Monks and Montessori
How the two became one
Find a list of schoolsOne hundred years ago, Maria Montessori learned by observing children and translated what she saw into applications that have revolutionized education. Read more
One hundred years ago, Maria Montessori learned by observing children and translated what she saw into applications that have revolutionized education. Read more
Toronto, Ontario — The Clover School's innovative curriculum combines Montessori essentials with heart-centred learning practices designed to nurture the mind, heart, health, and soul of each child. View School Profile.
Grades:
NS to 6 (Coed)
Type:
Montessori
Tuition:
$15,100 to $24,200
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
400
Avg. Class:
10 to 30
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Toronto, Ontario — Bond Academy is a private, co-educational, non-denominational independent school with students from Montessori Casa to Grade 12. Our educational process is Beyond the Books! Education as it should be. View School Profile.
Grades:
PS to 12 (Coed)
Type:
Liberal Arts
Tuition:
$13,500 to $16,800
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
350
Avg. Class:
15 to 18
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Established in 1974, Somerset Academy is an independent, not-for-profit private school that provides education to students in JK Grades 8. Somerset Academy has an average class size of 13 to 18 students.
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At Central Montessori School (CMS), young minds are inspired to be creative, innovative, and inquisitive. We cultivate bright, young leaders and strong communicators ready for the 21st century.
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Established in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College is one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering academic programs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Authentic, CCMA accredited Montessori Schools located in downtown Toronto, offering programs for Toddlers, Casa, Elementary and Adolescent children in beautiful settings with large and expansive natural playgrounds.
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We identify the experiences that facilitate education that empowers the individual and fosters a community of collaborative contributors through interdisciplinary, integrated integrated projects.
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The Element nurtures focused, engaged and internally motivated students who strive to do their best. The Element High School provides conditions that will put youth ‘in their element,’ in school and beyond.
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TMS is a leading, accredited independent school that offers a unique design of Montessori and International Baccalaureate programmes. Our students thrive in academics while building a foundation of Significance for life.
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Northstar Montessori offers an accredited Montessori curriculum from Toddler age to Grade 8. Our goal is to develop strong character and contributing citizens who understand that their involvement makes a difference.
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Clanmore is one of the few schools offering authentic Montessori programming from Toddler - Middle School. Our culture is warm and inviting and our philosophy empowers us to support each child as a unique individual.
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TRMS uniquely provides enriched French as a second language (FSL) instruction for all levels from Preschool to Elementary. We give students a head start in their educational journey by insuring they "Love to Learn"!
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Enquiring Minds Montessori is a one-of-a-kind Montessori Art School. We have created a unique learning experience that fosters academic and artistic excellence in a nurturing environment while challenging young minds.
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OMS Montessori is a non for profit, independent school offering separate French and English programs within a world class Montessori environment.
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Founded in 1990, Yip's Montessori Program cater to children from 1.5 to 6 years old. Yip's campuses are located in Markham and Unionville.
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Century Private School in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with small class ratio to ensure best learning for our students.
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Peel Montessori School and our Carrington College division students are encouraged to be engaged, inquisitive learners who think for themselves, display character strength, and learn to succeed on their own merits.
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Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering is a non denominational, inclusive school that offers programs from Pre-school to Grade eight. We acknowledge and celebrate religious and cultural events as part of our cultural program.
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Kaban Montessori School is a CCMA accredited school in the west of Mississauga area . We ensure that our environments foster each child's interests and abilities while supporting them to achieve their full potential.
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Bishop Hamilton Montessori School, a not-for-profit independent school in Ottawa, provides an authentic Christian Montessori approach for children 3 months to 14 years.
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At G.B.MS, D.E.P.S and Durham Academy Secondary school focus is on each individual student and helping them meet their unique potential and goals. We believe in excellent customer service and families have a voice. Throughout the year we enhance our programs through program enhancement and enrichment.
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Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students.
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Located in Markham, Ontario, Town Centre Private Schools is an International Baccalaureate® World School and offers a Montessori Pre-School program as well as an IB Elementary School and optional IB Diploma Programme.
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For more than 40 years, Kanata Montessori has been graduating students with self-confidence, critical thinking skills, respect, high academic achievement, and an international perspective.
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ABC Montessori is one of Mississauga's premier private schools. We offers both Montessori and traditional school programs from preschool to Grade 5 with an emphasis on developing literacy, numeracy, sciences, and arts.
