34 Madison Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2S1, Canada
660 Brownsey Avenue, Duncan, British Columbia, V9L 1C2, Canada
2016
1921
100
553
Nursery/Toddler to 12
Preschool to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Homestay, Day, Boarding
English
English
Academic
Academic
Montessori
Progressive
1 to 10
16 to 22
$17,500 to $25,680
$62,880 to $79,230
Yes
Yes
0%
25%
Nursery/Toddler to 8
SK to 12
$0
$3,000
6
35
0%
16%
95%
80%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Rolling
No
Yes: grades Preschool - 12
No
No
information not available
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Guidepost Montessori is a network of early-childhood centers and elementary schools, with companion middle and high school programs called the Academy of Thought and Industry. That network currently includes 80 schools across the U.S. and around the world and currently serving in excess of 7000 students. Operated by Higher Ground Education, based in Lake Forest, California, the company’s CEO Ray Girn has commented that the intention is to “mainstream and modernize Montessori education through extending its principles across infancy and into high schools.” Part of that modernization is through the use of technology-enabled spaces and a growing online offering. The pandemic accelerated that goal, given the need for online education, which the programs met and exceeded. Each outlet and online program benefits from being part of something bigger, having a wealth of resources, best practices, and expertise to draw on. So, while the Toronto location is new, the program isn’t. Rather the school is an expression of a much larger project that has rightly and very quickly turned many heads. The location for the Toronto school is a reflection of the Guidepost brand: in the heart of the Annex, it combines traditional elements with a very forward looking, urban, progressive approach. When it opens, the Toronto location will be the first Guidepost Montessori in Canada though, given the success of the schools elsewhere, it will no doubt be the first of many.
View full reportVancouver Island has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to beautiful, excellent schools, and certainly Queen Margaret’s is one of them. It was founded in 1921 by Norah Creina Denny and Dorothy Rachel Geoghegan, who dedicated themselves to providing what was, for the time, something unique: a robust educational experience for all, including women “capable of realizing ourselves as complete individuals.” Certainly, that’s what they did, and it’s a tradition that the school maintains today. The riding program is distinguishing, as is the strength of the academic programs. A strategic plan begun in 2014, to complete at the school’s centenary, will reaffirm the commitment of the founders to excellence as well as their commitment to adapting to the changing needs of students.
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" ... outstanding on all levels ... "
Mary Furneaux - Parent (Feb 05, 2018)
At Queen Margret's my child has grown to appreciate the diversity of the students. Being a preschool...
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"Guidepost Montessori offers an authentic Montessori education from preschool to elementary. The new campus in Toronto's historic Annex neighbourhood opens in 2023. Our classrooms and programs are intentionally designed to deliver a powerful education for independence that develops curious, self-motivated children in school and beyond. Guidepost is also partnered with The Academy of Thought and Industry, a network of Montessori-inspired middle and high schools, to offer a continuing education for the emerging adult."
"Located in the scenic Cowichan Valley, Queen Margaret’s School is an all-gender school with over 100 years of providing an exceptional education that builds confidence, character and compassion. Students develop and grow through a vibrant curriculum that focuses on experiential learning, innovative thinking and environmental stewardship. We proudly offer Canada's only on-campus Equestrian Program. Be curious. Be kind. Be brave. Be you."
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"Our unique educational model guides students to academic and personal excellence while developing the confidence to express their ideas and engage actively in their learning. We use our 30-acre campus and our local communities to serve as living classrooms where "learning by doing" encourages students to apply their knowledge to complex, real-world challenges."
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"Along with our strong academic and well-rounded programming, families choose QMS because of our welcoming community. From the moment families step onto campus, meet staff/teachers, interact with current students and speak with our families, the feeling of warmth and caring permeates all aspects of campus life."
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We know that choosing a school for your child is a very important decision. I want to thank you for bestowing your trust in our staff to partner with you and your child on their educational journey. I would also like to express what an honor it is for us to participate in your child’s story. Our greatest hope is that you and your family feel loved and accepted into our wonderful community. Welcome to the Guidepost Montessori at Annex “family”, we look forward to partnering with you.
