There are a lot of questions on the minds of parents who are trying to pick the best private school for their child. However, one question is at the top of the list: Am I choosing the right school for my child?
This answer can be difficult to nail down, but isn’t unattainable. If parents do the needed research to make themselves quick experts on private schools, they can find the right fit.
Consider exactly what you’re looking for in a Montessori school, and why. Your focus should not just be on the school, but on the fit between the school and your child. It’s important, then, to be clear about your child’s personality, learning style, and academic abilities.
Here are some questions to get you started:
You want to have some idea of the kind of environment your child will thrive in academically, socially, physically, and emotionally. With this in mind, you can make the best decision for your child.
There are some standard questions to ask schools when investigating them.
Beyond those, there are also specific questions to ask Montessori schools. These Montessori questions include:
Preschool (toddler and primary) |
Elementary and secondary schools |
|
|
To learn more about the Montessori preschool approach, read our guide to Montessori preschools and comparison of Montessori to other preschools: Montessori vs. Waldorf, Montessori vs. Reggio Emilia, Montessori vs. play-based, and Montessori vs. academic preschools.
To learn about preschools in general, read our guide to preschool, kindergarten, and daycare. If you’re interested in Montessori primary and secondary schools, check out our guides to Montessori elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. You can also check out our comparison of Montessori to other schools (at all levels): Montessori vs. Waldorf and Montessori vs. Reggio Emilia.
Ask questions, and lots of them, to anyone who may be able to shed light on each private school you consider: parents of children at the school, teachers – both past and present – who can talk about the classroom experience, and school administrators who know the institution inside and out. If you’re able to get your questions answered, it will help you make a decision you are happy with.
If you’re in the dark about what a school’s policy is on creativity, its curriculum on math or English literature, or how it incorporates different methods of learning into the classroom, you’ll have a harder time getting the best educational experience for your child.
This holds especially true when it comes to Montessori school—they aren’t all the same and can vary in significant ways. They can also different in the smallest of ways, too, and these slight differences can go a long way to change the quality of education your child may require.
Don’t hesitate to ask to see teaching materials, or to sit in on classes, or for your child to be given a tour by another student in the school. It’s important to get the experience from all parties involved in the school experience.
Below, are some other questions to help you learn about a Montessori school. These are questions you can ask Montessori administrators, teachers, as well as parents.
For advice on how to choose the right private school, read our step-by-step choosing guide. You can also read our guide to questions to ask private schools. Finally, read our guide on questions to ask preschools, elementary schools, and high schools.
ERA’s environmental and social mandate [Read more]
Well-being and belonging at Trinity College School [Read more]
Trinity College School’s financial assistance program [Read more]
The progressive Kindergarten program at Hudson College [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
|
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
|
|
featured
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.
|
|
featured
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"!
|
|
featured
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.
|
|
featured
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.
|
|
featured
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.
|
|
featured
We identify the experiences that facilitate education that empowers the individual and fosters a community of collaborative contributors through interdisciplinary, integrated integrated projects.
|
|
featured
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.
|
|
featured
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.
|
|
featured
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.
|
|
featured
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.
|
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.
|
OMS Montessori is a non for profit, independent school offering separate French and English programs within a world class Montessori environment.
|
Century Private School in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with small class ratio to ensure best learning for our students.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Braemar House School is a not-for-profit elementary school that proves each day that children thrive in a nurturing environment.
|
Trinity Montessori School offers programs from toddler to grade six in Markham, Ontario. Its average class size is nine students.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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!
|
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
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Toronto French Montessori offers French and English programs from pre-school to grade 8 in York Region. Its average class size is 15 students.
|
Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Prince Edward Montessori School offers programs for various grades in Toronto. Its average class size is ten to 16 students.
|
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!
|
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.
|
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.
|
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!
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Richmond Hill Montessori Private School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 20 students.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from JK to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students.
|
Coed Montessori Schools
Find the top coed Montessori schools in Canada (June 26, 2019)
Montessori magic
Montessori schools are unique (May 29, 2019)
Benefits of Montessori education
Research shows that Montessori schools have many advantages (May 29, 2019)
Maria Montessori: a child-centred approach to education
The history of Montessori's student-driven model of learning (May 29, 2019)
