On this page, we cover Montessori middle schools in Canada. This includes schools in Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga, Pickering, and Scarborough, Ontario, and across Canada.
For a more detailed guide to Montessori education, including a discussion of Montessori philosophy, theory, and curricular approaches, check out our introductory guide.
Montessori middle schools (or junior high schools) include kids aged 12 to 14, the equivalent of grades 7 and 8 in most schools. There are quite a few Montessori middle schools in Canada (though not as many as there are elementary or preschools). These schools vary in terms of their approach, philosophy, learning environment, and program offerings. The schools listed below reflect this diversity. They can be filtered for a wide range of features.
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Oakville, Ontario Winston Churchill/Lakeshore Road East "Clanmore is one of the few schools offering authentic Montessori programming from Toddler - Middle School. Our culture is warm and inviting and our philosophy empowers us to support each child as a unique individual." —From the school
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Victoria, British Columbia "We identify the experiences that facilitate education that empowers the individual and fosters a community of collaborative contributors through interdisciplinary, integrated integrated projects." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Bayview/Hwy 407 "TMS is a leading, accredited independent school that offers a unique design of Montessori and International Baccalaureate programmes. Our students thrive in academics while building a foundation of Significance for life." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Spadina Ave/College Street "Authentic, CCMA accredited Montessori Schools located in downtown Toronto, offering programs for Toddlers, Casa, Elementary and Adolescent children in beautiful settings with large and expansive natural playgrounds." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Humberside Montessori School is internationally recognized and accredited by Association Montessori Internationale (AMI). Our AMI certified teachers provide an authentic Montessori experience for our students." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Lakeshore Road/Southdown "Peel Montessori and Carrington College div. students learn above grade level for subjects of strength. Individualized curriculum, advanced academic strategies, and character development give students a personal edge." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Yonge Street/Silverwood Ave. "Century Private School in Richmond Hill runs from preschool to grade twelve, with small class ratio to ensure best learning for our students." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Alta Vista Drive/Industrial Road "OMS Montessori is a non for profit, independent school offering separate French and English programs within a world class Montessori environment." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Queen St E/Woodbine Ave "ATI is a school for ambitious teens who want to develop into independent, curious, self-motivated individuals. Gain the skills, knowledge and agency to build the future that you want. Located in The Beaches." —From the school
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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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Kanata, Ontario Eagleson Road/Stonehaven Drive "For 50 years, Kanata Montessori has offered excellent learning environments for students to grow emotionally, socially and academically into a positive global citizen." —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario Lakeshore Road East/Bel Air Drive "Offering Montessori programs from Toddler to Grade 8, Dearcroft is accredited by CCMA and staffed by dedicated teachers. We have three campuses in Oakville, delivering exceptional Montessori Programs." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Bank Street/Marché Way "The Element nurtures focused, engaged and internally motivated students who strive to do their best. The Element High School provides conditions that will put youth ‘in their element,’ in school and beyond." —From the school
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Hamilton, Ontario Garth Street/Fennell Avenue West "Established in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College is one of Canada’s leading co-educational independent schools, offering academic programs from Montessori Toddler and Pre-K to Grade 12, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada." —From the school
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Fredericton, New Brunswick "The main objective of FMA is to provide your child with a planned and stimulating environment in order for them to be able to reach their own individual and highest learning potential while honouring the whole child." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario 14th Ave/Kennedy "Trillium School is a private school that offers programs from pre-school to grade twelve in Markham with Montessori-based kindergarten." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Dufferin St/Lawrence Ave W "Leonardo Da Vinci Academy provides exceptional schooling for the formative years. Our unique curriculum aims to instil a love of learning and challenges students to develop their full potential." —From the school
