On this page, we cover private schools in the Ottawa area that offer Montessori programs. This includes accredited or certified Montessori schools in downtown Ottawa, Ottawa-Gatineau, Rockliffe Park, Rockland, Kemptville, Nepean, Kanata, Centrepoint, Centretown, the Glebe, Riverside Park, and Hampton Park.
For a more complete guide to Montessori education, including a discussion of the Montessori method and philosophy, start with our introductory guide.
There are lots of private Montessori schools in Ottawa. 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.
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Kanata, Ontario Eagleson Road/Stonehaven Drive "For more than 40 years, Kanata Montessori has been graduating students with self-confidence, critical thinking skills, respect, grace and courtesy, high academic achievement, and an international perspective." —From the school
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Meet them at the Expo
Ottawa, Ontario Baseline Rd./Woodroffe Ave. "Bishop Hamilton Montessori School, a not-for-profit independent school in Ottawa, provides an authentic Christian Montessori approach for children 3 months to 14 years." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Bank Street/Marché Way "The Element nurtures focused, engaged and internally motivated students who strive to do their best. The Element High School provides conditions that will put youth ‘in their element,’ in school and beyond." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Alta Vista Drive/Industrial Road "OMS Montessori is a non for profit, independent school offering separate French and English programs within a world class Montessori environment." —From the school
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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 (including preschools), see 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. Our annual Ottawa private school expo allows you to speak with many private schools, including some Ottawa Montessori schools and daycares—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 an Ottawa Montessori school tends to be lower than the cost of other private schools in Ottawa. In fact, Montessori schools are usually on the lower side of private school tuition in general.
Private school tuition can range from $5,000 to over $30,000 per year for day students. There are no public Montessori schools in Ottawa, though some public schools use certain Montessori principles and materials.
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. If your child is an infant or toddler, read our guide to preschool costs.
Below, you’ll find the range of costs for Montessori private schools in Ottawa, Ontario including the Greater Ottawa Area and the CMA:
| Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) | |
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Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | $6,183 to $17,840 | Nursery/Toddler - 8 | ||
The Element High School | $18,810 to $21,905 | |||
OMS Montessori | $14,664 to $21,384 | 10% | Nursery/Toddler - 6 | $2,500 |
Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kanata Montessori | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 12 to 15 | Resource Assistance | Heavy integration | ||
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Light integration | |||
The Element High School | Progressive | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | Indirect Support | Heavy integration | ||
OMS Montessori | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 16 to 25 | Withdrawal Assistance | Light integration |
Legend:
Kanata Montessori | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Element High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
OMS Montessori |
Montessori schools (and daycares), in Ottawa and the CMA, usually have mixed-age classes with lots of interaction, student-to-student teaching, and group and independent work. They also tend to have dedicated teachers who are rigorously trained by a Montessori accrediting institute such as the American Montessori Internationale (AMI) or the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).
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: 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: Similar to Waldorf and Reggio Emilia, Montessori learning tends to be concrete and hands-on. At the preschool and elementary level (and sometimes at the secondary level), kids work with lots of different concrete materials, including “manipulatives”—or self-correcting puzzles. They also work with blocks, rods, spindle boxes, and many other materials, and do plenty of practical activities. 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 preschool 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 Ottawa and the Greater Ottawa Area, 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. It can also be an effective approach for children with advanced learning needs.
There are some great Montessori schools and programs in Ottawa. This includes schools (and daycares) in the Glebe, Centretown, Castle Heights, Rockcliffe Park, Queensway, and Byward Market. There are also nearby schools in Hull and Gatineau.
Ottawa Montessori schools focus on the development of the whole child by applying the Montessori method of self-directed learning. Each of the schools under the umbrella of Montessori use the principles differently, with different emphases.
Montessori schools in Ottawa are no different from the Montessori system around the world in that not all these schools strictly follow the Montessori method or philosophy. So, be sure to fully investigate the school with a visit or interview, so that you fully understand how teachers will educate your children.
Montessori schools in Ottawa have a history dating back at least 40 years; the province of Ontario was, in fact, home to the first Montessori school in all of North America. The Montessori school curriculum is focused on providing stimulation and moral development opportunities to children aged 18 months to the mid-level grades and higher.
Graduates of these programs look back on their teachers and education with fondness. Montessori students benefit immensely from the multi-age class. As these schools are often smaller than public schools, they also tend to have a close-knit environment and a warm community feel.
