Toronto Montessori Schools

Montessori schools in Toronto have an interesting history. Toronto Montessori Schools (an oddly pluralized name) was the first Montessori school in Canada and was the de facto base for the spread of Montessori schools throughout North America. The school was founded by one of Maria Montessori's own students, Helma Trass, in 1961. Trass came to Canada from the Netherlands, grateful to Canada for the liberation of her homeland. In 1971, she started the Toronto Montessori Institute to train Montessori educators. Toronto is still viewed as a base for Montessori in North America. While there is one true Toronto Montessori Schools (now in Newmarket), all the schools listed below participate in the Montessori legacy to one degree or another.

As we caution elsewhere, not all schools closely follow the Montessori education philosophy. Even within the umbrella of schools that strive to strongly adhere to the principles espoused by Maria Montessori, there are differences or emphases that might be notable to some parents and educators. It's most important for parents to be sure that the school they decide on is accredited by or part of authoritative Montessori organizations like the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators or the Association Montessori Internationale.

Toronto Montessori Schools: what to expect
Schools listed here provide your child with a stimulating environment, opportunities for rich personal and moral development. Graduates of Montessori programs are grateful for the many benefits of the multi-class environment. This aspect of Montessori facilitates children at a variety of ages and stages growing together. kids get help from older students and they grow by helping children younger than themselves. Montessori tends to facilitate a close knit school environment since they are often smaller than public schools.

Below, you will find Montessori schools in Toronto proper as well as schools from throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), including schools in Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington in the east as well as Montessori schools in Aurora, Pickering, Richmond Hill, North York, Markham and other points west and north in the GTA. Ourkids.net and Our Kids Go to School magazine have always strongly supported the Montessori school community in the GTA.