Search Database

Quest Academy (Palatine, IL)

• Website

  https://www.questacademy.org/index.cfm

• Topics

  • Educational Options: Day Schools
  • Grade Level: Elementary School
  • Grade Level: Middle School
  • Grade Level: Preschool

Comments

Parent on 4/6/2013

My daughters, currently 9 and 11 (3rd and 5th grade) have attended Quest since Kindergarten and Pre-K, respectively. This school has been an island paradise in a sea of misunderstanding and misinformation about the needs of gifted students. Illinois' track record in gifted education is abysmal and appalling. I am grateful every day that my daughters can attend a school that sees them as individuals and will customize their curriculum according to the needs of the child. They recognize that not every gifted child is gifted in every area and accommodate each child to ensure the best all-around education possible. My daughters receive a well-rounded education in arts and sciences and Quest is continually seeking new ways to incorporate technology (culminating in the deployment next year of an Innovation Lab complete with 3D printer) and the latest in academic research into the experience of each Quest student. There is a large focus on character education as well as academic accomplishment. The twelve Quest character traits are studied and applied daily. It's easy to forget that gifted students are also children and need context to understand their place in the world. Quest's focus on character and service learning helps them understand that. I know I sound like an advertisement, but I wholly believe in Quest and am a proud advocate of this school to any parent of a gifted and talented child. I would never want my daughters to be anywhere else.

Parent on 5/13/2011

Do you expect gifted child to be gifted in all subject areas? I am not sure. In our experience Quest emphasizes secondary subjects. For example, students spend time singing and performing in middle school when I would prefer they get more preparation in technology, because they will need this in high school.

Student on 10/16/2008

I have gone to Quest since 3rd grade, and I'm now in sixth grade, and I think it is THE BEST! We have great Outdoor Ed and grade trips, and I get along with almost everyone there. The teachers are really nice too, but we sometimes have a little too much homework. Go Quest!

Student on 5/29/2008

I attended Quest from 1st-8th grade and graduated in 2003. Although I truly enjoyed my time at Quest and feel that it provided me a place where I could be myself, I fear that the school has changed. Tuition has skyrocketed and the tolerant and free-form learning that catered to each child’s needs has given way to competition. I still gave it three stars because I think for many kids a public school is not a friendly place, and for those kids Quest can be a haven that shelters them from daily persecutions felt by most kids who prefer reading to Barbie’s or science camp to baseball camp.

Student on 3/11/2008

Quest Academy is a spectacular school. The teachers care and provide personal attention to the students. We were very well prepared for all of the academic aspects of high school. Freshman year was a poor review of what I'd already learned at Quest. The teachers taught us to think outside of the box and to make our own decisions.

Student on 12/8/2007

I attended this school, and quite frankly, I was disappointed. For most of our subjects, we either did some kind of activity, or we did the slightest overview possible, and were then done. The only reason I give this school two stars instead of one is that the reading and history aspect of teaching was very informative and fun at the same time. All in all, i didn't care much for this school.

Parent on 5/12/2005

Quest has been absolutely wonderful for my children. The faculty and staff are honest and caring. My children are free to excel "outside the box." Quest has positively changed our lives; a great place!

Parent on 2/24/2005

I would recommend this school for high achieving academic students. Although this school says it is a school for gifted they really do not know how to serve "gifted" students. From my experience, this was due to the lack of training and experience of both the teachers and the administration.

Parent on 2/6/2005

My child achieved straight A's while at Quest. He is currently in high school and is struggling. He has said to me that he is behind in many of his subjects. I wonder how he managed to get all A's at Quest yet is so unprepared for high school. It makes me wonder about Quest's unreliable grading policy. I can say with honesty that my child is not "gifted" but by Quest's standards he was. They do not seem to have a well-defined process for determing "giftedness."

Parent on 2/3/2005

Simply the best! I have a child in high school that started his 9th grade AP BC Calc/ 3rd yr honors French, honors Chem etc. what else can I say. He was taught to love school and learning, a lifelong lesson. Visit and ask to read the schools mission statement. I also have 2 others still at Quest and we live 20 miles away. The language arts social studies program is spectacular!

Parent on 1/7/2005

My children enjoyed a safe, nurturing environment at Quest. They did extremely well in school however this did not translate into a successful high school experience. Both my children attended Stevenson High School and did not make the honors classes. My children were not prepared for high school, especially in math, english and science. Quest did not prepare them for the rigor of a high chool curriculum.

Educator on 12/30/2004

Quest Academy is a fine place for most gifted children to grow up. I enjoy the feeling of "not being alone" in raising my child. The teachers and administrators have experience in working with gifted children, and can be a valuable resource for parents who are looking for an environment that understands gifted children. HOWEVER, one size does NOT fit all. Many highly gifted children, especially those that are not motivated by competition, may find the students at Quest too competitive, some highly gifted students are miserable in a competitive environment. This is NOT a function of Quest or its teachers, who strive to bring balance into the students' lives, but more a function of the type of parent that a place like Quest can attract. Like any environment, you don't want to check your parenting skills at the door.

Student on 12/1/2004

I comepletely love this school. Despite how it doesn't really prepare kids for a public highschool. I feel like some of the administration was a bit frustrating at times. It's comepletely worth it. It offers a very good curriculum.

Parent on 11/20/2004

This is a spectacular school. It also gets better and better every year. I have had children at Quest for the last eight years. We drive 45 min each way and our town boasts to have some of the best public schools in the COUNTRY! There was and is NO comparison!

Parent on 7/23/2004

We moved our household for our son to begin Kindergarten at Quest. What a wonderful school! They have given our son the joy of learning, the encouragement and discipline he needed, and wonderful friends and teachers! The art and music programs at Quest are like no other in the country. Their teachers are knowledgeable, caring, and deeply committed to their mission and their students. We are so very happy with Quest. Our son loves Quest and is very happy there. They have given him a chance to soar! We could never, in a thousand years, repay this wonderful school and the faculty for what they have given our son--we are deeply grateful.

Parent on 5/14/2004

As a parent of two gifted students, I've never regretted the decision to enroll them at Quest Academy. They both attended from age 4 through 8th grade, went on to be successful and well-adjusted high-school and college students. They are confident, well mannered, enthusiastic life-long learners and I credit Quest with getting them off to the right start - AND for taking them through the most difficult beginning of adolescence with humor and compassion. If families are looking for a school that will understand a gifted child and teach them to be good, kind, thinking, civilized citizens of this difficult world, then this is the school you should definitely consider!

Parent on 2/12/2004

Quest has been an invaluable experience for our profoundly gifted daughter. She entered in third grade after a difficult experience at a more traditional independent school that finally could not accomodate her. The difficulties they had dealing with her very advance intellectual development were spilling over into social/emotional issues. Quest met her intellectual needs by accelerating her in specific subjects during the first three years and then advancing her a full grade in the fourth year. The administration and teachers have been thoughtful in considering at all times our child's needs, both intellectual and social/emotional. They have nurtured our daughter, helped her learn to deal with her strong emotional reactions and perfectionism, and helped her become a valuable member of the community. I cannot imagine what would have happened if we had not made the decision to put our daughter at Quest.

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