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.
The step to Grade 9 is widely seen as unique, and it is. That said, the move to middle school is important, too. Perhaps even more so. [Read more]
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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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Guidepost Montessori at Toronto is among a growing network of schools across the world. We serve children from infant to 12 and are located in the GTA, in proximity to many parks and sights for the children to explore.
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Founded in 1990, Yip's Montessori Program cater to children from 1.5 to 6 years old. Yip's four campuses are located in Markham, Unionville and Thornhill.
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Bond Academy is a private, co-educational, non-denominational independent school with students from Montessori Casa to Grade 12.
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Conveniently located in Midtown Toronto, our Junior and Elementary campuses are a popular choice for families seeking exceptional childcare and the very best Montessori education for their children.
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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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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.
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An authentic, CCMA accredited Montessori School located in downtown Toronto, offering programs for Toddlers, Casa and Elementary children.
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Royal Cachet Montessori School is a Montessori school that offers programs from nursery to grade three in Markham. Its average class size is five to 15 students.
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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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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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Pine Lake Montessori School pursues teaching with a one on one method that respects and nurtures children and allows them to achieve their fullest potential.
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Century Montessori Schools in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with class sizes as low as 12 students.
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RMS is an award-winning progressive private school, and voted the BEST private school in Brampton. We offer a structured programme that is ahead of the Ministry set guidelines.
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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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An independent school that offers an individualized self-directed learning approach for tomorrow's leaders. Bursary programs available to qualified applicants. JK to Grade 12, Alberta Curriculum.
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Peel Montessori School offers an enriched, personalized program. Emphasis is on strong academics, and the development of personal excellence (leadership skills, creativity) in a supportive, family-like environment.
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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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Ellington Montessori School offers small class sizes and individualized programs from pre-school to grade eight. Our holistic approach to education helps prepare students for success in today's rapidly changing world.
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Wishing Well Schools has an academically advanced program from 18 months to Grade 8. Montessori program from 18 months to 6 years old, accelerated academic program from Grade 1 to 8 with 21st c. teaching and learning.
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Avalon provides quality programmes from kindergarten to Grade 8 in the heart of the Beach.
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Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 18 students.
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Humberside Montessori Schools a montessori private school in Toronto. It offers programs from nursery to grade eight.
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Kaban Montessori School in west Mississauga/Erin Mills is a CCMA accredited school for children aged 6 months to 12 years. Come for a tour, you'll love it!
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Montessori School of Wellington in Guelph is the only CCMA accredited school in Guelph and the number one choice for children's education and life skill
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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 that offers personalized attention.
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Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 18 students.
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Toronto French Montessori offers programs from pre-school to grade eight in North York. Its average class size is 15 students.
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ABC Montessori is one of Mississauga's premier private schools. The school offers both Montessori and traditional school programs from preschool to Grade 5.
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Bishop Hamilton Montessori School is a Christian Montessori school in Ottawa, Ontario, with classes from Infants to grade eight.
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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!
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AIS Montessori & Elementary School offers authentic Chinese Immersion program in GTA area.Its average class is 15 students.
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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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Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students.
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For over 25 years, the Montessori Country School provides a first-class accredited curriculum for students 12 months through grade 6. The sprawling 10 acre campus offers a unique indoor and outdoor learning experience.
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Tall Pines School in Brampton provides enhanced Montessori and traditional classes from Infant to Grade Eight, is the longest accredited CCMA Montessori school in Canada, and is a leader in 21st Century education.
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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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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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We take inspiration from the Reggio Emilia philosophy where each child is born creative, intuitive, resourceful, & has a strong potential for development from a very young age.Full-time care (7:30am-6pm). Tour anytime.
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Shining Light Montessori is the community you've searched for -- where children feel comfortable, with teachers who care. Our children learn, build their confidence, reach their potential, & let their lights shine!
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Cedar Ridge High School is an independent high school, grades 7 to 12, in Kanata, Ontario. Our school offers an Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a focus on leadership, innovation, student engagement and academics.
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Meadow Green Academy offers programs from pre-school to grade eight in Mississauga. Its average class size is 12 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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Wheatley School offers programs from nursery to grade eight in St. Catharines. Its average class size is 15 students.
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Aurora Montessori School offers an extensive, nurturing, enriched program for 395 day students from Toddler to Grade 8 including an Outdoor Ed Classroom and the option to earn an OSSD credit in Grade 9 Academic Math.
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Liberty Prep offers programs from Toddler - Gr. 6 in downtown Toronto. Our environment combines a beautifully renovated building with well-trained and passionate teachers. Reach out to discover what we do differently.
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Since 2002, J. Addison has provided a stimulating education for students. Located at the corner of Woodbine and Valleywood Drive in Markham, ON, Canada, you will find our state-of-the-art 58,000 sq. ft. facility.
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Montessori Country School has provided a first-class academic experience to students in an environment that is distinguished by its compassion, integrity and unwavering commitment to the individual child.
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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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We provide infant, toddler, preschool and CASA programs for your child. Our CASA program is based on the curriculum developed by Maria Montessori. We are located in Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan and Toronto.
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Unionville Montessori School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 18 to 22 students.
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The School offers authentic Montessori education, individualized learning, accommodations to meet each child’s needs, hands-on learning, enriched curriculum, and outdoor exploration.
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Town Centre Montessori Private Schools, located in Markham, Ontario, is an IB Continuum World school and offers programs from pre-school to grade 12.
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Northstar Montessori offers authentic Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8 in Mississauga. We pride ourselves on strong character development and supporting life long learners! Now, Swim program is now included.
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Established in 1974, Somerset Academy is an independent, not-for-profit private school that provides education to students in Grades 1 to 8. Somerset Academy has an average class size of 10 to 18 students.
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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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St. Peter's ACHS College School in Amherstburg, Ont. is a day/residency school for boys grades 1-8 who love Sports and the Outdoors. Tuition starts at $8,900. and is a member of OFIS. We put "FUN" back into learning.
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Housed in the elegant colonial mansion, Harrop House in the beautiful town of Milton, Ontario. Offering low teacher to child ratios with an emphasis on personal and social development of each child.
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Central Montessori Schools in Toronto offers instruction from nursery to grade six, with enrolment of 900 day students and tuition starting at $5,900.
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Cornerstone Montessori Prep School is a Toronto Christian Montessori school with grades from nursery to 12. Tuition begins at $13,500.
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The Montessori School of Calgary offers a preschool through Grade 6 program led by experienced guides and teachers who support each child with trust, respect, and proven academic success.
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MJDS inspires a lifetime love for learning in a nurturing environment that fosters respect for oneself, the community and the world, guided by the shared values of Judaism and Montessori education.
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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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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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Ellesmere Montessori School prepares children for a lifetime of creative and purposeful learning based on the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori.
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Maria Montessori School is an AMI accredited Montessori school in Toronto that offers programs for children 18 months to twelve years.
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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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Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering is a non denominational 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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The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for his/her uniqueness and is taught accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program.
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The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one - the period from birth to the age of six. Choose Central Montessori Schools.
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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. We also offer March Break and Summer Camps for working parents.
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