Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Families & Friends,
Something remarkable has been unfolding at American Montessori Academy. Since we first opened our South Loop campus in 2012—and for decades before at our affiliated schools on the North Shore—we have remained steadfast in our commitment to providing an exceptional Montessori education. Today, that legacy continues with renewed energy and exciting new developments across our community.
Over the past several years, a simple yet powerful phrase has echoed through our halls more than ever: We Are Montessori.
While Montessori philosophy has always shaped our classrooms and guided our pedagogy, the events of recent years have challenged us to reaffirm and reimagine what that truly means. When the pandemic necessitated our transformation into licensed Emergency Child Care Centers (ECCC), we were called to adapt creatively while remaining rooted in our core values. It was not easy, but it was essential—and thanks to our extraordinary community, we rose to the challenge.
We are deeply grateful to the families, educators, staff, and students who have sustained our mission and contributed to its growth. Their unwavering support has helped us innovate, expand access to essential resources, and preserve the integrity of the Montessori method, even in the most difficult moments.
Today, our classrooms remain the vibrant heart of our work—thoughtfully prepared spaces where children engage in purposeful exploration, cultivate independence, and develop holistically. With great pride, we now carry that vision forward through the growth of our school community.
In 2021, we welcomed families to our newest campus in Andersonville, and in summer 2025, we will open the doors to a second South Loop campus in the historic Lakeside Press building. These beautiful new spaces will feature state-of-the-art classrooms with child-sized environments, easily accessible outdoor playgrounds, and other features that nurture every aspect of a child’s development—cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual.
Each milestone reminds us that our mission is not static—it evolves. To be truly Montessori means to be in dynamic partnership with the child, the parent, and the educator. It means embracing change with intentionality, modeling ethical stewardship, and cultivating compassion and empathy in all that we do. In the words of Dr. Maria Montessori, education must aim not only to teach but to elevate the full human capacity.
We Are Montessori. And we invite you to celebrate this journey with us.
Warmly,
Mahdi Dadrass
CEO, Executive Director & Co-Founder
American Montessori Academy