REVIEW OF Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences BY parent, Emiliano Omeri

(5) Student Experience

Our experience at Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences has been deeply rewarding. What initially drew us to the school was its unique integration of philosophies—blending the self-directed Montessori method in the early years with a transition into an enriched, structured curriculum as the children grow. Watching our children navigate this environment, we’ve seen them develop a genuine independence, intrinsic curiosity, and strong foundational habits. The small class sizes create a warm, family-like atmosphere where they feel deeply known, supported, and safely challenged by their teachers. It is also worth noting that the school is part of a larger community of organizations within the Villa Charities Foundation, which further enhances the educational and community experience. The facilities available to the children are incredible, and they include: a large outdoor playground and sports court, an indoor fitness facility, a swimming pool and sports courts. What our children love and appreciate the most is the vibrant, well-rounded approach to daily learning. They thrive on the variety in the curriculum—especially the specialized language exposure (like the Italian and French programs) and the emphasis on music and arts. The 'whole-brain' Da Vincian approach keeps things engaging because it connects creative thinking with problem-solving rather than just focusing on rote memorization or test scores. They also incredibly enjoy the school's tight-knit community feel, which makes going to school every day something they genuinely look forward to.

Why Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences?

When we were evaluating different Montessori schools, we looked closely at several top-tier options in the area. What ultimately tipped the scales in favour of Leonardo Da Vinci Academy was the brilliant balance between its warm, nurturing community and its exceptional, high-quality physical infrastructure. Many smaller schools have to compromise on physical amenities, but LDVA offers an incredible array of indoor and outdoor facilities that you rarely find in an intimate school environment. Indoors, having access to excellent specialized spaces—including their own dedicated indoor swimming pool, bright art studios, and structured music rooms—means the children get a robust, active, and creative education year-round, completely unaffected by the Canadian winters.

Expectations vs. Reality

In terms of alignment, the school completely delivered on its promise of an enriched, high-calibre academic foundation and a deeply supportive community. Coming from a background where we deeply value both structure and creativity, we expected a curriculum that wouldn't just teach children what to think, but how to think. LDVA has absolutely nailed this. The integration of arts, sciences, and early language exposure has been just as rigorous and engaging as advertised. Furthermore, our expectation of a safe, family-like environment was fully met; the faculty and administration are incredibly accessible, communicative, and genuinely invested in our children’s personal growth and emotional well-being. Where our experience pleasantly diverged from our expectations was in witnessing the sheer speed and depth of our children's independence. While we knew the early-years curriculum utilized self-directed Montessori principles, we underestimated just how profoundly that philosophy would translate into our home life. We expected them to learn to read and count; we didn't necessarily expect our four- and five-year-olds to develop such an intrinsic sense of personal responsibility, order, and self-correction so early on. They don't just complete tasks because a teacher told them to; they do it because they have developed a genuine pride in their own capabilities. This level of personal autonomy went far beyond our initial expectations for early childhood schooling.

Your Advice

Leonardo Da Vinci Academy beautifully pairs an intimate, family/community-first culture with the premier facilities of a much larger campus. What makes this school so special is that it refuses to compromise on any aspect of a child's development. The school has built a spectacular physical environment to support its 'whole-child' philosophy—highlighted by an incredible, dedicated indoor swimming pool, bright art and dance studios, expansive outdoor green spaces and modern sports courts. My piece of advice is to come see how dynamically these spaces are used. These high-quality facilities aren't just amenities; they are active extensions of the classroom where the kids build real confidence, creativity, and physical literacy every single day. When you choose LDVA, you are giving your child a top-tier, exceptionally well-equipped educational campus, wrapped entirely in a warm, supportive community where they are truly known and valued.

(5) School Leadership

What stands out most about the leadership and administration at Leonardo Da Vinci Academy is their deep, visible involvement in the daily life of the school. Because of the close-knit nature of the campus, the administration isn’t hidden away in an office; they are on the ground, greeting families, and genuinely knowing every single child by name. This visibility sets a beautiful tone for the entire school environment. When it comes to communication, they are exceptionally proactive and structured. Between regular electronic newsletters, timely email updates, and an open-door approachability, we always feel well-informed and connected to our children's daily progress. This open line of communication carries over directly into how they manage problems or behavioural milestones. Instead of reacting only when an issue escalates, the leadership focuses heavily on prevention and maintaining a positive, respectful school culture. On the rare occasion that discipline or disagreements arise, they handle them fairly, judiciously, and—most importantly—with immense compassion. They treat these moments as constructive learning opportunities rather than just punitive measures, which perfectly aligns with the supportive, family-like community they cultivate so intentionally.

