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Aurora Montessori School is considered as one of the premier Montessori schools in York Region, with an impressive school facility and a small town family feel. Our friendly, enthusiastic and nurturing staff, instill and inspire an everlasting love for learning in all students. Offering authentic Montessori from Toddlers through to Grade 8, our programs are designed with true philosophy and pedagogue to develop the whole child; academically, socially, emotionally, physically and creatively. When you visit our campus, you will find bright and airy classrooms, a computer lab, art room, music room and a core French program delivered to children aged 3 to 13. Aurora Montessori School's founder created this facility with Montessori learning in mind. It sits on a beautiful 14 acre property with an outdoor classroom, soccer pitch, marsh lands, an amphitheatre, gardens and much more. Imagine your children being motivated to realize their full potential in such a rich environment. Come and see why AMS could be your family's ideal choice in education.
AMS is a Montessori school, though in many ways it exceeds the expectations that parents might have of what a Montessori education offers. The programs are hands-on, community based, though the academic environment is large, both in terms of physical space and student population. As such the extra-curricular programs are robust, including sports as well as a fully development music program that includes group and individual instruction. Those things, in themselves, are a draw for many families. The grounds are extensive, with a porous interface between interior and outdoor learning spaces. The amphitheater is impressive, and likewise is a symbol of the school’s dedication to outdoor and environmental education. In all of that, the school’s name can risk being misleading. AMS isn’t your average Montessori school. It offers broad curricular and extracurricular programs, strong academics, and an overt attention to emotional and social development through the elementary grades.
Gallery showcasing school life and general photos of Aurora Montessori School.
Gallery showcasing specific locations and facilities found at Aurora Montessori School.
Reggio Emilia programs are offered by some schools at the preschool and elementary level. The approach aims to develop curiosity and problem-solving skills through the liberal use of projects (as opposed to activities or lessons): teachers design projects for children around their demonstrated interests. Projects can be geared to an individual student, a small group of students, or the class as a whole. They can last from a few days to the whole year. Art is strongly emphasized and is typically incorporated into every project. Teachers actively participate in projects alongside students, rather than sitting back and observing. The philosophy calls for a high degree of parent involvement as well, particularly when forming curricula and project plans (which happens throughout the academic year).
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Montessori toddler | |
| Casa | |
| Elementary | |
| Middle School | |
| High School |
| Focus | Special needs |
|---|---|
| Academic | Gifted |
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Biology | |
| Chemistry | |
| Ecology | |
| Geology | |
| Meteorology | |
| Physics | |
| Physiology | |
| Zoology |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Evolution as consensus theory | |
| Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
| Evolution is not taught |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Acting | |
| Dance | |
| Drama/Theatre | |
| Graphic Design | |
| Music | |
| Visual Arts |
| Subject | offered |
|---|---|
| Computer science | |
| Robotics | |
| Web design |
| Toddler | Primary | Lower Elementary | Upper Elementary | Middle | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age groupings How children are grouped by age for each class.' |
1.5 to 3 | 2.5 to 6 | 6 to 9 | 9 to 12 | 12 to 14 |
| Uninterrupted work periods The longest uninterrupted work period for each class.' |
2 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
| Tests and assignments How often students are given tests or assignments in each class.' |
Never (Orthodox) | Never (Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) |
| Graded work How often students have their work graded in each class.' |
Never (Orthodox) | Never (Orthodox) | Never (Orthodox) | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) |
| Arts and crafts The percentage of a typical student's day that is spent on arts and crafts in each class.' |
5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% |
Whole-class lectures should only be given occasionally (e.g., at the beginning of a term or unit). Students usually learn best through small group lessons, interaction, and independent work.
External special education support is only rarely necessary. For instance, a psychologist might be brought in to help out a student with a severe developmental disorder.
We have a fairly wide range of specialist teachers and classes (for instance, in languages, music, and art). Core teachers are well-equipped to teach most subjects.
Modern-day technology is used in moderation since it can be a distraction. For instance, computers and other digital media might be used for research, writing, and multimedia projects.
Overall approach : Which option best describes your overall curricular approach?
Schools that adhere to the original Montessori program and principles. On occasion, though, they supplement it with modern curricular approaches or materials.
| Flexible pacing style | offered |
|---|---|
| Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
| Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
| Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
| Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
| Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
| Differentiated assessment |
Aurora Montessori School offers no/limited support for students with learning difficulties or special needs.
| Subject Type | offered |
|---|---|
| Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
| Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
| Subject Type | offered |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | |
| Modifications | |
| Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
| Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
Curriculum delivery: Acceleration and enrichment (There is an equal emphasis on acceleration and enrichment.)
| Program | offered |
|---|---|
| Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
| Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
| Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
| Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
| Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
| Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
Competitive sports: 8
Recreational sports: N/A
Aurora Montessori School offers 18 clubs and extracurricular programs.
Discounts
| Discount Type | Enrolment Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd child (sibling) | all students | $600 |
| 3rd child (sibling) | all students | $1,200 |
| 4th child (sibling) | all students | $1,750 |
| Grade range that need-based aid is offered: | PS to 8 |
| Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid | 5% |
| Average aid package size | $3,000 |
| Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid | 5% |
| Total aid available | $100,000 |
This school works with Apple Financial Inc. for processing financial applications
Letter of Request for financial assistance
Application to Apple Financial
Final recommendation from AF
This information is not currently available.
| Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 370 |
| Total enrolment | 370 |
| Average class size | 15 to 24 |
| % of international students (total enrolment) | N/A |
| Number of different nationalities within student population | N/A |
| Assessment | Required | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| Interview | NS - 8 | |
| SSAT | ||
| SSAT (out of province) | ||
| Entrance Exam(s) | ||
| Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry: Yes
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: $1,000
Deposit: $2,000
This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.
Student Entry Points
This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.
| Student Type | NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Alumni Highlights
I can recollect the countless opportunities when I have been asked about “the Montessori Method” and what puts our educational merits apart from any other. It’s a dangerous thing to ask such open-ended questions with a subject so close to my heart. It allows me to speak at length about the wonders and beauties of the Montessori philosophy that I have loved all my life.
All genial classrooms share at least five characteristics that guide their instruction regardless of the content or grade level. These characteristics are freedom of choice, open-ended exploration, freedom from judgement, honouring every student’s experience and belief in every student’s genius.
At AMS, our bright “genial” classrooms, our prepared environments, our beautifully organized and displayed Montessori materials are combined with highly skilled teaching teams that lovingly nurture and guide our students to be geniuses in their own right. Genius is not solely measured by the IQ (a high score on an intelligence test, the virtuosity of an attained skill or the expertise of specific theories or practices), but also through curiosity, playfulness, imagination, wisdom, inventiveness, vitality, respectfulness, flexibility and joy, just to name a few.
We inspire genius and lifelong learners by endeavouring always to keep burning within them that light which is called intelligence, never to be extinguished. There are no limitations in the quality and quantity of knowledge in all aspects that each of our children can learn. Our geniuses thrive in every, and any, way imaginable.
What you see here is only a snippet of AMS. We encourage you to continue to peruse our website and contact the school, regardless of your interest in enrolment. We will answer any questions you may have about our school or the Montessori Method. If you’d like a guided tour of our facilities and classrooms please call and arrange an appointment. We would be delighted to provide you with a glimpse into the dynamic, safe, and loving environment that is Aurora Montessori School.
We look forward to meeting your family and working together to awaken your child’s genius to its fullest potential.
With warmest regards,
Kane Burg
Principal
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
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