Quest Academy in Palatine, Illinois

“Quest understands not just the educational, but the emotional needs of gifted children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I was in the first Panda Class ever at Quest Academy. I have been there for 10 years. I love the teachers, friends, and I love Quest. The head of school is wonderful as is this school. I love the relationship between the students and teachers. I talk to my Kindergarten teacher and help out with the kids when I can. The teachers are able to teach teach to all different kinds of learners. I love this school and I am so fortunate to be going there,”
This review was posted by a student.

“My child is currently in the Pre-K program at Quest. In my opinion, you could not find a better program in the area for a gifted 4 - 5 year old. The teachers are extremely nurturing, creative and full of energy. These kids are highly capable and interested in so much and Quest allows them to explore, question and learn in a non-competitive, playful and age-appropriate environment. Also, the teachers understand each child's strengths and weaknesses and teach to them accordingly. They foster a love of learning and an understanding that persistence and the journey of learning are fun - not necessarily arriving at the 'right answer'. The building of positive leadership skills and a healthy self-esteem are incorporated daily. My child is engaged every day and enthusiastically goes to school every morning. Other schools, gifted or not, could learn so much from the way these kids are taught.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The academic rigor balanced with a nurturing environment and attention to the needs of individual students.”
This review was posted by a other.

“Quest Academy has the most caring teachers who are dedicated to discovering each childs individual talent. Once they recognize something special they are quick to adjust the learning disipline and include the parents involvement!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“After ten years at Quest, my daughter finds herself a sophomore in high school. On the plus side, she is the happiest gifted teenager I know. Our main reason for sending her to Quest was for the social aspect, (to protect her from the knowledge that she is freakishly intelligent until she was old enough to handle it). Quest did a great job nurturing those needs. Secondly, I wanted to give her a chance to struggle, which she wouldn't have gotten in a public school. Third, her to know herself. In a public school, she'd have only ever been the smart kid. At Quest, she found out that she was funny, kind, and a valued member of the team. Academically, she finds herself in the high honors math classes, but her algebra skills are so splintered, she is failing. The math program needs revamping!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I must be the first student to review for this school. I have gone to this school for 2 and a half years, and boy am i thankful to be out of there.It has been said before that social integration is a major problem, and that discipline is also a major problem. Its almost as if the teachers don't care! I've seen whole classrooms go crazy for almost a whole class period, and the teacher either having no control over the kids, or just not doing anything! To add, the tuition is extremely high for what the students are getting out of this, i.e. the location is in a chain mall, and the building itself is very nondescript. On a positive note, however, there is a great arts program, and you can actually retain the information you're taught, that is, when they teach anything.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child started at Quest Academy last year. The teachers are very nurturing, intelligent, and fair. They really seem to 'get' my child's quirkiness. The administration is in a transition period and I am very pleased with the changes. The students have wonderful 'specials' teachers, especially music and art. I am amazed at how the teachers motivate the students. My son can't wait to go to school. The Aftercare Program is very good also. I often hear students begging to stay for aftercare. I highly recommend Quest Academy for gifted children.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My child has been at Quest for several years. I have been most impressed with the academic rigor and the creativeness of the school projects. But social integration seems to be undervalued. Also, misbehaviors tend to be chalked up to the 'giftedness' of the child. My child has even commented on the injustice of seeing a kid act out repeatedly and not receive any consequences. This school offers a great academic value, but I do worry about the lack of social interaction with peers outside of school, and I don't think that kids behavior should be excused because they are gifted.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Quest has been great for my son: he excels in math, but refuses to perform in language arts. The teachers have been wonderful, working with us to motivate him and help him perform at his potential. Academic subjects are coordinated so that a topic can be covered in its totality. Music, art and drama are much more available than in the public schools. Sports are not emphasized, as you would expect at a school for gifted kids. However, sportsmanship, skills, fair play, and fitness are a large part of the gym class curriculum. Parental involvement is a given: if you pay thousands of dollars for an education, you're going to be involved. Personally, I speak to my son's teacher almost every day, touch base with the administration at least twice a month and love being this involved. This school works for us, but is not for every gifted kid.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I would first like to say that Quest is a wonderful school, also that there have been some drastic faculty changes things are running more smoothly.It really is a great school and comfortable environment for learning.”
This review was posted by a student.

“I have three children at Quest, one twice-exceptional. I have found the teachers to be very willing to differentiate, even radically. For my 2e child the teachers and administration have been extremely accomodating, beyond my expectations. It is the child's relationship to the teachers that count, and they are happy in this regard, so we are too. Music programs good, art excellent, wish there were more sports programs. High level of parent involvement as one would expect. We drive over one half hour and are paying tens of thousands of dollars in tuition - it is the best fit for our family.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This school is a disappointment. While the curriculum in and of itself is good, the school is marred by an unauthentic administration (especially the Director of Admission), a hit-or-miss faculty, and subpar extracurriculars. Few students seem to go on to top private high schools and it's located in a strip mall on a busy street.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great school for gifted education. But you must meet the minimum testing levels and be aware of the accelerated program.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Excellent variety of subjects and dedicated faculty. Small class size helps with differentiation. Some specials classes seem undeveloped, i.e. Drama for the lower classes: It seems like the school likes to boast its addition to the curriculum but lacks specific dramatic skill teaching or objectives. The administration of the school is unauthentic, unapproachable and does not seem able to follow through on promises made to parents. Although the school sings its glories about differentiation and acceptance, I've found that students can behave inappropriately and disrespectfully but are excused by the 'giftedness' which makes them special. Even though every child is different,they are treated the same and any child who has medical conditions, or 'twice gifted' differences will not be nurtured or welcomed. They are too overwhelmed to deal with anything extra. Extracuuricular activities are minimal and lack challenge or enthusiasm. They are provided as 'day care'. Parental involvement is obsessive.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My son has made remarkable progress at Quest. He is happy, excited about learning and loves to go to school. The teachers are exceptional; the parents very involved. Our whole family has been welcomed into a community that is very special.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Quest Academy was the best thing that happened to us last year and after a bad adventure with another private school. Although we live more than 50 minutes away from the school, we haven't regret our choice and we moved our younger kid too to the school this year. Great teachers, warm environment, strict approach, real learning.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“wonderful school, the very best for gifted youth. Fantastic teachers! The best decision we ever made for our 3 children.”
This review was posted by a parent.