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École Montessori is Durham Region's premier French private school dedicated to transforming your child into a BILINGUAL critical thinker with our enriched curriculum that fosters the genius within each student.
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Kawartha Montessori School is the only CCMA-accredited school in the region. We offer an education that inspires academic excellence and develops socially responsible, independent, and confident individuals.
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Toronto French Montessori offers French and English programs from pre-school to grade 8 in York Region. Its average class size is 15 students.
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Situated on seven acres of rolling parkland and gardens, Country Garden Montessori Academy in Newmarket is a co-ed private day school for students in grades PS-12. The school provides a family atmosphere and is committed the intellectual growth and emotional well-being of students.
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ABA based curriculum and individualized approach targets not only academic success but also emotional, social, vocational and life skills that are the core skills of life-long success of each student.
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Braemar House School is a not-for-profit elementary school that proves each day that children thrive in a nurturing environment.
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Guidepost is a new Montessori school coming to Toronto, serving children from 10 weeks to 12 years old. We offer year-round programming and rolling admissions into our programs to meet the needs of every family.
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Ashwood Glen offers a Montessori program for children aged 18months - 6 yrs. The Grades 1 - 8 Learning Program applies the IB framework to extend the learning outcomes of the Ontario curriculum.
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Bannockburn School leads in Montessori education by offering an exceptional, enriched Montessori curriculum in a nurturing environment carefully prepared to meet the needs of children in the formative years of childhood.
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Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten.
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Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers.
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Humberside Montessori School is internationally recognized and accredited by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Our AMI certified teachers provide an authentic Montessori experience for our students.
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Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students.
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La Villa Montessori is an AMI recognized School that adheres to Dr. Montessori's principles. We provide a nurturing environment that fulfills the child's emotional, social, physical and intellectual needs.
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Western Heights offers an enriched Montessori program that fosters a love of learning. The school actively engages its close-knit parent community to offer an enriched curriculum that adapts to each student's needs.
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Located in Brantford, Ontario, Montessori House of Children (MHC) provides excellent programs for grades Nursery to 3 and helps young children reach their learning potential with both independent and self-directed learning. MHC also offers support for students with learning differences.
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UC offers year-ahead advanced programs from pre-school to Grade 10. We blend high standards for academic success with the social and emotional development of the individual child.
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The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for their uniqueness and is guided through learning accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program.
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Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from JK to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students.
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Richmond Hill Montessori Private School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 20 students.
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Prince Edward Montessori School offers programs for various grades in Toronto. Its average class size is ten to 16 students.
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The main objective of FMA is to provide your child with a planned and stimulating environment in order for them to be able to reach their own individual and highest learning potential while honouring the whole child.
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Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School in Mississauga offers Casa Montessori programs for children a ged 2.5 to 6. Before- and after-school care and summer camps also available.
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Cornerstone students love to shape the future. They INSPIRE learning, DISCOVER their potential, EMPOWER themselves to be innovative citizens. Our boundless learning strategies open doors for successful learning.
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Guiding Light Academy is a Catholic private elementary school in Streetsville, Mississauga. We offer an enriched curriculum for JK, SK and Grades 1 to 8. We are located just minutes away from the Streetsville Go Station.
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Aurora Montessori offers an enriched Montessori program for students, Toddler to Grade 8, with an option of an OSSD credit in Grade 9 Math. A unique Mindfulness and Technology program develops key 21st-century skills!
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CHMS offers authentic supportive, vibrant, child centered AMI Montessori that is perfect for curious, inquisitive students looking to thrive in a social, hands on, collaborative, challenging environment.
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Meadow Green Academy provides a strong Christian education in a nurturing environment. Strong academics combined with sports, enriched music, visual arts, and dramatic arts programs provide a well-rounded experience
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ATI is a school for ambitious teens who want to develop into independent, curious, self-motivated individuals who thrive in school and in life. Gain the skills, knowledge and agency to build the future that you want.
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Our objective is to guide children with respect and understanding, developing in them a love of learning. Our aim is to create a nurturing environment full of intellectual, social and moral learning and development.
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Our curriculum are designed to build essential skills and concepts that help with the cognitive, social, creative, emotional, and physical development of your child with the aim to be a successful learner for life!
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Authentic Montessori Preschool. Students completing our 3 year program at The Maria Montessori School test extremely well. We balance academics, exploration and skills guided by your child's natural interests.
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We provide students with opportunities to explore real-world concepts and issues, broadening their sense of responsibility, develop their critical thinking skills, and empower them to take action in a global community.
