front entrance to Prairie Flower. We are a true Casa di Bambini, a house for children.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #4 - This view of a Primary classroom, shows children three to six years of age, engaged in the Practical Life area. These activities provide opportunities to do familiar "work" that encourages concentration, sequencing, and independent skill building. There is always the choice to just sit, look out a window, and contemplate the mysteries of life.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #5 - Children are presented lessons as they are ready for them. This wide view, of a typical morning, shows children who have chosen activities from different areas of the curriculum. They are encouraged to repeat and to spend as much time as they wish with each choice they make. In this way, they learn to decide for themselves how they wish to use their time. Our most important expectation is to respect others by trying not to interrupt their work and by asking for permission should they wish to observe another child. Children of this age are constructing themselves and benefit most from doing individual work to build understanding and skills; however, they are also encouraged to help each other and to try to resolve any conflicts that may arise by themselves, with the help of an adult should that become necessary.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #6 - Each classroom has a deck area where children can do outside work. This is the area off the toddler community where children have group snack, wash hands, and scrub cloths.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #7 - Prairie Flower sits on 2 1/2 acres of land that contains a woods, a meadow and a wetland with a pond and streams. This is a view of our wetland and the source of many plants and animals to enrich our work in Botany, Zoology and Geography. The children often take hikes to explore what the area has to offer.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #8 - During the summer Elementary Camp our alumni return for a six week program that allows them to revisit the land and the classrooms that they left behind when they graduated to enter the first grade programs in the Decatur area.

Prairie Flower Montessori School Photo #9 - If you would like to visit Prairie Flower and/or receive information about our programs, please give us a call. We would enjoy sharing our school with you. 217/423-5200

Prairie Flower Montessori School is tucked down off the corner of Turpin Road and Highland Anenue just south of the end of South Shore Drive on the south side of Decatur.

Quick Facts (2026)

Top-Ranked IL School
School Type: Montessori School
Grades: Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
Enrollment: 92 students
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Prairie Flower Montessori School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:

School Overview

School Type

Montessori School

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Not Available (School did not report any membership associatons).

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-Kindergarten

Year Founded

1997

Summer School Offered

Yes

Campus Size

3 acres

Student Body

Total Students

92 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

Students by Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

1 teacher

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

99%

Average Class Size

15 students

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Discourage pop images on clothing and assessors

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

None / Rolling

Tuition Notes

Limited scholarships available for incoming families. E-mail: [email protected] for admission and tuition information

Summer Program Cost

$902

Summer Program Cost Notes

Three mornings for eight weeks

Admissions Director

Marianne White Dunlap

Application URL

Online Application

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

1 extracurricular

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Arts and Music Programs:

After School Programs offered according to interest

School Notes

See us on Facebook for photo albums of our classrooms and our curriculum https://www.facebook.com/Prairie-Flower-Montessori-School-182928861724257/timeline/

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Prairie Flower Montessori School cost?

Prairie Flower Montessori School's tuition is approximately $902 for summer students.

What schools are Prairie Flower Montessori School often compared to?

Prairie Flower Montessori School is often viewed alongside schools like Lutheran School Association by visitors of our site.

What is Prairie Flower Montessori School's ranking?

Prairie Flower Montessori School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.

When is the application deadline for Prairie Flower Montessori School?

The application deadline for Prairie Flower Montessori School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top-Ranked IL School
School Type: Montessori School
Grades: Prekindergarten-Kindergarten
Enrollment: 92 students
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: None / Rolling
Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Illinois is $10,945 for elementary schools and $15,865 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Illinois is 85% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).