Marianne Dunlap founded Prairie Flower Montessori School in 1997 as a small Parent-Infant Community in her home. As the school grew, she added The Toddler Community, which allowed the children to separate from their parents for a few mornings a week. In 2001, Mrs. Dunlap established a primary class for children ages 3-6. The school settled into its present two-and-a-half acres at 3130 Turpin Road in 2002, and a new addition in the summer of 2004 doubled the physical size of the school.

In August of 2020, Mrs. Dunlap retired and Kristine Hansen and Shannon Striglos assumed the titles of Head of School and Director of Development, respectively.

The school is a licensed childcare center through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. It is a 501(C)3 not-for-profit corporation with a small Board of Trustees.

Prairie Flower follows a traditional school calendar and offers a Montessori summer camp experience for registered children and children currently enrolled in other Montessori Schools.