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Whitby, Ontario Brock Street South/Dundas Streer West "The Hatch House Montessori School is a very child centered school where each student is respected for their uniqueness and is guided through learning accordingly. Ask about our unique, fully bilingual elementary program." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Bloor/Spadina "Guidepost is a new Montessori school coming to Toronto [Annex], serving children from 10 weeks to 12 years old. We offer year-round programming and rolling admissions into our programs to meet the needs of every family." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario University Ave./Dundas street "Cornerstone students love to shape the future. They INSPIRE learning, DISCOVER their potential, EMPOWER themselves to be innovative citizens. Our boundless learning strategies open doors for successful learning." —From the school
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Unionville, Ontario Kennedy Road/16th Avenue "UC offers year-ahead advanced programs from pre-school to Grade 10. We blend high standards for academic success with the social and emotional development of the individual child." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Meadow Green Academy provides a strong Christian education in a nurturing environment. Strong academics combined with sports, enriched music, visual arts, and dramatic arts programs provide a well-rounded experience" —From the school
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Aurora, Ontario St. John Sideroad/Yonge St. "Aurora Montessori offers an enriched Montessori program for students, Toddler to Grade 8, with an option of an OSSD credit in Grade 9 Math. A unique Mindfulness and Technology program develops key 21st-century skills!" —From the school
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Oakville, Ontario "Rotherglen School - OAKVILLE offers programs for students age 4 to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students." —From the school
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St. Catharines, Ontario Edinburgh Dr/Scott Street "We provide students with opportunities to explore real-world concepts and issues, broadening their sense of responsibility, develop their critical thinking skills, and empower them to take action in a global community." —From the school
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Oshawa, Ontario Wilson Road/Adelaide Ave "At G.B.MS, D.E.P.S and Durham Academy Secondary school focus is on each individual student and helping them meet their unique potential and goals. We believe in excellent customer service and families have a voice. Throughout the year we enhance our programs through program enhancement and enrichment." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Rotherglen School - MISSISSAUGA is a montessori school that offers programs from JK to grade eight. The average class size is 18 students." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Baseline Rd./Woodroffe Ave. "Bishop Hamilton Montessori School, a not-for-profit independent school in Ottawa, provides an authentic Christian Montessori approach for children 3 months to 14 years." —From the school
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Newmarket, Ontario "LMMH was established in 2003, the school offers a unique French Immersion Program as well as an English Program for children from 2 ½ to 13 years of age. Our students also learn to ski, golf, play tennis and more." —From the school
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Brantford, Ontario Fairview Drive/North Park Street "Braemar House School is a not-for-profit elementary school that proves each day that children thrive in a nurturing environment." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Tomken Rd./Eglinton Ave. E "Northstar Montessori offers an accredited Montessori curriculum from Toddler age to Grade 8. Our goal is to develop strong character and contributing citizens who understand that their involvement makes a difference." —From the school
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Pickering, Ontario whites/kingston road "Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering is a non denominational, inclusive school that offers programs from Pre-school to Grade eight. We acknowledge and celebrate religious and cultural events as part of our cultural program." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario "Guiding Light Academy is a Catholic private elementary school in Streetsville, Mississauga. We offer an enriched curriculum for JK, SK and Grades 1 to 8. We are located just minutes away from the Streetsville Go Station." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Queen Street East/Glen Manor Drive "Our objective is to guide children with respect and understanding, developing in them a love of learning. Our aim is to create a nurturing environment full of intellectual, social and moral learning and development." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Major Mackenzie/Bayview Avenue "Richmond Hill Montessori Private School offers programs from pre-school to grade eight. Its average class size is 20 students." —From the school
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Port Perry, Ontario Reach St/Old Simcoe Rd "CHMS offers authentic supportive, vibrant, child centered AMI Montessori that is perfect for curious, inquisitive students looking to thrive in a social, hands on, collaborative, challenging environment." —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.
"Our Beyond the Books approach provides opportunities for success in class & beyond; nurturing the growth of students' confidence & self-esteem, to take risks when learning, to reach their personal & academic potential.
