105-2235 Sheppard Ave East , North York, Ontario, M2J 5B5, Canada
3467 Duval Road, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7J 3E8, Canada
2002
2004
84
345
Nursery/Toddler to 3
JK to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Montessori
Progressive, International Baccalaureate
Varies
Varies
In-class adaptations
$14,500 to $18,500
$27,200 to $30,600
No
Yes
0%
0%
None
SK to 12
$0
$0
11
23
0%
0%
7%
0%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, 1, 2, 3
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Not available
Feb 01, 2024
Not available
Not available
No
Yes
No
No
information not available
information not available
Unique to Head Start Montessori is the deep involvement of its founder and director, Naureen Shah, along with director Sara Alvi, who both maintain a hands-on approach and an open-door policy, further strengthening the school’s welcoming environment. Head Start Montessori offers one of Toronto’s only infant Montessori programs, extending up to Grade 3. The school adheres to the AMI Philosophy, is CCMA Accredited, and CCYEA Licensed, reflecting its commitment to high-quality Montessori education. The school’s non-competitive atmosphere and lack of traditional testing contribute to self-driven academic achievements among students. With a focus on individual needs and collaboration with families, Head Start Montessori nurtures well-rounded development, preparing students for lifelong success. Additionally, the school’s curriculum is individualized, encompassing infant, toddler, casa environments, and lower elementary grades, along with extracurriculars like music, yoga, and gymnastics. The school provides summer and March camps, catered hot lunches, and places a strong emphasis on creating a warm, personalized community.
View full reportFamilies rightly turn to Brockton for strong academics, and it certainly has that, undergirded by the IB program. But families turn to private school for other reasons as well, prime among them an environment in which students enter a community of peers of a like mind, and who are academically inclined, and Brockton offers that as well. Even more importantly though is an aspect of the school that perhaps parents don’t think to first, though they should, and that’s the opportunity to have authentic experience with a range of endeavor that they wouldn’t otherwise. The community of the Brockton School is close-knit, while the academic and extracurricular programs are broad. No, it’s not always easy to try new things, and the school is cognizant of the barriers to participation, anticipates them, and seeks to provide a sympathetic introduction. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a vibrant, active, supportive yet challenging academic environment.
View full reportinformation not available
information not available
"Head Start Montessori School was founded by Naureen Shah in 2002, because of her firm belief in Maria Montessori's vision, that the child, if provided with the right environment, will reach their full potential. Growing in the North York community, Naureen was joined by Sara Alvi in 2013, and they have now achieved their goal of nurturing children from the age of 9 months-9 years old. HSM is one of the only infant Montessori programs in Toronto, now going up to Grade 3. Both Naureen and Sara are Montessori trained teacher"
"Brockton is a co-educational IB Continuum World School located in North Vancouver with programs from JK to Grade 12. At Brockton students are offered an inclusive, holistic, and challenging learning environment where personal experience and development is paramount. The program supports students in becoming life-long learners, and offers a variety of co-curricular, leadership, and service opportunities. At Brockton every student and every family is known, welcomed, respected, and valued."
"Each child at Head Start Montessori has an individualized Montessori curriculum. With both owners, Naureen and Sara, being Montessori trained teachers, parents can be rest assured that their child(ren) are being provided with an authentic Montessori education. We believe that the parents and the school have to collaborate in the best interest of the child. Keeping this in mind, HSM holds many parent workshops throughout the year, as learning never stops!"
"Within a challenging IB framework, Brockton School focuses on each child and on the whole child. It is a school where every student matters, every family matters, community matters, and learning for life matters. Students work to learn from successes and challenges to explore their sense of purpose and direction. Students are given the strong foundations that inspire them on a journey as outstanding humans."
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
"HSM provides a warm, loving, personalized community of like-minded parents, staff and owners who believe in the importance of the foundational years of a child's life. The collaboration of Families-School is very important to Head Start Montessori and we have an open-door policy where parents are always welcome. HSM prides itself on good communication and transparency. We also have a Parent Council, ensuring that we are all working in the best interest of the children."
