Seton Montessori Institute
5728 Virginia Avenue
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514
View map for Seton Montessori Institute
http://setonmontessori.org/| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Public or private | Private |
| Type of school |
Montessori Infant & Toddler Assistant Preparation & Teacher Certification Montessori Early Childhood Assistant Preparation & Teacher Certification Montessori Leadership and Administrator Certification |
| Date founded | 1970 |
| School accreditation | Approved by Illinois Board of Higher Education, Affiliated by American Montessori Society, Accredited by Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education |
| Setting | Suburban (within commuting distance of a large city) |
| Closest major metropolitan area | Chicago |
| Population of city the school is in | 8,634 |
| Distance from campus to city center | 1.4 miles to downtown Clarendon Hills and the BNSF train line |
| Public transportation to campus | Metra train on the BNSF line |
| Student parking on campus | Free parking onsite and in the neighborhood |
| Campus size | 6 acres, 4 buildings |
| County | DuPage |
| Visitor information website | Find more information on this website |
| School visit availability | To request a private consultation, register to observe a Montessori classroom, and/or attend an online information session please use the links at the bottom of this page: https://www.setonmontessori.org/smi-admissions |
| Contact to set up school visit |
Elena Pappas Bordoshuk, Director of Admissions mailto:Admission@SetonMontessori.org |
| Additional information | Seton Montessori Institute is a teacher and Montessori school administrator preparation institute that has graduated thousands of qualified and caring educators and leaders since 1970. Our mission is to prepare children and adults to become thoughtful, effective agents for peace and progress in themselves, their communities, and the world. Seton Montessori Institute is affiliated by American Montessori Society (AMS), accredited by Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and is approved to operate by the Private Business and Vocational Schools Division of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Number of full time, male students | 4 |
| Number of full time, female students | 45 |
| Total number of full time students | 49 |
| Number of part time, male students | 0 |
| Number of part time, female students | 0 |
| Total number of part-time students | 0 |
| Total number of male students | 4 |
| Total number of female students | 45 |
| Total number of students | 49 |
| Other enrollment information | Required 9-month minimum practicum can be in a paid position within an approved Montessori school. |
| American Indian/Alaskan Native | 0% |
| Asian | 5% |
| Black | 3% |
| Hispanic | 8% |
| White | 17% |
| Race/ethnicity unknown | 7% |
| These figures reflect responses of people who chose to indicate their racial-ethnic background. All categories except Hispanic represent non-Hispanic students. International students are not included in these figures so they may not add up to 100 percent. | |
| Percentage of students from out of state | 34% |
| Number of states and territories represented | 7 |
| Percentage of students from outside the US | 8% |
| Number of countries represented | 4 |
| Other age of student information | 20% are younger than 25 years old |
| Percentage of students 25 or older | 80% |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Costs (for proprietary schools) |
Discovering Montessori, Paraprofessional Course: $350 Infant-Toddler Course: $7,900 plus $490 Certification/Membership Fees Early Childhood Course: $7,900 plus $490 Certification/Membership Fees Course for Montessori Leadership & Administration Tuition Model I: $8,250 plus $490 AMS Adult Learner Fee Model II: $7,650 plus $490 AMS Adult Learner Fee Model II: $8,750 plus $490 AMS Adult Learner Fee $100 non-refundable application fee collected at the time of applying |
| Academic program/major | Yes |
| Tuition refund policy |
Refund Policy The $100 application fee is non-refundable. Other Course Fees (e.g. MACTE and AMS student fees) are non-refundable after June 1, 2025. Refunds of tuition paid will be made within 60 days of receipt of the withdrawal and are calculated proportionately to the percentage of the course completed and taking into account administrative costs. After Phase One of Academics, Orientation, has begun, 90% of the fully paid course tuition is refundable to the withdrawn student. After Phase Two of Academics has begun (April 8, 2026 for Spring Cohort, June 8, 2026 for Summer Cohort, and October 17, 2026 for Fall Cohort) 70% of the fully paid course tuition is refundable to the withdrawn student. After the conclusion of Phase Two of Academics but before Phase Three of Academics (e.g. July 5, 2026), 50% of the fully paid course tuition is refundable to the withdrawn student. Between the start of Phase Three and September 30 of that year, 20% of the fully paid course tuition is refundable to the withdrawn student. Between October 1 and until October 31 of that year, 10% of the fully paid course tuition is refundable to the withdrawn student. No tuition refunds will be made after November 1 following the attendance of Phase Three Summer In-Residence Academics. *Refund dates may change per calendar year |
