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 – Ravenswood
A Place to Learn and Grow
Warm, Welcoming Preschool in Ravenswood
At The Gardner School of Chicago–Ravenswood, children learn and play in bright classrooms, a secure environment, and colorful spaces designed for discovery. Families appreciate our caring teachers, trusted curriculum, and convenient neighborhood location near Wilson and Ashland.
Learning That Builds Confidence and Joy
Our Ravenswood preschool blends curriculum-based lessons with child-led exploration, helping children develop strong academic, social, and emotional skills. Teachers use research-backed programs like Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders, and Learning Without Tears to support early literacy, problem-solving, and independence. Children enjoy movement, hands-on activities, and healthy meals in the Kids’ Café. With experienced teachers and a warm school culture, we provide thoughtful care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Teachers guide early academic and social development through a balanced curriculum that supports literacy, math, problem-solving, and expressive learning. Hands-on activities, structured play, and daily routines help children build confidence and curiosity.
Safety and Health
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Our school features controlled-entry access and clean, well-organized classrooms that help children feel secure. Bright, calm spaces make it easy for children to settle in and thrive. Organic meals and snacks in the Kids’ Café support healthy growth and happy mealtimes.
Movement
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Children enjoy movement throughout the day with an outdoor playscape for our youngest learners, a nearby park for older students, and an indoor studio for active play. Physical activity supports coordination, strength, and joyful energy.
Location and Convenience
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Located at Wilson and Ashland, our school offers easy access for families in Ravenswood and nearby neighborhoods. The school’s inviting layout, dedicated learning spaces, and walkable location make daily routines simpler for busy parents.
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
Emily Davidson
Executive School Director
Emily Davidson
Executive School Director
Emily loves being part of the moment when children transition from home to school each morning. Greeting families, sharing smiles, and offering reassurance set a positive tone for the day and help children feel safe, excited, and ready to learn. Since joining The Gardner School in 2017, Emily has grown from Lead Infant Teacher to Toddler and Preschool Teacher, then Assistant Director, and now Executive School Director at The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood. Her journey reflects a deep passion for nurturing children’s growth and building meaningful connections with families.
Olga Bensen
Assistant Director
Olga Bensen
Assistant Director
Olga loves greeting children and families each morning at The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood. Seeing the children’s bright smiles and excitement as they start their day fills her with energy and joy. She also cherishes those morning moments with parents, sharing updates and setting a warm, positive tone that carries through the day.
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.