On this page, we cover private schools in the Burlington-Hamilton area that offer Montessori programs and support. This includes Montessori schools in Hamilton, Burlington, Ancaster, Dundas, Crown Point East and West, Gibson, Roseland, and Millcroft.
For a more complete guide to Montessori education, including a discussion of classroom policies and teaching approaches, start with our introductory guide.
There are lots of private Montessori schools in Burlington-Hamilton. These schools vary in terms of their classroom practices, curricular approaches, program offerings, and special needs support. The schools listed below reflect this diversity. They can be filtered for a wide range of features.
School Name | Approach | Cost | |
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Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School (est. 1997)
Oakville, Ontario TRMS uniquely provides enriched French as a second language (FSL) instruction for all levels from Preschool to Elementary. We give students a head start in their educational journey by insuring they "Love to Learn"! View profile |
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$14,995 to $16,595
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Hillfield Strathallan College (est. 1901)
Hamilton, Ontario Established in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College is one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering academic programs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. View profile |
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$8,500 to $52,000
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Northstar Montessori Private School (est. 1996)
Mississauga, Ontario Northstar Montessori offers an accredited Montessori curriculum from Toddler age to Grade 8. Our goal is to develop strong character and contributing citizens who understand that their involvement makes a difference. View profile |
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$10,500 to $16,350
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Clanmore Montessori School (est. 1997)
Oakville, Ontario Clanmore is one of the few schools offering authentic Montessori programming from Toddler - Middle School. Our culture is warm and inviting and our philosophy empowers us to support each child as a unique individual. View profile |
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$10,000 to $20,000
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Peel Montessori School (est. 1992)
Mississauga, Ontario Peel Montessori School and our Carrington College division students are encouraged to be engaged, inquisitive learners who think for themselves, display character strength, and learn to succeed on their own merits. View profile |
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$8,500 to $18,500
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Kaban Montessori School (est. 2002)
Mississauga, Ontario Kaban Montessori School is a CCMA accredited school in the west of Mississauga area . We ensure that our environments foster each child's interests and abilities while supporting them to achieve their full potential. View profile |
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$15,750 to $16,250
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ABC Montessori (est. 1995)
Mississauga, Ontario ABC Montessori is one of Mississauga's premier private schools. We offers both Montessori and traditional school programs from preschool to Grade 5 with an emphasis on developing literacy, numeracy, sciences, and arts. View profile |
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$9,950 to $11,500
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Dearcroft Montessori School (est. 1968)
Oakville, Ontario Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers. View profile |
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$9,900 to $23,900
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La Villa Montessori School (est. 2012)
Mississauga, Ontario La Villa Montessori is an AMI recognized School that adheres to Dr. Montessori's principles. We provide a nurturing environment that fulfills the child's emotional, social, physical and intellectual needs. View profile |
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$11,000 to $17,900
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Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School (est. 2000)
Mississauga, Ontario Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School in Mississauga offers Casa Montessori programs for children a ged 2.5 to 6. Before- and after-school care and summer camps also available. View profile |
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$7,800 to $12,000
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Guiding Light Academy (est. 2007)
Mississauga, Ontario Guiding Light Academy is a Catholic private elementary school in Streetsville, Mississauga. We offer an enriched curriculum for JK, SK and Grades 1 to 8. We are located just minutes away from the Streetsville Go Station. View profile |
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$11,000
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Meadow Green Academy (est. 1995)
Mississauga, Ontario Meadow Green Academy provides a strong Christian education in a nurturing environment. Strong academics combined with sports, enriched music, visual arts, and dramatic arts programs provide a well-rounded experience View profile |
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$9,300 to $16,490
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Rotherglen School - Oakville (est. 1979)
Oakville, Ontario Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students. View profile |
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$15,700 to $26,000
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Rotherglen School - Mississauga (est. 1979)
Mississauga, Ontario Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from JK to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students. View profile |
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$14,000 to $19,000
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yini test (est. 1234)
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Varies
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Prince Edward Montessori School (est. 1995)
Toronto, Ontario Prince Edward Montessori School offers programs for various grades in Toronto. Its average class size is ten to 16 students. View profile |
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$7,325 to $14,934
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Some schools aren't Montessori schools, but use a Montessori approach for their preschool or daycare program. This approach gives young learners plenty of freedom to choose tasks and activities that interest them, which promotes their independence and confidence. It also strongly emphasizes concrete learning, where children work with lots of hands-on materials, and do practical life activities. Children usually work independently or in small groups in these programs.
