Discover the OUR KIDS guide to Montessori schools in Vancouver—your resource for exploring child-centred education on the West Coast. Montessori schools in Vancouver emphasize independence, creativity, and experiential learning, giving children the chance to progress at their own pace while developing confidence and curiosity.
On this page, we highlight private and independent schools in Vancouver, BC that offer Montessori programs. This may include Montessori schools in North, West, and Downtown Vancouver, Yaletown, and Gastown. It may also include schools in the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA) and Metro Vancouver, such as Surrey, Richmond, Delta, Langley, Maple Ridge, and White Rock.
For over 30 years, OUR KIDS has connected families with private and independent schools, offering trusted insights into what makes each program unique. On OurKids.net, you’ll find verified school profiles, parent reviews, comparison tools, and expert articles to guide your decision. For a more detailed guide to Montessori education, including an extensive discussion of the Montessori method and philosophy, read our guide to Montessori Schools.
There are lots of private Montessori schools in Vancouver. 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.
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North Vancouver, British Columbia Keith Rd/Lynnmouth Ave "Collaborative and engaging, North Star's programs put students at the center of their learning and quest for knowledge." —From the school
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West Vancouver, British Columbia "A Montessori environment nurturing independence and curiosity through a 3-year cycle of hands-on learning, guided discovery, and enrichment including French, music, and outdoor play." —From the school
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Coquitlam, British Columbia "An authentic Montessori school, COI offers each child the space and support to grow and thrive academically as well as to develop the social-emotional skills that will help them have a successful and fulfilled life." —From the school
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Some schools aren't Montessori schools, but use a Montessori approach for their preschool or daycare program. This approach gives young learners plenty of freedom to choose tasks and activities that interest them, which promotes their independence and confidence. It also strongly emphasizes concrete learning, where children work with lots of hands-on materials, and do practical life activities. Children usually work independently or in small groups in these programs.
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"St. George's School in Vancouver offers university-preparatory program to Canadian and International boarding students from Grade 8 to 12. The School's mission: Building Fine Young Men. One Boy at a Time.
—From the school
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For general advice on how to choose and evaluate private schools, check out our choosing a school guide and advice from top education experts. For advice on selecting Montessori schools (including preschools), see our Montessori choosing guide. You can also read our guides to questions to ask private schools and questions students get asked at school interviews.
Private school expos are a great starting point for finding a school. The Vancouver private school expo allows you to speak with many private schools, some of which are Montessori schools—all in one place. Find a Montessori school near you.
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.
| School name | Date | Location |
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Gatehouse Montessori School | June 16, 2026 1:30 pm | School 1305 Taylor Way West Vancouver British Columbia V7T2Y7 |
Gatehouse Montessori School | July 17, 2026 1:30 pm | School 1305 Taylor Way West Vancouver British Columbia V7T2Y7 |
Gatehouse Montessori School | August 05, 2026 1:30 pm | School 1305 Taylor Way West Vancouver British Columbia V7T2Y7 |
The cost of Vancouver Montessori schools tends to be lower than that of other private and independent schools in the city. In fact, Montessori schools are usually on the lower side of private school tuition in general.
Tuition for private schools in Vancouver can range from $5,000 to over $30,000 per year for day students. There are no public Montessori schools in Vancouver, although some public schools incorporate certain Montessori principles into their programs.
Many Vancouver Montessori schools offer needs-based financial aid, such as bursaries or tuition relief. Other schools, though fewer, provide scholarships based on merit, whether in academics, athletics, or other areas. You can learn more about need- and merit-based financial aid in our dedicated guide. We also cover preschool costs in general.
Below, you’ll find the range of costs for private Montessori schools and Vancouver Montessori schools:
| Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) | |
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St. George's School | $33,300 to $34,300 | 8% | 4 - 12 | $17,500 |
North Star Montessori Elementary School | $15,840 to $16,785 | K - 7 |
Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
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St. George's School | Traditional | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 18 to 22 | No support | |||
North Star Montessori Elementary School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | ||||
Gatehouse Montessori School | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | Indirect Support | ||||
Children of Integrity Montessori Academy | Montessori | 14 to 18 | Indirect Support |
Legend:
St. George's School | ||||||||||||||||||||
North Star Montessori Elementary School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gatehouse Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Children of Integrity Montessori Academy |
Vancouver Montessori schools, as well as Montessori schools in other cities, often have large mixed-age classes with high teacher-to-student ratios. They encourage interaction, student-to-student teaching, and a balance of group and independent work.
Below, the Montessori philosophy and teaching approach are outlined. For more details, see our main Montessori school guide.
The Montessori philosophy of education emphasizes:
Teachers rarely lecture to the whole class. Instead, they guide students individually or in small groups. Their primary role is to connect students with their learning, acting as mentors rather than traditional instructors. Mixed-age classrooms, typical in Vancouver Montessori schools, allow older students to mentor younger ones, reinforcing skills and knowledge for both.
For more details, see our Montessori curriculum and teaching guides.
Montessori schools in Vancouver are located in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Burnaby, and other areas. They provide children with a safe environment to express emotions, take risks, and develop independence, confidence, concentration, and social skills. Accredited by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA) and supported by the Canadian Montessori Teacher Education Institute (CMTEI), these schools follow rigorous standards.
Many private schools in B.C. receive partial government funding, which helps reduce tuition costs starting around $5,000. Additional ways to offset costs include:
For more ideas, see Our Kids’ 18 tips to cover tuition.