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Go to child profileBe Exceptional! At this flagship school, students successfully grow to their potential in enhanced programs offering either Montessori philosophy (9 months to Gr. 6), or progressive classes (Grades 1-8). A Tall Pines School 21st Century Education provides exceptional academics, leadership skills, critical thinking, independence, creativity, athletics, the Arts, and community service within a caring community. Every student is unique and TPS programs are tailored to fit the learning needs of each child. At Tall Pines School, we select our teachers not solely for their top academic credentials, but for their passion for teaching, their own love for learning, and their strong desire to make a difference in the life of a child. Our Montessori classrooms are superbly equipped with state of the art materials for learning. Bright and cheerful classrooms with materials that are, frankly, magnetic to children, provide the perfect start to developing a passion for learning which persists for life.
Challenging athletics form a large part of the program. Track and Field, field hockey, basketball, flag football, soccer and volleyball are just a few of the team and individual sports offered. As a member of the Small Schools Athletics Federation, the school's students participate in regular tournaments against their peers from other schools.
The Arts are critical to developing the whole child. From visual art to film making, from learning an instrument to appearing in the annual school musical, students are encouraged to express their creativity. Performing in the annual school musical also involves leadership skills, personal responsibility, and teamwork.
Hands-on learning is a key part of the Montessori philosophy. Learning through experience is essential to engaging the active minds of children.
Tall Pines School offers fully CCMA accredited Montessori programs from Age 18 months to Grade 8. Our classrooms are extraordinarily well equipped with state of the art Montessori learning materials and equipment.
Tall Pines isn’t your typical Montessori school, in part because it sees the Montessori approach not as an end in itself, but rather as a starting point. There are lots of things here that Maria Montessori wouldn’t recognize, from school uniforms to 21st century literacies; from a robust athletics program, to a larger, more diverse student body. All of those things are very intentional, and Tall Pines has built its program to be innovative, offering the best of both Montessori and progressive instructional approaches. Administration is aware that they have options, and therefore the students do as well.
Program | offered |
---|---|
Montessori toddler | |
Casa | |
Elementary | |
Middle School | |
High School |
Focus |
---|
Academic |
DIBELS Testing: This school does not use DIBELS testing to assess reading progress.
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Evolution as consensus theory | |
Evolution as one of many equally viable theories | |
Evolution is not taught |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Biology | |
Chemistry | |
Ecology | |
Geology | |
Meteorology | |
Physics | |
Physiology | |
Zoology |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Acting | |
Dance | |
Drama/Theatre | |
Graphic Design | |
Music | |
Visual Arts |
Expressive | |
Disciplined |
Subject | offered |
---|---|
Computer science | |
Robotics | |
Web design |
Toddler | Primary | Lower Elementary | Upper Elementary | Middle | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age groupings How children are grouped by age for each class.' |
– | – | 6 to 9 | 10 to 12 | 13 to 14 |
Uninterrupted work periods The longest uninterrupted work period for each class.' |
– | – | 2 hours | 2 hours | 1.5 hours |
Tests and assignments How often students are given tests or assignments in each class.' |
– | – | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) | Occasionally (Moderate Orthodox) |
Graded work How often students have their work graded in each class.' |
– | – | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Semi-regularly (Moderately Non-Orthodox) | Regularly (Non-Orthodox) |
Arts and crafts The percentage of a typical student's day that is spent on arts and crafts in each class.' |
– | – | 10% | 10% | 10% |
Whole-class lectures should be given semi-regularly (e.g., at the beginning of a lesson or a week). While students often learn best through group and independent work, it's sometimes important for teachers to set the stage for and contextualize learning.
External special education support is very important. Outside specialists are regularly brought in to support students with many different types of special needs, including developmental and learning disabilities, language and speech issues, behavioural issues, and advanced learning abilities.
We have a fairly wide range of specialist teachers and classes (for instance, in languages, music, and art). Core teachers are well-equipped to teach most subjects.
Modern-day technology is used in moderation since it can be a distraction. For instance, computers and other digital media might be used for research, writing, and multimedia projects.
Overall approach : Which option best describes your overall curricular approach?
Schools that adhere to the original Montessori program and principles. On occasion, though, they supplement it with modern curricular approaches or materials.