(5) Teaching

The quality of instruction at Leonardo Da Vinci Academy is easily one of the school’s greatest strengths. The teachers are exceptionally passionate, deeply knowledgeable, and bring a vibrant energy to the classroom that makes learning feel like an adventure rather than a chore. Because the school maintains low teacher turnover, the educators truly get to know the children as individuals over time—understanding exactly what motivates them and where they need a little extra care. In terms of feedback, communication is both professional and highly collaborative. The teachers don’t just hand out grades; they provide constructive, meaningful insights that help us support our children’s development at home. What we appreciate most is how beautifully the faculty balances challenge with support. Through the unique Da Vincian approach, our children are constantly encouraged to think critically and push past their comfort zones. Yet, because the classroom environment is so nurturing, they never feel overwhelmed. They receive the individualized attention required to master advanced concepts early, while feeling completely safe, celebrated, and supported every step of the way.

(5) Academics

The academic program at Leonardo Da Vinci Academy is distinctively structured around a deliberate developmental shift. In the early years, the school utilizes an accredited Montessori framework, focusing heavily on self-directed learning, tactile discovery, and early independence. The resulting academic culture is collaborative, supportive, and deeply holistic, heavily guided by the 'Seven Da Vincian Principles.' Rather than cultivating a high-pressure, hyper-competitive atmosphere, the school focuses on a 'whole-brain' approach where creative arts, multi-language immersion (including exceptional Italian and French programs), and scientific inquiry are given equal weight. Because class sizes are small, the instruction is highly individualized, meeting children precisely where they are at. The school excels at language acquisition, foundational literacy, and instilling a genuine, intrinsic love for learning early on. The integration of specialized music and art with core academic subjects ensures a well-rounded cognitive development. We feel entirely confident that the academic program at LDVA will adequately and exceptionally prepare our children for life’s next steps. By prioritizing critical thinking, self-sufficiency, and emotional security over rote memorization, the school is building foundational resilience. They aren't just memorizing facts; they are learning how to learn, how to focus, and how to problem-solve. We are confident that these strong core capabilities and robust study habits will serve them beautifully in whatever academic environments they choose to enter in the future.

(5) Extracurriculars

Leonardo Da Vinci Academy strikes a wonderful and unique balance when it comes to extracurricular life. Because the school is beautifully integrated with the Columbus Centre campus, the children have seamless access to recreational programming that is exceptionally rare for an intimate school environment. The school approach provides a fantastic dual track for both recreational fun and structured skill development. Through activities like their dedicated swimming program, intramural sports, choir, and specialized art clubs, every child has the opportunity to explore new interests in a highly supportive, low-pressure setting. At the same time, the school injects a healthy sense of fun competition through organized sports events, performance opportunities, and community-wide showcases. What stands out most is the context the school builds for true well-roundedness. At LDVA, extracurriculars aren't treated as an afterthought or a distraction from academics; they are viewed as a core pillar of the 'whole-brain' philosophy. The school excels at encouraging students to be multi-dimensional—it is completely normal and celebrated for a child to be deeply invested in advanced math and science while simultaneously diving into a swim program, learning a second language, or practicing the arts. This integrated environment teaches the children early on that they don't have to fit into a single box, helping them grow into genuinely balanced, expressive, and confident individuals.

(5) Students

The vibe among the kids at LDVA is a key indicator of the overall fabric of the school. Because it’s a smaller, close-knit student body, it doesn't feel like a big, anonymous institution; it feels more like a big extended family. There’s a really warm, positive energy in the halls, and the kids genuinely seem happy to be there. What stands out to me the most is how the kids of different ages interact. You constantly see the older elementary students looking out for, helping, and mentoring the younger ones. It is great to watch, and it completely gets rid of those rigid social barriers you often see in large schools. Because the school encourages collaboration, the kids get along incredibly well. They are inclusive, kind to one another, and really cheer each other on—whether someone does well in class, creates an amazing art project, or hits a milestone in the pool. It’s a safe, supportive space where it’s cool to be curious, expressive, and friendly, which makes it a fantastic place for making lifelong friends.

