Why children should start private school early
Experts suggest early education promotes a lifelong love of learning
Find a list of schoolsTo Preschool or not to preschool? That is the question.
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To Preschool or not to preschool? That is the question.
How young is too young for kids to start school? This question has always been controversial between parents and professionals alike, but experts suggest that early education promotes a lifelong love of learning.
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Starting school at two or three years of age has always been controversial. Many argue "kids are not allowed to be kids anymore." On the contrary, experts say early education promotes a lifelong love of learning.
"This couldn't be further from the truth considering that modern research shows that even before being actually born, while still in the mother's womb, a child responds to musical sounds," says Dan Zebeljan, RMS (a Montessori school, in Brampton, Ontario) director of education and academy principal. "It's a well known trend these days that some expectant mothers play classical music in order to stimulate their yet-to-be-born babies."
Zebeljan explains that between the ages of two to six years old, children are like sponges in a stage that the Montessori tradition identifies as the "Absorbent Mind" stage. "In this stage, children are eager to learn everything and anything," he says. "The questions about 'what is this and what is that?' and then the non-stop follow-ups, like 'but why this and why that?', are clear signs of their innate, inborn curiosity. Hence, it is our job as educators and parents—both must be partners in education—to capitalize on this inborn curiosity by directing, shaping, and forming their need to learn and continue their learning in a nurturing environment."
"The vast majority of children who are not exposed to a structured and prepared environment, by the time they are two to two-and-a-half years old, express clear signs of boredom," Zebeljan says. "Unless there is a supervised and well prepared environment that can address their questions, keep up with their energy and allow them to socialize with their own peers, children will simply become bored and irritable."
In order for learning to occur, he says it must be fun, spontaneous and organic rather than be seen as a chore, a burden or a nuisance. "In fact, in our experiences, the later children start school, the harder it becomes to perceive learning as fun, simply because as they get older, their innate sense of curiosity becomes mitigated with the conscious sense of responsibility," he explains.
Sense of responsibility must be built without its traditional labels associated with 'task-mastering,' which often provokes rejection or resistance in older children. He cites examples of task-mastering when asking children: Did you do your homework? Did you brush your teeth? Did you take out the garbage?
"We want to teach children about the sense of responsibility through the joy of learning so that it becomes their second nature, a meta-cognitive reflex if you will, wherein learning becomes based on their innate curiosity, thus making it contextually fun before it becomes a concept of responsibility," he says. "If executed properly, early childhood education is the mechanism that triggers a sense of responsibility in a natural and not forced upon or enforced way."
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Toronto, Ontario — Prestige School offers programs from junior kindergarten to grade 12 in Toronto. Its average class size is 10 to 18 students. View School Profile.
Grades:
PS to 12 (Coed)
Type:
Traditional
Tuition:
$12,000 to $16,500
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
290
Avg. Class:
10 to 18
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Toronto, Ontario — Bond Academy is a private, co-educational, non-denominational independent school with students from Montessori Casa to Grade 12. View School Profile.
Grades:
PS to 12 (Coed)
Type:
Liberal Arts
Tuition:
$13,000 to $16,000
Living:
Boarding/Day
Enrollment:
550
Avg. Class:
10 to 15
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Ottawa, Ontario — 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. View School Profile.
Grades:
PS to 12 (Girls)
Type:
Progressive, International Baccalaureate
Tuition:
$14,800 to $28,300
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
370
Avg. Class:
15 to 17
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Kendellhurst offers students an enriched curriculum with a mix of project based, traditional and arts infused curriculum, with digital displays, Macs and PC's in every room and Edwin personal devices for grades 5 to 8.
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TFS - Canada's International School offers Canada's only bilingual IB programs from PK to Grade 12. Average class size is 12 to 22 students. Entrance Scholarship to Grade 7 is available.
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Our curriculum are designed to build essential skills and concepts that help with the cognitive, social, creative, emotional, and physical development of your child with the aim to be a successful learner for life!
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Royal Cachet has authentic Montessori programs from infants to grade 3 in our healthy & safe environments. We focus on the Language & Math areas of the Montessori Curriculum & encourage our students to grow and succeed.
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This academically re-known French & English bilingual serves students from Pre-Kg to High School. Class size averages 20 students; tuition ranges from $15,000 to $18,00 . Boarding is available.
