18 Coldwater Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1Y7, Canada
5820 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1X8, Canada
18 Coldwater Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1Y7, Canada
5820 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 1X8, Canada
1995
1849
1075
515
Nursery/Toddler to 6
JK to 12
Coed
Coed, Girls, Boys
Day
Day
English
English, French, Spanish
Academic
Academic
Montessori
Traditional
Varies
15 to 20
$12,500 to $20,000
$13,820 to $19,360
No
Yes
0%
13%
None
1 to 12
$0
$7,120
98
34
0%
0%
100%
78%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 6
Yes: grades JK - 12
No
No
information not available
information not available
Since it was founded in 1995, CMS has grown to include five locations in the GTA. The program is founded on the core ideals that Maria Montessori promoted in her work, those of respect, community, purposeful engagement, and self-directed learning. That said, Montessori didn't create her program as a museum piece, but rather as a starting point, and that's a spirit that CMS upholds as well. Dr. Montessori, as has been said, "adjusted and adapted her educational system to better serve children's needs, and well-functioning Montessori classrooms typically share many features reflecting those adjustments." One of which was, of course, a willingness to adjust and adapt. As such, the CMS program includes, as at the Maplehurst location, a computer lab, a library, and a music room. In all, the focus is very clearly on the child, and supporting child development, which is just as it should be.
View full reportThe school describes its campus as iconic, and to be sure, it really is. The school was founded in 1849, and the campus shows its age in all the best ways. The location is iconic as well, in the heart of Halifax and across from the historic public gardens. As those things signal, Sacred Heart is a part of the historical culture of the city, and arriving here each day delivers its own frisson of excitement. As with any school of this vintage, much has changed, and today the program is iconic in other ways. The provision of single gender education through Grades 7 to 12 is one of them, offering the best of both worlds. As a member of a global network of schools, the gaze is international, with emphasis on social justice and social action. While there are many longstanding traditions and events, the school also distinguishes itself as cutting edge, both in the curriculum it offers—the broad Advanced Placement offering, for one—but also through its delivery, with lots of hands-on, project oriented, collaborative learning. That said, the biggest draw for many is simply the spirit of the school. There is a keen desire to get students involved in a wide range of activity, including a robust program of service learning, while also engaged within the daily life of the school. Sacred Heart has a proven ability to deliver all of it.
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"the Montessori method has, in our opinion allowed a deeper understanding of the material that is taught."
Rizwan Suleiman - Parent (Mar 15, 2021)
When enrolling our kids to a private school, we chose the Montessori method of teaching because it r...
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"The practical life aspect of the curriculum was insightful as this was not what I had experienced as a child."
G Mok - Parent (May 03, 2021)
We've been with CMS since 2015, and we can tell that our kids enjoy going to school as they come bac...
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"It is nice to see teachers help kids to develop interest."
Terry Smith - Parent (Dec 10, 2021)
My kid started in this school (different campuses) when she was two. Now she is in grade 6.
When sh...
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"My daughter's teachers demonstrated an understanding of my daughter's unique learning style, her interests and her potential."
Anna Stuart - Parent (Mar 08, 2021)
Our daughter joined Sacred Heart School as a shy student whose early years experience robbed her con...
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"They all have a sense of pride in the school, and they talk about their experiences with joy and feel secure as soon as they walk through the doors each morning. "
Jennifer Derwey Deane - Parent (Mar 08, 2021)
My partner and I are parents of 3 girls. When our youngest daughter was ready to begin Primary we we...
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"SHSH creates the conditions that challenge him to do his best academically, where the primary goal is learning and preparation for university..."
Gord Cooper - Parent (May 03, 2021)
We have four children at Sacred Heart School of Halifax (SHSH). If I think about our eldest son, who...
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"For over 25 years, CMS has focused on engaging students and building strong foundations during the most formative years of their lives. We provide quality Montessori education at every stage of a child's development. Our renowned Toddler & Casa programs nurture and encourage the inquisitive minds of children to build the foundational skills needed for future success. As children move through our Casa Program, the emphasis gradually shifts from basic motor skills and language to the development of concentration, coordination, independence, and a sense of order. This allows the child to consolidate their writing, reading, and math skills. Our Elementary program offers an enriched curriculum that promotes analytical and collaborative thinking while nurturing individual strengths. We exceed the Ministry of Education curriculum by introducing hands-on material, facilitating a deep understanding of all learning. Physical education, French, music, art, computers, STEM, and a variety of extracurricular activities enrich the learning experience for CMS students. We are a CCMA-accredited school highlighted for teaching excellence and offering quality Montessori education."
