Alternative private schools
Find a list of the top alternative private schools in Canada
Find a list of schoolsWritten by Lisa Evans Read more
Written by Lisa Evans Read more
"Sunnybrook School offers the IB Primary Years Program for all students in JK - Grade 6. We have a fully integrated co-ed and 1:1 iPad program for all the grades. Our inquiry approach leads to global citizens.
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"SJK offers an enriched environment of exploration and experiential learning. Through its IB curriculum, SJK provides exciting experiences and guides students to discover their talents and passions. Go beyond at SJK.
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"Located in the heart of Toronto, UCC provides transformational learning experiences in a supportive, caring environment. Our highly sought-after graduates are awarded International Baccalaureate and OSSD diplomas.
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"Branksome Hall is Toronto’s only leading International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for girls in JK-Grade 12, developing the leaders of tomorrow through the nurturing of curiosity and critical thinking at every age.
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"The York School is a JK-Grade 12 Gender Inclusive IB World School in midtown Toronto. Our mission is to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are engaged citizens of the world.
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Oakville, Ontario Winston Churchill/Lakeshore Road East "Clanmore is one of the few schools offering authentic Montessori programming from Toddler - Middle School. Our culture is warm and inviting and our philosophy empowers us to support each child as a unique individual." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Bayview/Hwy 407 "TMS is a leading, accredited independent school that offers a unique design of Montessori and International Baccalaureate programmes. Our students thrive in academics while building a foundation of Significance for life." —From the school
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Brampton, Ontario Sunforest Drive/Bovaird Drive E "RMS is an award-winning progressive private school. We focus on excellence, participation, leadership, and inclusivity while developing each child’s academic strengths, both in traditional and 21st Century skills." —From the school
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Victoria, British Columbia "GNS is an independent JK-12 International Baccalaureate boarding and day school in Victoria, BC, that empowers and supports each of our students to do their best through truth and courage in learning and in life." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Davenport Rd/Spadina Rd "Smaller class sizes and our unique curriculum - infused with arts, movement, outdoor education - allow deeper connections across subjects, at all developmental stages. Waldorf education is “schooling with heart"." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Lynn-Rose's philosophy is to create an environment that is challenging and rewarding; focusing on social, intellectual and emotional aspects of the students development through IB and AP programme offerings." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Trafalgar Road/Dundas "TRMS uniquely provides enriched French as a second language (FSL) instruction for all levels from Preschool to Elementary. We give students a head start in their educational journey, instilling a "Love of Learning!"" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Spadina Ave/College Street "Authentic, CCMA accredited Montessori Schools located in downtown Toronto, offering programs for Toddlers, Casa, Elementary and Adolescent children in beautiful settings with large and expansive natural playgrounds." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Buena Vista Road/Springfield Road "Elmwood School is Ottawa's pre-eminent school for girls from PreK to Gr. 12. Our high academic standards, small class sizes and safe, supportive environment ensure that each girl is inspired to reach her full potential." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Erin Mills Parkway/Argentia Rd "We are different! As a leading IB World School and university preparatory school with a focus on student life, SJA students are inspired to confidently make their mark in the world." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "At Central Montessori School (CMS), young minds are inspired to be creative, innovative, and inquisitive. We cultivate bright, young leaders and strong communicators ready for the 21st century." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario "Richland Academy is a progressive, innovative Reggio-inspired and International Baccalaureate (IB) PYP Authorized and MYP Candidate School for children from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Yonge Street/Silverwood Ave. "Century Private School in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with small class ratio to ensure best learning for our students." —From the school
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Scarborough, Ontario Kennedy Road/Progress Avenue "Enquiring Minds Montessori is a one-of-a-kind Montessori Art School. We have created a unique learning experience that fosters academic and artistic excellence in a nurturing environment while challenging young minds." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Highway 417/Greenbank "Acadecap International School (Académie de la Capitale), an IB World School, offers bilingual and/or English programmes from JK to Grade 12. Students thrive in a growth mindset environment and a culture of excellence." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Humberside Montessori School is internationally recognized and accredited by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Our AMI certified teachers provide an authentic Montessori experience for our students." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Baseline Rd./Woodroffe Ave. "Bishop Hamilton Montessori School, a not-for-profit independent school in Ottawa, provides an authentic Christian Montessori approach for children 3 months to 14 years." —From the school
