2246 Camilla Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L5A 2J6, Canada
95 Bellevue Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2N8, Canada
2246 Camilla Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L5A 2J6, Canada
95 Bellevue Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2N8, Canada
2000
2008
24
155
Nursery/Toddler to SK
Nursery/Toddler to 8
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Montessori
10 to 15
10 to 24
Dedicated gifted class
$7,070 to $11,960
$18,700 to $20,700
No
No
0%
0%
None
None
$0
$0
6
12
0%
0%
100%
100%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3
Not available
Rolling
Not available
Not available
No
Yes: grades 1 - 6
No
No
information not available
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When Edgerton Ryerson established a national, public education system, he highlighted the need for consistency: every school should be the same, offer the same things, from coast to coast. Sadly, that conception of what schools should be, and what they should provide, remains doggedly with us today. Thankfully, schools like Shepherd Montessori step away from that model, choosing rather to offer something as unique as the community they are formed to serve. Shepherd is a school using the Montessori method to deliver a program that is also based in the values of the Catholic church. In that, it’s happily one of a kind. Further, the student population is small, allowing a heightened level of individual attention, something that is also a primary draw. The community of the school is diverse, and while not all families are active within the Catholic church, all nevertheless appreciate the school’s attention to developing the students’ understanding of their spiritual selves. The approach in the classroom is child-centered, child-directed, and project oriented. The ideal student is one able to thrive with a close-knit learning environment.
View full reportThere are various aspects to the Montessori model of instruction, though Westside nicely addresses not only what Montessori is, but also what it can mean in the longer-term. Maria Montessori didn’t think small—her classrooms, she felt, could be a doorway to many things, including world peace. That’s a very big thought of course, but within it is that idea of the longer-term, the belief that education is about the future of a society through addressing the future of each child. At Westside, that’s very much the intention: to give young students the basis for success in their education, and ultimately, success in life. The vibrancy of the surrounding Kensington Market community finds its way, very happily, into the classroom as well. Core literacy and numeracy are important, though there is also an attention to esteem, executive functioning, and social interaction. Rightly, families look to Westside, often principally, because of the program’s attention to those foundations.
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"They have instilled in her a love for learning..."
Georgina Lopez - Parent (May 08, 2018)
I cannot say enough good things about this school. I am so happy I discovered it 4 years ago for my ...
View full review
"The only Catholic based Montessori School in the GTA (curriculum encouraged and supported by the Archbishop of Toronto). We provide an intimate environment for students aged 2.5 - 5 yrs that stimulates independent thinking and enriches moral development. Faculty and parents work together to foster, within each child, the early habits, attitudes and skills necessary to establish a lifelong joy in learning. Our responsibility is to guide the whole child - spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually."
"From the earliest years through adolescence, Westsiders radiate self-confidence and a love for learning. Our two downtown campuses, each with expansive green space, offer Toddler (1.5-3yrs), Casa (3-6yrs), Elementary (6-12yrs) and Adolescent (12-14yrs) programs that are holistic, bilingual (French) and academically challenging, while staying true to Montessori Philosophy. Our children develop strong executive functions, a love of and connection to nature, and a sense of belonging and commitment to their community."
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Children present us with opportunities to think about the world in new and fascinating ways. I am blessed to share my days with our Westside students and my evenings with my own child, who is three. A few months ago, when explaining to my son Wyatt that I work at his school and we may see each other from time to time, he began with the “Why? Why?” that educators and parents are extremely familiar with. He wanted to know why I work at his school, “Because I like to help children and teachers.” “Why?” “Because I love children.” “Why?” Up until this moment, the conversation had been easy, really easy. This was a huge question and he was awaiting my response, “I love children because within each child lies an opportunity for a better world”.
Maria Montessori, who lived through two world wars, believed that through children, we can achieve world peace, and I quote, “Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.” Mahatma Gandhi met Maria Montessori in 1931, and she invited him to speak to a group of Montessori teacher trainees. He said, “If we are to create peace in our world, we must begin with our children.”
They are right, if peace doesn’t begin with the children, it doesn’t begin at all. Spending time with these beautiful souls reminds me on a daily basis that anything is possible and they will lead us there. We must give them the opportunity, trust and confidence to make it happen. We must have faith in their development and know that they will arrive.
I invite you to set up a time to come to Westside Montessori School and learn more about our programs and the independent, motivated and compassionate students we are guiding.
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.
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Our school builds on a foundation to help balance both the academic and spiritual growth needed during the early stages of learning! Our atrium program also is run using the same pholoophy as Montessori.
Every child is an individual, captivated by different things at different times. We personalize your child’s learning experience by creating individualized lesson plans based on their interests, level of understanding and experiences. In this manner, every child is introduced to all aspects of our curriculum at the right time in their development. Children who graduate our program will be prepared for the next step in their education, private or public, with a genuine love of learning. They will have an increased curiosity about the world around them and the confidence necessary to take on new academic and social challenges.
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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
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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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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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Not applicable
Not applicable
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Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Acting
Dance
Drama/Theatre
Graphic Design
Music
Visual Arts
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Web design
Robotics
Computer science
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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.
Our school has a strong focus on the spiritual aspect although it is a catholic school we do accept all different religions creeds and beliefs.
The Montessori classroom is a nurturing, bright and spacious environment specifically prepared for children. At WMS, children engage in a variety of activities; some enjoy a snack, one child writes a story, others work in a group and the teacher introduces a new lesson to a student. The mixed age setting enables the older children to build confidence and leadership skills through teaching and helping their younger peers. Meanwhile, the younger children are inspired to adapt the responsible, mature behaviours of their older classmates.
Student-paced
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 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.
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Supportive
This option allows you to "opt out" of selecting one of "rigorous" or "supportive". Doing so means you will not be shown on pages relating to academic culture, (your exposure will be diminished).
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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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.
Spiritual
The goal is to cultivate "individuals with inner resourcefulness, strong faith and respect for God or a higher power."
Emotional
The goal is to cultivate "emotionally intelligent and confident individuals, capable of leading both themselves and others."
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RecreationalRec. |
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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%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3
Not available
Rolling
Not available
Not available
No
Yes: grades 1 - 6
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
