Higher Ground, a Montessori school that recently opened in Downers Grove, has set a record for most students being signed up. The property was previously a Sears Hardware at 925 Ogden Avenue and was vacant for five years. Location Finders International, a Mokena-based developer, acquired the shuttered building and redeveloped it for the daycare's use.
Illinois Business Daily recently interviewed Jocelyn Scotty, SVP of schools, Higher Ground Education, the owner of Guidepost Montessori and Mike Rose Founder of Location Finders International for more information.
“We are excited for the opportunity to continue working with both Guidepost and Downers Grove. This project is a great example of our mission to bring underutilized properties back to life with vibrant uses that serve the community,” said Rose whose real estate development firm has a 50-year history delivering retail, medical office, industrial and educational developments like the Downers Grove Guidepost.
Scotty said that Downers Grove was an ideal location for a Guidepost Montessori school.
"Practically speaking, we open Guidepost Montessori schools in communities where families care deeply about high-quality education, however, there just aren’t enough schools to meet the demand. While Downers Grove fit that profile, what we discovered was that this particular community has specifically been waiting for a Montessori program such as ours!" Scotty said. "The interest from local families has honestly been overwhelming. On our first day of school, we welcomed over 40 children, within the next week or so, 20 more children started and 25 more are starting in the next few weeks."
Scotty said families are excited.
"What we’ve also discovered is that families in Downers Grove are excited to put down roots and raise their children here long term. They are looking for partnership in the form of 'the village that raises a child and we’ve been thrilled to have become a part of that trusted village," she said.
Scotty said that families choose Guidepost schools for a variety of reasons.
"Often, the fundamental reason is a devotion to enabling their child to be their most independent, efficacious self as they develop socially and academically, alongside other children who are learning to be kind, empathetic and helpful friends," Scotty said.
Demand is high for Guidepost schools and Scotty said that she hopes that the organization can continue to grow in the community.
"We are already moving forward with plans to continue to open new classrooms at our Downers Grove campus in order to meet the overwhelming waitlist demand," Scotty said.
The Downers Grove campus is the 14th Guidepost school in the Chicagoland area and there are four more local schools opening in the next few months.
When asked what positive impacts she hopes the organization will contribute to the Downers Grove community, Scotty said, "Our goal is always to become an integrated and valuable member of the local community. Our school staff live and work locally, our families and students form tight bonds that last for years, and years and our physical buildings serve as the hub of a wider school community. Even after children graduate, we see that families continue to come back for our community events, students come back to visit beloved teachers and staff members can’t imagine working anywhere else."
Before joining Higher Ground Education/Guidepost, Scotty had a background in both business and education. She started her career in finance and changed careers when she discovered the power of Montessori for her own child. She decided to become a certified Montessori teacher, teacher trainer and school administrator then joined the organization roughly six years ago.
Higher Ground Education, the parent organization of Guidepost Montessori, was founded in 2016 by a team of impassioned educators and successful business leaders on a mission to bring Montessori education to students and schools both domestically and internationally. The first Guidepost school located Charlotte, North Carolina was a 30-year established Montessori school whose owner was looking to retire. The organization now owns and operates 121 schools for children from birth to high school in 24 states and seven countries and has a robust community of virtual and homeschool students.
Higher Ground Education, the parent organization of Guidepost Montessori, was founded in 2016 by a team of impassioned educators and successful business leaders on a mission to bring Montessori to students and school. The first Guidepost school, located Charlotte, North Carolina, was a 30-year-old established Montessori school whose owner was looking to retire. The organization now owns and operates 121 schools for children from birth to high school in 24 states and seven countries and has a robust community of virtual and homeschool students.