The Ancona School

The Ancona School is a day school in Chicago serving roughly 250 students from preschool through middle school. Founded on Montessori principles, the school operates as a child-centered community where students develop into creative problem solvers and independent learners. That pedagogical approach shapes everything about working there—from classroom design to faculty culture and hiring priorities.

Teaching here means adopting a different posture than traditional instruction. Montessori practice requires teachers to observe closely, intervene deliberately, and trust children's intrinsic motivation. Classrooms are mixed-age, materials-rich environments. A teacher might spend a morning guiding individual students through self-directed work rather than delivering whole-group lessons. It is intellectually demanding and rewarding for educators who find meaning in that approach.

The school's explicit commitment to cultural and economic diversity affects both hiring and daily life. The Ancona School actively builds a community where children encounter peers from different backgrounds and learn to see difference as ordinary. Faculty hiring reflects that value. Teachers find themselves part of ongoing conversations about equity and belonging.

Spanish language programming creates additional teaching opportunities for bilingual educators. Administrative, advancement, and support staff roles also open periodically as the school grows. Day school positions offer Chicago educators the advantage of a genuine home life outside the school day—unlike residential settings.

For teachers drawn to Montessori philosophy and seeking a smaller, mission-driven community, Ancona represents a concrete alternative to traditional independent schools. The school's focus on problem-solving, risk-taking, and justice aligns with educators who want their work to connect to larger values.