Here’s the OUR KIDS guide to Montessori schools in Montreal—your introduction to child-centered education that nurtures independence, creativity, and a love of learning. Montessori schools in Montreal emphasize self-directed study, hands-on exploration, and multi-age classrooms, helping students grow at their own pace while building confidence and curiosity.
On this page, we cover private Montessori schools (école Montessori) in Montreal. This includes accredited and certified Montessori schools in downtown Montreal, Old Montreal, Mount Royal, Outremont, Westmount, Anjou, Rigaud, St. Laurent, Pointe-Claire, Hampstead, Lasalle, GriffinTown, Côte-Saint-Paul, Verdun, West Island, South Shore, Nuns Island, and Ville Marie. It also includes schools in Laval, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Kirkland, and Dollard-des-Ormeaux.
For nearly 30 years, OUR KIDS has visited schools, spoken with educators and families, and shared firsthand insights into what makes each program unique. On OurKids.net, you’ll find verified profiles, authentic reviews, comparison tools, and expert resources to help guide your decision. For a more complete guide to Montessori education, including a thorough discussion of the Montessori school philosophy and curriculum, check out our guide to Montessori Schools.
There are lots of private Montessori schools in Montreal. These schools vary in terms of their classroom practices, curricular approaches, program offerings, and special needs support. The schools listed below reflect this diversity. They can be filtered for a wide range of features.
For general advice on how to choose and evaluate private schools, check out our choosing a school guide, as well as advice from top education experts. For advice on choosing Montessori schools (including preschools), see our Montessori choosing guide. You can also learn about choosing the right preschool, in our dedicated guide.
Private school expos are a great starting point for finding a school. The Montreal private school expo allows you to speak with many private schools, including some Montreal Montessori schools and programs. Find a Montessori school near you.
Attending open houses is a great way to learn more about private schools. For general advice on open house visits, check out our guide on school visits.
The cost of Montessori schools in Montreal tends to be lower than that of other private schools in the city. In fact, Montessori schools are generally on the lower end of private school tuition in general.
Private school tuition can range from $5,000 to over $30,000 per year for day students. There are no public Montessori schools in Montreal, though some public schools incorporate certain Montessori principles. Families seeking early education options may also consider Montessori daycare in Montreal programs.
Many Montessori schools provide needs-based financial aid, such as bursaries or tuition relief. Some schools, though fewer in number, also offer scholarships based on merit—for example, in academics or athletics. You can learn more about need- and merit-based financial aid in our dedicated guide. Additionally, check out our guide to preschool costs for further information.
Below, you’ll find the range of costs for private Montessori schools and Montessori daycare in Montreal and the Greater Montreal Area (GMA):
| Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) |
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Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
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Legend:
There are some excellent Montessori schools in Montreal (Ecole Montessori) and Montessori daycare in Montreal programs in the Greater Montreal Area (GMA), in Quebec. This includes schools in Mount Royal, Westmount, Dollard, Hampstead, and Cote Saint-Luc.
Montreal Montessori schools typically feature mixed-age classes with lots of interaction, peer teaching, and both group and independent work. They generally employ teachers trained by a Montessori accrediting or certifying institute such as the American Montessori Internationale or the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education.
Below, the Montessori philosophy and teaching approach are described in more detail. For a more comprehensive overview, see our main Montessori school guide.
The Montessori philosophy of education is distinct. Some of the main principles include the following:
Student-centred: Students are free to move around the classroom, choose their own work, and set the pace of their studies. There is no fixed curriculum. Children often select activities that are engaging and stimulating, fostering a love of learning.
Uninterrupted work time: Montessori schools provide ample uninterrupted work periods, particularly at the elementary level. Many schools offer at least one three-hour session for focused work, which helps improve concentration, self-discipline, and work habits.
Concrete learning: Learning is hands-on and tangible. At preschool and elementary levels (and sometimes secondary), Montessori children work with a variety of concrete materials, including manipulatives—self-correcting puzzles.
They also use blocks, rods, spindle boxes, and other materials, and engage in practical life activities. Concrete learning engages multiple senses and can accelerate learning, particularly for younger children.
No external rewards: In preschool and elementary school, children are not tested or graded in the traditional sense. Praise is given for effort rather than outcomes. Progress is assessed informally through observation and developmental rubrics rather than formal grades or report cards.
Montessori teachers rarely provide traditional instruction. They almost never lecture from the front of the class, and when they do, lessons are brief, interactive, and engaging.
More commonly, teachers circulate the classroom, offering one-on-one or small-group guidance. They encourage repetition and practice, and design projects to meet individual student needs. Teachers primarily connect students with their work rather than simply impart knowledge, acting as “guides” or “mentors” rather than traditional “teachers.”
Montessori schools in Montreal and the GMA have mixed-age classrooms, with children aged 0–3 (toddler), 3–6 (primary), 6–9 (lower elementary), 9–12 (upper elementary), and so forth. This mixed-age structure informs both teaching approach and learning environment.
Most Montessori classes involve significant group work. Children collaborate on projects and tasks, often guided by the teacher. Older students frequently mentor younger classmates, supporting them with their work and modelling appropriate behaviour.
This approach reinforces knowledge and skills for both older and younger children and can be especially effective for children with special needs.
The Montessori system was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th century and has since been adopted worldwide. It is based on the natural curiosity of children and the belief that, when given the opportunity to “figure things out,” they will learn independently.
Classroom materials allow children to develop and learn at their own pace. The Montessori method is used successfully in thousands of schools worldwide. Organizations like the Montessori Foundation and the International Montessori Council support the growth and success of Montessori schools globally.
The Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA) is the main accrediting body in Canada. Schools seeking CCMA accreditation must adhere to strict standards.
Montessori schools in Montreal, including downtown Montreal, Old Montreal, Outremont, and Saint-Laurent, provide a positive and enriching learning experience. These schools meet children’s developmental needs and prepare them for lifelong learning.
Children develop social skills, moral values, and bilingual language abilities in French and English. Montessori education offers lifelong benefits: it supports a child’s overall development and provides a unique learning system with a proven track record.
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