Prairie School of DuPage

As a parent whose children have been part of the Prairie School of DuPage family since preschool (with my daughter having started here 7 years ago and my son 6 years ago), I can confidently say that this institution is nothing short of exceptional. It's more than just a school; it's a nurturing environment that fosters autonomy, curiosity, and a genuine love for learning. One of the standout features of Prairie School is its dedication to allowing children to explore the world around them naturally. From the moment they step onto campus, students are encouraged to embrace diversity of thought and engage in creative problem-solving. The school's commitment to small class sizes ensures personalized attention from warm, attentive teachers and staff who truly care about each child's development. What sets Prairie School apart is its holistic approach to education. In every classroom, subjects are seamlessly woven together, allowing students to make meaningful connections across disciplines. The arts and music programs are exceptional, providing ample opportunities for self-expression and creativity. The school's emphasis on outdoor play and exploration is particularly noteworthy. With plenty of fresh air and unique activities like gardening, yoga, and maple tapping, to upcycling and building weather-ready forts made of tree branches for overnight campouts, students are given the chance to connect with nature and develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Another aspect that sets Prairie School apart is its mixed-aged classrooms. By bringing together students of different ages, the school creates a close-knit community where older students serve as mentors to younger ones. This not only fosters leadership skills but also reinforces the idea of collaboration and cooperation. As a parent, I can't imagine sending my children anywhere else. For the past seven years, Prairie School has been an integral part of our lives, shaping not only their academic abilities but also their character and values. It's more than just a school; it's a home away from home, where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. If you're considering Prairie School of DuPage for your child, I highly recommend it. With its warm and inviting atmosphere, dedicated staff, and innovative approach to education, it's truly a place where children thrive and grow.

My son started at Prairie School of Dupage in kindergarten and is now in second grade there. We are so grateful to be at Prairie! It is exactly the educational and social experience I was hoping to find for my son. As a student, my son loves school and learning and actively engages in every aspect of his education. He is confident in himself knowing he can do hard things, ask smart questions, and rely on those around him for support as he explores his expanding experience of the world. As a parent, I continue to be both grateful and impressed by the depth of learning that happens when my kiddo engages with the natural world and his own curiosity while being given genuine respect, autonomy, and skillful guidance from his teachers and the staff at Prairie School. The teachers and staff are incredible- I trust them to guide my son through the educational material of each grade with depth and expertise AND I also trust them to skillfully support his curiosity, his sensitivity, and his fledgling independence as he learns about himself and the world outside of our family environment. I appreciate that Prairie School successfully balances a strong focus on traditional academic subjects like math, science, language arts, etc with art, music, language, and outdoor education. We will absolutely continue to choose Prairie School of Dupage for our son's education.

We enrolled our son in this school four years ago, and we absolutely love it. He not only gains valuable knowledge but also enjoys a positive relationship with his teachers. The school emphasizes creative learning, encourages outdoor activities, and prepares students not only academically but also for future life. We appreciate the focus on social education, helping kids navigate community interactions. We highly recommend this school to those seeking quality education and a happy, outdoor-oriented experience for their children.

I just finished our re-enrollment paperwork for Prairie School of DuPage. I can't imagine sending my kids anywhere else. We are in our second year for our three kids (6th, 4th, and 1st) and they are HAPPY! We started at our local public elementary school and got through 4th grade with my oldest, but learned more and more each year that our kids love of learning was disappearing as the years went on. Tied to desks all day, little outside time, scarfing lunch down in 15 minutes, endless testing, burned-out teachers, and plenty of screens all added up to kids who hated school. We took the leap to private education at PSD and haven't looked back. These kids (including my middle schooler) still get to PLAY for a full hour every day. Outside! Then they spend a lot of their learning time outside as well. They get to learn Spanish, immerse themselves in music and art, and incorporate learning themes throughout all of their class subjects. The classroom spaces feel like home with lots of seating choices. The small class sizes, project-based learning, and whole-child philosophy has my kids enjoying school again and loving learning. Tour this school, talk with the teachers and parents and you will see how special it is!

We have been with Prairie for almost five years and I have never heard my kids say they didn't want to go to school. They enjoy their classmates and teachers, as do we. It has been such a lovely environment for our children to enter into learning and socialization. They get to think for themselves, explore the outside world, think about their place in our environment, and be creative in so many different ways. We love Prairie!

We have been a part of the Prairie School community for 3 years now and this school has exceeded our expectations. The small class sizes are fantastic the teachers are able to keep them engaged and put in extra effort where needed for the kids' individual levels and abilities. One of our daughters is a little advanced in certain areas and the teachers saw that right away and worked to keep her engaged and moving forward where needed. That was hugely important to us, and we knew we had made the right decision in choosing this school just after the first year of being there. Being outside and learning about the natural world, incorporating that into the curriculum is also very important to us. The kids aren't stuck in a classroom all day. This has helped our girls grow and learn about their environment, themselves, and others. Everyone at Prairie School has honestly been amazing. Our girls have been forming wonderful relationships with their teachers, as are we. They listen to any concerns; keep you updated and are always open when you need them. We cannot recommend this school enough.

Prairie school is a child's dream. Learning with nature, exploring with all their senses, getting dirty, lots of playtime, and more. As an educator, I appreciate the value Prairie School puts on nature/play-based learning and fostering an environment for true growth as a developing child. This is what school for kids should be like.

We have had such a great experience with early education for our 2 kids at Prairie School of DuPage! They both thrive on the independent, imaginative, outdoor play! The teachers are absolutely fantastic. Both of our kids are cautious and a bit shy by nature, and Miss Laura in particular has been such a wonderful influence on our youngest! She has been so kind and patient, and has helped get him to a comfort level at school where he now leads the games with his friends and walks confidently into school! Couldn`t be happier with our Prairie School experience.