—From the school
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Burlington, Ontario Walkers Line/Fairveiw Street "Ashwood Glen offers a Montessori program for children aged 18months - 6 yrs. The Grades 1 - 8 Learning Program applies the IB framework to extend the learning outcomes of the Ontario curriculum." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Brimley Road/14th Ave South "Established in 1974, Somerset Academy is an independent, not-for-profit private school that provides education to students in JK Grades 8. Somerset Academy has an average class size of 13 to 18 students." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Kennedy Road/Steeles Avenue "Located in Markham, Ontario, Town Centre Private Schools is an International Baccalaureate® Continuum School offering a Montessori Pre-School program as well as an IB Elementary School and optional IB Diploma Programme." —From the school
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Markham, Ontario Woodbine/HWY 7 "Wishing Well Schools offers a comprehensive academic program catering to a wide age range, spanning from 18 months to Grade 8. Our curriculum includes a Montessori program designed for children aged 18 months to 6 years." —From the school
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For general advice on how to choose private schools, check out our choosing a school guide and read advice from leading education experts. For advice specific to choosing Montessori schools (including middle 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 are a great starting point if you're looking for a school. 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, many of which are (or have) middle schools. Find a Montessori middle school near you.
Another great resource is the Our Kids parent discussion forum. The forum is an ideal place to discuss options and debate topics related to private schools, Montessori schools, and Montessori middle schools. Our community of parents, education experts, school officials, and alumni can help answer your questions and stimulate your thinking.
Open houses can be 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 |
|---|---|---|
Hillfield Strathallan College | April 18, 2024 5:30 pm | 299 Fennell Avenue West Hamilton Ontario L9C 1G2 |
Ashwood Glen | April 24, 2024 11:30 am | Ashwood Glen 3430 Fairview St. Burlington ON L7N 2R5 |
Ashwood Glen | April 24, 2024 11:30 am | Ashwood Glen School 3430 Fairview Street Burlington Ontario L7N 2R5 |
Town Centre Private Schools | April 27, 2024 10:00 am | Town Centre Private Schools 155 Clayton Drive Markham Ontario L3R7P3 |
Hillfield Strathallan College | May 02, 2024 5:30 pm | 299 Fennell Avenue West Hamilton Ontario L9C 1G2 |
Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences | May 10, 2024 10:00 am | Leonardo Da Vinci Academy 901 Lawrence Avenue West Toronto Ontario M6A 1C3 |
Town Centre Private Schools | June 08, 2024 10:00 am | Town Centre Private Schools 155 Clayton Drive Markham Ontario L3R7P3 |
Wishing Well Schools | October 19, 2024 10:00 am |
The cost of Montessori middle schools tends to be lower than the cost of other private middle schools. In fact, Montessori schools are usually on the lower side of private school tuition in general. Private school tuition can range from $5,000 to over $30,000 per year.
Some Montessori middle schools offer needs-based financial aid, such as bursaries or tuition relief. Some offer merit-based financial aid, namely, scholarships. Check out our financial aid guide for more on these options.
Below, you’ll find the range of costs for Montessori middle schools:
| Tuition (day school) | Students receiving financial aid | Grade eligibility for financial aid | Avg. aid package size (annual) | |
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Westmont Montessori School | $10,600 to $32,000 | 1% | Preschool - 12 | $5,000 |
TMS | $26,750 to $32,700 | Preschool - 12 | ||
OMS Montessori | $14,664 to $21,384 | 10% | Nursery/Toddler - 6 | $2,500 |
Academy of Thought and Industry Toronto | $18,000 | 7 - 8 | ||
Somerset Academy | $14,300 | 5% | 1 - 8 | |
North Star Montessori Elementary School | $15,840 to $16,785 | K - 7 | ||
The Element High School | $18,810 to $21,905 | |||
Hillfield Strathallan College | $19,349 to $32,052 | 10% | JK - 12 | $4,500 |
Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences | $18,300 | 15% | 1 - 8 | $5,000 |
Guidepost Montessori | Nursery/Toddler - 8 | |||
Meadow Green Academy | $15,990 | |||
Aurora Montessori School | $19,400 to $22,150 | 7% | Preschool - 8 | $1,000 |
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | $6,183 to $18,375 | Nursery/Toddler - 8 | ||
Avalon Children's Montessori School | $14,725 to $22,275 | 5% | 1 - 8 | $10,000 |
Primary curriculum | Secondary curriculum | Curriculum pace | Academic culture | Average class size | Language immersion | Special needs support | Tech integration |
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Bond Academy | Liberal Arts | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 15 to 18 | Full-time Dedicated Class | Medium integration | ||
Clanmore Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Light integration | |||
Westmont Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | Withdrawal Assistance | Medium integration | |||
Ashwood Glen | Progressive | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 10 to 16 | