Though it was founded in 1912 and has undergone many renovations, Ascension Catholic School hasn't changed its mission — to excel at Catholic education.
Today, Ascension's students take classes in foreign language, history, social studies, science, math, visual arts, music, physical education and music instruction. The school also provides for a range of extracurricular activites, from orchestras to volleyball teams.
Ascension's school board act as advisors to Ascension Parish pastor and the school's principal. The board meets once a month, typically on the second Monday of the month.
Intercultural Montessori Language School is an immersion school for pre-school and elementary school-age students. Dual language programs are available in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. This school offers before and after-school programs, as well as a summer language immersion camp. Pre-school, lower elementary and upper elementary programs are available. The elementary program covers language arts, science, history, ecology, geography and art with a curriculum in both languages. The pre-school program focuses on motor coordination, perceptual skills, language skills and pre-reading concepts. There is an additional location for this institution in Chicago's West Loop.
Demaira Dance Studios has served Oak Park residents in various incarnations since the late '70s. It offers classes in ballet, hip-hop and Latin dance. Ages 3 and up are welcome, and teen and adult classes are offered. Students get a chance to show off their newly acquired talents at a final recital. The dancing facilities consist of two rooms with hardwood floors, full length mirrors and a sound system.
Oak Park's Montessori School believes that education revolves around teaching by example. The School constructs its curriculum according to children's developmental periods to foster their students' intelligence and social initiative.
The School also runs a Spanish immersion program, which is a method of teaching the Spanish language through everyday conversation and tailored teaching materials.
Oak Park Montessori offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including art classes, soccer, Latin dance, piano instruction and field trips.