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Oakville's SMLS continues to be a premier independent school for girls Preschool to Grade 12 since 1891. "Millie" graduates take on the world with confidence and the knowledge that they can do anything.
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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.
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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.
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Lynn-Rose Heights Private School offers challenging academic programming from three years old to grade twelve in Mississauga. Lynn-Rose Heights school is an official International Baccalaureate World School.
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Small class sizes combine with a vast classical education to create a diversity of understanding that leads students to build the
confidence they need to comfortably go out into the world in their own unique way.
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The Maples is an established private IB World School in Orangeville, Ontario providing exemplary education for students (Pre-School to Grade 8). Daily French instruction in PS and Kindergarten with an academic focus.
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An authentic, CCMA accredited Montessori School located in downtown Toronto, offering programs for Toddlers, Casa and Elementary children.
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Our mission is personalized student academic success in a friendly and caring school community, in which all students are emotionally supported and socially welcome.
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Tall Pines School in Brampton provides enhanced Montessori and traditional classes from Infant to Grade Eight, is the longest accredited CCMA Montessori school in Canada, and is a leader in 21st Century education.
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A challenging learning environment that encourages high expectations. Watch your child as they grow into a courageous and self-confident learner with leadership skills they can apply to any activity or project.
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Established in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College is one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering academic programs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Peel Montessori School and Carrington College students are encouraged to be engaged, inquisitive learners who think for themselves, display strengthen of character, and learn to succeed on their own merits.
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Hawthorn School is located in Toronto. We offer a co-ed toddler-SK program and an all girls program for grade 1- grade 12. Our unique mentoring program is tailored to help students reach their full potential.
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La Citadelle's Excellence in Bilingual Education and academically advanced curriculum develop successful global citizens through IB & AP programs and a holistic approach where students achieve their highest potential.
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RMS is an award-winning progressive private school. Our structured enriched programme cultivates character, leadership, respect and cultural diversity while developing each child’s 21st century skills and a STEM mindset.
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TFS - Canada's International School (West Campus) offers programs from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 7. Its average class size is 12 to 22 students.
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Alder Ridge offers 21st century education. Our innovative learning initiatives are founded in the Montessori Philosophy. We offer a student led, self paced learning environment that holistically supports all areas.
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Ashwood Glen offers a Montessori program for children aged 18months - 6 yrs. The Grades 1 - 8 Learning Program applies the IB framework to extend the learning outcomes of the Ontario curriculum.
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OMS Montessori is a non for profit, independent school offering separate French and English programs within a world class Montessori environment.
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Junior Academy offers programs for students from Toddler to Grade Eight, in midtown Toronto. The average class size is 10 to 14 students and it caters to all types of students with different learning profiles.
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Century Private School in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with small class ratio to ensure best learning for our students.
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Founded in 1990, Yip's Montessori Program cater to children from 1.5 to 6 years old. Yip's four campuses are located in Markham, Unionville and Thornhill.
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We are a small, but dynamic private school that caters to families who are looking for a nurturing school environment for their child. Small classes and a well-rounded curriculum to help every child meet with success.
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Richland Academy is a progressive, innovative Reggio inspired and International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for children from 2.8-years to Grade 8. Voted #1 Private School in Richmond Hill 4 years in a row.
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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!
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The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for his/her uniqueness and is taught accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program.
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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.
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Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten.
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As western Canada's leader in French immersion education, Calgary French & International School students are active leaders and global citizens, graduating with a foundation for life long success.
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Toronto French Montessori offers French and English programs from pre-school to grade 8 in York Region. Its average class size is 15 students.
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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.
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Founded in 1912, Montverde Academy is an elite college preparatory school for students in grades Pre-K3 through post-graduate studies with a distinct student population from over 80 countries worldwide.
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Located in Markham, Ontario, Town Centre Private Schools is an International Baccalaureate® World School and offers a Montessori Pre-School program as well as an IB Elementary School and IB High School.
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At Banbury, we teach and mentor each child individually. Students are happy and engaged in learning. We believe in small class sizes with multi-aged groups. 98% of our grads continue with post-secondary education.
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Diverse, warm community. Small classes. Exceptional phonics program to build early literacy. Collaborative, multiple-strategy approach to math. Public speaking, the arts, outdoor ed, mindfulness, community engagement.
