The Trees is a literary journal written and edited by elementary and middle school students at Chicago’s Rogers Park Montessori School.

The journal is largely student-run; students who participate in the school’s literary journal program serve as its editors and also its authors, though the journal accepts writing from all RPMS students who wish to submit their work for consideration.

Started in 2024, The Trees is a product of RPMS’ afterschool writing program. Almost as soon as the school began offering writing classes back in 2022, the children (in true Montessori style), began asking where they might be able to publish their work. Though there are many outlets for high school writers, there are very few for middle school writers, and even fewer for elementary school writers. The Trees is a love letter to the early joy and passion found by young students in creative writing. There is no magic age when someone becomes a writer; The Trees has published work from students as young as first grade. The Trees believes that if adults take children’s writing seriously, that in the turn, the children will feel that they can take their work seriously too; through this pursuit, the students are being taught to trust their voices and pursue their dreams. 

The Trees is published once per year, in late-May, at the end of the each school year. Issue #2 launches on May 27, 2025.

Copies of The Trees can be purchased here or at Women and Children First bookstore. All proceeds go towards the school.

We currently only accept submissions from RPMS students. Click here to view submission info.