155 Clayton Drive, Markham, Ontario, L3R 7P3, Canada
401 Kingston Road, Pickering, Ontario, L1V 1A3, Canada
1986
1984
1000
200
Nursery/Toddler to 12
Nursery/Toddler to 8
Coed
Coed
Day
Day
English
English
Academic
Academic
Traditional, International Baccalaureate
Montessori
15 to 24
Varies
$7,400 to $17,250
$12 to $14,000
No
No
0%
0%
None
None
$0
$0
59
15
0%
0%
0%
0%
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 9
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 8
No
No
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Town Centre offers the best of many worlds, beginning with a pre-school Montessori program. TCPS is also an IB Continuum World School offering the International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and DP. The programs run from pre-school through Grade 12, and the student body is on the large end of the private school spectrum, certainly much larger than a majority of the schools nearby. All of that provides a lot of room for the school to develop the curricular and extra-curricular programs. For the families that look to TCPS, those are the things that really catch their eye: dedicated teaching, a broad range of programming, and a clear demonstration of academic strength and innovation. For families enrolling in the earlier years, the fact that the school offers before- and after-care is certainly also a plus; for those of older children, equally welcome is the offering of various after-school programs, including after school courses, tutorials, clubs, and competitive sports. Throughout, TCPS provides a truly unique program—there’s no other school quite like it—one based in an attention to learner-based instruction and collaborative learning, and a vibrant student environment.
View full reportOften 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.
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"Founded in 1986, Town Centre Private Schools (TCPS) is an International Baccalaureate® (IB) Continuum World School providing a foundation for academic excellence with a well-rounded program. TCPS offers a Pre-School Montessori program starting at 18 months. TCPS is enrolled in the CWELCC program. At the age of 4, students start a combined Montessori/IB program. The Pre-School provides half day or full day programs with 2 to 3 teachers per class. The Elementary program offers an IB (PYP and MYP) curriculum with 2 teachers per class providing enrichment in the core subjects. French, Music, Computer studies and Physical Education are taught by specialist teachers. The High School offers an IB/University Prep and optional IB Diploma Programme in addition to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 100% of students who apply to university are accepted. School life is enhanced with extracurricular competitive sports, intramurals, clubs, community outreach, trips and visitors. TCPS offers before school 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and after school programs 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. which are included with tuition. Weekly Pre-School and Elementary Camps are available each summer as well as High School Ministry Credit Courses. Our programs fully prepare the students for the challenges ahead as they advance to the next grade at Town Centre or begin their studies in university."
"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."
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"The individualization that the Montessori program offers allows staff to recognize and hone individual learning styles empowering students to be working at potential. Our long term staff share years of dedicated experience with students. Our commitment to the development of the student as a whole person is supported by a myriad of opportunities to grow and thrive."
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"Our long history in Pickering has allowed us the privilege of sharing all we offer with many families. Our program is a solid and acknowledged one growing and changing over the years, based on family needs and feedback. MLCP respects and appreciates the referrals from those who have come before and continually strives to better in all we offer."
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"Ongoing feedback often refers to appreciation for the individualization of all that we offer with each student and family. Especially with longer attending students, the dedication of the long term staff and the respect shared between them for differences and accomplishments is often noted. The uniqueness of each is valued."
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Welcome to Town Centre Private Schools®. Founded in 1986, TCPS® is a unique school offering a Montessori Pre-School program and an Elementary and High School International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School. Students who take the IB Programme excel in university studies and beyond.
It is so gratifying to find an ideology that can take our Montessori foundations and build upon them in both the Elementary and High School Divisions. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) prepare students for the demands of the High School IB Diploma Programme. In grades 11 and 12, TCPS students have the option of completing the regular Ontario Ministry curriculum, taking IB Certificate Courses, or doing the full IB Diploma Programme (DP). In today’s world with rapidly changing parameters, critical thinking along with self-challenging habits are a necessity and TCPS students will be able to rise to the challenges with ease.
It is with great pride that each year we celebrate the graduating class, many of whom we have had the privilege of watching grow up as part of our TCPS family. With our Remote Learning program in the spring of 2020, our students are fully prepared for the start of school this September, both with Town Centre and those moving on to university. This year the graduating class of 2020 earned over $28,000 in university scholarships. We wish these graduates all the best as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
With detailed safety protocols established, we ran a successful Pre-School Summer Camp and Elementary Summer Camp during July and August. High School students were also able to earn additional credits with online courses this past summer.
Over the summer a comprehensive re-opening plan for the regular school year was put in place allowing students to return to Town Centre this fall and continue with their studies in a safe and controlled environment. Visit TCMPS.com for more information.
Classed resumed on Tuesday, September 8th with students from Pre-School to High School attending class 5 days a week. For TCPS families who prefer to study from home, we are also offering a Remote Learning program for students in Preparatory (age 4) to grade 12.
We have come a long way from our modest beginnings in 1986. One of the keys to our success has been the dedication of our teaching staff and administration. I would like to acknowledge their hard work and enthusiasm over the years. We have grown over the last 3 decades to become a reputable and respected educational institution and I look forward to our future together.
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.
Montessori
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Traditional curricula tend to be very content-based and rooted in the core disciplines. It is a structured approach that involves the teacher delivering a unified curriculum through direct instruction. Students usually learn by observing and listening to their teacher, studying facts and concepts in textbooks, and completing both tests and written assignments - which challenge students to not only demonstrate their mastery of content but their ability to analyze and deconstruct it critically. Class discussions are also used to create critical dialogue around the content of the curriculum.
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.
Some private schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programming. The "Diploma Programme" is offered to students in the final two years of high school, while the "Primary Years Programme" (ages 3 to 12) and "Middle Years Programme" (ages 11 to 16) serve as preparation for the diploma program.
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Contact the school for more information.
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"
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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.
Some traditional books are used as support for the Montessori curriculum and materials at the elementary level preparing the students for high school. Independent research, peer challenge and an annual cosmic plan serve together as academic launch pad.
Once a concept has been grasped in practice calculators are acknowledged as time savers.
Phonics-intensive
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.
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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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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
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
Information not available
Not applicable
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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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Web design
Robotics
Computer science
Information not available
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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, 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.
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.
Montessori stresses the importance of the combined age groups supporting and nurturing each other in reaching true potential
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.
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.
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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.
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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RecreationalRec. |
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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
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$0
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Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, JK, SK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Nursery/Toddler, Preschool, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Rolling
Not available
Not available
Not available
Yes: grades 1 - 9
Yes: grades Nursery/Toddler - 8
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
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.
Please refer to the links below for admissions details for each division level.
Pre-School Division - 18 months to age 6
Elementary Division - grades 1 to 8
High School Division - grades 9 - 12
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.