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Providence Academy is the only Private French Catholic School offering a trilingual program of study in Ontario with classes from nursery to grade eight. Tuition: $8,800-10,300. Extracurricular activities: $600-$650.
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Richmond Hill Montessori Private School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 20 students.
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We provide infant, toddler, preschool and CASA programs for your child. Our CASA program is based on the curriculum developed by Maria Montessori. We are located in Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan and Toronto.
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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.
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Toronto Waldorf School offers a curriculum that integrates academics,arts & movement, and addresses the intellectual, physical, emotional & social aspects of child development. Preschool to gr. 12.
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Wesley Christian Academy offers programs from Toddler to Grade 8 in Markham. As we are a Christian school, we share our beliefs with all our students but we warmly welcome families from ALL faiths and backgrounds!
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Now offered online, the PK – Grade 6 program is a visible expression of the philosophy embodied in Ledson's books, Raising Brighter Children and Teach Your Child to Read in Just 10 Minutes a Day.
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New Haven is the leading private school and non-profit centre supporting individuals with ASD and their families year-round. Our focus centres on growing potential and changing the lives of those with ASD to SOAR.
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Queen Margaret's School is an all-gender independent day/boarding university preparatory school in Duncan, BC that focuses on preparing young trailblazers for an unknown future.
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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.
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River Valley is an inclusive school that harnesses the innate curiosity in children to ensure that every student, regardless of age or ability will flourish academically and socially.
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CMS' aim is to prepare all children to reach their full potential (academically, artistically, & physically) and to play a responsible role in protecting the global environment and fostering peace and harmony.
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At G.B.MS, D.E.P.S and Durham Academy Secondary school focus is on each individual student and helping them meet their unique potential and goals. We believe in excellent customer service and families have a voice. Throughout the year we enhance our programs through program enhancement and enrichment. We also offer March Break and Summer Camps for working parents.
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Meadow Green Academy offers programs from pre-school to grade eight in Mississauga. Its average class size is 12 students.
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F4T Academy offers an all day French preschool and Kindergarten program in Durham Region.
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Kuper Academy offers programs from pre-school to grade eleven in Kirkland. Its average class size is 22 students.
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Oakville Christian School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight in Oakville. Its average class size is 22 students.
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Little Owl Preschool, Elementary and Middle School develops motivated, confident, and happy problem-solving individuals. We invite your child to become a Little Owl student.
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Vincent Massey supports students in reaching their individual potential through a balanced education; setting your child up for success in all avenues of life.
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Walden International School, Oakville, offers enriched, child-centred, academic programs from Pre-K through Grade 8. Grade 9 will be introduced in September 2021. Class sizes up to 18 students depending on grade level.
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Northstar Montessori offers an authentic Montessori curriculum for Toddler age to Grade 8. Our goal is to develop strong character and contributing citizens who understand that their involvement makes a difference.
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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.
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With 2 Campuses located in Vaughan, King Heights Academy provides a unique educational experience for toddlers to grade 12 which includes the IB Program. Our new Thornhill Campus offers a Sports Program from grades 1-12
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Braemar House School is a not-for-profit elementary school that proves each day that children thrive in a nurturing environment that offers personalized attention.
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Lycée Louis Pasteur is the only school in Calgary to teach the French Ministry of Education and Alberta Education curricula. Three years old to Grade 12. All linguistic backgrounds welcome. Small class sizes.
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Kaban Montessori School in west Mississauga/Erin Mills is a CCMA accredited school for children aged 6 months to 12 years. Come for a tour, you'll love it!
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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.
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Prestige School offers individualized programs from pre-school to grade eight in Richmond Hill with an average class size of ten students. It will soon be expanding its facilities to include full-time high school.
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MacLachlan is a world-class school offering the benefits of small class sizes, highly dedicated and engaged teachers and an internationally recognized curriculum for students in Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12.
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Authentic Montessori Preschool. Students completing our 3 year program at The Maria Montessori School test extremely well. We balance academics, exploration and skills guided by your child's natural interests.
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The School offers authentic Montessori education, individualized learning, accommodations to meet each child’s needs, hands-on learning, enriched curriculum, and outdoor exploration.
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The Giles School has small class sizes, leadership programs and intensive STEM programming that support both immersion and introductory language programming in each of the six official languages of the United Nations.
