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Montessori schools in Markham

Find the top Montessori schools and programs in Markham.

On this page, we cover private schools in the Markham area that offer Montessori programs and support. This includes gifted schools and programs in downtown Markham, Markham Village, Stouffville, Thornhill, Unionville, Cedarwood, Greensborough, and Langstaff.

For a more complete guide to Montessori education, including a discussion of the Montessori philosophy, start with our introductory guide.

2. Choosing a school

For general advice on how to choose and evaluate private schools, check out our choosing a school guide and get advice from leading education experts. For advice on choosing Montessori schools, 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, at any level. We have annual private school expos in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, and Halton-peel. These expos allow you to speak with lots of private schools in Canada, some of which are Montessori schools, all in one place. Find a Montessori school near you.

Parent discussion forum

Another great resource in your school search is the Our Kids parent discussion forum. The forum is an ideal place to discuss options and debate topics related to Montessori schools and preschools. Our community of parents, educational experts, school officials, and alumni can help answer your questions and stimulate your thinking.

Open house events

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

3. Tuition at Markham Montessori schools

The cost of Montessori schools and preschools in Markham tends to be lower than the cost of other private schools in Markham. In fact, Montessori schools are usually on the lower side of private school tuition in general.

Many schools offer needs-based financial aid, such as bursaries or tuition relief. Other schools, though not as many, offer scholarships, which are given based on merit—for instance, in academics or athletics. You can learn more about need- and merit-based financial aid in our dedicated guide. You can also read out guide to preschool costs and funding.

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

Academics

Special needs support

Montessori schools, in Markham and nearby Vaughan and Scarborough, often have large mixed-age classes with high teacher-to-student ratios. They also tend to have lots of interaction, student-to-student teaching, and group and independent work.

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

Montessori philosophy

The Montessori philosophy of education is unique. Some of the main principles of this philosophy are the following:

Student-centred: Students are free to move around the class, choose their own work, and determine the pace of their studies. This can make for a dynamic learning environment. Kids often choose work that’s engaging and stimulating, in this setting, which can give rise to a love of learning.

Uninterrupted work time: Montessori schools give kids lots of uninterrupted work time, especially at the elementary level. In many schools, they’re given at least one 3-hour, uninterrupted work period to focus on their chosen work, free of interruptions. Uninterrupted work periods are believed to improve children’s concentration, self-discipline, and work habits.

Concrete learning: Like Waldorf and Reggio Emilia, learning tends to be concrete and hands-on. At the primary and elementary level (and sometimes at the secondary level), kids work with lots of different concrete materials, including “manipulatives”—or self-correcting puzzles.

Montessori kids also work with blocks, rods, spindle boxes, and many other materials. Concrete learning engages many of the senses. And, research has shown that it can speed up learning, especially for younger kids.

No external rewards: In primary and elementary school, kids aren’t given tests or assignments, or graded on any of their work. Kids also aren’t praised very much, and when they are praised, it’s for effort—not outcome. Progress is assessed informally, through observation and developmental rubrics, rather than formally, through grades or report cards.

Montessori teaching approach

Montessori teachers rarely provide direct instruction. They almost never stand at the front of the class and lecture to all the students. And when they do lecture, the lectures are usually short, interactive, and engaging.

More often, though, teachers move around the class, and give lessons to or guide students. They usually work with students one-on-one or in small groups. They often encourage students to repeat and practice activities, and they plan projects to meet each student’s learning needs.

Montessori teachers' primary role is to connect students with their work, rather than to impart knowledge to them. They are thus viewed more as “guides” or “mentors” than “teachers” in the traditional sense.

Montessori schools, in Markham and other cities, have mixed-age classes, with kids aged 0-3 (toddler), 3-6 (primary), 6-9 (lower-elementary), 9-12 (upper elementary), and so on. The mixed-age classroom informs the teaching approach and learning environment.

Most Montessori classes have lots of group work. Kids work together in small groups on projects and tasks, with some guidance from the teacher. Kids help each other, and older kids often mentor their younger classmates, by helping with them with their work and modelling appropriate behaviour.

This can reinforce knowledge and skills learned in the classroom, for both older and younger kids. It can also be stimulating for children with advanced learning abilities.

Markham Montessori schools

Markham has several Montessori schools. While these schools vary in their approach somewhat, they all share a commitment to the principles of the Montessori philosophy, introduced by Maria Montessori in the early 20th century. They promote plenty of independent learning, group work, student-to-student teaching, and concrete learning.

Teachers primarily play the role of guides and mentors instead of traditional instructors. For instance, they rarely provide lectures to the whole class or try to impart knowledge to students through direct instruction.

This can have a number of benefits for students. For instance, it can nurture their independence, confidence, and self-assurance. And since students are often allowed to pursue their own interests and passions, they often come away with a love of learning which extends well beyond the school years.