‘Fit’ is everything when choosing a school for your children or when selecting a place into which you want to pour your skills, character and energies. Here at QMS, we pride ourselves on a strong sense of community where everyone is an individual and meaningful relationships are the order of the day. Most people crave a sense of belonging and value connection so a school that works very hard to develop a meaningful culture can indeed be a place where strong attachments are formed.
I encourage you to explore our programmes and approaches to learning both inside and outside of the classroom. If you take that step and visit us here on campus, you will feel the sense of community for yourself. As we approach our 100th birthday, we are proud of our Founders’ vision, yet, we are excited about the future with all of the opportunities that it presents.
QMS is vibrant and ready to keep developing these “young trailblazers” who will take the lessons learned here out into the world to great effect. That’s the joy and it all just seems to be a good ‘fit’ for so many people.
Progressive
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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.
Progressive (sometimes called "in- quiry-based") curricula attempt to place children's interests and ideas at the heart of the learning experience. Instead of lessons being driven by predetermined pathways, progressive curricula are often "emergent", with learning activities shaped by students' questions about the world. Instead of starting with academic concepts and then tying it to everyday experience, progressive methods begin with everyday experience and work back to an academic lesson. Teachers provide materials, experiences, tools and resources to help students investigate a topic or issue. Students are encouraged to explore, reflect on their findings, and discuss answers or solutions.
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Students at Guidepost Montessori are exposed to science, art, history, literature from multiple traditions, a structured approach to writing skills, and all intellectual foundations of global civilization. Students also engage in the celebrations of many cultures while honoring the many immigrant traditions and music that exist in the ethnically-diverse and socially progressive city of Toronto. Our innovative programs combine rigorous learning with autonomy, which helps to nurture the cosmopolitan adult: an individual who can think and act globally while living a full life unencumbered by boundaries.
Students flourish in small classes where everyone has the opportunity to share ideas. QMS is the ideal size to reflect Canada’s many cultures while remaining an intimate community. We are large enough to offer an extensive educational program, yet small enough to ensure that each student is known and respected as an individual. As a university-preparatory school, academic rigor and personal excellence are our aims. Innovative and unique programs are offered to all students and support is provided to those students who need extra time to help build their confidence, self-esteem, knowledge and skills. We have developed a school culture where students can feel proud of their successes.
Equal Balance
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.
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
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Balanced Literacy
Systematic-phonics programs teach young children to read by helping them to recognize and sound out the letters and syllables of words. Students are then led to blend these sounds together to sound out and recognize the whole word. While other reading programs might touch on phonetics (either incidentally or on a “when needed” basis), systematic phonics teaches phonics in a specific sequence, and uses extensive repetition and direct instruction to help readers associate specific letter patterns with their associated sounds.
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
The process approach to teaching beginner writing aims to get students writing “real things” as much as possible and as soon as possible. The goal is to create the right environmental conditions to encourage a love of writing and a motivation to write well. With children invested in the writing process -- through assignments children find meaningful -- students are then given feedback on how they can improve.
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
Inquiry-based science emphasizes teaching science as a way of thinking or practice, and therefore tries to get students “doing” science as much as possible -- and not just “learning” it. Students still learn foundational scientific ideas and content (and build on this knowledge progressively); however, relative to expository science instruction, inquiry-based programs have students spend more time developing and executing their own experiments (empirical and theoretical). Students are frequently challenged to develop critical and scientific-thinking skills by developing their own well-reasoned hypothesis and finding ways to test those hypotheses. Projects and experiments are emphasized over textbook learning. Skills are emphasized over breadth of knowledge.
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
Physics
Equal Balance
In traditional literature programs students focus on decoding the mechanics of texts: plot, characterization, and themes. These texts tend to include a balance of contemporary and “classic” literature. When studying a past work, students investigate its historical context -- but only insofar as this adds understanding to the work itself. Past works are therefore studied “on their own terms”, and not merely as historical artifacts to be deconstructed: traditional literature programs are firmly rooted in the humanities, and carry the belief that great literature can reveal fundamental and universal truths about the human condition. These programs emphasize class discussions and critical essay writing, and aim to develop in students critical thinking, communication skills, and a cultivated taste and ethos.