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Thornhill, Ontario Bathurst St/Rutherford Rd "Toronto Waldorf School offers a curriculum that integrates academics, arts and movement while addressing the intellectual, physical, emotional and social aspects of child development from preschool to gr. 12." —From the school
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St. Catharines, Ontario Edinburgh Dr/Scott Street "We provide students with opportunities to explore real-world concepts and issues, broadening their sense of responsibility, develop their critical thinking skills, and empower them to take action in a global community." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario QEW/Ford Drive / Ninth Line "La Villa Montessori is an AMI recognized School that adheres to Dr. Montessori's principles. We provide a nurturing environment that fulfills the child's emotional, social, physical and intellectual needs." —From the school
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Burlington, Ontario Appleby Line/Upper Middle Road "Halton Waldorf School offers an education that fosters confidence, independence and intelligence. Located on five forested acres, the school has been uniquely designed to support the goals of Waldorf education. Est 1984" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bathurst St./Eglinton Ave. West "NOW WITH LICENSED DAYCARE! Bring your child for a free trial to let him or her experience the difference. Don't be surprised if he or she doesn't want to go home at the end of the day! SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AVAILABLE!" —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Prince Edward Dr N/Bloor Street West "Prince Edward Montessori School offers programs for various grades in Toronto. Its average class size is ten to 16 students. " —From the school
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Markham, Ontario 14th Ave/Kennedy "Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten." —From the school
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Newmarket, Ontario "LMMH was established in 2003, the school offers a unique French Immersion Program as well as an English Program for children from 2 ½ to 13 years of age. Our students also learn to ski, golf, play tennis and more." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Bank Street/Marché Way "The Element nurtures focused, engaged and internally motivated students who strive to do their best. The Element High School provides conditions that will put youth ‘in their element,’ in school and beyond." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Hurontario St/Matheson Blvd E "ABC Montessori is one of Mississauga's premier private schools. We offers both Montessori and traditional school programs from preschool to Grade 5 with an emphasis on developing literacy, numeracy, sciences, and arts." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Dufferin St/Lawrence Ave W "Leonardo Da Vinci Academy provides exceptional schooling for the formative years. Our unique curriculum aims to instil a love of learning and challenges students to develop their full potential." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Lakeshore Road East/Bel Air Drive "Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers. We have three campuses in Oakville, delivering exceptional Montessori Programs." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Queen Street East/Glen Manor Drive "Our objective is to guide children with respect and understanding, developing in them a love of learning. Our aim is to create a nurturing environment full of intellectual, social and moral learning and development." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Tomken Rd./Eglinton Ave. E "Northstar Montessori offers an accredited Montessori curriculum from Toddler age to Grade 8. Our goal is to develop strong character and contributing citizens who understand that their involvement makes a difference." —From the school
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Whitby, Ontario Brock Street South/Dundas Streer West "The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for their uniqueness and is guided through learning accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Bannockburn School leads in Montessori education by offering an exceptional, enriched Montessori curriculum in a nurturing environment carefully prepared to meet the needs of children in the formative years of childhood." —From the school
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Maple Ridge, British Columbia 240th Street/Dewdney Trunk Road "Our practices in teaching and learning are exemplified by our outstanding academic results and are achieved through the active engagement of the head, heart, and hands." —From the school
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Aurora, Ontario St. John Sideroad/Yonge St. "Aurora Montessori offers an enriched Montessori program for students, Toddler to Grade 8, with an option of an OSSD credit in Grade 9 Math. A unique Mindfulness and Technology program develops key 21st-century skills!" —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Hurontario/Queensway "Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School in Mississauga offers Casa Montessori programs for children a ged 2.5 to 6. Before- and after-school care and summer camps also available." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Alta Vista Drive/Industrial Road "OMS Montessori is a non for profit, independent school offering separate French and English programs within a world class Montessori environment." —From the school
