Ben Brienzo

Council Oak Graduate, 1995
Marist High School, 1999
B.S. Electrical Engineering,
DeVry University, 2005

Electrical Engineer, Sencon, Bedford Park, IL

Stephen Cobb

Graduate, Council Oak, 2003
Luther South High School, 2007
Student, Sociology/Pre-Seminary, Langston University

“Council Oak Montessori School is the best school I have ever attended. The atmosphere is more like an extended family that you want to see, rather than school you have to go to. The faculty and staff truly care about the well-being and success of their students. Anyone can learn because the school’s methods customize to your learning style and pace. Education outside of the classroom adds to the enriching program for the students. Trips to camp, the Stock Exchange, and museums both interested and completely educated me. Council Oak truly understands that by making learning fun, the students learn so much more. I was also taught in other areas of life besides the intellectual. Students learn fiscal, personal, and social responsibility through the Montessori activities. By the time I graduated, I was well rounded and ready to take on the challenges of high school. I personally wish I had more time at the school. I love COMS and all who are part of the faculty and staff. With the support and encouragement of my teachers, I have done things in life I would not have had the courage to do without COMS. To be an Alumnus of this school is both a privilege and an honor. I have never known any school like COMS. I will forever stand by Council Oak Montessori School and lift high her banner of green and white. Council Oak turned me from an acorn into the oak tree I am today.”

Jarredd Cochran

Graduate, Council Oak, 2000
Morgan Park High School, 2004
University of Tennessee, B.A. Law Enforcement, 2010

Sales, Loews Hotels, Memphis, TNS

Cate Conroy

Graduate, Council Oak, 1996
Whitney Young High School, 2000
Syracuse University, B.S. Television, Radio, and Film, 2004

Director of Marketing, Giveforward.org
Volunteer at Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation

Rory Cox

Graduate, Council Oak, 1999
Morgan Park Academy, 2003
Columbia College, B.A. Fiction Writing, 2009

Firefighter/EMT, Chicago Fire Department

John Enright

Graduate, Council Oak Class 1995
H.S. Morgan Park Academy, 2000
B.S. Aerospace Engineering, UIUC, 2004
Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering, UCLA, 2008

John J Enright Professional Website

Research Scientist, Kiva Systems Woburn, MA

“The teachers at Council Oak encouraged us to pursue the work we were drawn to and cultivated a relationship of mutual respect, so they rarely had to tell us what to do, since we wanted to please them. We didn’t see school work as a daily burden, but as a daily fulfilling activity. I felt pride in my work and excitement at the prospect of progress. I’ve always been a very visual thinker. I’d imagine objects in motion bouncing off one another, or relationships of geometric objects fitting together. I wouldn’t close my eyes, I’d just kind of stare off and out of focus, gauging the problems and wrapping my mind around them. Much to my content, the teachers at Council Oak recognized these sessions as something other than idleness, and let me be. Traditional schooling doesn’t allow for this kind of unstructured time for unstructured thinking.”

Gus Kampf-Lassin

Council Oak Graduate, 1995
Whitney Young High School, 2000
Reed College, 2004
Masters in progress,
University of Chicago Social Sciences Preceptor,
Master of Arts Program, Social Sciences, University of Chicago

Brandice Manuel

Graduate, Council Oak, 1995
Chicago Academy for the Arts, 1999
Howard University, Dance, 2003

Dancer, PureART Organization and Aquastar Productions

David Power

Council Oak Graduate, 2007
Brother Rice High School, Merit Scholarship, 2011
Student, Loyola University

Brian Rosin

Council Oak Graduate, 1999
Whitney Young High School, 2004
B.A. Columbia College, 2008

DJ, Booking & Management, Frequency DJ, Chicago, IL

Rebecca Butler

Attended Council Oak 1992-1995
Interlake High School, Bellevue, 2001 
B.A. Sociology/History, 2005, Western Washington University 
M.Ed., Student Affairs Administration, Western Washington University, 2012

Admissions Evaluator & Transfer Specialist at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA

"My time at Council Oak Montessori School prepared me for a rigorous academic career. The freedom to learn, to explore, and to expand my academic and social competencies gave me the tools and confidence I needed to pursue goals in both my personal and professional life. I recall fondly the caring staff and teachers who helped fostered in me a love of learning and a passion for education."

Kathryn Lett

Graduate, Council Oak, 1999
Forum High School for the Arts, 2003

A.A., Arts, Harold Washington College,  2007
Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) Certificate in Diamonds Program, 2011

Diamond Specialist, Sheffner's Jewelry, Chicago

Kurt Shelby

Graduate, Council Oak, 2010
Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts)
Plays guitar, bass violin, and piano in four bands, including CPS All City Jazz Band.

"I want to learn it all." - Kurt

"That desire and hunger for knowledge came from COMS.....COMS provided my family with a "family" to assist in educating and rearing my children, for that, I will be forever grateful!" - Donna Shelby, Kurt's mom