"Founded in 1849, Sacred Heart School of Halifax teaches the whole child — mind, body, spirit. Our iconic campus in the heart of Halifax offers co-ed education for JP-Grade 6 and single-gender education for Grades 7-12. Sacred Heart has earned a stellar reputation for the quality of our academics and university preparedness, and through leadership and community action, our students are well prepared to conquer the world. As part of a global network, we educate to a strong moral code prescribed by our Five Goals."
"Our school is truly a caring school. Staff are loyal to the organization and stay for more than 10 years using their expertise and love of all things Montessori to guide the children's learning. The level of creativity is also an additional richness with weekly themed lessons and assemblies and an awareness of so many topics and ideas that young people should come to know such as World Children's day, Indigenous month and an understanding of of many diverse religious festivals."
"Sacred Heart School of Halifax is different and we’re proud of it. We believe in Faith, Hope, and Love as guiding principles and as a result, we’re more like a family than a school. In addition to our tailored education, we are the only school in the region that offers single-gender education on a co-ed campus and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program in high school. And, our unique heritage and traditions give us a special character that can’t be duplicated anywhere in this region."
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"Our families and our graduates report the importance of having learned independence and creativity after their time at CMS. They speak volumes at the annual alumni panel about the compassionate teachers who empowered them to succeed no matter what they were facing, more so during the pandemic when lessons continued uninterrupted for the entire day and even additional lessons of health and gym and art complemented their learning at home. We are a community of individuals who nurture children."
"Strong academics combined with a tailored approach in a nurturing and supportive environment is Sacred Heart’s calling card. Our academic excellence is thanks to an outstanding faculty who are passionately committed to their students’ success. And as a Catholic school that welcomes all faiths, families also appreciate our spiritual grounding and emphasis on love."
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"You get more bang for your buck at CMS. An intimate setting where you have highly qualified professionals who go out of their way to enrich the lives of children. The quality of the hot lunches, the size of the classrooms and their versatility of use, the integretaed STEM lessons, the diversity of the students and strong mentoring and wellbeing program are all aspects of the CMS experience parents appreciate after they have attended our school for a short while."
"Sacred Heart is the only high school in Atlantic Canada that offers the AP Program instead of the IB Program. Families, and especially students, prefer AP because it allows students to pick and choose ONLY those subjects they excel in and want to concentrate on, they don’t have to take a year-long program of all advanced courses. Widely accepted around the globe, students in AP can earn first-year university credit(s) before they even enter university — an excellent head start."
"Parents have answered the question in this way:
We have loved the multiage classrooms where older students truly mentor the younger ones
We have loved the French Immersion experience from Casa to lower and then upper elementary
Our two boys attended CMS and are very successful and stand out at their current school for their ability to be independent and think outside the box.
CMS is a family, everyone cares about the wellbeing of the children first and foremost and the academics complement this."
"It may surprise some families to discover how seriously we live our Five Goals. Yes, we provide an academically excellent education, but also a deeply meaningful one based on our founder St. Madeleine Sophie Barat’s vision that education transforms society. We are dedicated to faith, intellectual values, social justice, building community, and personal growth and these can be seen throughout school life day in and day out."
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Maria Montessori developed a unique method of education to inspire a child's love for life-long learning. CMS provides a stable and nurturing environment to the support the child through this journey in education. Our program engages the child and ensures they have a strong educational foundation.
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Traditional
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Particularly popular in the younger grades (preschool to elementary), but sometimes available all the way up to high school, Montessori schools offer an alternative vision to the standard lesson format of most classrooms. Instead of listening to whole-class lessons, Montessori classrooms allow students to choose which "tasks" or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles - their essential feature being they contain a right answer and allow for selfcorrection. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on lessons being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with students developing a sense of self-sufficiency, confidence and curiosity.
Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a unified curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.
