"Established in 2008, Hopscotch Montessori is an international network of schools with four campuses in New York, Toronto, and Kyiv. We serve a diverse community of over 300 families who speak more than 30 languages. The Midtown campus in Toronto welcomes children aged 0 to 12. Our mission is to foster child-driven independence, academic discovery, creative exploration, and a mindset of sustainability, enabling children to discover the world and find their unique place within it. We are members of the AMS and CCMA."
At Hopscotch, children grow up in a international community that celebrates language, culture, and individuality. What sets us apart is our deep commitment to nurturing each child’s natural curiosity, independence, and confidence. Our classrooms offer a warm, respectful environment where children feel safe to explore, take initiative, and think critically. We blend Montessori pedagogy with a forward-thinking global perspective, helping children become thoughtful problem-solvers and engaged citizens of the world.
After thorough research and analysis of leading practices from internationally respected neuropsychologists specializing in education, we chose the Montessori Method. This approach emphasizes comprehensive child development by creating a prepared environment that prioritizes the child’s psychological and physical health, fostering a genuine interest in learning. It often includes mixed-age groups and child-led activities, promoting independence and accelerating skill development. We opted for a path that nurtures self-motivation and self-discipline rather than focusing solely on grades and tests. Our emphasis is on collaboration, empathy, and conflict resolution skills instead of competition, supporting holistic development where academic, creative, physical, and social skills are equally valued. However, we are more than just a Montessori school; we also implement innovative educational methods based on recent studies to enrich our curriculum.
• 2008 – Foundation of the first Hopscotch Montessori campus in Kyiv, Ukraine.
• 2016 – Opening of the Hopscotch Montessori Upper East Side campus in Manhattan, NYC.
• 2020 – Launch of the Hopscotch Montessori Via 57 campus in Manhattan, NYC.
• 2021 – Establishment of the Hopscotch Hub training center, providing professional development for Montessori school leaders and teachers all over the world.
• 2023 – Creation of the non-profit organization Seeds for Ukraine.
• 2023 – Development of the Pocono Residency project.
• 2024 – Launch of the Hopscotch Montessori franchise.
• 2025 – Opening of Hopscotch Montessori Toronto.
Global citizens who seek the freedom to live and pursue education anywhere in the world. They appreciate different cultures and are always eager to learn about other experiences and perspectives. Out-of-the-box thinkers who inspire adults to pause and reflect with their questions. Active movers who value the connection between mind and body. Explorers at heart, these young learners constantly seek to expand their knowledge and find genuine fulfillment in the process. They embrace challenges and enjoy solving problems that require creativity and systems thinking.
Our programs emphasize not just teaching students facts and theories, but also helping them learn how to learn. This includes ongoing practice in independent research, critical analysis, group collaboration, and project work, fostering self-motivation driven by curiosity and the joy of discovery. We believe in learning through practice and real-life experiences: our students give TED Talks, participate in United Nations Model debates, create projects for Science Fairs, plan their budgets and meals, brainstorm eco-entrepreneurial innovations, and much more. As a result, families who prioritize traditional academic achievements—such as grades, competition, and memorization—may find that our approach does not meet their expectations.
Families choose our school for its commitment to high-quality service and personalized attention to each student and parent. They value strong, daily communication with the school, ensuring their child’s needs are met. Additionally, they seek a balanced, holistic approach that fosters deep academic learning while promoting social-emotional development and real-life skills. Our culture encourages freedom of thought, allowing children to grow without imposed agendas, aligning with families' values as independent thinkers. Parents appreciate our focus on positive discipline, peace education, and community building among like-minded families. With a desire for an international education that prepares their children for global future, our families find a supportive and culturally rich environment here. They enjoy participating in social events and appreciate the sense of belonging to a diverse community that reflects their alternative mindset and lifestyle.
Families describe our school as a "second home" where children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. They emphasize the nurturing environment, dedicated teachers, and the transformative impact on their children’s development. One parent notes in their review, "The teachers are phenomenal—invested in every child’s growth." Parents observe rapid progress in language, math, and practical life skills, marveling that their 3-year-olds "have a solid head start on numbers, phonics, and problem-solving." They share that their children "run in with smiles," eager to attend school even on weekends. Families appreciate the school’s welcoming culture, responsive communication, and celebration of diverse backgrounds. "We’ve built a family here," one review states. Bright, clean classrooms and access to outdoor spaces are frequently mentioned as standout features. Hopscotch is often described as "the best decision" for fostering confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.
The emphasis on freedom within structure. Families may initially focus on our beautifully prepared environments or our academic approach, but the true strength of our school lies in how we guide children to make independent choices within clear, respectful boundaries.
This balance fosters not just academic progress, but deep personal growth: children learn self-regulation, responsibility, and resilience—skills that are harder to measure but essential for long-term success.
Families often come expecting strong academics, but what truly surprises them over time is the depth of personal growth their child experiences. What may first seem like “freedom” in the classroom gradually reveals itself as purposeful independence—children take ownership of their learning, choices, and relationships. Many parents also find unexpected joy in the strong sense of community, where every child is known, valued, and supported in becoming their most authentic self.
Hopscotch Montessori Toronto is proud to unveil our first campus with a fully owned playground, where we’ve turned our dreams of outdoor fun into reality! This significant project involved incorporating our brand design into the playground’s construction while selecting the safest, eco-friendly surface materials and equipment for hands-on learning and nature connection. Now that the work is complete, our playground stands as an island of sensory joy in the city center, featuring natural wooden materials, a water table, a mud kitchen, and a gardening corner. Here, children can not only move freely but also explore various textures and materials, develop practical life skills, and grow their own vegetables and flowers.
In the near future, we aim to expand our extracurricular activities and provide children with even more options for nurturing and engaging afternoon classes, such as robotics, coding, team sports, and more. Additionally, following our successful participation in the Montessori Model UN conference with our elementary students in NYC, we plan to offer the same program to our Toronto families and are actively working on it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
By logging in or creating an account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Information presented on this page may be paid advertising provided by the advertisers [schools/camps/programs] and is not warranted or guaranteed by OurKids.net or its associated websites. By using this website, creating or logging into an Our Kids account, you agree to Our Kids' Terms and Conditions. Please also see our Privacy Policy. Our Kids ™ © 2023 All rights reserved.
