1167 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 1L3, Canada
2449 Dunwin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1T1, Canada
1167 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville, Ontario, L6J 1L3, Canada
2449 Dunwin Drive, Mississauga, Ontario, L5L 1T1, Canada
1968
2002
170
147
Nursery/Toddler to 8
Nursery/Toddler to 6
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English, French, Spanish
Academic
Academic
Montessori
Montessori
10 to 20
15 to 24
Dedicated gifted school
$8,500 to $20,500
$1,720 to $1,770
No
No
0%
0%
None
None
$0
$0
13
13
0%
0%
100%
100%
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 8
No
No
No
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information not available
More than 50 years old, Dearcroft is one of the older Montessori schools in the country, founded in 1968 by Peter and Barbara Phippen. It also has very consistent history, now being directed by Gordon Phippen, son of the founders. All of that, while not essential to the delivery of a quality Montessori program, nevertheless underscores what parents and students value in the approach, namely a clear sense of community, family, cross-generational interaction, and a sense of tradition. The program hews very closely to Maria Montessori’s model, and also brings the community—both local and beyond—into the classroom. The student body is on the larger end for a dedicated Montessori school, and the benefits of size are apparent in the range of programs offered.
View full reportDespite what many might perhaps naturally assume, not all Montessori schools are created equally, even within the class of schools that hue very closely to the core of the model. As Maria Montessori would herself have approved, each school takes on a unique character through the passions and personalities of those that work and learn within it, and Kaban is a good example of that. The name, Kaban, is a Mayan word meaning “earth,” and was chosen to represent the unique cast of the program, one that seeks to highlight stewardship to the environment both within the school and outside in the natural world. It’s a nice touch, and one that brings forward some of the core elements of the method that perhaps get short shrift. Yes, manipulatives are a part of it, though they are tools toward achieving the goal of mastery of the concepts and, in working with peers, a confidence in who we are and how we relate to others. Kaban nicely focuses its efforts very clearly around those concepts, both within its physical space as well as in the delivery of the curriculum. The size of the school is big enough to allow for diversity in programming while also allowing all of the students to feel that they are known and have a role and responsibilities in the life of the school. Instruction is student-centered and individualized, something that is an important draw for the families that enroll within the school. In all of that, and more, there’s a lot to love.
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"Established in 1968, Dearcroft is Oakville's original Montessori school offering programs from Toddler through to Junior High with three campuses in Oakville delivering exceptional Montessori Programs. Our North Campus offers an urbanized natural space, complemented by over 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art classrooms. Our Satellite campus offers enriched Montessori programs for Toddler and Casa. Dearcroft is a fully accredited charter member of CCMA (Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators)."
"Kaban is located in Mississauga. We offer Infant, Toddler, Casa and Elementary programs for children 6 mo - 12 yrs. Our professionally trained teachers practice a holistic, individualized approach that encourages independence, creativity, inner discipline and a love of learning. Our purpose is to guide children so that they may not only thrive in life, but observe, question, challenge and improve the world we live in."
"At the core of our Montessori curriculum is a strong emphasis on peace education. This creates an environment of kindness and compassion where students are supported not only by our staff, but also by their peers as well. In short, a Montessori education creates wonderful opportunities for independence, creativity, and character development."
"Kaban's children love school and look forward to going there every day. There is a sense of warmth, care, and expertise among all of our teachers. Learning is something that is enjoyable for all the children and their days are filled with fun."
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"A wonderful degree of innovation and natural design have driven the evolution of our school community. An excellent curriculum that goes above and beyond the public system requirements, where our graduates are positioned to pass entrance exams and be successful along their future learning paths. Our students have access to specialized programming including drama club, music, French beginning in our Casa program, and, intra-school sports competitions."
"At Kaban, families appreciate the welcoming and loving atmosphere created by the staff. Our families are always amazed and appreciative of our curriculum and philosophies because it has allowed them to watch their children flourish into independent, caring, and curious individuals."
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"We have a great respect for Montessori methodologies and ensure it is practiced truly in all our classrooms. We also celebrate and promote all cultures and traditions. Our multicultural community and staff allow our school to be a welcoming and educational environment for all. We are also very proud of the feeling of family that is created within our school. Even many years after leaving Kaban, families still remember us for our warmth and loving care."
"For 25 years Dearcroft/West Wind has been Canada’s leader in elementary experiential education. Our award-winning Expedition Education Program established in 1996 has been an innovative and exciting extension of our curriculum. Through an integrated and highly ambitious travel-based experience, our West Wind Junior High students have had the opportunity to explore Canada from Coast to Coast."