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Our schools’ aim is to prepare children to reach their full potential and to play a responsible role in protecting the global environment and fostering peace and harmony with natural processes and community interests. CMS endeavors to provide quality education in a safe, diverse, nurturing and creative environment that helps the development of the whole child. Our mission ensures that the child is academically motivated, artistically creative, physically active and emotionally supported.
Students develop a strong foundation of academic excellence, through good study habits, solid organizational skills, critical thinking, and self-confidence. We also use an Advanced Placement (AP) program in Senior School.
Traditional Math
Discovery Math turns traditional math on its head: it frequently begins by introducing a novel problem to students, and works its way back to “discovering” a method of solving the problem. The goal is to ground mathematical procedures and algorithms firmly in their applications, and to challenge students to think critically about how they might go about solving the problem right from the beginning. Generally associated with the “Chicago Math” movement and related Everyday Math textbooks (Grades 1 to 6), Discovery math spends less classroom time mastering established algorithms and more time getting students invested in and thinking critically about novel mathematical problems and concepts. In this sense Discovery Math aims to establish conceptual and applied understand before procedural understanding.
Traditional Math typically teaches a method or algorithm FIRST, and THEN teaches the applications for the method. Traditional algorithms are emphasized and practiced regularly: repetition and drills are frequently used to ensure foundational mastery in the underlying mathematical procedures. The traditional approach to math views math education as akin to building a logical edifice: each brick depends on the support of the previously laid ones, which represent mastery over a particular procedure or method. Traditional Math begins by giving students a tool, and then challenges students to practice using that tool an applied way, with progressively challenging problems. In this sense Traditional Math aims to establish procedural understanding before conceptual and applied understanding.
Montessori based use of materials to enable each of the learners to kinesthetically access the curriculum. Whilst the provincial curriculum is also followed students are able to surpass their grade level expectations with the multi age support available in the class.
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Balanced Literacy
Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.
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Equal balance
Programs that balance systematic and process approaches equally likely have an emphasis on giving young students ample opportunities to write, while providing supplementary class-wide instruction in grammar, parts of sentences, and various writing strategies.
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Equal Balance
Science programs that balance expository and inquiry learning equally will likely have an equal blend of tests and experiments; direct, textbook-based instruction and student-centred projects.
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Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Zoology
Equal Balance
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
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Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Expanding Communities
The Expanding Communities approach organizes the curriculum around students’ present, everyday experience. In the younger grades, students might learn about themselves, for example. As they move through the grades, the focus gradually broadens in scope: to the family, neighbourhood, city, province, country, and globe. The curriculum tends to have less focus on history than Core Knowledge programs.
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Equal Balance
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
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Equal Balance
These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
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Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
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Equal Balance
These programs have an equal emphasis on receptive and creative learning.
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Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Medium integration
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
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Play-based
Montessori programs aimed at preschool and Kindergarten- aged children allow young learners to choose which “tasks” or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles -- the essential features of these puzzles being they contain a “right answer” and allow for self-correction. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on learning being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with children developing a sense of self-sufficiency and confidence. Specially trained teachers act as guides, introducing children to progressively more difficult materials when appropriate. A Montessori classroom is typically very calm and orderly, with children working alone or, sometimes, in small groups.
If you want to learn more about Montessori education, check out our comprehensive guide. You can also check out our guide to Montessori preschools, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
Play-based programs are the most common type of preschool and Kindergarten, and are founded on the belief young children learn best through play. Largely open-ended and minimally structured, play-based programs aim to develop social skills and a love of attending school. “Pre-academic” skills are taught, but in a more indirect way than at, say, an Academic program: through children playing in different “stations” set up around the classroom, which children choose on their own volition. Stations often contain an indirect lesson or developmental goal. Play-based classrooms are highly social and active.
We follow a Montessori Educational Philosophy based on the belief that a child learns best within a social environment that supports and nurtures each individual's unique developmental pattern. We follow the child's natural curiosity and desire to learn and provide an environment, materials and experiences to help each child reach their full potential. Children are free to challenge themselves at their own pace allowing them to build confidence and independence. All our classrooms are equipped with Montessori resources and our staff are Montessori trained. the casa program is also supplemented with additional specialist lessons of French, Art, Music and Physical education.
In our JP program, play is encouraged, yet purposeful, and structured learning is enriching, exciting, and fun. We nurture the best in your child while laying the foundation for spiritual, emotional, and social growth.