School Name | Approach | Cost | |
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Schoolhouse Montessori (est. 2020)
Mississauga, Ontario Schoolhouse Montessori provides a nurturing environment to support children in academics and self-discovery. Committed to provide high quality, inclusive early learning programs in Mississauga. View profile |
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$7,350 to $14,500
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Alder Ridge Academy (est. 2020)
Brampton, Ontario Alder Ridge offers 21st century education. Our innovative learning initiatives are founded in the Montessori Philosophy. We offer a student led, self paced learning environment that holistically supports all areas. View profile |
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$9,950 to $14,000
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Western Heights Montessori Academy (est. 2015)
Mississauga, Ontario Western Heights offers an enriched Montessori program that fosters a love of learning. The school actively engages its close-knit parent community to offer an enriched curriculum that adapts to each student's needs. View profile |
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$6,000 to $16,000
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Ashwood Glen (est. 2019)
Burlington, Ontario Ashwood Glen offers a Montessori program for children aged 18months - 6 yrs. The Grades 1 - 8 Learning Program applies the IB framework to extend the learning outcomes of the Ontario curriculum. View profile |
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$14,000 to $20,000
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For general advice on how to choose and evaluate private schools, check out our choosing a school guide and advice from top education experts. For advice on choosing Montessori schools, see our main Montessori school guide and our Montessori choosing guide. You can also read our guides to questions to ask private schools and questions students get asked at school interviews.
Private school expos are a great starting point for finding a school, at any level. We have annual private school expos in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, and Halton-peel. These expos allow you to speak with lots of private schools in Canada, many of which are Montessori schools, all in one place. Find a Montessori school near you.
Another great resource in your school search is the Our Kids parent discussion forum. The forum is an ideal place to discuss options and debate topics related to Montessori schools and preschools. Our community of parents, educational experts, school officials, and alumni can help answer your questions and stimulate your thinking.
Attending open houses is a great way to learn more about schools. For general advice on open house visits, check out our guide on school visits.
The cost of Montessori schools in Burlington-Hamilton tends to be lower than the cost of other private schools in Burlington-Hamilton. In fact, Montessori schools are usually on the lower side of private school tuition in general.
Many schools offer needs-based financial aid, such as bursaries or tuition relief. Other schools, though not as many, offer scholarships, which are given based on merit—for instance, in academics or athletics. You can learn more about need- and merit-based financial aid in our dedicated guide. You can also read our guide to preschool costs in particular.
Below, you’ll find the range of costs for Montessori private schools and preschools in Burlington-Hamilton:
Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) | |
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Hillfield Strathallan College | $16,428 to $28,775 | 10% | JK - 12 | $4,500 |
Meadow Green Academy | $15,990 | |||
yini test | $123 to $46,315 | $20,000 |
Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
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Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School | Montessori | Supportive | 8 to 18 | No support | Light integration | |||
Hillfield Strathallan College | Traditional | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 16 to 20 | No support | Heavy integration | |
Northstar Montessori Private School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Heavy integration | |||
Clanmore Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Light integration | |||
Schoolhouse Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | Indirect Support | |||||
Peel Montessori School | Progressive | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | |||
Kaban Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 15 to 24 | No support | |||
ABC Montessori | Traditional | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | No support | Light integration | ||
Dearcroft Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 10 to 20 | No support | Light integration | ||
La Villa Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | Resource Assistance | ||||
Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School | Montessori | Standard-enriched | 10 to 15 | No support | ||||
Guiding Light Academy | Traditional | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | 5 to 16 | No support | Heavy integration | |
Meadow Green Academy | Traditional | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | 10 to 12 | Resource Assistance | Medium integration | |
Rotherglen School - Oakville | Progressive | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 18 | No support | ||
Rotherglen School - Mississauga | Progressive | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 18 | No support | Light integration | |
yini test | Liberal Arts | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 10 to 22 | Indirect Support | Heavy integration | |
Prince Edward Montessori School | Montessori | Accelerated | Supportive | 10 to 16 | No support | |||
Alder Ridge Academy | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 10 to 16 | Indirect Support | ||||
Western Heights Montessori Academy | 5 to 24 | Indirect Support | ||||||
Ashwood Glen | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 10 to 16 | Indirect Support | Medium integration |
Legend:
Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hillfield Strathallan College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Northstar Montessori Private School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Clanmore Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Schoolhouse Montessori | ||||||||||||||||||||
Peel Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kaban Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
ABC Montessori | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dearcroft Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
La Villa Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Guiding Light Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meadow Green Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rotherglen School - Oakville | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rotherglen School - Mississauga | ||||||||||||||||||||
yini test | ||||||||||||||||||||
Prince Edward Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Alder Ridge Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Western Heights Montessori Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ashwood Glen |
Montessori schools, in Burlington-Hamilton and other cities, often have large mixed-age classes with high teacher-to-student ratios. They also tend to have lots of interaction, student-to-student teaching, and group and independent work. Below, the Montessori philosophy and teaching approach is discussed in more detail.
