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Intercultural Montessori Language School - Chicago Campus

United States, Chicago

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Arabic, English, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish
Fees $22,800
Ages 1 - 14 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2005
Bus Service No
Part of
Intercultural Montessori Language School
Academic offering
Curriculum Bespoke Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum
Taught languages Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

Intercultural Montessori Language School in Chicago provides a dual-language education for students from age two through eighth grade. Families select an immersion track in either Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, or Japanese, where students learn core subjects directly in the target language. The Chicago campus, located in the West Town neighborhood, utilizes the Montessori method, featuring classrooms equipped with specialized tactile materials that allow children to progress through lessons at their own pace. A unique feature of the program is "Peace Education," which incorporates specific lessons on conflict resolution and global awareness into the daily schedule. Additionally, elementary students participate in "Going Out" excursions—student-organized trips into the city to conduct independent research. These programs are designed to build practical life skills alongside bilingual proficiency. The school is co-educational and serves as a day school without boarding facilities, focusing on creating a community where different cultures and languages are part of the everyday learning experience.

This campus is part of Intercultural Montessori Language School

114 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

The Essentials

Intercultural Montessori Language School - Chicago Campus has instruction in Arabic, English, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish.

Location
The school operates two campuses in Illinois: Chicago Campus in the West Loop at 114 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, and Oak Park Campus at 301 S Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302. The Oak Park campus is the original location, and the Chicago Campus serves the West Loop and surrounding neighborhoods. Intercultural also operates inter-campus transportation via a minibus to connect Oak Park and Chicago campuses for certain students.

Stages
Toddlers; Early Childhood; Elementary; Middle School

Type
Private nonprofit Montessori school with dual-language immersion (501(c)(3))

Country affiliation
United States

School day structure
Toddler hours: Half-day 8:00am–12:30pm; Full-day 8:00am–3:00pm; Extended-day 8:00am–5:30pm.

Bus service
Intercultural operates a minibus that departs from the Oak Park campus each morning to transfer Elementary students to the Chicago campus, with return trips to Oak Park in the afternoon.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Trustees which provides fiscal oversight, strategic planning, policy guidance, and evaluation of the Head of School.
Fees

Annual tuition at Intercultural Montessori Language School - Chicago Campus ranges from USD 22,800 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration Fees

- Application fee (new applicants only): USD 100.
- Registration fee (one-time, new students only): Chicago campus USD 1,000; Oak Park campus USD 600.

Chicago campus — Tuition 2026–2027 (fees shown as total cost, deposit, remaining balance, and installment amounts)

- Toddler Program (12-month calendar)
- Half Day (8:00–12:30): USD 22,900 — Deposit USD 1,908; Remaining balance USD 20,992; Monthly payment USD 1,908.
- Full Day (8:00–2:45): USD 27,500 — Deposit USD 2,292; Remaining balance USD 25,208; Monthly payment USD 2,292.
- Extended Day (8:00–5:30): USD 31,800 — Deposit USD 2,650; Remaining balance USD 29,150; Monthly payment USD 2,650.

- Early Childhood (10-month academic year; 8 tuition installments due Aug–Mar, payments due the 1st of the month)
- Half Day (8:00–12:30): USD 20,550 — Deposit USD 2,055; Remaining balance USD 18,495; 8 installments USD 2,312 (Aug–Mar).
- Full Day (8:00–2:45): USD 22,900 — Deposit USD 2,290; Remaining balance USD 20,610; 8 installments USD 2,576 (Aug–Mar).
- Extended Day, 5 days/week (until 6:00pm): USD 4,750 — Deposit USD 475; Remaining balance USD 4,275; 8 installments USD 534.
- Before Care (7:00–8:00am): USD 1,500 — Deposit USD 150; Remaining balance USD 1,350; 8 installments USD 169.

- Elementary & Middle School (10-month academic year; 8 tuition installments due Aug–Mar, payments due the 1st of the month)
- Lower Elementary (8:00–3:00): USD 22,900 — Deposit USD 2,290; Remaining balance USD 20,610; 8 installments USD 2,576.
- Upper Elementary (8:00–3:00): USD 23,800 — Deposit USD 2,380; Remaining balance USD 21,420; 8 installments USD 2,678.
- Middle School (8:00–3:00): Tuition USD 23,700 — Deposit USD 2,370; Remaining balance USD 21,330; 8 installments USD 2,666. Washington, D.C. capstone travel fee USD 2,600 (added to Middle School total). Total Middle School cost including travel: USD 26,300; 8 installments USD 2,991.

