Sonnets Academy – Lincoln Park

My husband and I started to look at daycare options for when our son would turn 3 months old. Nannies were just as expensive but no social interaction and our home wasn’t big enough to board an au pair also no social interaction. So Sonnets Academy Lincoln Park (then called American Kidz Academy) was our best option. Of course, you hear stigmas about «daycares» not being safe, neglect children, etc. But we felt it was a warm, safe, educational environment in which we would want our son to participate. It was a little rough at first because of the AKA management. But when Brianne took over along with the new owners, you could definitely tell that they had their stuff together and were determined to make Sonnets Academy the best daycare center. And we feel they have! You can tell that the teachers genuinely care about our son (and all of the kids!). They keep us very informed of how our son’s day goes which is helpful to understand his development. They really want to teach children and to have that learning be fun and playful! It’s comforting that they have themed weeks and different activities in addition to playing, so they have structure in their day to help them feel secure to enjoy their day there. Sonnets also keeps the families very involved by having various events and family nights to help bring the community together, like a school should. Sonnets Lincoln Park is also very convenient to our home which is within walking distance, close bus stops, and easy drop-​off parking area if we need to drive. We also love that it’s so close to Lincoln Park where our son can go to the zoo almost everyday and enjoy the park which is right there!
Our now 2-​year-​old loves going to school! We highly recommend Sonnets Academy Lincoln Park.

My husband and I started looking for childcare for our daughter when I was six months pregnant, and we toured all of the best infant schools in Chicago.
Sonnets Academy was this first school we visited, and what we loved was how engaged both the director and the teachers were. At some of the other schools, it felt very much like daycare, but at Sonnets, it felt like the children — even the infants — are given the opportunity to really learn.
For this review I want to focus on three main areas that have impressed me the most: the onboarding of new students, the teachers and curriculum, and the location.
ONBOARDING
Our daughter started at Sonnets Academy when she was three months old, and for the first two months she went in three days a week. The teachers spent the first few weeks really bonding with my daughter — with lots of cuddle time — and brought extra support into the room so that all of the children would have equal attention.
The director sent updates throughout the day during the first few weeks to help put my mind at ease, and each day the teachers provided (and still do), a detailed report of challenges and accomplishments for the day. Additionally, the teachers uploaded (and still do) photos of the children to a private photo sharing website, so that we can see them in action.
There are only three other children in my daughter’s classroom, with two teachers and several helpers who come in and out of the room throughout the day. That is by far the best student-​teacher ratio I saw during all of our tours.
TEACHERS + CURRICULUM
The director of the school is very involved with each classroom, and the teachers draft customized lesson plans on a weekly basis that promote early childhood development — even in the infant room.
Each week there is a new theme, and all of the activities are designed for sensory and motor skills. I love that my daughter — at six months old — does art projects every day. We already have a refrigerator full of art!
There are also special teachers who come in the classroom once a week to do yoga, music, and Spanish. My daughter absolutely loves music.
Speaking specifically for the teachers in the infant room (since that’s who we know) — they are very hands-​on and care so much about the children. They are truly an extension of our family.
LOCATION
We absolutely love the location! It’s across the street from the Lincoln Park Zoo, and the children go to the zoo or the park whenever the weather is nice.
The drop-​off and pick-​up is very simple, and there is on-​street temporary parking for easy drop-​off if you do drive.
The school is close enough to my house that I can walk if the weather is nice. But, there are also several bus stops within a two-​block radius of the school.
All of that said — we absolutely love Sonnet’s Academy and could never imagine sending our daughter anywhere else. It is the BEST!

Sonnets is a place I feel 100 percent comfortable leaving my child. They really know my child and care about our family. The director, Brianne, as well as every member of the Sonnets team, is truly invested in the development of all the students.
The curriculum is rigorous, but developmentally appropriate. I am amazed at what my child has learned so far. Spanish, yoga, and music enrichment are an added bonus and my daughter loves these classes. Daily outings in the neighborhood are another bonus for this location. The zoo, farmer’s market, and local parks are frequent stops for the children.
The food is wonderful and they offer a wide variety as well as specialized menus if desired. (Vegan…) I know my daughter is eating well at school so those days or dinner is lacking, I don’t feel as bad!
Brianne and her team also offer a variety of additional activitiesfor families that make Lincoln Park a special place. The canvases from a recent Family Art Night now grace the hallways of the school and the children love to see their creations every day.
The Lincoln Park team is also great when an issue or emergency occur. (You hope you never get that call, but things happen.) My daughter happens to have a few medical issues and they have been super about accommodations for her. If your child ever gets ill at school, you will find them being given the extra care you would want for your child in that situation.
I highly recommend Sonnets. They provide opportunities I would never be able to.

My son has been enrolled at Sonnets (formerly American Kidz) Academy since he was 10 months old, and he is now in Pre-​School there. We experienced some transitional times in terms of teachers and leadership, but then Brianne become the Director, and it transitioned to new ownership, and we couldn’t be happier with this school.
Brianne’s leadership is a main reason for our happiness here. She has had a hands-​on role, especially during difficult transitional times. My son had a hard time when he moved up rooms, and Brianne spent time with him each morning until he settled into his new room. Even now, when he comes in late or something is different, she’s available to help him say goodbye and join the rest of the class.
The teachers are also fantastic. They truly know and care about my son. They know and communicate to us his strengths, what he should be working on at home, and how we can help him achieve milestones. They know what he’s currently interested in, and who his friends are. When he transitioned up to his last room, they planned it so he could move the same week as his closest friend. He’s learning and experiencing so much more than I could ever provide to him at home.
The other great thing about this school is the location and building. They take walks regularly through Lincoln Park Zoo, or go to one of the many parks around the area. And they have a fantastic gym in the basement — which allows my son to run around and get plenty of exercise year round.
This is not just a place that watches my kid while I go to work — it enriches his life, and we’re so happy to be a part of it.