Where Backpacks Meet Wonder
Each morning and afternoon, children arrive at Mary Meyer School with backpacks bouncing and voices full of excitement. Classes are small—no more than 20 children with three teachers—so every child is known and celebrated. Learning happens through hands-on, purposeful play: baking cupcakes, growing vegetables, hosting a farmers market, making play dough, giving a weather report, reading stories, and going on an Earth Day parade.
Meeting Time on our rainbow rug brings everyone together. Each child has a daily job—bell ringer, weather reporter, comforter, kindness catcher, or green thumb—giving them pride, ownership, and excitement for the day.
Every day is a chance to grow with confidence, curiosity, and kindness.
Meeting Time on our rainbow rug brings everyone together. Each child has a daily job—bell ringer, weather reporter, comforter, kindness catcher, or green thumb—giving them pride, ownership, and excitement for the day.
Every day is a chance to grow with confidence, curiosity, and kindness.
The Role of the Teacher
Teachers are warm hearts and steady hands, guiding children as they practice kindness, build friendships, and explore the world around them.
Through hands-on projects, playful exploration, and Meeting Time on our rainbow rug, teachers create space for safe risks, new experiences, and learning through wonder. Daily jobs give children a sense of ownership and pride as active members of the classroom community.
With just six children per teacher, every child is truly seen. Families are partners, with progress shared at conferences and through everyday stories that make each day special.
Through hands-on projects, playful exploration, and Meeting Time on our rainbow rug, teachers create space for safe risks, new experiences, and learning through wonder. Daily jobs give children a sense of ownership and pride as active members of the classroom community.
With just six children per teacher, every child is truly seen. Families are partners, with progress shared at conferences and through everyday stories that make each day special.
Space is Still Available for 2025-26!
Come Play With Us! Space is still available for our Fall 2025 Preschool Program! Visit our Application Process page today to reserve your spot! Have questions? We’d love to hear from you at [email protected] or 773.549.0870.
Our Preschool Program At-a-Glance
Learn about our daily schedule, find answers to FAQs, and discover more about our program—by clicking the tabs below.
Sessions & Age Eligibility
Typical Daily Schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Parents Choose Us
Schedule a Visit
Sessions & Age Eligibility
Sessions & Age Elegibility
Program Age Eligibility for 2025-2026
For 2025–2026, space is still available in our Preschool and Parent & Toddler programs, and we’ll continue to admit families as spots allow.
Program Age Eligibility for 2026-2027
For 2026–2027, apply by early February 2026 to receive priority consideration, or submit your application anytime after—spots are filled on a rolling basis as they become available. Begin your child’s journey in our cozy schoolhouse, where curiosity, play, and discovery await!
Children born between December 2, 2022 and December 1, 2023 should apply to our Parent & Toddler Program.
For 2025–2026, space is still available in our Preschool and Parent & Toddler programs, and we’ll continue to admit families as spots allow.
- Morning Class: Children born between December 2, 2021 and December 1, 2022
- Afternoon Class: Children born between September 2, 2020 and July 31, 2022
Program Age Eligibility for 2026-2027
For 2026–2027, apply by early February 2026 to receive priority consideration, or submit your application anytime after—spots are filled on a rolling basis as they become available. Begin your child’s journey in our cozy schoolhouse, where curiosity, play, and discovery await!
- Morning Class: Children born between December 2, 2022 and December 1, 2023
- Afternoon Class: Children born between September 2, 2021 and July 31, 2023
Children born between December 2, 2022 and December 1, 2023 should apply to our Parent & Toddler Program.
Typical Daily Schedule
Typical Daily Schedule
Activity |
Time |
Arrival and Free Play |
30 min |
Meeting. We sing the “hello song”, acknowledge our friends and discuss the daily jobs. There may be a presentation of new projects, activities, or a group conversation about topics of interest to the children. |
15 min |
Work Time. Children explore the classroom and develop eagerness and curiosity as learners. They take initiative, practice appropriate communication skills by engaging in cooperative play, learn to take turns with materials and use the classroom environment purposefully and respectfully. The varied areas of the classroom allow students to explore the domains of language arts, physical development, mathematics, science, social studies and fine arts. |
50 min |
Clean-Up |
10 min |
Book Time. Children look at books independently during "quiet book time", sing songs and listen to a story read to them by a teacher. |
10 min |
Hand Washing and Snack |
20 min |
Outside Play in our Playgarden Classroom |
35 min |
Dismissal. Children collect belongings, sing our “goodbye song” and then are dismissed to parents, guardians or caregivers. |
10 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a play-based pre-school?
We believe that children learn through purposeful play. The activities and curriculum designed by our educators support science, math, literature, small and large motor work, social and ecological responsibility and presentation and public speaking skills. When children play, they are experimenting. Play is about self-discovery, self-analysis and self-awareness. Children are learning about themselves and they are learning about their friends while teachers observe, ask questions and offer support and guidance.
What Preschool programs do you have?