"Families choose Brockton because of the authentic connections made between students, staff, and families that, when married to the program delivery, lead to thriving and confident learners. The environment is warm, welcoming, and supportive. The academic standard is high and students are inspired to learn how to learn. Inspiring and supporting students to pursue their dreams with a sense of purpose is a priority."
Information not available
Information not available
"Starting with our youngest in the infant room, families don't realize the time, energy, effort and unconditional love each member of the school provides, in order to make Head Start Montessori a home away from home.
Our bond with families doesn't end when they leave. Our students come back to volunteer and visit throughout the year. Through numerous siblings, our school stays connected to many families for more than a decade, forming strong relationships and becoming like family."
"Brockton has an impressive number and diversity of programs.
Students find extraordinary success in multiple arenas.
The student leadership program is innovative and engaging of all students in one capacity or another.
The culture of the school and the associated supports attracts accomplished and outstanding staff."
"Both owners, Sara Alvi and Naureen Shah, are Montessori trained teachers, and are always present at the school. They are both passionate about their work, and love to talk about Montessori, life and the children. Their office is always open for quick chat and a cup of tea!"
"Brockton walks the talk. It is not words on a website or other; Brockton lives its mission and guiding principles.
Brockton is an incredibly innovative school and works with students and families to be successful today and in the future. Brockton is not afraid to be ahead of the curve."
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Dear Parents,
We welcome you to Head Start Montessori School. For over 20 years we have been an important part of the community, promoting Montessori Education and overall well-being for our children. Please call or e-mail us to schedule an appointment to come and visit the school. We look forward to meeting.
Imagine a school where students are excited about getting to class; where students are encouraged to be risk-takers; where every opportunity is seen as one for learning. Imagine a school where parents, teachers and students collaborate to create their best possible educational adventure. Imagine Brockton!
Brockton is a safe, caring environment where students are challenged academically through a broad and balanced curriculum which surpasses the expectations of the International Baccalaureate (IB) and British Columbia Education Ministry requirements. The academic programme is complemented by a range of co-curricular activities, from athletics and leadership, to service and our World Music Program. Students are encouraged to engage with our local and global communities as they are guided to become life-long learners.
As an IB World School we embrace the concepts of 21st century learning, providing challenging programs in a culture of inquiry, and fostering the importance of giving service to others. At Brockton we encourage all students to achieve their true potential by being active learners and global citizens.
Students at Brockton don’t simply attend school, they embark on an educational adventure where they are encouraged to take risks and inquire about the world around them. I am really proud to be the Head of Brockton School. It is an honour to lead a truly dedicated and highly trained staff and to serve the families of the Brockton Community. I would like you to be able to experience everything that is brilliant about Brockton, and I welcome you all to come and see what makes our school so special.
Progressive
International Baccalaureate
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.
Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.
Brockton is an IB World Continuum School hosting the Primary Years Programme (JK-Gr.5), Middle Years Programme (Gr.6-Gr.10), and Diploma Programme, with a choice of pathways at Grade 11&12. At Brockton, student learning and personal experience are paramount. Students are acknowledged as individuals and are supported according to their respective gifts and areas for growth. Brockton’s small class sizes and close knit community allow for the outstanding faculty and staff to guide students in a journey of inspired learning. The Brockton program is challenging, innovative, and holistic and integrates an array of co-curricular, leadership, service, and character-development opportunities. From the students entering as early as JK through to our Brockton Graduates (and Alumni), Brockton aims to nurture (among other things) self-awareness, resiliency, ingenuity, open-mindedness, international-mindedness, principled behaviours, social responsibility, effective communication, and a sense of purpose. Brockton students are guided on a journey of learning that provides them opportunities to chart a course for success during their school years, at their choice of post-secondary, and in life beyond.
