Meet a Mom: New Beginnings with Maggie Pisarczyk, Owner of Celebree School!

Chicago North Shore Moms is thrilled to bring you a heartwarming Meet a Mom Spotlight with Northbrook mom and passionate early childhood advocate, Maggie Pisarczyk, owner of the brand new Celebree School of Northbrook.

Meet Maggie Pisarczyk, a warm, community-driven entrepreneur whose passion for early childhood education shines through everything she does. Born in Poland and raised in Queens NY, Maggie brought her nurturing spirit and big dreams to the North Shore, where she recently opened Celebree School of Northbrook – the first of its kind in Illinois. With a heart full of sentiment and a gift for connection (yes, she’s that friendly face who chats her way into new friendships at the grocery store), Maggie has created a school where children are not only taught, but nurtured. Her career journey from finance to founder is fueled by perseverance, intuition, and a calling to create a joyful, safe space for families. Get to know this inspiring mom, who’s building more than a business – she’s building a community rooted in care, growth, and heart. Welcome, Maggie!

 

 

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Hi Maggie! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?

Hi! I’m Maggie, the proud owner of Celebree School of Northbrook, Illinois. I was born in Poland and moved to Queens NY when I was 9 years old. We moved to the North Shore to raise our family and pursue my dream of opening a preschool that would make a meaningful impact in the community. After years in finance and real estate, I felt a strong pull to return to my first love – early childhood education – and I knew this area was where I wanted to plant roots and grow something special.

 

And your own child?

I have a wonderful daughter who is currently in college (and 3 four-legged kids at home). Watching her grow and learn has been one of the greatest joys of my life and has only deepened my appreciation for the importance of high-quality early childhood education.

 

 

 

What are one or two fun facts to know about you?

I’m the kind of person who will talk to anyone – my family teases me that I’ll leave the grocery store with a new best friend.
I’m deeply sentimental. I save every card, note, or scribbled crayon drawing. Those little things mean the most to me.

 

What are your favorite local places, spaces and eats to frequent?

I love supporting other small businesses in the area. For a great meal, I enjoy going to Wildfire, BluFish Sushi, or grabbing something sweet from Bent Fork Bakery. My favorite place to unwind is walking through Botanic Gardens or catching a community event at Village Green Park.

 

What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that’s guided you with regard to your line of work or in general as a solopreneur / owner of a brand new preschool?

“Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to start before you’re ready.” Starting this preschool took years of planning, perseverance, and countless pivots, but the biggest breakthroughs came when I trusted myself and kept going, even through uncertainty.

Another piece of advice that’s really stuck with me is: “Choose the hard thing that is worth it.” Almost everything meaningful in life takes effort and doesn’t come easy. So if it’s going to be hard either way, choose the hard that fills you up and brings purpose. For me, that was building a school that puts love, safety, and growth at the center of every child’s day.

 

Let’s get down to business. Please tell us more about your brand new preschool, Celebree. Congrats on the opening of this sweet school.

Thank you! I just opened Celebree School of Northbrook this May (2025), and it’s the first Celebree in the state of Illinois. We serve children from 6 weeks to 12 years old and offer full-time, part-time, drop-in care, before & after school programs (with transportation!), and even an exciting summer camp. It’s a warm, nurturing, and enriching environment where children feel safe, loved, and ready to learn.

 

Maggie at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Celebree School of Northbrook.

 

Why Celebree School?

I’ve always had a deep desire to nurture and teach. Growing up, I didn’t have the easiest childhood, and I knew early on that I wanted to either be a teacher or build a big, loving family. Opening Celebree gave me the chance to do both in a way—to create a place where children feel safe, cared for, and inspired to grow. I wanted to give families a trusted home away from home.

 

Elementary School room at Celebree School of Northbrook.

 

What about this school stands out as something that is particularly special?

Each Celebree School is individually owned and operated, which allows me to personalize the experience while still being supported by a trusted educational brand. What makes our school truly unique is our customized curriculum that’s aligned with state standards but also flexible to each child’s developmental path. We emphasize emotional development, creativity, and STEM-based learning in a way that feels fun, engaging, and meaningful. In addition to our core curriculum, we offer a wide variety of enrichment classes including Art, Music, Sports, Karate, Yoga & Meditation, Spanish, and Science – giving children the opportunity to explore their interests and build new skills in a playful, nurturing environment. And with our beautiful, brand-new facility and private playground, every day feels like an adventure in learning.

 

Infant Room at Celebree School of Northbrook.

 

What is a common question that parents often ask?

There are two most common questions that I always get, they are:

“How do you support working families with busy schedules?”

We’re here to make life easier for families. We offer flexible scheduling options, extended hours, drop-in care, and before/after school programs with transportation. Our goal is to meet each family’s needs with compassion and consistency.

 

The indoor play area at Celebree School of Northbrook.

 

“How do you retain your teachers and avoid high turnover?”

As for our teachers – this is something I’m deeply passionate about. We invest in our team because they are the heart of our school. I work hard to create a positive, respectful, and supportive workplace where teachers feel heard, valued, and empowered. We offer competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a warm, collaborative culture that makes people want to stay. When teachers feel taken care of, that love and stability flows directly to the children in our care. At Celebree We Grow People Big and Small.

 

Toddler room at Celebree School of Northbrook.

 

Is there anything else you’d like us to know about Celebree School?

We’re more than just a school – we’re a family. From our incredible teachers to our individualized approach, we’re here to partner with parents during the most important years of their child’s development. We also love getting involved in the local community, and you’ll see us at events, farmers markets, and more throughout the year!

 

Please give us all of your contact details.

Celebree School of Northbrook is located at:
1200 Shermer Road
Northbrook IL, 60062

Phone: 312.929.8591
Email: [email protected]

Website: celebree.com/northbrook-il/

Instagram: @celebreenorthbrook
Facebook: facebook.com/celebreeschoolnorthbrook

Personal Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Cell: 718.450.7002 Direct: 847.504.4053

Come in for a tour, we’d love to show your family around!