- Additional Chicago-campus items
- Daily shuttle from Oak Park to Chicago: USD 900.

Oak Park campus — Tuition 2026–2027 (fees shown as total cost, deposit, remaining balance, and installment amounts)

- Toddler Program (12-month calendar)
- Half Day (8:00–12:30): USD 18,550 — Deposit USD 1,546; Remaining balance USD 17,004; Monthly payment USD 1,546.
- Full Day (8:00–2:45): USD 20,750 — Deposit USD 1,729; Remaining balance USD 19,021; Monthly payment USD 1,729.
- Extended Day (8:00–5:30): USD 25,000 — Deposit USD 2,083; Remaining balance USD 22,917; Monthly payment USD 2,083.

- Early Childhood (10-month academic year; 8 tuition installments due Aug–Mar, payments due the 1st of the month)
- Half Day (8:00–12:30): USD 12,750 — Deposit USD 1,275; Remaining balance USD 11,475; 8 installments USD 1,434.
- Full Day (8:00–2:45): USD 15,850 — Deposit USD 1,585; Remaining balance USD 14,265; 8 installments USD 1,783.
- Extended Day, 5 days/week (until 6:00pm): USD 4,200 — Deposit USD 420; Remaining balance USD 3,780; 8 installments USD 473.
- Before Care (7:00–8:00am): USD 650 — Deposit USD 65; Remaining balance USD 585; 8 installments USD 73.

- Oak Park campus additional items
- (No Oak Park–Chicago shuttle fee listed in Oak Park schedule; Oak Park families may choose optional services as listed on the Chicago schedule.)

Discounts, Required Giving, and Common Additions

- Sibling discount: USD 1,000 reduction (listed).
- Re-enrollment discount (early re-enrollment): USD 1,000 reduction (Chicago schedule lists a re-enrollment discount deadline of March 26, 2026).
- Payment-in-full discount: 2% discount if payment in full is received by August 1, 2026.
- Annual Fund: Minimum recommended family participation USD 700 per family (annual fundraising support).
- Middle School capstone travel fee: USD 2,600 (Washington, D.C. travel; listed as included in Middle School total).

Billing schedule & payment terms

- Toddler program: billed on a 12-month calendar with monthly payments. Toddler tuition rates increase each August 1st (the 2026–2027 Toddler rates apply August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027).
- Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School programs: billed on the academic calendar (40-week academic year) with 8 tuition installments due on the 1st of each month from August through March. Tuition is not reduced for holidays, breaks, or school closures and is not attendance-based.
- Deposits shown in the schedules are charged at enrollment and are applied to the total cost; registration fees are charged for new students only.

Boarding

- Boarding: Not applicable. Intercultural is presented as a day school with campus addresses and program day hours; no boarding program or boarding fees are listed.

Other costs and typical extras

- Extended Day (aftercare) and before-care fees as listed above (varies by campus and program).
- Shuttle service fee (Oak Park-to-Chicago daily shuttle): USD 900 (listed on the Chicago schedule).
- Families are asked to participate in the Annual Fund with a minimum family gift of USD 700.

Refund information

- The published 2026–2027 tuition schedules and the school's tuition & financial aid overview provide detailed tuition amounts, deposits and installment schedules but do not publish a detailed general refund or withdrawal schedule in the materials reviewed. Deposits and registration fees are identified as fees for new students; explicit refund/withdrawal terms are not specified in the publicly posted tuition schedules. For clarity on refunds, withdrawal notice requirements, and contract-specific terms, families should review the school's enrollment agreement or contract.

Fee payment options

- Payment timing options shown: monthly installment plans (Toddler: monthly over 12 months; other programs: eight installments Aug–Mar) and a payment-in-full option that qualifies for a 2% discount if paid by the listed payment-in-full deadline (August 1, 2026).
- Specific accepted payment methods (credit card, ACH/bank transfer, check) are not listed on the published tuition schedules or the public tuition & financial aid overview. The school's tuition materials reference flexible payment plans but do not enumerate the accepted payment instruments in the documents reviewed.

(End of fee overview.)
Academics

Intercultural Montessori Language School - Chicago Campus teaches Bespoke Curriculum, Montessori Curriculum for students aged 1 to 14.