Equal Balance
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
Information not available
Information not available
Information not available
Not applicable
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.
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
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
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
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
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
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
Information not available
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Not applicable
Not applicable
Information not available
Information not available
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Information not available
Information not available
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.
Early Years Education at Brockton School emphasizes the facilitation of intentional and experiential learning opportunities through a play-based inquiry model. Our unique approach builds upon the framework and curricular requirements of both the BC Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate's Primary Years Programme. While play-based in nature, there is a strong academic framework that sets a foundation for early elementary school success. At Brockton, we believe that children learn through doing, and therefore our students are provided with opportunities to explore their interests and passions in a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.
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.
Brockton is an innovative school where creative opportunities for learning are optimized. Personalized approaches to teaching/learning, a well-resourced Student Services team, and multiple pathways of grade 11/12 programming are among the aspects that support diverse 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”.
Please note: we would like to be listed in both rigorous and supportive categories. To define us in one and not the other would be misleading. Brockton provides a unique combination of a rigorous academic program within a supportive academic culture. Students are inspired to want to learn and to engage a life-long curiosity. This inspiration is nurtured within the challenging IB academic curricular program, a program that is process based while preparing students for optimal post-secondary and future success. Brockton works with each student (and family) to establish goals for each student relative to their particular potential.
Information not available
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."
Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
Balanced
Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation.
Brockton attends to the whole child development. While there is a focus on intellectual growth, this is achieved through a balanced approach with attention paid to the multiple aspects that lead to a student's overall development. Brockton exists within a compassionate community where students are encouraged to explore their own growth in multiple dimensions.
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
CompetitiveComp. |
RecreationalRec. |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Badminton |
||||
Baseball |
||||
Basketball |
||||
Canoeing/Kayaking |
||||
Cricket |
||||
Cross-country skiing |
||||
Cycling |
||||
Downhill skiing |
||||
Equestrian |
||||
Fencing |
||||
Field Hockey |
||||
Figure Skating |
||||
Football |
||||
Golf |
||||
Gymnastics |
||||
Ice Hockey |
||||
Ice Skating |
||||
Lacrosse |
||||
Martial Arts |
||||
Mountain biking |
||||
Racquet Ball |
||||
Rowing |
||||
Rugby |
||||
Running |
||||
Sailing |
||||
Skateboarding |
||||
Snowboarding |
||||
Soccer |
||||
Softball |
||||
Squash |
||||
Swimming |
||||
Tennis |
||||
Track & Field |
||||
Volleyball |
||||
Weightlifting |
||||
Wrestling |
||||
Archery |
||||
Curling |
||||
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
SK - 12
0%
0%
$0
$0
7%
0%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, 1, 2, 3
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Not available
Feb 01, 2024
Not available
Not available
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Student selection is based on both academic and non-academic considerations. These include but are not limited to: The ‘fit’ of the child and family with the school. The availability of space and class composition at the particular grade level. Character traits such as curiosity, independence, responsibility, self-discipline, and creativity.
ADMISSION POLICY
We ask that all interested families:
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
(September 1st – May 1st); payable to “Head Start Montessori School”
WITHDRAWAL POLICY
STEP 1: DISCOVER BROCKTON
Start by exploring our website for information about the school, our programming, fees, deadlines for admissions, and culture.
Dive deeper into our unique programming by downloading our Admissions Information Package or registering for an Open House.
Once you know that Brockton is the right fit for your family, click the apply button. You will be prompted to create an account and fill out an online application.
Please note that applications are not considered complete until we receive all supporting documentation, and the non-refundable $300 application fee has been paid.
For more detailed information on the application process, download our application guide and required documentation checklist.
STEP 3: SCHEDULE ASSESSMENTS
Student applicants are required to participate in an entrance assessment to determine ‘fit’ and evidence of the applicant’s potential for success within our program. Parents will also be invited to meet with a member of our admissions/leadership team for a personal interview.
These can be booked in your admissions checklist.