People may be curious how different Montessori schools rank against each other. At Our Kids we do not presume to rank schools, and we disavow any procedure or algorithm that pretends to offer parents a simple list of "best Montessori schools." Lists that focus on discrete criteria, however (like those below), can be used as a helpful starting point, or at strategic points during research.
A comprehensive search process will focus on all factors related to schools including its location, tuition cost, school facilities, the quality of teachers, and much more. Our Kids offers private school expos, comparison tools and rich information guides, giving parents an array of channels to fully explore every concern. Our fully updated, richly researched, authoritative guide to Montessori education offers a wealth of helpful information for parents. Learn how schools have different perspectives on the Montessori philosophy, fall under a variety of certifications and accreditations, and many other things you should be aware of, beyond the limited information provided below.
Below, we tenuously offer some helpful ranked lists based on metrics parents may be most concerned about. It's far more important for parents to focus on the whole school in all its respects and focus on the whole child in their search for a private Montessori school that best meets their requirements. Montessori school rankings below can be a helpful aid, as long as they are used properly:
A school with a low admissions rate would seem to be in high demand, turning students away because it is the most sought out by parents. There may be secondary reasons for this, however, such as the age of the school, its marketing budget, and even its location.
This list does not account for how many students are enrolled per year. Enrolment varies widely from one school to the next, with some specialized schools having less than 30 students overall, while other schools may have a student body of several hundreds. For interest's sake, though, parents may be curious about how difficult it is to get into some locations. This list may help them understand their chances of getting into Montessori schools on their shortlist.
| School | Location | Grades | Acceptance rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fredericton Montessori Academy | Fredericton, NB | PS to 9 | 50% |
| 2 | Kanata Montessori | Kanata, ON | NS to 12 | 70% |
| 3 | Aurora Montessori School | Aurora, ON | NS to 8 | 80% |
| 4 | Westmont Montessori School | Victoria, BC | PS to 12 | 80% |
| 5 | ABC Montessori | Mississauga, ON | NS to 5 | 85% |
| 6 | Century Private School | Richmond Hill, ON | PS to 12 | 85% |
| 7 | The Maria Montessori School | Surrey, BC | PS to K | 85% |
| 8 | Unionville College | Unionville, ON | PS to 10 | 90% |
| 9 | Avalon Children's Montessori School | Toronto, ON | PS to 8 | 90% |
| 10 | Guiding Light Academy ✝ | Mississauga, ON | JK to 8 | 90% |
Some parents may consider price a direct measure of value ("you get what you pay for"). That's never a fair assumption, of course. For interest's sake and for parents who feel there is some truth to that adage, here is a look at Montessori schools charging the most tuition.
| School | Location | Grades | Tuition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trillium School | Markham, ON | NS to 12 | $11,500 to $37,500 |
| 2 | TMS | Richmond Hill, ON | PS to 12 | $19,100 to $32,700 |
| 3 | Hillfield Strathallan College | Hamilton, ON | NS to 12 | $19,349 to $32,052 |
| 4 | Bannockburn | Toronto, ON | NS to 6 | $17,975 to $27,300 |
| 5 | Century Private School | Richmond Hill, ON | PS to 12 | $16,550 to $27,000 |
| 6 | Richmond Hill Montessori Private School | Richmond Hill, ON | PS to 8 | $25,000 to $26,800 |
| 7 | The Clover School | Toronto, ON | NS to 6 | $25,160 |
| 8 | Avalon Children's Montessori School | Toronto, ON | PS to 8 | $7,200 to $22,275 |
| 9 | Aurora Montessori School | Aurora, ON | NS to 8 | $19,400 to $22,150 |
| 10 | Element High School | Ottawa, ON | 7 to 12 | $18,810 to $21,905 |
Well-established Montessori schools may be considered more trustworthy by some. Again, this is a questionable assumption to make. This list ranks Montessori schools by their founding date. Always bear in mind that rankings of any kind are specious.
| School | Location | Grades | Founded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillfield Strathallan College | Hamilton, ON | NS to 12 | 1901 |
| 2 | Westmont Montessori School | Victoria, BC | PS to 12 | 1954 |
| 3 | TMS | Richmond Hill, ON | PS to 12 | 1961 |
| 4 | OMS Montessori | Ottawa, ON | NS to 6 | 1966 |
| 5 | Dearcroft Montessori School | Oakville, ON | NS to 8 | 1968 |
| 6 | Kanata Montessori | Kanata, ON | NS to 12 | 1974 |
| 7 | Bond Academy | Toronto, ON | PS to 12 | 1978 |
| 8 | Rotherglen School - Oakville | Oakville, ON | K to 8 | 1979 |
| 9 | Rotherglen School - Mississauga | Mississauga, ON | JK to 8 | 1979 |
| 10 | Kawartha Montessori School | Peterborough, ON | PS to 8 | 1982 |
For interest's sake we list Montessori schools across Canada that have produced the most notable alumni.
| School | Location | Grades | Notable alumni | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillfield Strathallan College | Hamilton, ON | NS to 12 | 2 |
| 2 | OMS Montessori | Ottawa, ON | NS to 6 | 1 |
Are private Montessori schools good?
We interviewed both parents and students. You can read reviews about private Montessori schools on this page.
What is the most expensive private Montessori school?
Trillium School has the highest tuition fees from $11,500 to $37,500 per year with an average tuition of $24,500 per year.
Which private Montessori school has the lowest acceptance rates?
The private Montessori school with the lowest acceptance rate is Fredericton Montessori Academy. The school has an overall accepance rate of 50%.
What is the oldest private Montessori school?
Hillfield Strathallan College is the oldest private Montessori school. The school was founded in 1901.
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