Curriculum
Intercultural Montessori uses the Montessori method with self-directed, hands-on learning guided by trained educators across Toddler through Middle School. The dual-language curriculum immerses students daily in English plus a target language, with language tracks in Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic. The Early Childhood program focuses on Practical Life, Sensorial Exploration, Language Development, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies within a structured yet flexible Montessori environment. The Elementary program aligns with Common Core and integrates Mathematics, Science, Technology, Art, Culture, and dual-language learning, delivered through mixed-age classrooms and hands-on inquiry. The Middle School program combines hands-on learning with interdisciplinary projects, citywide travel, and community service, aligned with Illinois Common Core standards, emphasizing independence, collaboration, and goal-setting as students prepare for high school and beyond.

Exam Results
MAP Percentile Scores (2024-25) for 3rd through 7th grade: Mathematics 91st percentile and Language Arts 87th percentile. 86% of tested students achieved the Global Seal of Biliteracy.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates have gained admission to Chicago high schools such as Lane Tech College Prep, Jones College Prep, Whitney Young Magnet High School, British International School of Chicago, Latin School of Chicago, and Lycée Français de Chicago. Alumni have attended universities including Cornell University, Northwestern University, University of Texas, Howard University, and Purdue University.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school's Montessori educators nurture independence, empathy, and curiosity in every child. Language-immersion classrooms foster intercultural understanding and global awareness. The elementary program emphasizes social and emotional growth, with a focus on respect, responsibility, and community-building. The dual-language program supports collaboration and intercultural understanding as part of daily learning. The school is an accredited member of the American Montessori Society, upholding trusted standards for authentic Montessori education.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school's dual-language Montessori program uses Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic as target languages, integrating language learning with the Montessori curriculum. Lower Elementary uses a bilingual model where a target language teacher and an English teacher co-teach and deliver content in both languages. Upper Elementary features intensive target-language instruction in small groups with native-speaking teachers. Languages offered across programs include Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic, supporting bilingual proficiency and cultural understanding.

Mental Wellbeing
Montessori education supports social and emotional development; the Elementary program emphasizes respect, responsibility, and community-building. Trained teachers nurture independence, empathy, and curiosity, contributing to students' mental wellbeing. Language immersion and intercultural learning foster empathy and global awareness. Social-emotional growth is integrated into the curriculum as a core element of student development.

Safeguarding
The school maintains an Anti-Bullying Policy, including a bullying prevention framework. The policy defines bullying, requires reporting to a designated administrator or bullying report manager, and outlines an investigation process with a timeline (including notification to parents within 24 hours and completion within ten school days). The policy also provides for social work services, counseling, and restorative measures as part of handling bullying incidents.
Parent Experience

History
The school was founded in Oak Park and established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2005. It operates two campuses: Oak Park and Chicago's West Loop. The origin of Intercultural Montessori dates back to 1985. The Chicago campus opened in the West Loop in 2009, and a Middle School was added in 2017. In 2020, a program for two-year-old children licensed by DCFS began, and the school earned accreditation from the American Montessori Society.

Community
Intercultural's community page highlights events, cultural festivals, school-wide traditions, and family testimonials, showing how students, parents, and teachers come together to create a dynamic, global school community. Stay connected with the school calendar and events; many events are open to the public.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Parents participate in the school's life and may join the PTA; roles include leading cultural tables at events, planning social gatherings, serving as Parent Ambassadors for new families, or hosting dinner clubs to build community across classrooms.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Intercultural Montessori Language School operates two campuses: Chicago (West Loop) and Oak Park. The Chicago campus is located at 114 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607; the Oak Park campus is at 301 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. The school is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) and is an accredited member of the American Montessori Society. Language-immersion classrooms engage students daily in Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin, or Arabic, integrating language learning with Montessori practice.

Academic Facilities
Montessori classrooms use a wide range of hands-on Montessori materials to support self-directed learning. Trained Montessori educators guide students in academic, social, and emotional growth. The curriculum integrates English with a target language in dual-language tracks, enabling fluency in both languages within an immersive environment. Programs span Toddler through Middle School with language tracks in Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, and Arabic.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extended Day provides care from 3:15 p.m. until 6 p.m. for students from Early Childhood through Middle School. Extracurricular offerings include Sports Club, Dance, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), Martial Arts, Art Classes, and Piano. The school collaborates with local organizations to bring high-quality programming directly to students and connects them with the broader community.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Hands-on, interdisciplinary learning characterizes the Middle School program. Students explore complex topics through interdisciplinary themes and hands-on projects. Learning extends beyond the classroom through citywide travel and community service. The program aligns with the Illinois Common Core State Standards and guides students to develop critical thinking, goal setting, and ownership of their learning.