| Installment plan (you can pay tuition in several payments over the course of the term) | Yes |
| Pre-payment plan (if you pay your entire tuition when you enroll, you don't have to pay higher prices if tuition increases) | Yes |
| Tuition guarantee (you aren't affected by tuition increases; the tuition you pay your first year is the amount you pay all years) | Yes |
| Other tuition payment plan information |
Payment Schedule Application Fee - $100 (due with application submission) Initial Payment (due at enrollment) Balance of Tuition (choose one) Plan 1: One payment due prior to academics (March 29, 2024, for spring start or June 3, 2024, for summer start) Plan 2: Three installments due: March 29, 2024, for spring start; June 3, 2024, for summer start July 1, 2024 October 1, 2024 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Financial aid contact person | Aniela Muka |
| Financial aid contact title | Registrar |
| Financial aid contact e-mail | |
| Financial aid phone | 630.654.0151 |
| Submit these forms | There are several resources for financial support for those who wish to become Montessori educators. Most students who come to study at Seton are funded entirely or in-part by their Montessori school. AMS offers scholarships as do several other organizations. For more information please email mailto:Admissions@SetonMontessori.org to set up a time to discuss your options. |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Admissions contact person | Elena Pappas Bordoshuk |
| Admissions contact title | Director of Admissions |
| Admissions contact e-mail | |
| Admissions phone (local) | 630-654-0151 |
| Electronic application website | Find more information on this website |
| For incoming students | Open (virtually all applicants are accepted) |
| Open admissions policy applies to | Assistant courses do not have minimum requirements other than the ability to log in and participate in online classes and follow up work. |
| Groups or programs with a different entrance difficulty level |
Certification courses have different requirements based on the level. Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood Teacher Certification need a minimum of a high school diploma, or its equivalent, to pursue the Associate level of credential, and a Bachelor's Degree in any field to pursue Full certification. Administrator Certification candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree from a US accredited college or university or its equivalent. |
| Entrance difficulty level for these groups | Minimally difficult (about 95% of applicants accepted) |
| High school education | High school diploma required and GED accepted. |
| Postsecondary education | Bachelor's Degree required to apply for the Administrator's course. |
| Admission is available | Spring start, Summer start, Fall Start |
| Application deadline | March 1, 2026, May 1, 2026, June 1, 2026 & September 1, 2026 |
| Application fee | $100 |
| Submit these items: | |
| Application | Required for all students |
| College transcript | Required for some students |
| High school transcript or GED certificate | Required for some students |
| Interview | Required for some students |
| Letters of recommendation (#) | 3 |
| Letters of recommendation | Required for some students |
| Written essay or personal statement | Required for some students |
| Other application materials | Required for some students |
| Letters of recommendation | 3, required for some students |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Pre-certification training | Yes |
| Certificate or diploma | Yes |
| Associate | Yes |
| School catalog website | Find more information on this website |
| Academic calendar | Find more information on this website |
| Grading system | pass/fail |
| Number of faculty on campus | 31 |
| Average class size | |
| Lecture | 25 |
| Laboratory | 25 |
| Discussion | 25 |
| Evenings | Yes |
| On-line/distance learning | Yes |
| Part time | Yes |
| Short-term courses | Yes |
| Summer school | Yes |
| Weekends | Yes |
| Online registration for classes | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Housing contact person | Aniela Muka |
| Housing contact title | Registrar |
| Housing contact e-mail | |
| Housing phone | 630.654.0151 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Academic advising | Yes |
| Basic job skills | Yes |
| Orientation | Yes |
| Student lounge | Yes |
| Barrier-free campus | Yes |
| Designated parking | Yes |
| Housing | Yes |
| Registration assistance | Yes |
| 24-hour emergency phone and alarms on campus | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Career contact person | Anna Perry |
| Career contact title | Executive Director |
| Career contact e-mail address | |
| Career contact phone | 630.654.0151 |
| Had a full-time job offer within six months of graduation | 95% |
| Alumni networking and mentoring | Yes |
| Career counseling | Yes |
| Career interest testing | Yes |
| Job bank | Yes |
| Job interviews | Yes |
| Job interview preparation | Yes |
| Placement assistance | Yes |
| Résumé preparation assistance | Yes |
| Résumé referral to employers | Yes |