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 – Bucktown
Care That Shapes Who They Become
Warm, High-Quality Preschool in Bucktown
At The Gardner School of Chicago–Bucktown, children learn, play, and grow in bright classrooms, a secure school environment, and thoughtfully designed spaces that spark curiosity. Families love our nationally accredited program, caring teachers, and convenient location near the Kennedy Expressway.
Research-Based Learning That Builds Confidence
Our Bucktown preschool blends curriculum-based lessons with child-led exploration to help children develop strong academic, social, and emotional skills. Teachers use Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders, and Learning Without Tears to support early literacy, math, problem-solving, and expressive learning. With year-round programs for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, our school offers warm relationships, responsive routines, and a joyful environment where children feel known and supported.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Children build early literacy, math, social-emotional, and problem-solving skills in classrooms led by experienced, degreed teachers. Our research-based curriculum offers hands-on learning, structured play, and personalized support to help every child grow at a steady, confident pace.
Safety and Health
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Families feel at ease with controlled-entry checkpoints, clean and organized classrooms, and calm, predictable routines. Healthy meals and snacks are served daily in the Kids’ Café, supporting growing bodies and happy mealtime experiences.
Movement
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Our indoor playscape and enrichment room give children safe, engaging spaces to climb, move, and explore year-round. Daily movement supports gross motor development, coordination, and joyful energy throughout the day.
Community
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Conveniently located off the Kennedy Expressway at North Avenue and Ashland, our school offers easy access for Bucktown, Wicker Park, and Lincoln Park families. A warm school community and welcoming staff create a strong sense of partnership and connection for 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
Megan Olson
Executive School Director
Megan Olson
Executive School Director
Megan finds her greatest joy in the connections she builds each day at The Gardner School of Chicago – Bucktown. Whether she’s chatting with families at drop-off or visiting classrooms to see the laughter and learning in action, she loves being part of a community where relationships come first. Since joining The Gardner School in 2015 as a Floater Teacher, Megan has served in nearly every role within the school, gaining a deep understanding of what makes TGS such a special place for children, families, and staff.
Gloria Plascencia
Assistant Director
Gloria Plascencia
Assistant Director
Gloria finds so much joy in the laughter and learning that fill The Gardner School of Chicago – Bucktown each day. She loves the excitement children bring when they proudly share something they have created or learned, and the smiles that come when families walk through the doors ready to start a new day. Since joining The Gardner School in January 2016, Gloria has grown from Floater to Assistant Teacher, then Lead Teacher, and now Assistant Director, bringing her kindness and experience to every interaction.
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.