Monks and Montessori

How the two became one

Find a list of schools

One hundred years ago, Maria Montessori learned by observing children and translated what she saw into applications that have revolutionized education.  Read more


List of Montessori schools

 
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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.

  • Over 25 years of Montessori Innovation Providing Real-World Education Raising 21st Century Adults
  • Three Toronto Campuses (18 months - Gr. 6) in Toronto's Midtown and West End
  • Integrated Four-Pillar Curriculum, Character & Entrepreneurship Education, Inquiry Based Learning
  • French, Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Drama, Yoga, Sports, Mindfulness, STEAM, Outdoor Education
  • Year-Round Urban Farming Program in Partnership with The Edible Lab
Grades:
NS to 6 (Coed)
Type:
Montessori
Tuition:
$15,100 to $24,200
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
400
Avg. Class:
10 to 30
The Clover School 15100 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
 
 

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.

  • Character Education
  • Free Before/After School Program
  • Weekly Swimming Lessons
  • Early start French Classes
  • Art & Music & Drama
Grades:
PS to 12 (Coed)
Type:
Liberal Arts
Tuition:
$13,500 to $16,800
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
350
Avg. Class:
15 to 18
Bond Academy 13500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Markham, Ontario
    Brimley Road/14th Ave South
  • JK to 8 Coed
  • $12,550 to $14,300

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.

  • Day
  • Traditional
Somerset Academy 12550 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $9,400 to $21,200

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Central Montessori Schools 9400 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Day Day Coed
  • Hamilton, Ontario
    Garth Street/Fennell Avenue West
  • NS to 12 Coed
  • $19,349 to $32,052

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.

  • Homestay/Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Hillfield Strathallan College 19349 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Homestay Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    Spadina Ave/College Street
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $20,700 to $23,300

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Westside Montessori School 20700 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Victoria, British Columbia
  • PS to 12 Coed
  • $9,000 to $16,000

We identify the experiences that facilitate education that empowers the individual and fosters a community of collaborative contributors through interdisciplinary, integrated integrated projects.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Westmont Montessori School 9000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Ottawa, Ontario
    Bank Street/Marché Way
  • 7 to 12 Coed
  • $18,810 to $21,905

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.

  • Day
  • Progressive
  • Montessori
The Element High School 18810 MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed

TMS  

  • Richmond Hill, Ontario
    Bayview/Hwy 407
  • PS to 12 Coed
  • $19,100 to $32,700

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
  • International Baccalaureate
TMS 19100 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
    Tomken Rd./Eglinton Ave. E
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $10,500 to $16,350

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Northstar Montessori Private School 10500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Oakville, Ontario
    Winston Churchill/Lakeshore Road East
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $10,000 to $20,000

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Clanmore Montessori School 10000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Oakville, Ontario
    Trafalgar Road/Dundas
  • PS to 3 Coed
  • $14,995 to $16,595

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"!

  • Day
  • Montessori
Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School 14995 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Scarborough, Ontario
    Kennedy Road/Progress Avenue
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $16,775 to $17,200

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Enquiring Minds Montessori 16775 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Ottawa, Ontario
    Alta Vista Drive/Industrial Road
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $16,045 to $27,202

OMS Montessori is a non for profit, independent school offering separate French and English programs within a world class Montessori environment.

  • Day
  • Montessori
OMS Montessori 16045 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Unionville, Ontario
    Brimley Road/14th Ave
  • NS to SK Coed
  • $7,750 to $12,900

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.

  • Day
Yip’s Music & Montessori School 7750 Preschool Kindergarten Day Coed
  • Richmond Hill, Ontario
    Yonge Street/Silverwood Ave.
  • PS to 12 Coed
  • $17,700 to $27,500

Century Private School in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with small class ratio to ensure best learning for our students.

  • Day
  • Montessori
  • International Baccalaureate
Century Private School 17700 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
    Lakeshore Road/Southdown
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $8,500 to $18,500

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.

  • Day
  • Progressive
  • Montessori
Peel Montessori School 8500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Pickering, Ontario
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $9,000 to $13,000

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering 9000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
    Glen Erin/Dundas
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $15,750 to $16,250

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Kaban Montessori School 15750 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Ottawa, Ontario
    Baseline Rd./Woodroffe Ave.
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $6,183 to $17,840

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School 6183 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Oshawa, Ontario
    Wilson Road/Adelaide Ave
  • NS to 12 Coed
  • $1,000 to $11,500

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.

  • Homestay/Day
  • Progressive
  • Montessori
Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. 1000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Homestay Day Day Coed
  • Markham, Ontario
    Woodbine/16th Avenue
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $12,000 to $14,000

Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Trinity Montessori School 12000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Markham, Ontario
    Kennedy Road/Steeles Avenue
  • NS to 12 Coed
  • $7,700 to $17,750

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.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • International Baccalaureate
Town Centre Private Schools 7700 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Kanata, Ontario
    Eagleson Road/Stonehaven Drive
  • NS to 12 Coed
  • $16,750 to $22,500

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
  • Montessori
Kanata Montessori 16750 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
    Hurontario St/Matheson Blvd E
  • NS to 5 Coed
  • $9,950 to $11,500

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.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
ABC Montessori 9950 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Day Coed
  • Pickering, Ontario
    Kingston/Altona
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $8,400 to $17,000

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
École Montessori 8400 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Peterborough, Ontario
    Highway 7/Burnham Line
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $13,920 to $17,785

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Kawartha Montessori School 13920 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Whitchurch-stouffville, Ontario
    Ninth Line/Main Street
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $7,620 to $16,350

Toronto French Montessori offers French and English programs from pre-school to grade 8 in York Region. Its average class size is 15 students.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Toronto French Montessori 7620 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Day Coed
  • Newmarket, Ontario
    Bayview Ave/Newpark Blvd
  • JK to 12 Coed
  • $8,100 to $25,900

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.