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Rothesay, New Brunswick Rothesay Rd/College Hill Rd "Our unique, daily Advisor Program ensures every student is surrounded by a strong network of highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff whose mission is to provide academic, emotional, and social guidance and support." —From the school
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Vancouver, British Columbia "Stratford Hall takes learning beyond IB with its IDEA Lab, OEE and partner schools, where students strive to develop harmony between the urban and natural world through activities like camping, music, and orienteering." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Glen Erin/Dundas "Kaban Montessori School is a CCMA accredited school in the west area of Mississauga . Our environments foster each child's interests and abilities while supporting them to achieve their full potential." —From the school
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North Vancouver, British Columbia Keith Rd/Lynnmouth Ave "Collaborative and engaging, North Star's programs put students at the center of their learning and quest for knowledge." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario "Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students." —From the school
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Brantford, Ontario Charlotte St/Chatham St "Located in Brantford, Ontario, Montessori House of Children (MHC) provides excellent programs for grades Nursery to 3 and helps young children reach their learning potential with both independent and self-directed learning. MHC also offers support for students with learning differences." —From the school
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Pickering, Ontario whites/kingston road "Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering is a non denominational, inclusive school that offers programs from Pre-school to Grade eight. We acknowledge and celebrate religious and cultural events as part of our cultural program." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from JK to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Lawrence Ave./Bathurst St. "The Clover School's innovative curriculum combines Montessori essentials with heart-centred learning practices designed to nurture the mind, heart, health, and soul of each child." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Woodbine/HWY 7 "Wishing Well Schools offers a comprehensive academic program catering to a wide age range, spanning from 18 months to Grade 8. Our curriculum includes a Montessori program designed for children aged 18 months to 6 years." —From the school
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While dissatisfaction with traditional primary and secondary education models have led some parents to turn to private schools offering specialized programs in music, sports or the arts; others have opted for an altogether different approach – alternative schools. “Alternative” refers to any educational institution that offers a curriculum, learning environment or education philosophy that differs from the mainstream.
With a plethora of alternative schools to choose from, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. Here, we’ve explored four popular models to help you determine whether an alternative school is right for your child.
Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, opened the first Montessori school in 1907. While a range of practices now exist under the name “Montessori”, the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) prescribe to the idea that optimal development is achieved when children have the liberty to act freely within their environment. Schools that follow this philosophy believe students learn best through self-exploration. The teacher acts as a guide, presenting children with a selection of activities to choose from. “Children [become] self-initiated. They’re intrinsically motivated. They’re very comfortable meeting challenges. They’re able to self-correct their work and they’re extremely self-disciplined,” says Sandra Girlato, Director of Training at the Foundation for Montessori Education. In her work as an adult educator, Girlato says students who attended Montessori schools or preschools as children tend to be more self-motivated and are more comfortable receiving feedback and asking for help when they need it.
While a Montessori education can benefit every child, Girlato says it might not be well suited to every family. “Sometimes parents want their child to read as early as possible, but some children are early readers and some don’t read until they’re five, six or seven,” says Girlato. The Montessori model that allows children to develop at their own pace may not be comfortable for these parents.
Developed in preschools in the Northern Italian town of the same name in 1963, the Reggio Emilia approach recognizes children as intelligent, resourceful and capable of having good ideas. While a traditional classroom is led by teacher instruction and structured in time (9:15 for arts and crafts, 11:00 for literacy, for example), a Reggio Emilia classroom is structured in space with the room divided into various workstations and is built on the idea that children can self-regulate, using their will to make and execute a plan. “Where it really differs from a traditional classroom is in letting children be creative, letting them design things and letting them have ideas and theorize about the world,” says York University Professor Carol Ann Wien, author of Emergent Curriculum in the Primary Classroom: Interpreting the Reggio Emilia Approach in Schools.
The overarching theme of the Reggio Emilia approach is to honour children’s intellectual capacities and intense curiosities. “Children have amazing ideas and thinking capacity far beyond what [we] originally thought four, five and six-year-olds could do,” says Wien. The organization of the physical environment is a crucial component of the Reggio Emilia approach. Classrooms are filled with indoor plants, have large windows to welcome in natural light and open to a centre piazza.
