Registration for 2025-2026 begins in January!
–Explore our programs (at a glance)
–Learn more about our community
Hello and welcome
Welcome to Ravinia Nursery School, a leader in preschool education for two to five year olds on Chicago’s North Shore since 1926. As a developmental play-based preschool, we embrace the uniqueness of each child and encourage learning opportunities through play. A warm nurturing environment is provided so that children feel safe to explore their interests. At Ravinia, we see children as part of our family. Our students leave Ravinia knowing that school is an inspiring place to make new discoveries, where important friendships are nurtured and families can be involved.
Explore Our Programs
“We have absolutely loved the last three years at Ravinia Nursery School. My son has made so many friends and I know he will be amply prepared for starting kindergarten next fall. My younger son just started and is already doing great! The teachers are incredible – warm, engaging, and so committed to providing a quality preschool education. I can’t say enough about how positive our experience has been.”
The Cardick Family
“…We feel so fortunate to have found the little blue school! We moved from out of state and were seeking a warm, inclusive community for our family. Our oldest has thrived at RNS and loves engaging in daily outdoor play and environmental explorations. The teachers are deeply invested in the social and emotional development of each child. Learning is hands-on, inquiry-based, and so joy filled. Our oldest counts the number of sleeps left to return to school on weekends and vacations, and our youngest can’t wait to join next year. We are very grateful to be a part of such a nurturing and grounded community…”
The French Family
“We’ve been a part of the RNS community for the past 8 years with all our 3 kids attending and our youngest graduating this spring. This is such a special school in that it fosters development of the whole child; the staff is exceptional in their professionalism, dedication, and nurturing approach. There is a sense of community and belonging here, and my kids and I have made lasting friendships through the years. 110% recommend it!”
The Edison Family
“When we walked into Ravinia Nursery School for the first time, we instinctively knew that it was the right place for our child. The nurturing environment and play based curriculum were exactly what we were looking for. Our child is thriving at Ravinia Nursery School thanks to her wonderful teachers and the special friendships that she has made. We’re grateful to her teachers for making such a positive impact on her development.”
The Shapiro Family
“RNS has been our extended home away from home for the last seven years! Our three children have grown, thrived and made long-lasting friendships in this special Little Blue School.”
The Schiller Family
“…Choosing Ravinia Nursery School (RNS) for our children was a decision that we continuously look back on as a really great decision we made as parents (which, doesn’t always happen all that often in the parenting world), as not only have we watched our son and our daughter blossom from timid 2 year olds to strong, independent, socially-engaged 4/5 year olds that are ready to take on kindergarten, but we ourselves have met so many great parents and felt like we’ve become part of a community. What sets the school apart from others is the truly great staff and teachers that from day one you can tell really love what they do and love the children. The school offers a play-based curriculum with a teacher-to-child ratio that is superior to many of the other options we’ve seen or heard of, and the teachers and the staff really look after the children as if they were their own. Nothing makes a parent happier than seeing their kids come home from school singing new songs, telling new stories, showing off new projects or skills they’re learning, or talking about how much they love playing on the playground. Being new to Highland Park, we’ve met a number of families where multiple generations went to RNS and that really speaks to the quality and endurance of the school. RNS provides a nurturing, stimulating and fun environment for toddlers and preschoolers and we couldn’t have found a more perfect preschool for our kids.”
The Park Family
“We were immediately greeted by the RNS staff when we entered the school and then by the parents that were in session for the parent-child class. The classroom was an immediate attraction to our son. He ran right up to the art easel and started painting away. Parents from the classroom approached my husband and I were so warm and welcoming as they explained their experiences at the little blue school. We knew when we couldn’t get our son to leave the classroom that this was going to be the best fit for him. That day we signed up our son for the parent-child program and little did we know that we would become friends with some of those very first parents that approached us.
It’s now 2023 and we have had two children graduate from RNS and one child who is currently in the two year old program. We appreciate the teachers, the artwork sent home, and the project approach that the preschool programs do each year. Our family has created lifelong friendships since starting at RNS and we have the school and community to thank for that.
We highly recommend every program offered at the little blue school. The preschool is truly next level and that’s why we believe families still talk about it when their kids are graduating high school, a true long lasting impression. We are so fortunate our family has been able to have this opportunity at Ravinia Nursery School.”
The Saliba Family