Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School of Chicago – North Center
Where Every Child Feels Known
Trusted, Connected Preschool in North Center
At The Gardner School of Chicago–North Center, children learn and grow in a warm, welcoming environment designed to support both academic readiness and emotional well-being. Serving infants through Pre-K, our school blends research-based curriculum with nurturing relationships that help children build confidence, curiosity, and strong social skills. Located near Irving Park and Lincoln Avenue, we’re proud to support families in North Center, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, and surrounding neighborhoods.
A Neighborhood Community That Helps Children Thrive
Inside our bright, purposeful classrooms, teachers take time to understand each child’s personality, interests, and learning style. Children explore hands-on activities, engage in creative projects, and enjoy movement in both indoor and outdoor playscapes. Our S.T.E.A.M. Lab and enrichment studio offer opportunities for deeper discovery and joyful learning. With newly added infant, toddler, and two-year-old classrooms, growing families have more opportunities to join our school community.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Teachers guide early literacy, math, social-emotional development, and problem-solving through a research-based curriculum. Hands-on exploration, purposeful play, and nurturing relationships help children build strong academic foundations and confidence.
Safety and Health
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Families feel at ease with secure entry checkpoints, clean and calm classrooms, and attentive routines that help children feel safe and supported. Healthy meals and snacks are served daily in the Kids’ Café to nourish growing bodies.
Movement
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Large indoor and outdoor playscapes offer space for active play and gross motor development. Daily movement helps children build strength, coordination, and joyful energy throughout the school day.
Community
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North Center families appreciate our close-knit school culture, real-time parent updates, family events, and open communication. We value collaboration and create meaningful partnerships that support each child's growth.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Enrichment Programs
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Lorena Reyes
Executive School Director
Lorena Reyes
Executive School Director
Lorena first joined The Gardner School in 2020 before taking time to complete her studies in 2021. She was thrilled to return in 2022, bringing with her an even deeper love for early education and leadership. She began as a floater teacher and has grown through multiple roles, gaining insight into every part of the classroom experience. Each morning, she loves greeting children and families with smiles that set a positive tone for the day and remind her how meaningful those connections are.
Bella Sivore
Assistant Director
Bella Sivore
Assistant Director
Bella finds so much joy in the everyday connections that shape the school day at The Gardner School of Chicago – North Center. Whether she’s welcoming families in the morning or chatting with children about the things they love, she values the relationships that help each child feel seen, supported, and ready to learn. Since joining TGS in February 2025, she has enjoyed building strong bonds with families and teachers while helping create a warm and organized school environment.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.