Flexible pacing style | offered |
---|---|
Subject-streaming (tracking) | |
Multi-age classrooms as standard | |
Ability-grouping (in-class) as common | |
Frequent use of cyber-learning (at-their-own-pace) | |
Regular guided independent study opportunities | |
Differentiated assessment |
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Learning strategy and study counselling; habit formation | |
Extra support and minor accommodations for children experiencing subclinical difficulties |
Subject Type | offered |
---|---|
Accommodations | |
Modifications | |
Extra support |
Read our guide to special needs schools and special education
Program | offered |
---|---|
Full-time gifted program (parallel to rest of school) | |
Part-time gifted program (pull-out; parallel to rest of class) |
Curriculum delivery: Enrichment (The main focus is on enrichment. This means that while students may work at a marginally quicker pace than public school peers, the primary aim is to study subject in broader and deeper ways.)
Program | offered |
---|---|
Custom subject enrichment (special arrangement) | |
Custom curriculum compacting (special arrangement) | |
Guided independent study (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Cyber-learning opportunities (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Formalized peer coaching opportunities (specifically for gifted learners to coach others) | |
Custom subject acceleration (special arrangement) | |
Career exploration (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Project-based learning (custom gifted arrangement) | |
Mentorships (custom gifted arrangement) |
In grade Gr. 8, Tall Pines School students perform an average of 2 hours of homework per night.
PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tall Pines School | 0 mins | 0 mins | 0 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 30 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins | 60 mins | 90 mins | 120 mins |
Site Average | 2 mins | 6 mins | 7 mins | 15 mins | 17 mins | 24 mins | 30 mins | 35 mins | 41 mins | 53 mins | 57 mins |
Lettered or numbered grades | Gr. 1 to Gr. 8 |
Prose (narrative)-based feedback | Preschool to Gr. 8 |
Academic achievement reporting | JK to Gr. 8 |
Habits and behaviour reporting | Preschool to Gr. 8 |
Parent-teacher meetings | Preschool to Gr. 8 |
Competitive sports: 16
Recreational sports: 13
Tall Pines School offers 15 clubs and extracurricular programs.
NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Day | $19,748 | $14,530 | $15,040 | $16,060 | $17,910 | |||||||
Day (Half day) | $11,924 | $8,720 |
Discounts
Discount Type | Enrolment Type | Amount |
---|---|---|
2nd child (sibling) | all students | 10% |
3rd child (sibling) | all students | 15% |
This information is not currently available.
Grades | Gender | Living Arrangement | Enrolment | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Nursery/Toddler to Gr. 8 | Coed | Day | 400 |
Total enrolment | 400 |
Average class size | 15 to 18 |
% of international students (total enrolment) | N/A |
Number of different nationalities within student population | N/A |
PS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Enrollment | 73 | 45 | 45 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 30 | 30 |
Assessment | Required | Grades |
---|---|---|
Interview | NS - 4 | |
SSAT | ||
SSAT (out of province) | ||
Entrance Exam(s) | 5 - 8 | |
Entrance Essay |
Day students: Rolling
Offer mid-year entry:
N/A
Application fee: N/A
Registration fee: N/A
Deposit:
N/A
Your first step is to tour the school. Students will be interviewed or tested according to age and grade level. We require proof of date of birth, health insurance, immunizations and a copy of the last full report card where a student was previously enrolled in a school.
This is the percentage of applicants typically accepted into the school. So if 50 students are admitted out of 100 applicants, the school has an overall acceptance rate of 50%.
Student Entry Points
This shows approximately how many openings there are likely to be in each grade in a typical year, as well as the estimated acceptance rate for each grade level.
Student Type | NS | PS | JK | SK | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day Acceptance (Acceptance rate) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Alumnus | Grad Year | Accomplishment |
---|---|---|
Ryan Ellis | 2005 | Ryan Ellis is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. |
Amer Dhaliwal | 2011 | Finalist in the 2012 Canadian reality television show The Next Star for singers under age 15. Member of the band Rebel Coast. |
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to visit Tall Pines School, a place where programs are tailored to fit the learning style of every child. Every student is unique and each one is nurtured intellectually, academically and emotionally, encouraged to do their very best and provided with the skills they need to be successful at school and in life.
Our classes in Montessori education with its hands-on learning materials serve ages one to twelve, and our progressive private school accommodates ages six to fourteen. It is a diverse community of learners, with an atmosphere of respect, high behavioural standards, outstanding academics, athletics, arts, leadership, and 21st Century learning all set within a committed and caring community and a beautiful facility.
Every year, new families bring their children to us as a result of a recommendation from friends or family members, and it has been amazing that, since 1987, so many families have continued to support the vision of our founder. You are very welcome to call, come to an open house, to discover what a Tall Pines School education can do for your child’s future.
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