Arts & Creative
Art Classes and Piano are part of Extended Day and Extracurriculars offerings. Dance and Martial Arts are also provided, along with STEAM activities. These programs foster creativity, self-expression, and physical wellness beyond regular classes. The school collaborates with local organizations to bring high-quality programming and connect students with the wider community.

Cultural & Language
Intercultural Montessori Language School offers dual-language tracks in Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic. Students are immersed daily in a bilingual environment, guided by native or fluent-speaking teachers who provide authentic cultural context. Each language track includes cultural elements and traditions, with celebrations and activities that blend language learning with culture. Arabic is now offered in Chicago.

Social & Hobbies
Extended Day offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including Sports Club, Dance, STEAM, Martial Arts, Art Classes, and Piano. These activities spark creativity, build confidence, and encourage exploration after school. The program fosters social interaction and personal growth in a safe, supportive environment. Local organizations partner with Intercultural Montessori to provide high-quality programming and connect students to the broader community.

Community & Service
Hands-on learning in Middle School extends beyond the classroom through citywide travel and community service. Students collaborate on long-term projects and engage in community-based activities to contribute to the broader community. This approach fosters teamwork, empathy, and global awareness through real-world experiences. Cultural excursions and travel experiences deepen understanding of diverse communities.

Leadership & Professional
Collaboration and community features of Middle School foster teamwork, empathy, and leadership skills. Students participate in debates and practice consensus-building as part of the learning experience. They collaborate on long-term projects and develop leadership and independent thinking through hands-on activities and citywide travel.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Extended Day nurtures creativity and confidence, providing a safe, supportive environment after school. Programming includes Sports Club, Dance, STEAM, Martial Arts, Art Classes, and Piano to promote physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. These activities offer opportunities to explore interests, express creativity, and maintain balance after the school day. Intercultural Montessori collaborates with local organizations to bring high-quality programming that connects students to the broader community.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic. The tracks are offered from Early Childhood through Middle School for Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish at Chicago and Oak Park campuses (Arabic is offered in Chicago for Early Childhood, 3–6 years, with continued progression). The curriculum aims to develop biliteracy and cultural fluency across all tracks.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers dual-language programming. Languages tracks include Japanese-English, Mandarin Chinese-English, Spanish-English, and Arabic-English. Language instruction is delivered daily in a bilingual environment by native or fluent-speaking teachers who provide authentic cultural context. Arabic track is now offered in Chicago.

Immersion Programs
Every child is immersed daily in a dual-language environment. Two lead teachers—one English-speaking and one target-language-speaking—support bilingual instruction across levels. Tracks include Japanese-English, Mandarin Chinese-English, Spanish-English, and Arabic-English.
Reputation

Accreditations
Accredited member of the American Montessori Society.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Schedule a Tour. The best way to experience Intercultural is to see it in action. Schedule a tour of either our Chicago or Oak Park campus to observe classrooms, meet educators, and learn more about the curriculum. Tours are available by appointment and provide an opportunity to ask questions.

2. Submit an Application. After your tour, you'll receive an application link. We recommend applying early, as spots fill quickly in many of our programs.

3. Family Interview & Child Observation. Once we receive your application, we'll schedule a child observation so our team can meet your child in a relaxed, natural setting. A family interview is part of the process.

4. Enrollment & Next Steps. Once accepted, families will receive enrollment details on next steps, including tuition, program details, and important dates. Our admissions team is available to support you through this transition.

Waitlist
Toddlers program (15 Months and 3-year-olds) and Early Childhood (Preschool–Kindergarten) use a waiting pool when space is not available. We are often able to offer a second-choice language program or location. Enrollment can change quickly, and the school aims not to keep families waiting for long; communications are made as clearly and as often as possible. Elementary and Middle School programs are highly selective, and a space may not be offered if there is limited space or if the Admissions team and teachers feel it is not a good fit.
School Events
The school has not added events
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