"Families are left in awe at the level of understanding their children have of other languages (Spanish & French).
We also aim to promote global peace and environmental awareness through our school."
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We are proud to have built a tight community among the children, parents, teachers, and our neighbourhood. We believe that when working together as a team, we can accomplish much more. Kaban Teachers maintain close relationships with parents in order to support and aid their child’s development. To enhance children’s sense of community Kaban students are also given the opportunity and encouraged to interact with the natural world beyond the school. We educate children on the importance of respecting not only themselves and others, but also how to care for and respect the balance that exists between humans and the environment.
Montessori
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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.
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.
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At Dearcroft Montessori, the comprehensive and methodical training of staff, excellent student to teacher ratios and long-term relationships allow us to focus on the individual child’s development in full alignment with Montessori best practices. All our classrooms feature: individualized, child-centred programs, enriched programming tailored to meet the needs of each student; multi-age environments; low student-teacher ratios; hands-on; experiential learning; individual and small group lessons and enriched music and French programming.
To provide a true Montessori experience through an environment that responds to each child’s individual strengths and needs, as well as inspires them to develop inner discipline, self-assurance and love of learning. We respect the uniqueness of each student by helping each child develop skills during their periods of greatest growth and sensitivity, providing a strong foundation for their intellectual, physical and social development.\n\nFollowing Maria Montessori’s philosophy, Kaban is dedicated to nurturing the child as a whole, beginning with a friendly and warm environment that acts as an extension of their home.
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These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
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Understanding mathematical concepts using concrete materials and eventually moving onto abstract calculations is the objective. The Montessori materials become tools that the children use to creatively explore a new concept. Teachers act as consultants to students to help master the new concept given in individualized or small group lessons.
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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.
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By providing an environment rich in oral language, each child has the opportunity to increase his or her receptive and expressive language. Formal individualized language lessons are given daily. Informal language lessons are an integral part of our program throughout the day’s lessons and activities. Children learn pronunciation, inflection, grammar and vocabulary in this rich environment.
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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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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
Ecology
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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
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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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These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
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These programs feature an equal blend of the audio-lingual and communicative styles of language instruction.
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Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
Hebrew
ESL
Spanish
Russian
Latin
Japanese
Italian
Greek
German
French
Chinese-Mandarin
Chinese-Cantonese
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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
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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.
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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
The primary goal of the Dearcroft gym program is to encourage lifelong participation in physical activity and increase knowledge of each student\'s personal health to ensure a healthy future. These goals are achieved through active participation in a number of different sports and activities over the course of the school year.
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Montessori
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.
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.
We are a traditional, best practices (orthodox) Montessori school.
Kaban Montessori holds the view that all children are competent, capable, curious and rich in potential. Therefore, introducing the child to the natural, social and practical world is the fundamental intention of Kaban\'s educational programs. Our purpose is to guide and stimulate the child\'s mind so that they may not only thrive in life, but observe, question, analyse and improve the world we live in.\n
Student-paced
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.
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.
Montessori Classrooms are multi-aged with three developmental years together. Toddler is 18 months to 3 year olds, Preschool is 3 to 6 year olds, Lower Elementary 6-9 year olds, Upper Elementary 9-12 year olds and Junior High for 12-14 year olds.
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Supportive
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 “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.
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"We intentionally avoid all forms of public distinction between students in terms of academic performance."
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.
Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
Dearcroft will provide a high quality Montessori education to children aged 18 months to fourteen years on the Toddler, Preschool, Elementary and Junior High levels. Children of any sex, race, colour or religion will be educated by qualified Montessori teachers within a supportive matrix of care, encouragement and challenge.
Kaban is where children find the perfect place to grow with independence; developing their self-esteem and confidence. Children develop at their own rate according to their own needs, becoming their best. Kaban provides constructive and consistent learning experiences that allow the children to develop emotionally, socially, academically and physically. For a well rounded and balanced Human Being.
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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
0%
0%
$0
$0
100%
100%
Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Rolling
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 8
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
At Kaban Montessori School, we work in partnership with parents towards the common goal of their child's development. We are looking for families that are welcoming of this partnership and open to learning about Montessori philosophy. One core element that is important for families to understand about the Montessori environment is the mixed-age classrooms. Knowing that this 3 year block is important to receiving the best the classroom has to offer.
Please call the school to book a tour. This tour can be done in person or online. We encourage families to attend with their child/ children.
Admission is dependent on spot availability in your chosen age group.
When applying for the Elementary programme, a Montessori background is not required but is a plus.
