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Go to child profileAurora Montessori School, one of the premier Montessori schools in York Region, offers authentic Montessori, from preschool through Gr 8. AMS develops the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, physically, creatively—on a 14-acre property with instructional facilities, sports fields, and a wealth of green space. Friendly, enthusiastic, nurturing staff instill a love for learning, with specialty staff in ITC, visual arts, music, and French. Visit to see why AMS is 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.
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 |
---|---|
Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Acting | |
Dance | |
Drama/Theatre | |
Graphic Design | |
Music | |
Visual Arts |
Expressive | |
Disciplined |
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 |
Students are placed in a separate special education class, but are strategically integrated into a regular classroom for certain periods.
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) |
In grade Gr. 8, Aurora Montessori School students perform an average of 1 hour of homework per night.
NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aurora Montessori School | 0 mins | 0 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins |
Site Average | 0 mins | 2 mins | 6 mins | 7 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 30 mins | 35 mins | 41 mins | 53 mins | 57 mins |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Preschool to Gr. 8 |
Academic achievement reporting | Preschool to Gr. 8 |
Habits and behaviour reporting | JK to SK |
Parent-teacher meetings | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 8 |
Competitive sports: 12
Recreational sports: 3
Aurora Montessori School offers 20 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 | $1,000 |
Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid | 7% |
Total aid available | $18,350 |
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
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 375 |
Total enrolment | 375 |
Average class size | 15 to 24 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | 0.76% |
Number of different nationalities within student population | 17 |
NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | 45 | 60 | 56 | 56 | 32 | 41 | 36 | 24 | 17 | 16 | 11 | 8 |
Class Size | 15 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 12 |
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: $0
Registration fee: $1,000
Deposit:
$2,000
1) Book a tour.
2) Interview with Linda Jazzar
3) Day visit in an AMS classroom with potential grade level teacher.
4) Teacher, Registrar and VP determine suitability of applicant.
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) | 30 - 40 (50%) | 10 - 15 (50%) | 10 - 15 (40%) | 10 - 15 (40%) | 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
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