Victoria, BC | Grades PS - 12 | Shortlist
My children love this school. They adore their teachers and have a sense of pride and ownership of their educational experience. My eldest loves that he gets to choose which work he completes in a day, mostly leaning towards math. He also finds it natural to work with another person to solve problems and likes to choose someone with similar interests to work with. My daughter loves to challenge herself and try new things. She likes that she can ask for more complex work when she wants and her teachers are happy to help her change herself. Both kids understand the importance of kindness and community and when the children get together in the community, their behaviour with other kids really shows that kindness is taught at such a young age that it comes naturally to them, with all children. I love that they are smarter than me in lots of areas already and are continually teaching me things.
At Westmont, my daughters have felt safe, nurtured, and valued as individuals. They appreciate the freedom to explore what they are most interested in and to express themselves and their interests in so many unique ways. They value the incredible commitment of the teachers and love every one of them. They are excited to go to school and often want to stay longer. They love how they are encouraged when they develop an interest in a topic and are given the resources and attention to pursue it as far as they want. At the same time, they find the programs challenge them to think hard, communicate better, and interact with their peers in teamwork that I consider to be a good model for their future careers.
My daughter is always thrilled to attend Westmont - she literally runs to school every single day! She loves the inclusive, caring and holistic environment: an environment that fosters peer learning and peer support like no other. She strives in an environment where she gets to make so many decisions independently leading to her playing a major role in how her education plays out. The Montessori philosophy fosters independence and free will allowing my daughter to reach her fullest potential. I knew the moment I got pregnant we would attend Westmont Montessori school. The lessons in community (big and small), generosity, inclusiveness, mindfulness, care for each other, the self, the planet, and so much more are incredibly meaningful to our family. Thank you so much to the entire Westmont Community for helping us raise a child who will flourish in this world.