Standard-enriched
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
Broadly-speaking, the main curriculum -- like that of most schools -- paces the provincially-outlined one. This pace is steady and set by the teachers and school. The curriculum might still be enriched in various ways: covering topics more in-depth and with more vigor than the provincial one, or covering a broader selection of topics.
Our students work at their own pace and level allowing them to excel in many areas of the Ontario Curriculum. We use the Montessori's hands-on, inquiry based methodology for teaching, therefore our students tend to cover
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Rigorous
A school with a “supportive” academic culture focuses more on process than short-term outcomes: academic performance is a welcomed side-benefit, but not the driving focus. This does not mean the school lacks standards, or has low expectations for its students: a school can have a supportive academic culture and still light the fire of ambition in its students. It does mean, however, the school provides a less intensive culture than schools with a “rigorous” academic classification, and is focused more simply on instilling a love of learning and life-long curiosity.
A school with a “rigorous” academic culture places a high value on academic performance, and expects their students to do the same. This does not mean the school is uncaring, unsupportive, or non-responsive -- far from it. A school can have a rigorous academic culture and still provide excellent individual support. It does mean, however, the school places a particular emphasis on performance -- seeking the best students and challenging them to the fullest extent -- relative to a normal baseline. High expectations and standards – and a challenging yet rewarding curriculum – are the common themes here. Keep in mind this classification is more relevant for the older grades: few Kindergarten classrooms, for example, would be called “rigorous”.
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"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
We empower our students to become well rounded individuals who have the skills and confidence to excel in all areas life. We strive to provide a nurturing environment where children are intellectually motivated, artistically creative and academically challenged. We value confidence and leadership skills and endeavour to develop these skills from a young age by allowing students to collaborate and communicate their ideas as valuable members of their classroom community .
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CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
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RecreationalRec. |
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Badminton |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Canoeing/Kayaking |
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Cricket |
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Cross-country skiing |
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Cycling |
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Downhill skiing |
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Equestrian |
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Fencing |
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Field Hockey |
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Figure Skating |
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Football |
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Golf |
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Gymnastics |
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Ice Hockey |
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Ice Skating |
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Lacrosse |
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Martial Arts |
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Mountain biking |
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Racquet Ball |
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Rowing |
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Rugby |
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Running |
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Sailing |
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Skateboarding |
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Snowboarding |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Squash |
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Swimming |
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Tennis |
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Track & Field |
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Volleyball |
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Weightlifting |
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Wrestling |
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Archery |
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Curling |
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Ultimate |
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
Ballet and Classical Ballet
Yoga
Yearbook
Student Council
Scouting
Science Club
School newspaper
Round Square
Robotics club
Radio club
Poetry/Literature club
Photography
Paintball
Outdoor Education
Outdoor Club
Online Magazine
Musical theatre/Opera
Math Club
Jazz Ensemble
Habitat for Humanity
Foreign Language Club
Environmental Club
Drama Club
Debate Club
Dance Club
Computer Club
Community Service
Choir
Chess Club
Band
Audiovisual Club
Astronomy Club
Art Club
Animation
1 - 12
0%
13%
$0
$7,120
100%
78%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 6
Yes: grades JK - 12
No
No
No
No
No
Yes: grades 7 - 12
No
No
No
No
We are looking for citizens of our world and the leaders of our tomorrow. We are looking for open minded children and parents to join our community where they will learn and discover how to ask the big questions, problem solve at their own peace and learn the importance of peace and harmony through the Montessori method of learning. We also offer a French Immersion programme.
Sacred Heart students are kind to their peers and teachers, intellectually curious, and socially conscious young women and men who show their school spirit in ways that are relational and constructive. Sacred Heart seeks students who want to be engaged in learning and who seek to develop their unique extracurricular gifts and talents. Becoming who one is meant to be is the key to success at Sacred Heart, and this requires self-awareness, interior listening, kind and constructive feedback, and a global outlook.
Please review our school website here for the full details of the registration and deposits according to the age of your child.
https://cmschool.net/application-form/
Prospective families can complete the online application which is easy, free, and takes very little time. Once the Admissions Department receive the application, they will be in touch to arrange an in-person or online tour, and an appointment for the child’s admissions assessment.