For more comprehensive coverage, see our main Montessori school guide.
The Montessori philosophy of education is unique. Some of the main principles of this philosophy are the following:
Student-centred: There is no set curriculum. Students are free to move around the class, choose their own work, and determine the pace of their studies. This can make for a dynamic learning environment. Kids often choose work that’s engaging and stimulating, in this setting, which can give rise to a love of learning.
Uninterrupted work time: Montessori schools give kids lots of uninterrupted work time, especially at the elementary level. In many schools, they’re given at least one 3-hour, uninterrupted work period to focus on their chosen work, free of interruptions. Uninterrupted work periods are believed to improve children’s concentration, self-discipline, and work habits.
Concrete learning: Learning tends to be concrete and hands-on. At the primary and elementary level (and sometimes at the secondary level), kids work with lots of different concrete materials, including “manipulatives”—or self-correcting puzzles.
Montessori kids also work with blocks, rods, spindle boxes, and many other materials. Concrete learning engages many of the senses. And, research has shown that it can speed up learning, especially for younger kids.
No external rewards: In primary and elementary school, kids aren’t given tests or assignments, or graded on any of their work. Kids also aren’t praised very much, and when they are praised, it’s for effort—not outcome. Progress is assessed informally, through observation and developmental rubrics, rather than formally, through grades or report cards.
Montessori teachers rarely provide direct instruction. They almost never stand at the front of the class and lecture to all the students. And when they do lecture, the lectures are usually short, interactive, and engaging.
More often, though, teachers move around the class, and give lessons to or guide students. They usually work with students one-on-one or in small groups. They often encourage students to repeat and practice activities, and they plan projects to meet each student’s learning needs. Their primary role is to connect students with their work, rather than to impart knowledge to them. Teachers are thus viewed more as “guides” or “mentors” than “teachers” in the traditional sense.
Montessori schools, in Burlington-Hamilton and other cities, have mixed-age classes, with kids aged 0-3 (toddler), 3-6 (primary), 6-9 (lower-elementary), 9-12 (upper elementary), and so on. The mixed-age classroom informs the teaching approach and learning environment.
Most Montessori classes have lots of group work. Kids work together in small groups on projects and tasks, with some guidance from the teacher. Kids help each other, and older kids often mentor their younger classmates, by helping with them with their work and modelling appropriate behaviour. This can reinforce knowledge and skills learned in the classroom, for both older and younger kids.
Montessori schools in Burlington-Hamilton are a great fit for many families. They promote independence, concentration, and confidence in their students. They do this through challenging tasks, uninterrupted work time, and developmentally appropriate work. In these schools, teachers rarely lecture and students do plenty of independent and group work.
There are a lot of great schools in Burlington-Hamilton. These include public and private schools. Public elementary and secondary schools in Burlington-Hamilton are part of the Halton District School Board.
There are 29 public elementary and 14 Roman Catholic elementary schools in Burlington-Hamilton. There are 8 public high schools and 3 Catholic high schools in Burlington-Hamilton. There are also several post-secondary schools close to the Burlington-Hamilton region, such as York University and the University of Toronto in Mississauga.