We’ll supplement this page with expert insight into the FIT between Avalon and YOUR CHILD. Just answer a few short questions. It takes only 5 minutes.
Or, dive right into our insights on Avalon:
To customize this school profile (and others), answer a few questions about your child’s needs.
Go to child profileAvalon strives to provide a dynamic & nurturing environment where learning takes place naturally. We encourage our students to continually challenge themselves. We are a small, independent, co-educational school that supports the Montessori philosophy. Our objective is to guide the children with respect and understanding, developing in them a love of learning that will last a lifetime. In addition to our rich and engaging curriculum, we offer a unique Learning Support Program for students in grades 1 - 8.
Avalon began in 2000 with a single toddler room and one casa classroom and has happily grown ever since. The program today extends through Grade 8, offering a consistency for children through the primary and elementary grades. Likewise, the breadth allows for a greater interaction between generations than elsewhere, something that is rightly a cornerstone of the Montessori approach. The best Montessori schools are those that retain a fidelity to the core of the method while also meeting the needs of the community it serves, expressing their diversity and their values. Certainly, that’s a great strength of Avalon, and one of the reasons that families consistently turn to it. In the nearly two decades of the school’s life it has earned an impressive reputation for good work, professional development, and a strong delivery of the core curriculum. No doubt, it continues to provide all of that and then some.
Program | offered |
---|---|
Montessori toddler | |
Casa | |
Elementary | |
Middle School | |
High School |
Focus |
---|
Academic |
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 |
Primary | Lower Elementary | Upper Elementary | Middle | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Age groupings How children are grouped by age for each class.' |
3 to 6 | 6 to 9 | 9 to 11 | 11 to 14 |
Uninterrupted work periods The longest uninterrupted work period for each class.' |
3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours | 3 hours |
Tests and assignments How often students are given tests or assignments in each class.' |
Never (Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) |
Graded work How often students have their work graded in each class.' |
Never (Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate 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% | 0% | 0% |
Whole-class lectures should be given semi-regularly (e.g., at the beginning of a lesson or a week). While students often learn best through group and independent work, it's sometimes important for teachers to set the stage for and contextualize learning.
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 very rarely used in class, since it can be a distraction and interfere with development. Students at the upper levels, though, might be permitted to use a computer or a tablet to do research for a specific project.
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 |
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
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, Avalon students perform an average of 45 mins of homework per night.
PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Avalon | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins |
Site Average | 2 mins | 6 mins | 7 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 29 mins | 34 mins | 40 mins | 51 mins | 56 mins |
Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 6 to Gr. 8 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Preschool to Gr. 5 |
Parent-teacher meetings | Preschool to Gr. 8 |
Competitive sports: 3
Recreational sports: 7
Avalon Children's Montessori School offers 7 clubs and extracurricular programs.
PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Day | $13,100 | $14,850 | |||||||||
Day (Half day) | $6,400 |
Discounts
Discount Type | Enrolment Type | Amount |
---|---|---|
Early payment | Day | 5% |
2nd child (sibling) | Day | 5% |
Grade range that need-based aid is offered: | 1 to 8 |
Percentage of grade-eligible students receiving financial aid | 5% |
Average aid package size | $10,000 |
Percentage of total enrolment on financial aid | 5% |
Total aid available | $10,000 |
This school works with other. for processing financial applications
Please contact a School Director for more information.
This information is not currently available.
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Preschool to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 90 |
Total enrolment | 90 |
Average class size | Varies |
% of international students (total enrolment) | N/A |
Number of different nationalities within student population | N/A |
JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | N/A | N/A | 7 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 3 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | 1 - 8 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | ||
Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
N/A
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit:
N/A
Interested families are invited to contact the school to set up a visit and classroom observation. A classroom observation is a mandatory part of the application process. Following the observation, interested families will sit down with an Avalon Director to determine if the application process should proceed.
At the Elementary level, students are invited to spend at day at Avalon, allowing for an informal observation by the teacher and an opportunity for the student to gain experience in the classroom. The elementary application must be accompanied by copies of the 2 most recent report cards.
Students applying to the Middle School are required to complete a questionnaire in addition to the above. We believe that the adolescent student must have a strong desire to attend Avalon and be willing to be active participants in their own education.
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 | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 8 - 10 (90%) | 3 - 5 (90%) | 3 - 5 (90%) | 6 - 8 (90%) | 2 - 5 (90%) | 2 - 5 (90%) | 6 - 8 (75%) | 2 - 5 (75%) | 2 - 5 (75%) | 6 - 8 (75%) | 2 - 4 (75%) |
Alumni Highlights
Our doors opened in September 2000 with a toddler room and 1 casa classroom. Through the commitment and dedication of our staff and families, we have grown into a dynamic school that provides a quality education for children in pre-school through to grade 8.
We are very proud of the work that we do on a daily basis and enjoy a solid reputation in the Beach and surrounding area as well as within the private and Montessori community.
At Avalon, we are proud of the instruction that is delivered by our outstanding staff. Over the years, we have built a very strong team. People who are committed to the children and providing the opportunity for an exceptional experience. I was recently speaking to a group of private school educators and it was noted that working at a private school is not a job, it is a lifestyle. That is absolutely correct; our staff have made that choice and we all benefit from it!
Avalon staff are committed to professional development and collaboration. We have mutual respect and support for each other as professionals. Avalon is an active member of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools and is aware of developments in the Ministry of Education. Our school is firmly entrenched in the Montessori philospophy and teachers at the Casa and Elementary levels are Montessori trained. As we prepare our adolescent students for the transition to secondary school, the program becomes more Ontario curriculum driven. This has been a very successful approach as evidenced by the experience of our graduates.
Avalon has created a supportive, nurturing and educational environment that motivates students, builds confidence, teaches independent thought and offers individualized attention. The needs and learning styles of the child are recognized and supported in our classrooms. Our goal is to celebrate and embrace the uniqueness of each student. We are concerned with the welfare of the whole child, encouraging a sense of involvement, community and belonging.
One of the things that I love about Avalon is the sense of community that has been fostered. The school itself is a community made up of parents, teachers and learners. Located on the TTC line, Avalon students access all the city has to offer while enjoying the beauty of the neighourhood called the Beach.
With this sense of community comes responsibility and we readily support the students as they explore their social conscience. Students at all ages are involved in a variety of programs including the Hop A Thon for Muscular Dystrophy, the Terry Fox Run, Hero Day for Second Harvest, fundraising activites for Free the Children as well as active involvement in We Schools in Action.
Maria Montessori believed that education should sow the seeds of learning and that is one of our guiding principals. All of our student participate in gym and sports activities, music, drama, art and performance. Our annual school production is the highlight of the year and we just staged an amazing version of Alice in Wonderland. For the sports minded, we currently hold the trophy for the ISAA track and field meet and look forward to defending our title in the next few weeks!
I encourage you to contact us to learn more about Avalon. The best way to experience one of the only JK to Grade 8 independent schools in Toronto is to come for a visit and spend time with us.
Sherry VanDerKooi
The Trusted Source for Families since 1998
Interested in Avalon Children's Montessori School?
Visit WebsiteJoin the Our Kids roundtable discussion about Avalon Children's Montessori School. Alumni and current parents are answering questions and sharing their insights—about the school’s culture, strengths, and weaknesses.
Jul 27
ZOOM MEETING