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Montessori schools in Calgary

Find the top Montessori schools and programs in Calgary.

Here’s the OUR KIDS guide to Montessori schools in Calgary—your resource for exploring child-focused education in Alberta’s largest city. Montessori programs in Calgary emphasize independence, curiosity, and experiential learning, helping students build confidence and critical thinking skills as they progress at their own pace.

On this page, we cover private schools in Calgary, Alberta that offer Montessori programs. This includes accredited schools in the Downtown West End, Crescent Heights, Mount Royal, Bridgeland, Riverside, Renfrew, Beltline, Eau Claire, and Mayland.

For more than 30 years, OUR KIDS has worked with schools and families to provide trusted insights into private and independent education. On OurKids.net, you’ll find verified profiles, parent reviews, comparison tools, and expert resources to guide your search. For a more complete guide to Montessori education, including details on classroom and teaching practices, read our guide to Montessori schools.

2. Choosing a Montessori school in Calgary

For general advice on how to choose and evaluate private schools, check out our choosing a school guide and expert advice guide. For advice on choosing Montessori schools (including preschools), see our main Montessori school guide. You can also read our guides to questions to ask private schools and questions students get asked at school interviews.

Private school expos

Private school expos are a great starting point for finding a school. The Calgary private school expo allows you to speak with many private schools, including some Montessori schools—all in one place. Find a Montessori school near you.

Open house events

Attending open houses is a great way to learn more about private schools. For general advice on open house visits, check out our guide on school visits.

3. What is the tuition at Montessori schools in Calgary?

The cost of Montessori schools in Calgary tends to be lower than the cost of other private schools in the city. Montessori schools are generally on the lower side of private school tuition in general.

Private school tuition can range from $5,000 to over $30,000 per year for day students. There are no public Montessori schools in Calgary, though some public schools incorporate certain Montessori principles and materials.

Many Montessori schools offer needs-based financial aid, such as bursaries or tuition relief. Some schools, though fewer in number, offer merit-based scholarships—for example, in academics or athletics. You can learn more about need- and merit-based financial aid in our dedicated guide. You can also read about preschool costs.

Below, you’ll find the range of costs for Montessori private schools and preschools in Calgary:

Academics

Special needs support

Montessori schools in Calgary, like those in other cities, often have large mixed-age classes with high teacher-to-student ratios. They encourage interaction, student-to-student teaching, and a mix of group and independent work.

Below, the Montessori philosophy and teaching approach are discussed in more detail. For more comprehensive coverage, see our main Montessori school guide.

The Montessori philosophy of education is unique. Some of its main principles include:

Student-centred: Students are free to move around the class, choose their own work, and determine the pace of their studies. They often select tasks that are engaging and stimulating, fostering a love of learning.

Uninterrupted work time: Montessori schools provide children with extensive uninterrupted work periods, especially at the elementary level. Many schools offer at least one three-hour work session, allowing students to focus fully on their chosen tasks. These periods help improve concentration, self-discipline, and work habits.

Concrete learning: Learning is primarily hands-on and concrete. At the primary and elementary levels, children work with various materials, including manipulatives such as self-correcting puzzles, blocks, rods, and spindle boxes. Concrete learning engages multiple senses and has been shown to accelerate learning, especially for younger children (research).

No external rewards: In primary and elementary school, children are rarely given tests or assignments and their work is not formally graded. Praise is usually for effort rather than outcome. Progress is assessed informally through observation and developmental rubrics rather than report cards or grades.

Montessori teachers rarely provide traditional lectures. When instruction is given, it is short, interactive, and engaging. Teachers more often guide students individually or in small groups, helping them practice activities and plan projects tailored to their learning needs. Teachers serve primarily as guides or mentors, connecting students with their work rather than simply imparting knowledge.

Calgary Montessori schools feature mixed-age classrooms spanning toddler (0-3), primary (3-6), lower elementary (6-9), upper elementary (9-12), and beyond. This structure shapes the teaching approach and learning environment. Classes include substantial group work, with students collaborating on projects and older children mentoring younger peers. This approach reinforces learning and builds both skills and social development.

There are several notable Montessori schools in Calgary, Alberta, most of which are private. These schools typically have dedicated and passionate teachers who provide strong support and guidance. While whole-class lectures are rare, small group lessons and extensive student-to-student teaching make for an effective and stimulating learning experience.

Calgary, the largest city in Alberta, has a strong education system overseen by the Calgary Board of Education. It hosts many publicly funded post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, which has over 28,000 students. Other post-secondary institutions include the Alberta College of Art and Design, Ambrose University College, Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University, SAIT Polytechnic, and St. Mary’s University. Athabasca University, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, and the University of Lethbridge also maintain campuses in Calgary.