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Bayview Glen is a traditional co-ed day school in Toronto, Ontario from Preschool (age 2) to Grade 12, a global member of Round Square and offers Advanced Placement programme. Tuition ranges from $18,850 to $28,000.
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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.
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The Alexander von Humboldt German International School Montreal is a multilingual (German, English and French), private, co-educational school serving students from preschool to grade 12.
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CMS' aim is to prepare all children to reach their full potential (academically, artistically, & physically) and to play a responsible role in protecting the global environment and fostering peace and harmony.
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Maria Montessori School is one of the longest established AMI accredited Montessori school's in Canada. We offer accredited programs for children 18 months to 12 years and hire only AMI certified teaching staff.
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For 38 years, Montessori Country School has provided a top rated CCMA accredited curriculum for students 15 months through grade 6 on two sprawling campuses, and an integrated virtual classroom for elementary students.
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Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers.
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Cornerstone students love to shape the future. They INSPIRE learning, DISCOVER their potential, EMPOWER themselves to be innovative citizens. Our boundless learning strategies open doors for successful learning.
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St. Clement's Early Learning School
70 St. Clements Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4R 1H2
St. Clement’s Early Learning School provides a child with an opportunity for growth in all areas of his or her development.
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Ottawa’s Fern Hill School offers Preschool, Kindergarten and Elementary Grades, including extended French. Tuition starts at $2,950.
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UMS offers year advanced programs from pre-school to grade eight. Our hallmark is a clear focus on high expectations blending academic success with the character development of the individual child.
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Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students.
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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.
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Magnificent Minds Inc. caters to learners whose needs are not being met in traditional school environments, pursuing academic excellence, and individual greatness.
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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.
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Mulgrave School offers programmes from Preschool to Grade 12 in West Vancouver to all genders. Its average class size is 20 students with teacher to student ratios of 1:8.
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Early Learning Centre to Grade 12. Discipline. Character. Respect. Complete your child's academic and spiritual foundation. Discover why PCA students excel!
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Our identity and teaching philosophy are based on strong values: teaching excellence & innovation, multilingualism & freedom of expression, responsibility & intellectual curiosity, respect for others & togetherness.
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Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students.
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Our innovative curriculum combines Montessori essentials with heart-centred learning practices designed to nurture the mind, heart, health, and soul of each child.
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Liberty Prep offers programs from Toddler - Gr. 6 in downtown Toronto. Our environment combines a beautifully renovated building with well-trained and passionate teachers. Reach out to discover what we do differently.
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ArtsCalibre Academy empowers students through creativity, mindfulness and leadership. We are offering Preschool through Grade 10 programs in 2020/2021, adding one grade per year through to Grade 12.
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At Hitherfield we believe that every child is unique, and has his or her own strengths and interests. With individualized programs, Hitherfield nurtures growth, success and confidence in all students.
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MJDS inspires a lifetime love for learning in a nurturing environment that fosters respect for oneself, the community and the world, guided by the shared values of Judaism and Montessori education.
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Accredited by French Ministry of Education and certified by AEFE, this school provides outstanding education and revolves around 3 major themes: Excellence, Educational innovation and Cultural / linguistic openness.
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Since 2002, J. Addison has provided a stimulating education for students. Located at the corner of Woodbine and Valleywood Drive in Markham, ON, Canada, you will find our state-of-the-art 58,000 sq. ft. facility.
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Aurora Montessori offers an extensive, enriched program for day students to Grade 8 including an Outdoor Ed. Program, an option of an OSSD credit in Grade 9 Academic Math and a bridge to elite private high schools.
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For more than 40 years Kanata Montessori has been graduating students with self-confidence, critical thinking skills, respect, high academic achievement and an international perspective.
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Calgary Waldorf School’s rich and challenging curriculum carefully balances academic, artistic and practical activities to stimulate intelligence and encourage creativity.
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The close-knit community at Star delivers on Learn to Love to Learn™ with project-based, cross-curricular and experiential learning. Our Five Pillars of Child Development guide learning experiences for students in K-8.
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Kingsley's small classes and personal approach help students reach their unique potential. Each child is seen, heard, and respected. French, music, and phys-ed round out a program which includes plenty of time outdoors.
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Halton Waldorf school offers an education that fosters confidence, independence and intelligence. Our school is located on five forested acres and has been uniquely designed to support the goals of Waldorf education.
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