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Go to child profileG.B.M.S has Montessori programs for students age 18 months to age 5. D.E.P.S offers a challenging and diversified curricular program for students from Grade 1 to 8 following the Ontario Curriculum at an enriched level. Both schools have a huge well equipped gymnasium and outdoor sports field. At Durham Academy Secondary School we offer full time and part time grades 9 to 12 credit courses approved by the Ministry of Education.
What learning looks like now: Students returned to campus full time September 2020. We give the option of online learning for students who are absent for any reason so they do not miss a day. Our teachers continue to follow the Ontario Curriculum at an enrichment level. Our students continue to receive monthly virtual programs and workshops. Our school has implemented a COVID health and Safety Policy which each family is given. Daily screening of staff and students has been ongoing since before September. All classes have their own entry and exit door so there are no cohorts in the halls. Physed is outdoors this year and our students have enjoyed dance, yoga and karate workshops in our field. Guests are not allowed in the building at this time. Staff and students wear masks indoor and outdoors. All teachers and custodians have a daily disinfecting schedule. This year we will offering a March Break Camp and Summer Camp.
Curriculum delivery:
Living Arrangement | Grades | Delivery Model | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
Day | SK - Gr. 12 | Hybrid/blended | Full-time |
What Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. says: As of September 2020 we are offering full-time in person classes and the option of online learning for students ages 5 to grade 12. Online students are included in all workshops and program enhancements and receive a full school day of learning 5 days a week. We have scheduled staggered entry and exit times to limit cohorts. All classrooms are social distanced. We have applied all physical distancing requirements wherever possible on campus.
View recent COVID-19 updates from GBMS & DEPSDurham was founded in 1984 in order to address learners who are at the top of their peer group and require an enriched program in order to reach their potentials. Families are drawn by the small class sizes—they average between 8 and 12 students—as well as the full grade continuum, from preschool through Grade 12. The nursery and primary levels are taught through a Montessori approach, and while it’s not carried through the upper grades, the values are nevertheless shared throughout the school. Students arrive to an academically inflected environment, and a peer group that shares a predilection to achievement. The ideal student is one able to thrive in a close-knit, challenging yet supportive instructional environment.
Particularly popular in the younger grades (preschool to elementary), but sometimes available all the way up to high school, Montessori schools offer an alternative vision to the standard lesson format of most classrooms. Instead of listening to whole-class lessons, Montessori classrooms allow students to choose which "tasks" or activities interest them. These tasks centre around special Montessori puzzles - their essential feature being they contain a right answer and allow for selfcorrection. A strong emphasis is therefore placed on lessons being concrete and rooted in practical experience, along with students developing a sense of self-sufficiency, confidence and curiosity.
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 |
Toddler | Primary | Lower Elementary | Upper Elementary | Middle | High | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age groupings How children are grouped by age for each class.' |
18 months to age3 | 3 to 5 | 1 to 3 | 4 to 6 | 7 to 8 | 9 to 12 |
Uninterrupted work periods The longest uninterrupted work period for each class.' |
2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours | 2 hours |
Tests and assignments How often students are given tests or assignments in each class.' |
– | – | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) |
Graded work How often students have their work graded in each class.' |
– | – | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (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.' |
30% | 30% | 15% | 15% | 15% | 5% |
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 quite important. Outside specialists are needed for a fairly wide range of special needs, such as developmental and learning disabilities.
We have many specialist teachers and classes (for instance, in languages, music, art, gym, science, and math). It's important that students receive specialized instruction in many 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 remain in a regular classroom for the whole day; the teacher receives special training in accommodating special needs and/or learning disabled students.
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: This information is not currently available.
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. 12, GBMS & DEPS students perform an average of >2 hours of homework per night.
NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GBMS & DEPS | 0 mins | 0 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 60 mins | 90 mins | 120 mins | 160 mins | 160 mins |
Site Average | 0 mins | 2 mins | 6 mins | 7 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 23 mins | 29 mins | 34 mins | 39 mins | 51 mins | 55 mins | 69 mins | 80 mins | 98 mins | 107 mins |
Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 1 to Gr. 12 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 12 |
Parent-teacher meetings | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 12 |
Competitive sports: 9
Recreational sports: 8
Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. offers 11 clubs and extracurricular programs.
JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
Day | $1,020 | $11,500 |
Discounts
Discount Type | Enrolment Type | Amount |
---|---|---|
2nd child (sibling) | all students | 10% |
We offer scholarships to students in grades 9 to 12.
We require report cards from most previous school, a written essay ( we will choose the topic) a virtual interview and an academic reference.
For more details, visit:www.durhammontessori.caGrades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 12 | Coed | Day | 140 |
Group 2 | Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 | Coed | Homestay | Varies |
Group 3 | Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 | Coed | Day | 7 |
Total enrolment | 147 |
Average class size | 8 to 16 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | 10% |
Number of different nationalities within student population | 9 |
NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Homestay Enrollment | 1 | N/A | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||||
Class Size | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | 9 - 12 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | ||
Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Homestay students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
Yes
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: $175
Deposit:
$100
We suggest that families come in for a tour and have their child visit at no obligation for a morning or a day. D.E.P.S and Durham Academy students are required to bring in previous report cards. Durham Academy Secondary School students are required to answer simple questions in written form and have an interview with the Principal.
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 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 (100%) | 1 - 2 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 5 (100%) | 3 - 5 (100%) | 3 - 5 (100%) | 3 - 5 (100%) | 3 - 5 (100%) | 3 - 5 (100%) | 2 - 3 (100%) | 1 - 3 (100%) | 3 - 5 (100%) | 1 - 6 (100%) | 1 - 6 (100%) | 1 - 6 (100%) | 1 - 6 (100%) |
Boarding Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
Homestay Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 3 (100%) | 3 (100%) | 4 (100%) | 5 (100%) | 5 (100%) |
Average graduating class size | 6 |
Students accepted into post-secondary studies upon graduation | 100% |
Percentage of students who attend post-secondary institutions outside of Canada | N/A |
Students who attended a Ivy+ school Number of students in the past 5 years that that attended one of Harvard, Yale, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Stanford, University of Chicago, Oxford or Cambridge (UK) | N/A |
Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. Graduates’ Post-Secondary Studies:
This information is not currently available.Aggregate of All Schools’ Post-Secondary Studies:
Career planning | |
Internships | N/A |
Mentorship Program | N/A |
University counseling |
As Principal since 2008 I've led our three schools which continue to grow in enrollment, programming, facilities and community involvement. We boast fantastic communication and customer service. Our teachers are experts in their fields and are devoted to helping our students reach their full potential. We are welcoming and warm, as well as serious about setting high standards and achieving goals.
Our three schools have a 35 year history of graduating students with high academic achievement. We welcome students from across the Durham Region, the Greater Toronto Area and around the World. Boarding and Home Stay programs for students in Grades 8 through 12.
I encourage you to discover what our educational programs can offer your child.
Sincerely,
Suzanna Mason
(Principal)
Does Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. have good reviews?
You can read our capsule review about Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. via this link.
When is the application deadline for Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S.?
The application deadline for day students is typically open year-round based on availability. The application deadline for homestay students is typically open year-round based on availability. More application details are available here.
What is the acceptance rate at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S.?
The overall acceptance rate at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. is 98%. This rate varies depending on the grade. More details about acceptance rates per grade are here.
What is the curriculum pace at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S.?
Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. has a Standard-enriched approach to curriculum pace (as opposed to Accelerated or Student-paced). Learn more about curriculum pace here.
How many students attend Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S.?
There are 140 students enrolled at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. from Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 12. 10% are international students. More details about enrollment are available here.
Do students at Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. wear uniforms?
Yes
Does Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. offer a hot lunch program?
Yes
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