  • Day/Homestay
  • Montessori
Country Garden Montessori Academy 8100 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Homestay Coed
  • Richmond Hill, Ontario
    Leslie/16th Ave
  • K to 8 Coed
  • $15,000 to $25,000

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.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
AIM Without Limits 15000 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Brantford, Ontario
    Fairview Drive/North Park Street
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $14,810

Braemar House School is a not-for-profit elementary school that proves each day that children thrive in a nurturing environment.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Braemar House School 14810 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • NS to 12 Coed
  • $1,150 to $1,550

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Guidepost Montessori 1150 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Burlington, Ontario
    Walkers Line/Fairveiw Street
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $14,000 to $20,000

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.

  • Day
  • Progressive
  • International Baccalaureate
Ashwood Glen 14000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $17,975 to $27,300

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Bannockburn 17975 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Markham, Ontario
    14th Ave/Kennedy
  • NS to 12 Coed
  • $11,500 to $37,500

Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten.

  • Day/Boarding
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Trillium School 11500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Day Boarding Coed
  • Oakville, Ontario
    Lakeshore Road East/Bel Air Drive
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $9,900 to $23,900

Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Dearcroft Montessori School 9900 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $12,500 to $19,900

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Humberside Montessori School 12500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Oakville, Ontario
  • K to 8 Coed
  • $17,650 to $27,560

Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students.

  • Day
  • Progressive
  • Montessori
Rotherglen School - Oakville 17650 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Oakville, Ontario
    QEW/Ford Drive / Ninth Line
  • NS to 6 Coed
  • $8,100 to $15,608

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
La Villa Montessori School 8100 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
    Erin Mills Pkwy/Millcreek Drive
  • NS to SK Coed
  • $13,000 to $18,000

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.

  • Day
Western Heights Montessori Academy 13000 Preschool Kindergarten Day Coed
  • Brantford, Ontario
    Charlotte St/Chatham St
  • NS to SK Coed
  • $12,000 to $13,000

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Montessori House of Children 12000 Preschool Kindergarten Day Coed
  • Unionville, Ontario
    Kennedy Road/16th Avenue
  • PS to 9 Coed
  • $9,500 to $17,400

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.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Unionville College 9500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Whitby, Ontario
    Brock Street South/Dundas Streer West
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $11,250

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Hatch House Montessori School 11250 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
  • JK to 8 Coed
  • $14,900 to $20,315

Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from JK to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students.

  • Day
  • Progressive
  • Montessori
Rotherglen School - Mississauga 14900 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Richmond Hill, Ontario
    Major Mackenzie/Bayview Avenue
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $25,000 to $26,800

Richmond Hill Montessori Private School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 20 students.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Richmond Hill Montessori Private School 25000 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    Prince Edward Dr N/Bloor Street West
  • NS to SK Coed
  • $7,325 to $14,934

Prince Edward Montessori School offers programs for various grades in Toronto. Its average class size is ten to 16 students.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Prince Edward Montessori School 7325 Preschool Kindergarten Day Coed
  • Fredericton, New Brunswick
  • PS to 9 Coed
  • $9,500 to $14,500 /program

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Fredericton Montessori Academy 9500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
    Hurontario/Queensway
  • NS to SK Coed
  • $7,800 to $12,000

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Shepherd Montessori Private Catholic School 7800 Preschool Kindergarten Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    University Ave./Dundas street
  • PS to 12 Coed
  • $15,800 to $26,000

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.

  • Day
  • Liberal Arts
  • Montessori
Cornerstone Montessori Prep School 15800 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
  • JK to 8 Coed
  • $11,000

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.

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Guiding Light Academy 11000 Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Aurora, Ontario
    St. John Sideroad/Yonge St.
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $19,400 to $22,150

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!

  • Day
  • Montessori
Aurora Montessori School 19400 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Port Perry, Ontario
    Reach St/Old Simcoe Rd
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $9,500 to $11,500

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
The Children's House Montessori School 9500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Mississauga, Ontario
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $9,300 to $16,490

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

  • Day
  • Traditional
  • Montessori
Meadow Green Academy 9300 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    Queen St E/Woodbine Ave
  • 7 to 9 Coed
  • $18,000

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Academy of Thought and Industry Toronto 18000 MiddleSchools HighSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    Queen Street East/Glen Manor Drive
  • PS to 8 Coed
  • $7,200 to $22,275

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
Avalon Children's Montessori School 7200 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Markham, Ontario
    Denison/Warden
  • NS to 3 Coed
  • $10,500 to $16,500

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!

  • Day
  • Montessori
Sunrise Montessori School 10500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed
  • Surrey, British Columbia
    86th Avenue/156th Street
  • PS to K Coed
  • $2,500 to $4,000

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
The Maria Montessori School 2500 Preschool Kindergarten Day Coed
  • St. Catharines, Ontario
    Edinburgh Dr/Scott Street
  • NS to 8 Coed
  • $7,075 to $14,775

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.

  • Day
  • Montessori
  • International Baccalaureate
Wheatley School 7075 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary MiddleSchools Day Coed
  • Toronto, Ontario
    Bathurst St./Eglinton Ave. West
  • PS to 6 Coed
  • $15,500 to $17,500

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!

  • Day
  • Montessori
  • Waldorf
Alive Montessori & Private School 15500 Preschool Kindergarten Elementary Day Coed

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.

—Judith Cunningham
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