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NOW WITH LICENSED DAYCARE! Bring your child for a free trial to let him or her experience the difference. Don't be surprised if he or she doesn't want to go home at the end of the day! SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS AVAILABLE!
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Some 1,500 years ago, Bodhidharma observed the animals and noted how they exercised and taught their young. He shared his knowledge with an order of monks who were weak from sitting and writing all day without exercise. The monks were the Shaolin, and they revolutionized the arts of exercise and combat while achieving incredible levels of intellectual and emotional development.
The parallels of the two philosophies continue. Each recognizes the importance of a well-rounded education and believes in educating through mentors in a mixed-age grouping. Each believes in the benefits of encouraging the student to explore and develop his or her interests. Each respects diversity and individualism. Each cares about the planet and creating a better world. Each is respected by those that understand its philosophy, and has met prejudice from those that do not.
I was unaware of the parallels when I went to see the Shaolin perform their legendary kung fu as part of Toronto's Chinese New Year celebrations. I was only aware of their entertainment value. As head of Toronto Montessori Schools (TMS), in Toronto, Ontario, I attended as a guest of Xinping Li, a producer who is involved in Montessori in China. She was co-ordinating the troupe's Canadian tour and offered me front-row seats.
After the amazing show, Xinping took me backstage to meet Master Liu, the highest ranking monk after the Shaolin Temple's abbot. In a brief time, I learned the Shaolin are a national treasure of China and that "kung fu" translates to "achievement." Master Liu explained their martial arts training is defensive, not offensive. The Shaolin seek individual enlightenment, and despite their reputation in the West, they are more concerned with building brains than breaking boards.
I also learned that scientists, philosophers and athletes had for decades been coming to China to study with the Shaolin.
Because of that serendipitous meeting, I was able to arrange for a historic enterprise. For the first time in their history, the Shaolin would come to North America to share their philosophy of life. They would share it with our students, their parents, our staff and anyone else we invited. This would not be a series of lectures, but actual sharing of philosophical and historical information with questions, answers and interaction.
The paperwork took some time, but finally four Shaolin monks, a translator and Xinping arrived to stay for two months. They would teach at our school, but they would live at my house.
There was a learning curve as our two cultures tried to understand one another, and of course, a language barrier the translator bridged. But within a very short time, we understood one another. It is amazing how much a smile, a wave of the hands or a roll of the eyes can communicate.
The Shaolin helped us create a series of classes. Before school, we held Mind and Body exercise, breathing and meditation classes for teachers and parents. After school we offered exercise and kung fu for the students. As well, we held half-day, one-day and three-day retreats for parents and members of the business community.
Between training sessions, the monks visited our classrooms to discuss Asian studies and cultural differences. Not once did they break a board and, to my surprise, no student asked them to do so.
During these encounters we realized how well informed the monks were about the arts, the sciences and life in general. "We are much like a university," Master Zhuang, the eldest of the monks, explained through the translator, "where we strengthen our bodies so that we can strengthen our minds."
TMS benefited in many ways from their visit, including incredible amounts of wonderful publicity as a school reaching out to learn. But my family and I were the greatest beneficiaries. Living with the monks taught us to truly understand living in the moment (as opposed to living for the moment), investing the very essence of your existence in what you are doing at any given time.
There are two memories that will live with me forever that exemplify this Shaolin philosophy. The first is Master Zhuang cooking in my kitchen. Without rush, he laid out the ingredients for our meal as a small amount of oil heated in the wok. Each step of preparation was a moment he savoured. He took time to study the shell of an egg before cracking it. He arranged the ingredients as if posing them for a still life. Then, relaxed with one hand resting behind his back, oblivious to all else, he peacefully cooked a meal for the six of us.
The second occurred late one night, when I opened the door to our bedroom and peered over the railing into the foyer after hearing soft laughter. In the dark, framed in moonlight, Master Zhuang was standing in front of our two normally rambunctious dogs. One hand was again behind his back. The dogs were sitting at attention, focused on him. When they heard me, they turned their heads but instead of running toward me as was their habit, they turned their attention back to the smiling, gentle monk. He was teaching them to meditate! The gentle laughter was his as he shared the meaning of the moment with the animals.
To say, "We learned much from the Shaolin," does not approach telling the story. Nor is the impact of their visit covered with, "They touched the lives of everyone they met."
I can only share with you how they touched mine.
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