The greater Cleveland/Akron area is home to many options when it comes to preschool. If it’s time to start considering which area preschool would be the right fit for your child and your family, begin your search by consulting the following list of private preschools in Northeast Ohio.
BIRCHWOOD SCHOOL OF HAWKEN
Birchwood School of Hawken’s early childhood program flows from our mission to build character and foster the unique potential of the individual. Close observation of each child’s interests and abilities allows teachers to plan for the next step of individual growth. If ready to begin to read as well as develop spatial and numerical understanding to their capacity, our “no ceilings” philosophy encourages each to advance without waiting until kindergarten. More information at birchwoodschool.org
CLEVELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Now celebrating its 30th year, Cleveland Montessori serves the Little Italy and Greater Cleveland community, providing an education for life, celebrating diversity, growth and joy. Students from preschool through sixth grade are met with respect and compassion as they strive to meet their individual potential in beautifully prepared classrooms that offer social, emotional and academic experiences encompassing the culturally-rich University Circle area. Apply for 2025-26 by scheduling a tour or attending their Open House on January 22. To register, clevelandmontessori.org or 216-421-0700.
CREATIVE PLAYROOMS
Creative Playrooms Montessori and Child Care Centers give children a leg up as they begin to climb the ladder of lifetime learning. Their gifted educators help kids fall in love with learning, and their centers focus on enriching the whole child—physically, emotionally and cognitively—through their traditional and play-based Montessori approach. As an award-winning childcare provider with six locations and 50-plus years of experience in the Greater Cleveland area, Creative Playrooms offers multiple programs for infants through school age, but also provides families an additional choice of traditional or Montessori programs. creativeplayrooms.com
GILOUR ACADEMY
Gilmour’s Montessori Preschool Program serves toddlers (18 months to age 3) three or five days/week; half-or full-day and prekindergarten (ages 3-4) five days/week; half-, three-quarter- or full-day. Montessori students enjoy unique opportunities including Spanish instruction and experiential learning opportunities such as collecting eggs from their chicken coop. Before and after care available for those who would like to extend their day. Students then move seamlessly into the Lower School for grades K-12, where they continue to develop as curious learners. gilmour.org
HAWKEN SCHOOL
Hawken’s Early Childhood program allows your child to experience the joys of childhood while developing foundational knowledge, creative and critical thinking skills, citizenship, and the habits of mind to support lifelong learning. Highlights include a Forest Program option for preschoolers; introduction to Spanish and Chinese in kindergarten; and afternoon enrichment classes in science, movement, visual and dramatic arts, language and culture and music. Applicants must be 18 months old by September 30. For more information, visit hawken.edu
JULIE BILLIART SCHOOLS
Julie Billiart Schools, a private, Catholic network of kindergarten through eighth grade schools in Akron, Brecksville, Lyndhurst and Westlake, educate and empower children with mild to moderate autism, anxiety, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning and social differences. Students experience strategically designed classrooms, small student-to-staff ratios and onsite therapies including art, behavioral, music, occupational and speech. New for Fall 2025—Begindergarten, a full-day kindergarten readiness class. Learn more about our unique environment at juliebilliartschool.org or call 216-718-8318.
LAKE ERIE NATURE & SCIENCE CENTER
As one of the first and largest nature-based preschool programs in the region, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center serves children ages 1 to 6 with age-appropriate activities to support social, physical and academic development. Children explore the wonders of science and nature with hands-on activities, crafts, music, live animal encounters and planetarium shows. The surrounding 100-acre parkland and access to Lake Erie serve as an extended classroom for outdoor adventures. lensc.org/preschool-programs
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS
Montessori School of University Heights, established in 1968, is a pre-primary school dedicated to helping each child become the unique person his/her creator intended in a Christian atmosphere of peace, love and respect. Children enter at age 3 and remain through their kindergarten year. The Montessori approach involves: providing comprehensive, individualized opportunities for growth; engaging children in a caring, supportive community; and developing concentration, independence, self-discipline, compassion, confidence and joy in learning. 216-381-8388, ms-uh.org
THE NEST SCHOOLS
At The Nest Schools, they believe involving children in hands-on experiences is the true definition of teaching. Each day, they’re re-imagining learning through creative play opportunities where they encourage children to wonder, question, work with their peers, and experiment with different possibilities. Each element of their Nest Play curriculum shares one goal: to help children love to learn.The Nest Schools’ preschool program will prepare children for the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA). thenestschool.com
RUFFING MONTESSORI SCHOOL
Ruffing Montessori School in Cleveland Heights is an exceptional school community for children ages 18 months through eighth grade. Join them for an admissions event or personal tour to explore Ruffing’s beautiful classrooms and spacious outdoor play spaces, meet their Montessori-trained teachers, and learn about Ruffing’s rigorous curriculum that prepares students to lead and excel academically. Schedule a tour today by calling Julie or Rosie at 216-321-7571 or visit ruffingmontessori.net
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Seton Catholic School (pre-kindergarten through eighth grade) is a U.S. Department of Education National Blue Ribbon School. A lifetime love of learning starts here. Young hearts and minds develop into thoughtful, educated students—ready to thrive and grow. Immersed in the humanities, arts and sciences, foreign languages, mathematics, and environmental education—students are nurtured in a setting of constructive and personalized learning. Innovation and tradition unite with guided responsible use of technology, successfully integrated with time-honored instruction. setoncatholicschool.org
SPRING GARDEN WALDORF SCHOOL
Experience the wonder of Waldorf education first-hand at Spring Garden Waldorf School’s Early Childhood Open House on Tuesday morning, February 18, from 9 a.m.–11 a.m. Families with preschool and kindergarten-aged children will have the opportunity to explore our beautiful classrooms, take part in a Waldorf hands-on activity, and enjoy a story time. Come and see why families drive from five different counties to attend the only accredited Waldorf school in NE Ohio. sgws.org
For a thorough listing of preschools in Greater Cleveland check out our Online Directory of Preschools in Northeast Ohio.
