During the past several years I have been fortunate to visit AGBMS, attend the annual Galas, meet many of its faculty and staff members, observe students in learning situations, and volunteer for various activities. In every single pleasant encounter, I have found three important foundations at work.
The first strength of AGBMS seems to be its people. Under your strong and sensitive leadership, teachers and other staff seem to thrive! They are always welcoming and happy to assist visitors. Their interactions with children are calming. Often I have witnessed them expertly and enthusiastically solving problems with soft voices, sound assurances, and openness to children’s exchanges.
Secondly, the Montessori approach is a most positive force. The curriculum allows for children’s decision-making, training and practice for responsible actions, a structure with clear perimeters and flexibility. Although I am still learning about it, I have come to appreciate the methods and instructional strategies that make so much sense for educating children.
The third strength of AGBMS is its fine facility. You, the Board members, and staff have taken great care of a physical space that has recently grown with an addition that is adept to all sorts of possibilities, from multi-age instruction to large group meetings and performances. What a wonderful environment for learning! Kids can cook, perform, exercise, play games, dance, entertain their families, work with their siblings and cohorts, and move inside with plenty of open space. Outdoor spaces are utilized creatively as well, and I enjoy seeing your students outside often!
Jay D. Howe, Ed.D.
Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School fosters a love of learning in all its students. As a board member for many years, I have had the opportunity to visit the school for special events, graduation celebrations and classroom visits. I am impressed by the teachers and staff. Everyone at AGBMS embraces the entire child, academically and socially-emotionally in a caring, supportive atmosphere in a state-of-the art school.
Dr. Ayn Keneman Professor-National Louis University, Chicago IL
We have a deaf child, and my 4 year old daughter has been attending AGBMS for almost two years now. In short, all of the teachers and staff at AGBMS have been wonderful. My daughter loves going to school and gives her teachers a big hug every day at drop off. They spend a lot of extra time on her, and it is clear they care about her very much in addition to meeting all of the requirements per her IEP. No school is perfect, but AGBMS does their very best and has the best interests of my daughter at heart. Highly recommend exploring it if you are looking for a child-led Montessori environment. Bruce J. 9/25/2023 Yelp yelp.com/biz/alexander-graham-bell-montessori-school-wheeling?hrid=Z5HgJ2JAE9ZVyIQ4CugwlA&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=biz_post_share&l=en_US
AGBMS is an incredible experience as deaf/hoh students work side by side with hearing peers. Cued Speech is the mode of communication for academic success and student engagement throughout the school. From the youngest (6 weeks) to the oldest, 16, at the present time.