AN OUR KIDS REPORT:The Children's House Montessori School vs. Community Life Christian School

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View The Children's House Montessori School's full report
VS.
View Community Life Christian School's full report

  • SCHOOL LOCATION

    Distance From

    Map

    Address

    Address

    16150 Old Simcoe Road, Port Perry, Ontario, L9L 1P3, Canada

    140 Dawes Road, Toronto, Ontario, M4C 5C2, Canada

  • SCHOOL OVERVIEW

    Basics

    Basics

    Founded

    1994

    Enrolment

    125

    77

    Grades

    Nursery/Toddler to 8

    Nursery/Toddler to 12

    Gender

    Coed

    Coed

    Living arrangements

    Day

    Homestay, Day

    Language of instruction

    English

    English

    Faith Based

    School focus

    Academic

    Academic

    Developmental Priorities

    Intellectual
    The goal is to cultivate "academically strong, creative and critical thinkers, capable of exercising rationality, apprehending truth, and making aesthetic distinctions."
    Spiritual
    The goal is to cultivate "individuals with inner resourcefulness, strong faith and respect for God or a higher power."

    Academics

    Academics

    Curriculum

    Montessori

    Traditional

    Curriculum pace

    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.
    Standard-enriched
    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.

    Academic culture

    Rigorous
    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”.

    Avg. Class Size

    Varies

    12 to 15

    Special needs support

    Gifted learner support

    Preschool/K curriculum

    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.
    Academic
    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.

    Tuition

    Tuition

    Day Tuition

    $9,500 to $11,500

    $8,000 to $14,000

    Boarding Tuition

    Financial aid (FA)

    No

    Yes

    Students on FA

    0%

    0%

    Eligible grades for FA

    None

    None

    Median FA package size

    $0

    $0

    Enrollment

    Enrollment

    Avg. enrollment per grade

    10

    5

    Percent in boarding

    0%

    0%

    Admissions

    Admissions

    Admissions rate

    0%

    0%

    Day entry years

    Boarding entry years

    Day admissions deadline

    Rolling

    Rolling

    Boarding admissions deadline

    Not available

    Not available

    Interview required?

    No

    Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 12

    SSAT required

    No

    No

  • OUR PERSPECTIVE

    The Our Kids Review

    The Our Kids Review

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    information not available

    Our Take

    Our Take

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Children's House Montessori, having begun operations in 1994, is well established. That it continues to be run by founding Principal Laurie Wilson Forbes continues the theme—this is a program that remains true to its founding principles, while drawing on a wealth of expertise and experience. The programming reflects the core ideals that Maria Montessori promoted in her work, those of respect, community, purposeful engagement, and self-directed learning. Staff are trained to international standards. Communication with parents is clear, open, and professional, something that begins even before enrollment. When families enroll they find more than a school, they find a home, which is exactly as it should be. The fee schedule is clear and detailed. Lunches are provided at the toddler and Casa levels, which is a lovely plus to the program. 

    View full report

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Rev. Kelly is clearly passionate about the work of the school, and has gathered a staff that reflects those passions. Classes are small, and the delivery of the curriculum personal, deliberate, creative and exciting. The name of the school couldn’t be more apt: the program is about growing and learning within a shared community that reflects the Christian values of compassion, hope, peace, generosity, faithful stewardship, and striving for excellence in every area of children’s growth, including academic preparedness for successful university studies. 

    View full report
  • School’s perspective

    Who are you, as a school?

    Who are you, as a school?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    "Children's House Montessori School's large natural campus was founded in 1994 by Principal Laurie Wilson Forbes, who is still the heart and hands of the school today. CHMS closely follows AMI core principles to offer authentic Montessori programs. We are sized to offer a full range of programs, but still maintain a close, personal family feel in a small town community. Our caring, AMI trained staff foster a challenging and supportive environment for each child in order to prepare them for a lifetime of learning."