Our Preschool Program consists of a Morning Class and an Afternoon Class.
The Morning Class runs from 8:35-11:30am, Monday through Friday. The Afternoon Class runs from 12:35-3:30pm, Monday through Friday. In each class, there are not more than 20 students under the care of three full-time teachers. Visit our Preschool Program page for more information.
We also offer a Parent & Toddler Program for children ages 21-33 months. Visit our Parent & Toddler Program page for more information.
The Morning Class runs from 8:35-11:30am, Monday through Friday. The Afternoon Class runs from 12:35-3:30pm, Monday through Friday. In each class, there are not more than 20 students under the care of three full-time teachers. Visit our Preschool Program page for more information.
We also offer a Parent & Toddler Program for children ages 21-33 months. Visit our Parent & Toddler Program page for more information.
How old does my child need to be to attend Mary Meyer School?
Children eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 Morning Class should be born between December 2, 2021 and December 1, 2022.
Children in the Afternoon Class must be born between September 2, 2020 and July 31, 2022.
Children in the Afternoon Class must be born between September 2, 2020 and July 31, 2022.
What is the annual tuition?
The annual tuition for the 2025-2026 Preschool Program school year is $14,500 per child. Please visit our Tuition page for more information.
How early can I apply for admission?
We only accept applications one year in advance of entrance. For example, to apply for the 2025-2026 school year, you should apply in the fall or winter of 2024-25. Our application fee is $50.
Our online application can be found HERE.
Our online application can be found HERE.
How do you select new students?
In admitting applicants, the school aims to strike a balance between factors such as the ages and backgrounds of the children. We seek a diverse student body, and we encourage applications from families of all backgrounds. Priority enrollment is offered to siblings or children of former Mary Meyer School students.
How many spaces are typically available for new families?
Each year, approximately half of our student population is comprised of new families joining our Morning and Afternoon Classes.
How are the Morning and Afternoon Classes different?
The Mary Meyer School curriculum is designed to meet a student's developmental stage and our teachers effectively differentiate instruction for each class.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
No, children do not need to be potty-trained. Mary Meyer School believes that toilet training is specific to the individual child and therefore is not a requirement of admission to the school.
How do you handle parent and child separation?
We believe that it is equally important to help parents separate from their children as it is for children to separate from their parents. It is a key component in our work at the beginning of the school year.
We have a gentle entry into life as a Mary Meyer School student. The school year begins with 20-minute classroom visits followed by half-group half-day visits for children. During this time, we require parents or caregivers to remain nearby to support this transition to a child’s life as a student. We support both parents and children through this process sending frequent photo updates to parents during the first few days of school.
Our gentle approach is reflective of what children will experience once they have adjusted to their student life. We insure that we are creating an environment that feels safe, warm and welcoming to the pace of every child in our care.
We have a gentle entry into life as a Mary Meyer School student. The school year begins with 20-minute classroom visits followed by half-group half-day visits for children. During this time, we require parents or caregivers to remain nearby to support this transition to a child’s life as a student. We support both parents and children through this process sending frequent photo updates to parents during the first few days of school.
Our gentle approach is reflective of what children will experience once they have adjusted to their student life. We insure that we are creating an environment that feels safe, warm and welcoming to the pace of every child in our care.
Do the children go outside?
Yes! Our preschool is one of few in Chicago with a dedicated outdoor play space and garden. Our Playgarden provides children with the opportunity to run and bike and climb, using their gross motor skills while developing their social and negotiation skills. Utilizing our outdoor space is integral to our daily curriculum. The raised beds provide children a dedicated space to plant and tend and grow crops for our Farmer's Market in late Spring. Even in winter we bundle up with snow pants, gloves, hats and boots and take advantage of our Playgarden.
Where do Mary Meyer School students attend elementary schools?
Mary Meyer School children are represented in private, public and parochial schools throughout Chicago. The Mary Meyer School Director supports parents as they navigate the "Applying Out" application process.
Why Parents Choose Us
Schedule a Visit
Visit the Magic of Mary Meyer School
We’d love to welcome you to our schoolhouse and share the magic of Mary Meyer School!
Registration is easy—simply click below visit our New Family Inquiries page and submit our Inquiry Form, and we’ll help you reserve your spot. We can’t wait to meet you!
- Weekly School Tours – Join us every Thursday, 9:30–10:10 AM to see our classrooms and Playgarden in action, with children learning, playing, and exploring.
- Quarterly Evening Prospective Parent Nights – Get an in-depth look at our program, hear from teachers and current parents, and tour the space.
- Monthly Weekend Open Houses – Visit the schoolhouse in a relaxed setting, learn about our philosophy and programs, and connect with staff and fellow prospective families.
Registration is easy—simply click below visit our New Family Inquiries page and submit our Inquiry Form, and we’ll help you reserve your spot. We can’t wait to meet you!
More to Explore
Take a closer look at the people and philosophy that make Mary Meyer School a joyful and inspiring place to learn and grow!
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