18 Coldwater Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1Y7, Canada
525 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3H6, Canada
18 Coldwater Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1Y7, Canada
525 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Westmount, Quebec, H3Y 3H6, Canada
1995
1909
1075
295
Nursery/Toddler to 6
K to 11
Coed
Girls
Day
Day
English
English, French
Academic
Academic
Montessori
Progressive
Varies
12 to 20
In-class adaptations
$12,500 to $20,000
$21,800 to $26,380
No
Yes
0%
15%
None
6 to 11
$0
$5,000
98
25
0%
0%
100%
60%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 6
Yes: grades K - 11
No
No
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
information not available
“[ECS] was founded in 1909 by Maud Edgar and Mary Cramp, two trailblazing educators who were determined to open a school—not just any school, mind you, but one that would advance the cause of gender rights and equality. … [and] believing to their core that the school would play a role in quite literally changing the world.”
“While the strength of the academic programs is understandably a principal draw, the thing that sets schools apart is their moral ecologies: the values and expectations they prioritize, and the ways of being they demand of the students who participate within them.”
“The administration isn’t prone to resting on laurels, but instead consistently reviews best practices and builds new programs to meet the evolving needs of the student population.”
Read The Our Kids Review of Miss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School
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 reportMiss Edgar's & Miss Cramp's School was founded in 1909 by Maud Edgar and Mary Cramp, two trailblazing educators. Although still not allowed to own the property that housed their school, or even to vote, Miss Edgar and Miss Cramp were determined to create educational opportunity for young women, to change their place in the world. Those roots in activism and leadership—and the desire to do things better, and more equitably—remain at the school today. The strength of the academic program is a principle draw, though the values, very rightly, are as well. The school has built itself around an ethos of achievement, providing opportunities for authentic engagement with the curriculum and substantial interaction with like-minded peers and mentors. The ideal student is one who shares that vision, and who has the interest and the drive to play an active role in a changing world.
View full report
"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...
View full review
"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...
View full review
"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...
View full review
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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."
"Miss Edgar’s and Miss Cramp’s is small in size and big in ideas. An innovative girls’ school founded by female mavericks in 1909, ECS values and stewards each girl’s distinct journey. We offer an engaging and exceptional education to thrive in an ever changing world. At ECS, she will feel a sense of belonging and receive individualized attention giving her ownership over her learning process. By fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, each girl is empowered to create her own future and become a global citizen."
"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."
"ECS is committed to redefining the status quo in education with a strong academic offering and through our innovative Entrepreneurial Platform (EP). Collaborative in spirit, this Platform fosters an entrepreneurial mindset which is opportunity-seeking, persistent, and resourceful. Through the iterative process, they learn to reframe problems as opportunities as well as express and execute their strategies with clarity."
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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."
"ECS offers an environment where all students have access to opportunities to thrive, grow, and reach their full potential. Guided by our vision and mission, we strive to mentor each girl on her distinct journey. Small class sizes, strong academics and a vibrant co-curricular programme are just a few ways that we inspire students as they pursue their academic and discover their passions."
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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."
"Our Co-curricular and Athletics programmes are exceptional. Students experience life outside of school though trips, special events and guest speakers who touch upon many social issues. From sport tournaments to field trips they get to experience the world in a safe and nurturing environment with our wonderful staff. Student Life at ECS provides opportunities beyond the classroom, that build leadership skills, self and global awareness, and independence."
"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."
"ECS is a home away from home. Students love their school and they are nurtured by a dedicated teaching team and surrounded by a caring student body that spans Kindergarten to Grade 11. Students not only find peers within their class but also through special school activities and events throughout the school year. Students at ECS are part of a sisterhood that lasts beyond their school years and carries them into the future."
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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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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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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.
From Kindergarten through Grade 11 we are committed to engaging students in the rich process of inquiry, asking questions and defining problems, designing methods of investigation, analyzing and interpreting data, communicating findings, and reflecting on the experience. This process is relevant no matter the learner’s age or the subject at hand. Please see our website for more information: www.ecs.qc.ca.
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.
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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Approach in French and English is aligned to support student learning and progresses through the grades as they hit touchstone requirements. This method supports both revision and enrichment so students may still be comfortable at their language level. Teachers make sure students are exposed to quality texts and stories and learning to think like an author.
DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
This testing is to inform teaching.
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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We teach writing structure, but also learn to build their knowledge through drafts and revisions. This approach is taught in both languages; French and English in order to support students in making connections across the curriculum.
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
Physiology
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
Core Knowledge
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).
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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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The importance of our programme is to practice French and have a bilingual proficiency. We nurture reading, writing and speaking in both English and French. Spanish is offered from Grades 8 to 11. We nurture speaking and reading in Spanish to become proficient in conversation
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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Beginning in Kindergarten, technology is integrated into daily life at ECS. Students quickly learn that these tools ENHANCE their learning but technology does not replace pencils, paper and books. Teachers integrate technology to create a stimulating learning environment and students are at ease working on many different programmes.
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.
Please see our website at ecs.qc.ca for more information
Accelerated
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.
The main curriculum accelerates beyond the pace of the provincial one; ALL students do the work of OLDER public-school peers in tangible and measurable ways. This accelerated pace is maintained by the teachers and school, (through textbook selection, topic selection, grading, assignment standards and expectations, etc).
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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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."
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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. |
CompetitiveComp. |
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
6 - 11
0%
15%
$0
$5,000
100%
60%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 6
Yes: grades K - 11
No
No
No
No
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
No
Yes: grades 1 - 11
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.
Curious, courageous, mission-appropriate, risk-takers, motivated to learn, well-rounded. We're looking for the sparkle in their eye - the girls who are keen to learn, enthusiastic. We're looking for the girl who plays rugby, the oboe, and loves ballet; the girl who loves math, engineering, and a good book. Our student body is varied and diverse - give us a call.
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/
Birth Certificate
Final Report Cards for Last Two Years
Junior School - Permanent Residency cards or Certificate of Eligibility or Study Visa or Parent Work Permit or Parent Diplomatic Status
Middle / Senior School - Certificate of Eligibility or Study Visa or Parent Work Permit or Parent Diplomatic Status
Candidate photo
$50 application fee
Admissions test and ‘Spend-A-Day’ on site
Family interview
International applicants Grade 8 through 10 must provide their IELTS/TOEFL scores.
All Grade 7 applicants must write the Common Admissions Test with Brisson Legris (mid-October). If inquiring after the deadline, please contact our Admissions Team.
In some cases, we require a copy of the child and parent's passports