    • Laurie Wilson Forbes (Owner/administrator) of the school is AMI trained
    • CHMS follows AMI principles as outlined by Dr. Montessori
    • Beautiful, stand alone campus with large playgrounds and access to wooded areas
    • Reasonably priced high quality education

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    "We welcome children from Christian and non-Christian families. Our teachers are professional with truthful love and highly responsible. We nurture a life-long love of eternal truth in children. We follow the Ontario Academic Guidelines and tailor our curriculum to help each student thrive with joy in academics and every area of their growth. We offer great ESL programs and flexible academic programs to international students to help them best succeed. We are a big warm family to our students at home and abroad."

    Array

    What do you do differently and uniquely well?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    "Maria Montessori referred to her “method” as a “Scientific Pedagogy”. Montessori schools are not based on a curriculum but a scientific approach through careful observation of a child. Montessori programs are based on the individual developmental needs and tendencies of every child and support the full development of the human being. Children's House ensures programs that allow children to intellectually, socially, physically and psychologically to meet their full potential."

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What type of student is a good fit for your school?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    "The families that choose Children's House are drawn to the profound respect shown for the child and the limitless potential we see in each and every child who attends our school. They appreciate the friendly and cheerful nature of the staff, the community feel of the school and how that meshes well with the small town feel of Port Perry itself."

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    "Children's House Montessori is located next to the Scugog Community Centre. This location allows us access to soccer fields, baseball diamonds, walking trails, volleyball court and lets us enhance our program with ice skating in the winter."

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What might families find surprising about your school?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    "Families looking into Children's House Montessori School are often pleasantly surprised to find that they are receiving an extremely high quality authentic Association Montessori Internationale Montessori program at an extremely reasonable cost. This is a conscience decision on our part to allow our school community a more diverse and well rounded student body."

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

    Array

    How will your school change in the next 5 years?

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    Information not available

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    Information not available

  • SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

    Message from school leadership

    Message from school leadership

    information not available

    Dear friends/families,

     

    In our school, we welcome children from all families, Christians or non-Christians. It is a loving place for all to belong to and flourish. We believe love is the greatest, and interest is the best teacher.

     

    We engage our children in fun, critical thinking, creativities, and real life applications when they do every subject.

     

    Academic wise, our teachers have professional expertise and high sense of responsibility. We make sure every child can process and master every academic concept that is required by the Ontario Curriculum.  We carefully make up for the knowledge/skill they fall behind.

     

    This is a closely knit community where your children can find source of quality love, trust, strong sense of belonging and security, as well as intimate relationships with principal, teachers and peers. Our children flourish in a loving, caring and warm environment filled with hunger and thirst for the truth.

     

    We invest a lot of loving efforts on character formations of our children, so that they might reflect good moral characters in their academic, family, social disciplines, responsibilities and lives.

     

    Meanwhile we actively engage our children in rich extra curriculum events in wider Christian schools’ community (ACSI) and our immediate social community context.

     

    If you have interest to talk with us more about curriculum, school life or other questions, we are very happy to serve you. 

     

    All the best,

     

     

    Principal Rev. Kelly Jia

  • EXTRACURRICULARS

    Competitive

    Comp.

    Recreational

    Rec.

    Competitive

    Comp.

    Recreational

    Rec.

    Badminton

    Baseball

    Basketball

    Canoeing/Kayaking

    Cricket

    Cross-country skiing

    Cycling

    Downhill skiing

    Equestrian

    Fencing

    Field Hockey

    Figure Skating

    Football

    Golf

    Gymnastics

    Ice Hockey

    Ice Skating

    Lacrosse

    Martial Arts

    Mountain biking

    Racquet Ball

    Rowing

    Rugby

    Running

    Sailing

    Skateboarding

    Snowboarding

    Soccer

    Softball

    Squash

    Swimming

    Tennis

    Track & Field

    Volleyball

    Weightlifting

    Wrestling

    Archery

    Curling

    Ultimate


    Clubs Offered

    Clubs offered

    THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

    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

    COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

    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

  • Financial Aid

    Grades eligible

    Grades eligible

    Students on aid

    Students on aid

    0%

    0%

    Avg. aid package (annual)

    Avg. aid package (annual)

    $0

    $0

  • NOTABLE ALUMNI

    Alumni

    information not available
    information not available

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COMMUNITY LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL:
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