Montessori schools versus traditional and progressive schools
Comparing Montessori schools to regular and progressive schools
Find a list of schoolsMontessori schools have a unique approach. They also have a number of unusual classroom practices.
Montessori schools have a unique approach. They also have a number of unusual classroom practices.
This makes them part of the broad progressive movement in education. This movement contains different and sometimes conflicting ideas. But generally, it involves a focus on experiential learning, integrated curricula, personalized and collaborative learning, critical thinking, and problem solving, among other things.
Montessori schools, like Waldorf and Reggio Emilia schools, thus have classroom practices that tend to be rather different than regular or conventional schools. That said, a few of their classroom practices are suprisingly quite traditional (even more so than conventional schools).
Many Montessori classroom practices stray from the norm. As we’ve mentioned, many of these practices aren’t used in regular or conventional schools. Below, we list the Montessori classroom practices that are progressive, and that contrast with those of regular schools.
Progressive classroom practices |
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That said, Montessori education isn’t completely progressive. While it’s progressive in most ways, in some ways it’s not. As we can see below, a few of its standard classroom practices contrast with those of other progressive schools.
Montessori |
Progressive |
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*In more traditional Montessori schools
In short, Montessori education is progressive in many ways, and in some ways it isn’t. While it’s progressive, then, it has its own special place within the progressivist movement.
We can get a better sense of this by looking at its classroom practices more closely. As it turns out, for any standard Montessori classroom practice, it can be ranked on a scale from traditional to progressive. Below, we show roughly where each such practice fits on this scale.
Classroom practice |
1-Traditional |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6-Progressive |
Mixed-age groupings |
x |
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Self-directed learning |
x |
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Few whole-class lectures |
x |
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Minimal tests or assignments |
x |
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Minimal grades |
x |
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Minimal homework |
x |
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Integrated curriculum |
x |
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Experiential learning |
x |
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Uninterrupted work time |
x |
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Minimal unstructured learning |
x |
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Minimal creative arts projects |
x |
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Minimal modern-day technology |
x |
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High teacher-to-student ratio |
x |
Keep in mind, no school should be judged strictly based on how traditional or progressive its classroom practices are. What really matters is the fit between a school’s practices (not to mention its philosophy, culture, community feel, and the like) and your child.
To learn more about finding the right Montessori school, read our Montessori choosing guide and guide to Montessori questions. For more general advice on finding the right private school, check out the Our Kids choosing a school guide. If your child is younger, check out our preschool choosing guide.
Trinity College School’s financial assistance program [Read more]
The progressive Kindergarten program at Hudson College [Read more]
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. 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.
Grades:
PS to 12 (Coed)
Type:
Liberal Arts
Tuition:
$7,000 to $16,000
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
350
Avg. Class:
10 to 15
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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. 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.
Grades:
NS to 8 (Coed)
Type:
Montessori
Tuition:
$15,100 to $24,200
Living:
Day
Enrollment:
400
Avg. Class:
10 to 30
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CMS provides a quality Montessori education for Casa and Elementary students. Set on beautiful campuses children are inspired to learn their role in protecting the global environment and fostering peace and harmony.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 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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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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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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Prince Edward Montessori School offers programs for various grades in Toronto. Its average class size is ten to 16 students.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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UMS offers year-ahead advanced programs from pre-school to grade nine. We blend high standards for academic success with the social and emotional development of the individual child.
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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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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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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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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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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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With faculty that truly cares for your child’s wellbeing, we provide a rare tight-knit community that feels like home. With a warm and welcoming culture, students are inspired to confidently make their mark in the world.
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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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Esprit Academy is a community and environment that cultivates independence and lifelong learning through individualized experiences that integrates and connects knowledge and skills.
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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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Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students.
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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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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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Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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Richmond Hill Montessori Private School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 20 students.
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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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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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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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Well-being and belonging at Trinity College School
Focusing on more than just academics (November 28, 2022)
Focusing on affordability in private education
Trinity College School’s financial assistance program (November 8, 2022)
Questions to ask high schools
Some key questions to ask when you’re choosing a high school (August 24, 2022)
Questions to ask elementary schools
Some key questions to ask when you’re choosing an elementary or primary school for your child (August 24, 2022)
The Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators
Promoting standards of excellence in Montessori education (August 22, 2022)
