Montcrest School offers bus transferring.
Service options offered are door-to-door pickup.
The regions Montcrest School offers busing from are:
Toronto
Additional notes: As an urban school, our students arrive with parents in cars, on the TTC or by walking/biking to school. We are located 450 metres from the Broadview Subway Station. We are pleased to offer busing for students from the Beaches and Leslieville neighbourhoods. Please note that there are extra fees paid directly to the bus service company and seating is limited.
Meet Montcrest School's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04). RSVP NOW
The big picture on Montcrest School
We summarized the school ourselves
For most families who consider private schooling, it’s the values piece that really tips the balance, and Montcrest is a great example of that. Yes, it’s got a strong, demonstrated history of academic excellence and innovation, including close attention to individual learning styles. In addition, though, it has demonstrated a keen and ongoing attention to the development of values, character, and community. The Peacemakers program is one example, and indeed a particularly good one. Students within it are trained in peer mediation and conflict resolution, which they then very visibly promote throughout the school environment. That kind of attention contributes to the development of leadership skills based in collaboration. The community garden, quite delightfully, is where all of those values are poignantly expressed. The location of the school on the edge of one of the city’s storied ravines is also a plus, something that the school rightly makes much use of.
We questioned the school adminstration
1. Who are you, as a school?
"Montcrest School is a welcoming community that specializes in cultivating incredible young people. We believe in small class sizes and unparalleled student-teacher relationships. We believe individuality is something to protect, not suppress. And we believe in meeting our students with the ideal supports—and just-right challenges—for each age and stage, so they emerge as secure, self-directed young people who excel in academics and in life. Simply put, Montcrest helps children become who they’re meant to be."
Founded in 1961
Student voice and authentic involvement in school initiatives
21st century skills - inquiry, technology & critical thinking
Athletics - CISAA teams, intramurals, open sport & varied clubs
Visual & performing arts programs (music, drama & dance)
Leadership Development
French - JK to Grade 8
Inquiry-based learning, critical thining
Smaller class sizes allow for greater attention
2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?
"Montcrest is a family school with a vibrant community; a school where parents feel that their children are known, cared for and connected with. Montcrest serves a range of...(more)
"Montcrest is a family school with a vibrant community; a school where parents feel that their children are known, cared for and connected with. Montcrest serves a range of children and learning profiles and seeks to meet students where they are, providing them with the challenges and support needed to succeed. For a few years, we have called ourselves a ‘yes, and’ school”. Yes, we are a school that values a full and enriching educational experience — a school where every child gets the opportunity to do art and drama and explore athletics, debating, and robotics — and, if a child needs specific support around developing skills, if they need explicit instruction to help spell or decode or memorize math facts, then we can provide that as well. We meet every child where they are at and support them to be their best selves."
3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?
"In our commitment to fostering a truly inclusive environment, Montcrest faced a significant decision, one that required a careful balancing of values. We have always cherished our...(more)
"In our commitment to fostering a truly inclusive environment, Montcrest faced a significant decision, one that required a careful balancing of values. We have always cherished our established House system, a tradition deeply woven into the fabric of our community since 2007. However, as broader conversations about naming conventions arose, driven significantly by insightful questions from our students themselves, we recognized a compelling need for a change to our House names. In the fall of 2024, we unveiled new House names inspired by the symbolism of trees. These new names not only reflect our community's Standing for Character Values but also serve as a beautiful reminder of who we are. Like trees, individuals thrive when rooted in strong principles and values, which shape and guide our growth. In essence, we listened deeply to student voice and traded the comfort of longstanding tradition for the pursuit of greater inclusivity."
4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?
Information not yet available.
5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?
"An ideal student for Montcrest wants to be deeply involved in their own learning and in the life of the school beyond the classroom. We work very hard to create a welcoming and...(more)
"An ideal student for Montcrest wants to be deeply involved in their own learning and in the life of the school beyond the classroom. We work very hard to create a welcoming and safe environment where children can find their place and develop a sense of belonging. Within these conditions, children are better able to take risks and challenge themselves to stretch and try something they haven’t done before. Our students learn to advocate for themselves so they can thrive, and our faculty are there to challenge, guide and support the students on their journey. Relationships are extremely important at Montcrest. The families at Montcrest value connection and relationships - they want to see their children engaged in learning, happy, cared for, and known."
6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?
Information not yet available.
7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?
Information not yet available.
8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?
Information not yet available.
9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?
"People may not realize how our campus is so uniquely advantageous. Our urban setting in Riverdale, near Broadview and Danforth, offers easy city-wide access by subway, streetcar,...(more)
"People may not realize how our campus is so uniquely advantageous. Our urban setting in Riverdale, near Broadview and Danforth, offers easy city-wide access by subway, streetcar, bike and car. We are also graced by direct access to Riverdale Park and the Don Valley's expansive green space, which blends city life with nature. Our campus also integrates historical buildings, notably Hubbard House, adding a rich historical layer. The arrangement of our campus with multiple buildings and houses also creates a unique campus feel. This combination of accessibility, green space, and historical context creates a distinctive learning environment."
10. What might families find surprising about your school?
"Families might find it surprising how committed the school is to learning for ‘all’ learners. As a school, we believe that ‘we are all learners’. Our students are...(more)
"Families might find it surprising how committed the school is to learning for ‘all’ learners. As a school, we believe that ‘we are all learners’. Our students are learning, our teachers are learning, and our school leaders are also learning. We are deeply committed to planning with intention, careful reflection, and iterating for improvement. Montcrest learners are willing to take the right risks to challenge themselves."
11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?
"Student voice is important in our community. Montcrest introduced a new school uniform for the 2024-25 school year. This student-led initiative significantly reduced our...(more)
"Student voice is important in our community. Montcrest introduced a new school uniform for the 2024-25 school year. This student-led initiative significantly reduced our community’s long-term carbon footprint. In visual art classes during the 2023-24 year, Grades 6-8 students worked in groups to design new uniform pieces with our brand colours and logo. After sharing their designs with fellow students, a number of designs from each grade were pitched to a panel of experts, and these designs led to our new uniform, which was officially launched in September 2024. When speaking to our admissions team, be sure to ask about student voice at Montcrest."
12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?
"We are currently in the process of creating our renewed strategic direction. This summer, we launched the process with our consultants, NoTosh, an organization known for its...(more)
"We are currently in the process of creating our renewed strategic direction. This summer, we launched the process with our consultants, NoTosh, an organization known for its innovative work with schools worldwide. As part of the process, we have facilitated sessions with faculty, staff, the leadership team and the Board. At the core of this initiative is an open, consultative process that values every voice. NoTosh's approach, which puts the community at the heart of the creative process, is grounded in the work of the Montcrest Design Team. Composed of students, parents, teachers, staff and leaders, our Design Team has engaged in conversations about our collective aspirations for the future. The 30+ volunteers are all conducting at least 10 interviews each. These interviews will capture insights, ideas, and aspirations from all corners of our community. It’s an opportunity for every member of Montcrest to contribute to shaping our direction and ensuring our school continues to thrive."
Watch our Montcrest School Q&A discussion with Bree (Alum), Robert (Parent), Kelly (Parent) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.
From the way students are greeted every day to the way teachers listen to children and seek to know each child as an individual, each student is made to feel valued. This culture of belonging has helped MacDonald herself feel a sense of belonging.
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