While the Reggio Emilia approach is most often seen in preschool and primary levels, some private schools such as Bishop Strachan School in Toronto, Ontario, are attempting to incorporate Reggio-inspired education all the way up to high school.
Developed on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, the first Waldorf school opened in 1919. Waldorf pedagogy first focuses on developing children’s physical body, focusing on practical, hands-on activities and encouraging creative play. “We know that the more their body is moving the more neurons and synapses are firing in their brains,” says Ryan Lindsay, Board President of the Waldorf School Association of Ontario. The Waldorf slogan “the right thing at the right time” is based on the understanding that the brain changes as children age. While the traditional education system takes the same approach to learning in the early years as in the later years, the Waldorf approach distinguishes between stages in child development. “We have a start slow, finish fast approach,” says Lindsay.
While education in the primary years involves multiple periods of extended free play to develop children’s imagination and capacity to move and think, the elementary level engages their connection to the world through emotions, focusing on artistic expression and social capacities. Secondary education emphasizes core academics and focuses on developing a students’ critical mind. “By that time, they’re really ready to excel with technology, math and science,” says Lindsay.
The Waldorf model of “slow and steady wins the race” can be challenging for parents who lack patience and who engage in comparisons between their child and others in traditional educational systems. Elementary students tend to score lower on standardized testing than public schools, but by eighth grade, Waldorf students excel far above averages. “If parents stick with it, by high school they’re pretty confident in their decision,” says Lindsay.
If your child is being held back by learning difficulties, you may want to look into the Arrowsmith program. Designed by Barbara Arrowsmith Young, author of The Woman Who Changed Her Brain, this program is based on the principal of neuroplasticity; the belief that the brain can be modified through targeted stimulation. While most special education programs accept that we are all born with a certain intellect and focus on changing the environment or the learning materials to accommodate students’ special needs, the Arrowsmith approach argues that the learner’s brain can be modified by identifying and strengthening cognitive capacities.
With a low student-to-teacher ratio (10:1), Arrowsmith instructors deliver intensive and graduated cognitive exercises designed to target specific areas of leaning difficulties. Once the deficient area is improved, the student’s ability to perform academic tasks increases.
While students in traditional resource classrooms typically make gains representing half a school year, Tara Anchel, Assistant Director of the Arrowsmith School, a learning disabilities school, in Toronto, Ontario, says their students can make one to three school year gains after only one year in the program and can successfully integrate into a full academic program at a public or private school after two to four years of study at Arrowsmith.
There’s a lot to consider when deciding whether to enrol your child in an alternative school, but finding a model that fits with your own educational philosophy and your child’s personality is key. Follow these tips to determine which alternative school model is right for your child:
Observe: Spend the day observing what’s happening in the classroom. Watch how children interact with each other and with the instructor and ask yourself whether you can picture your child fitting into this environment.
Ask questions: Ask current and former students and parents what they think about the school and how it helped prepare students for the next stages of their lives or education.
Consider the level of involvement: Some alternative schools require a higher level of parental engagement than others. The Waldorf model, for example, places great importance on parent participation, so much so, that Lindsay says this may play as much a role on a student’s application as the student’s aptitude.
Common questions to ask a prospective school:
Child-specific advice on school choice
For child-specific insights on choosing a school, read our guide. We explore how school choices crucially depend on kids' unique traits, such as their mental and academic focus, social tendencies, activity level, academic interests (such as art and STEM), and other attributes (such as giftedness, special needs, learning disabilities, and social issues).
To customize over 350 school profiles with insights unique to your child's traits, create a child profile through your user account.
Montessori Society of Canada - https://www.montessorisocietycanada.org/schools.html
Association Montessori Internationale - https://www.montessori-ami.org/
Waldorf Canada - https://www.waldorf.ca/
Arrowsmith School - https://www.arrowsmithschool.org/
Ontario Reggio Association - https://www.ontarioreggioassociation.ca/
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