Extensions
Nurturing Growth and a Sense of Exploration
Our Extensions classes empower children to expand their world as they adapt, imagine, and develop competency in new subject areas and skills. By blending traditional Montessori methods with modern, real-world experiences, students grow to apply what they know to real life, gaining confidence, independence and practical skills to thrive both in school and beyond.
STEAM Innovation Studio
Our STEAM Innovation Studio (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) provides a dynamic space for students at every level to create, invent, and learn—both during the school day and in specialized afterschool programs. Technology programs include computer and media basics, keyboarding, digital citizenship, coding, robotics, 3D printing, and animation.
In the Art Studio and Ceramics Room, students are inspired by the support from knowledgeable adult guides as they collaborate with their peers. Art courses are also a focus of many of NNM's afterschool and summer programs.
Our dedicated STEAM spaces encompass:
Technology
Textiles
Ceramics
Art
Urban Farm
The 3,500 square foot rooftop farm, plus indoor hydroponics labs and animal habitats, gives students hands-on learning opportunities with producing fruits, vegetables, raising livestock, and stewarding the land. Through lessons designed around the food cycle and sustainable farming, students learn how to grow, produce, and interact with botany. The farm supplies the Sandwich Shoppe with eggs, honey, fruits, and vegetables.
The Urban Farm is also a social and learning space for our NNM families. They are welcomed to visit and encouraged to sign up with our Urban Farm Coordinator to check in on the animals during weekends and holidays.
Sandwich Shoppe
Sandwich Shoppe is NNM's student-run farm-to-table business, providing school lunches and
giving students hands-on entrepreneurial experience running a business. Students independently manage:
Product Procurement
Menu Design
Order Taking
Food Production
Accounting
Employee Management
Staff Meetings
Community Partnerships
Beyond Campus
At NNM, the world is our classroom. From "Flex Friday" excursions around Chicago, to camping and international trips, our students have a dynamic range of opportunities to explore the world around them.
Music
From singing songs to exploring the Montessori bells, NNM students engage with a wide variety of vocal and instrumental music from the classrooms to the dedicated music Extensions classes.
For students interested in formal, focused instruction, NNM provides private music lessons, Suzuki group lessons, and ensembles.
NNM Library
The NNM Library is a place where our students can find a corner for cozy reading or dive into research projects, Students engage with books and resources that nurture a love of reading, curiosity, and discovery. The library is an inviting space where children explore stories, deepen knowledge, and practice independent learning.
For students seeking more, the library offers curated collections, research support, and opportunities to connect with literature across cultures and subjects. Guided by our librarian, students learn to navigate information responsibly and develop skills that enrich their learning in every classroom.