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
Usually focused on teaching history and geography at an early age, the core knowledge approach uses story, drama, reading, and discussion to teach about significant people, places, and events. Breadth of content and knowledge is emphasized. The curriculum is often organized according to the underlying logic of the content: history might be taught sequentially, for example (as students move through the grades).
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.
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
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Communicative
The communicative method of language acquisition emphasizes the use of the target language in authentic contexts. The approach commonly features interactive group work, games, authentic texts, and opportunities to learn about the cultural background of the language. Drills and quizzes may still be used, but less frequently than with the audio-lingual method.
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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
Creative arts programs are studio-driven. While historical works and movements may still be taught to add context to the program, students mainly engage in making art (visual, musical, theatrical, etc). The goal is use the actual practice of art to help educate students’ emotions, cognition, and ethos.
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
Computers are used in the classroom from time to time, but integrating technology into everything students do is not a dominant focus. Digital literacy is understood to be a legitimate skill in the 21st century, but not one that should distract from teaching the subject at hand, or more fundamental skills and literacies. The idea is today’s students, being “digital natives”, are likely exposed to computers and new media enough outside the classroom: the role of the school, rather, should be to develop competencies that may otherwise get missed.
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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Queen Margaret’s School offers exemplary curricular and co-curricular athletic and club programs that provide students with the opportunity for physical as well as academic development. The athletic program in the Junior School includes every student. There are many opportunities for involvement in sports. Building a strong athletic program, developing physically fit and motivated students and building team pride is a process that takes many years. Specific skill development must be sequential and must begin early. Therefore, we expect Intermediate students to participate on a team or in a sport at least twice each year. We also offer structured and unstructured opportunities for our primary students to get involved in athletics and team sports. In Senior School, physical education classes for all students combined with an integrated Outdoor Education program develop physical fitness and skills while enhancing sportsmanship and strengthening student self-esteem.
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.
Guidepost offers Montessori education embedded in urban school environments. At Guidepost, your kindergartner will independently master a hands-on curriculum, explore learning experiences in their city, and have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate a myriad of traditions and cultures.
Queen Margaret’s Early Childhood Education programs are designed for three and four year-old children. We offer nurturing and play-based programs enriched with a wide variety of age appropriate activities that promote social, physical, intellectual, creative, and emotional development.
Standard-enriched
The main curriculum pace is non-standardized and is HIGHLY responsive to the pacing of individual students, (via differentiated instruction, differentiated assessment, etc). In theory, some students outpace the default/normalized curriculum, while others spend periods "behind schedule" if they need the extra time.
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.
Differentiated instruction based on student learning needs.
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”.
Following the Montessori philosophy of education, Guidepost Montessori offers a rich and supportive learning environment where the individual needs of each child are met. Our academic curriculum is developmentally sequenced, culturally rich, and instilled with the foundations of scientific thinking.
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"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
"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."
At Guidepost, we are helping to raise modern citizens of the world. Our programs strive toward self-mastery, in an effort to develop connected and versatile adults who can think and act globally. We aim to raise confident problem solvers who understand that a full life begins with an understanding and respect of self and those around them.
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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
Nursery/Toddler - 8
SK - 12
0%
25%
$0
$3,000
95%
80%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Rolling
No
Yes: grades Preschool - 12
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
One of the many benefits of Montessori is that all students learn at their own pace. Guidepost welcomes all students to apply and we are willing to work with families to discover their child’s own personalized learning journey.
Our admissions process is very personalized. Members of our team look forward to meeting prospective families to determine if QMS is suited to them. We are looking for students who would benefit from our academic program, small enriched classes and specialist teachers. Student applications are assessed individually, taking into consideration past performance, teacher recommendations and students’ extra curricular interests.
Please visit our Admissions page at qms.bc.ca/admissions/ for our current admissions criteria and fees.