(5) School Life

The overall quality of student life here is incredibly high. Our children love going to school every day, and as parents, that is the ultimate peace of mind. They wake up excited for school because their day is a dynamic mix of hands-on learning, physical movement in the pool, and creative arts, rather than just sitting at a desk. Because the environment feels so safe and family-like, school isn't a place of anxiety for them—it’s a place where they feel completely comfortable being themselves, exploring new things, and hanging out with their friends and teachers. In terms of areas for improvement, a great focus would be to keep expanding the variety of after-school clubs or specialized hobby programs as the school continues to grow in its location. While the core extracurriculars like swimming, music, and intramurals are phenomenal, introducing a few more niche, rotating hobby clubs—like an early coding/robotics circle or a junior culinary/gardening club—would add even more flavour to the after-school hours and give the kids even more ways to bond over shared interests. If you are looking at LDVA, one of the best insights I can give you is to look at how the school connects with the broader community. The school does a beautiful job of teaching citizenship early on through community involvement, charity drives, and holiday recitals. It gives the kids a really healthy perspective on the world. Another huge plus is that because the staff is so steady and the community is close, you aren't just enrolling your child in a school—you are joining a tight-knit community of parents and educators who genuinely look out for one another. For families who value a balanced, warm, and highly supportive educational journey, it is a truly special place to be.

(5) Community

The parent community at LDVA is incredible, and it’s an important part of what makes the school feel like an extended family. Because it’s an intimate school, you get to know the other families well. There’s a wonderful, shared sense of values among the parents—everyone is highly invested in their kids' growth, but there is also a genuine, supportive culture where parents truly look out for one another's children. When it comes to getting involved, the school is incredibly welcoming. Whether it’s helping out with holiday recitals, participating in charity drives, or joining in on community-wide events, there are plenty of open doors for parents to be a part of school life. The administration really values our presence and treats parents as true partners in the educational journey. If there’s any room for growth, it would be amazing to see the school introduce a few more informal, parent-led community events throughout the year. While the structured school-wide milestones and holiday events are fantastic, adding some casual, parent-centric gatherings—like a weekend family picnic or evening parent mixers—would give the community even more opportunities to connect, share insights, and bond outside of the regular school calendar.

(5) School Location

What makes the location of Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences so incredible is that it avoids feeling like an isolated island while keeping the children completely safe and contained. Because the school shares its campus with the Columbus Centre, it sits in a vibrant hub that is deeply connected to the local community. The surrounding neighbourhood is a welcoming, family-oriented residential pocket that feels very secure and grounded. In terms of venturing beyond the school walls, the students don't need to wander off into busy city streets because everything they need is integrated right into their direct surroundings. The campus setup allows them to step out of the traditional classroom and safely explore the broader facilities right on site. It gives the kids a wonderful sense of space and variety in their day without the safety concerns of navigating an open, urban neighbourhood. It strikes the perfect balance—it’s a protected, self-contained environment, but one that is rich with community life and energy rather than feeling cut off from the world.

(5) Admissions

Looking back at the application process, what stood out to me most was how much it felt like a mutual conversation rather than a cold, high-pressure assessment. Applying to schools is naturally a stressful time for parents—you worry about whether your children will 'perform' well or if you are making the right long-term choice. But the admissions team at LDVA completely took that anxiety away. From day one, it felt like the admissions officers were working with us, not grading us. Their main goal wasn't just checking off academic boxes; they were genuinely focused on making sure the school was a perfect cultural fit for our family and that our children would thrive in their environment. They took the time to understand our kids' unique personalities, which made the entire experience feel personal and supportive. If you are planning on applying, my biggest piece of advice is simply to be open and authentic about who your child is. Don't stress about preparing your four- or five-year-old for a rigid 'test.' The school genuinely values individuality and potential over a rehearsed performance. Use the admissions process as an opportunity to ask questions about how your family’s values align with the school's 'whole-child' philosophy. Another suggestion is to visit the school and facilities in person and experience the LDVA community for yourself.