401 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 1A3, Canada
414 11 A Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 4P3, Canada
401 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 1A3, Canada
414 11 A Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 4P3, Canada
340.0 km
1,942.0 km
1984
1993
200
Varies
Nursery/Toddler to 8
JK to 12
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Montessori
Liberal Arts
Varies
10 to 12
In-class adaptations
$10,300 to $18,350
No
Yes
0%
5%
None
3 to 12
$0
$10,000
15
0
0%
0%
0%
75%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Not available
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 8
Yes: grades JK - 12
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
information not available
information not available
information not available
Often what attracts parents to Montessori education is the close, community feel that many schools are able to provide, and that’s very true of MLCP. The school began in 1984 with 25 students, and growth has been less of a concern for its administrators than quality. The student population today is just 200, this in a program that spans preschool through Grade 8. Yes, there are all of the things we expect of the Montessori approach, though that’s coupled with a very close attention to the needs of individuals, both students and parents combined. Before and after care is available, and while it’s not included in tuition, the rates are very reasonable. Likewise, those programs are entirely flexible—parents pay only for what they use. In that, and in other ways, this is a school that really operates with the needs of its families foremost in mind.
Delta West was established in 1993 in order to provide families with something different, something new, within Calgary’s educational landscape. First located downtown, the school moved to its current location in 1998 in order to build programming and to accommodate a growing student body. Typically, when schools talk about bringing something new to the table, they often are thinking of all the things that fall under the umbrella of 21st century literacies: facility with technology, collaborative learning, student-driven inquiry, a focus on rhetoric and logic over rote learning. Delta West addresses all those things, though the focus, too, has been to consider the physical aspects of learning—the value of active learning, both within athletic and classroom settings. The classroom furniture is an indication of how the school approaches the learner in that regard; students can choose, for example, movement chairs, standing desks, or more traditional furniture. For many students, that’s a big deal. Movement, even very subtle movement, can help stimulate engagement and keep students on task. Again, that’s just one aspect of the school, but it’s an instructive one; Delta West has a history of working with students to increase engagement with the curriculum and with peers, and therein lies the school’s success. The ideal student is one looking for something different, and who will thrive in a very interactive, diverse, and stimulating environment.
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MLCP caters to students aged 12 months to 14 years, following Maria Montessori's philosophies and theories. Her exciting range of materials is available to introduce new concepts and lessons. To further enrich the curriculum, the school offers French, Physical Education and Music and Movement, with Home Economics, Civics, Computer, library visits and community service for the older students. A bilingual programme is offered beginning at the Junior Elementary Level.
At Delta West Academy, we instill an "I can do that" attitude, called self-efficacy, in our students so they are inspired to be life-long achievers. They thrive in programs that are highly interactive yet academically rigorous, ultimately rewarding exploration & commitment. They are challenged in a dynamic journey of academic excellence, social intelligence and global citizenship. The result? A 100% transition of DWA graduates to university & colleges of their choice. Launch your child's inspired journey at DWA.
Nicola Phillips opened the Montessori Learning Centre in Pickering in 1984 with the view to offering the Montessori environment in the way that had excited her during her training. The school continues to be devoted to the individualized nurturing and deveopment of each student encouraging potential in each area of the curriculum. Stong subject areas are honed and potentialized and areas in need of attention are recognized and strengthened. The nurturing element of Montessori's method is exercised at all levels with both students and staff respecting differences and encouraging growth in all areas both academic and social.
There is only one Delta West Academy. Why should you care about that? For the same reason that you care about your child’s school experience…your child is unique and so is what DWA offers.
We instill an “I can do that” attitude in all of our students. Dr. Alberta Bandura calls it “self-efficacy: a person’s belief in his or her ability to succeed in a particular situation”. Students develop this belief when they experience success over and over again in all areas…academically and socially, at school and globally, in their sports teams, debate teams and volunteer teams. It is a belief nurtured, modelled and put into practice by our staff when they seek out interesting science projects like building thermometers, introduce a Grade 4 class to SCUBA diving, have a high school Biology class watch a live knee operation via video link, or spend time after school helping a student refine their test preparation strategies.
At DWA, it means students recognizing that every challenge has an approach angle and once it’s figured out, it is not really a challenge anymore, just another opportunity to succeed. It means developing strong problem solving skills whether that is tackling an algebra problem or a spat with a friend. It means bouncing back from failure secure in the knowledge that mistakes are a means of advancing learning whether that is a better story, a truly resonant stage performance or more soccer practice. It means school experiences as unique as your child.
Visit Delta West Academy and imagine your child on an inspired journey.
Liberal Arts
Information not available
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.
Liberal Arts curricula share with traditional programs their emphasis on core knowledge-acquisition, but tend to borrow more best practices from the progressive approach. A Liberal Arts program might still feature group work and projects, for example, contrary to the more singular emphasis on tests and essays at a Traditional program.
Not applicable
MLCP follows the Montessori method of educating the child academically, socially and emotionally with the support of her specially created materials. Students of all ages are encouraged to learn at potential and are not limited by prescribed expectations. Students learn from teachers and other students supporting our motto of "Knowledge with Understanding"
At Delta West Academy, students are provided with a well-rounded and enriching educational experience. Teachers create a learning environment that is exploratory with many active learning experiences and numerous field trips through all of the grades including high school. Students are in small classes to promote discussion, questioning and collaborative group work. Critical to their interactions with students, teachers encourage a growth mind set - an \"I can do that\" attitude and behaviours that reinforce persistence, critical thinking and problem solving for the achievement of academic excellence. The curriculum is based on the Alberta Program of Studies though enriched with second languages (French or Spanish), fine and performance arts, and physical education as mandatory components of the program from Kindergarten through Grade 12.
Equal Balance
These math programs feature an equal balance of “Traditional” and “Discovery” methods.
The Montessori math materials are incredibly exciting in both presentation and execution. Discovery and implementation are encouraged and supported and the students enjoy hands on manipulation of quantities and qualities allowing both a tactile and intellectual understanding of each new concept presented.
Information not available
Some traditional books are used as support for the Montessori curriculum at the elementary level preparing the students for high school.
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Once a concept has been grasped in practice calculators are acknowledged as time savers.
Information not available
Balanced Literacy
Systematic-phonics programs teach young children to read by helping them to recognize and sound out the letters and syllables of words. Students are then led to blend these sounds together to sound out and recognize the whole word. While other reading programs might touch on phonetics (either incidentally or on a “when needed” basis), systematic phonics teaches phonics in a specific sequence, and uses extensive repetition and direct instruction to help readers associate specific letter patterns with their associated sounds.
Balanced reading programs are typically Whole Language programs with supplementary phonics training. This training might be incidental, or it might take the form of mini-lessons.
MLCP supports the phonetic approach encouraged beautifully by the tactile, colorful Montessori material and objects so interesting to the young mind. With this approach, word attack skills are honed at a young age allowing for stronger reading at a younger age.
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DIBELS Testing: This school periodically uses DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
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.
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.
Students at all levels are encouraged to explore writing strategies appropriate to both ability and age. Each student is, through the systematic Montessori materials able to move, at their pace, towards development of interesting, well thought out and creative documentation.
Information not available
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.
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.
Curiosity is an instinct natural to students. Beginning with simple classroom experiments and growing into formalized scientific theory and substantiating evidence the student body develops through challenging instruction
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Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Evolution as consensus theory
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories
Evolution is not taught
Physics
Equal Balance
These literature programs draw in equal measure from “Traditional” and “Social Justice” programs.
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Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Ancient lit
English lit
World (non-Western) lit
European (continental) lit
American lit
Canadian lit
Expanding Communities
The Expanding Communities approach organizes the curriculum around students’ present, everyday experience. In the younger grades, students might learn about themselves, for example. As they move through the grades, the focus gradually broadens in scope: to the family, neighbourhood, city, province, country, and globe. The curriculum tends to have less focus on history than Core Knowledge programs.
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Equal Balance
Not applicable
These programs represent an equal balance between the perennialist and pragmatic approach to teaching the humanities and social sciences.
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Communicative
The communicative method of language acquisition emphasizes the use of the target language in authentic contexts. The approach commonly features interactive group work, games, authentic texts, and opportunities to learn about the cultural background of the language. Drills and quizzes may still be used, but less frequently than with the audio-lingual method.
Information not available
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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
Information not available
Creative
Creative arts programs are studio-driven. While historical works and movements may still be taught to add context to the program, students mainly engage in making art (visual, musical, theatrical, etc). The goal is use the actual practice of art to help educate students’ emotions, cognition, and ethos.
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Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Medium integration
Not applicable
Effort is made to integrate the development of digital literacy through the curriculum. However, this is not a dominant focus.
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Digital literacy at DWA is a core competency skill which is supported by a fully wireless environment and digital devices in all of the classrooms. The use of devices is increasingly personalized as the students progress through the grades. In Kindergarten to Grade 2, students use iPads primarily for independent skills practice at given times. By Grade 3, students are assigned a personal laptop which is now also used for research, presentations and writing as the students progress through the next grades. From Grades 6 to 9, students are able to take the laptops home. In high school, students choose their own devices and use them in an independent and responsible manner to advance their own learning needs. Ultimately, technological devices such as laptops, are viewed as tools that enable students to acquire and practice core learning skills.
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Information not available
DWA's philosophy about PE is grounded in the belief that all students require physical activity and the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of their ability and skill level. Sportsmanship, individual skill development and exposure to a wide variety of sports characterize DWA's athletics program. PE is important enough to have extended hours for all grades and is a required course from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Many of the sports modules are conducted off campus at recognized sports facilities such as the Canada Olypmic Park, Repsol Sports Centre, University of Calgary, etc. At these venues, certified instructors along with our PE teachers challenge the children to explore their physical personality with diverse activities that stretch their physical and mental boundaries reaching for new levels of fitness and skill. Sports Performance is a Boutique Option for Grade 4 - 9 focusing on mental and well as physical training..
Academic
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.
Academic-based preschools and Kindergartens are the most structured of the different types, and have a strong emphasis on math and reading readiness skills. These programs aim to expose children to what early-elementary school is like. While time is still allotted to free play, much of the day is built around explicit lessons guided by the teacher. Classrooms often resemble play-based ones (with different stations set up around the room), but at an Academic program the teacher leads students through the stations directly, and ties these activities to a whole-class lesson or theme.
We, at MLCP, endeavour to provide an environment rich in both Montessori materials and her proven methodology and practice and in the CCEYA and HDLH foundations for learning. As such, our classrooms provide encouraging, supportive, individualized learning opportunities through the appealing Montessori materials and the carefully prepared environments.
Delta West Academy Kindergarten students learn and play in a balanced setting that actively teaches both academic and social skills. They imagine, construct and explore independently in stations, but also learn academic skills in structured lessons. Our little ones also travel off campus to various destinations like the Zoo, the fire station or the Science Centre every month to experience the world around them. Students from Delta West Academy\'s Kindergarten class who head off to Grade 1, have the understanding of what it takes to be a successful student in their first year of formal education.
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.
Montessori stresses the importance of the combined age groups supporting and nurturing each other.
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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”.
MLCP promotes a supportive learning environment instilling a love of learning and an expectation of production at potential. Students are offered opportunities to be continually challenged and are emboldened to achieve at potential in each academic area. Montessori classrooms are created to encourage success offering each student what is needed for them to be the best person they can be academically, socially and as a valued community member.
The goal of DWA students is to have all post-secondary doors open to them when they graduate from high school. With this in mind, all teachers emphasize intellectual exploration, critical thinking, skill acquisition through practice supported by a strong work ethic. Students are actively mentored by teachers to improve specific individual skills. Parents are part of this collaboration and support from home speeds achievement. Competition is not encouraged between students, rather personal achievement is emphasized as all students are unique. However, a passing grade of 65% rather than 50% has been established to underscore the expectation of achievement.
"We honour and distinguish our brightest students, using them as examples for other students to follow."
Balanced
"Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."
Balanced
"Equal emphasis is placed on a balance of priorities: intellectual, emotional, social and physical cultivation."
Intellectual
The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
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Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering |
Delta West Academy |
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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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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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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
3 - 12
0%
5%
$0
$10,000
0%
75%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Not available
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 8
Yes: grades JK - 12
No
Yes: grades 7 - 11
No
No
No
Yes: grades 1 - 6
No
No
No
Yes
We are looking for families / students who are committed to Montessori's belief that children have different learning styles and that our goal of having each child reach their potential in each area of development and curriculum is important. Montessori offers a whole person approach to education which needs to be respected by all involved parties.
The ideal DWA student is curious, active and wants to explore the world. He or she is interested in high academic as well as social success, participating in unique experiences, and ready for change. Our programming works best for average to above-average and gifted students, with parents ready to support school initiatives, home practice and extra-curricular activities.
We meet with prospective parents to ensure that they have read through our admissions package and that Montessori's philosophies and theories are in line with their educational plan. We arrange some on site visits, as needed, to further ensure that parents are aware of how the classrooms work and the expectations of the school.
Our Admission procedure is designed to inform you about DWA and to inform us about your child and family. We do this through a combination of a school tour, personal interviews, testing and the completion of an admissions package. The admissions package helps us to review your child's past learning experiences (unless they are applying for Kindergarten) from the point of view of academic standing, social interaction, and extra-curricular interests whereas the testing provides some independent evidence of skills and attitudes. For Grade 7 to12 applicants, testing is through the SSAT online service. Finally, the tour and interview is an opportunity for in-depth discussion and for the student's personal qualities to be highlighted.
The goal is determining an optimal educational fit between the DWA learning experience and you as the prospective family.
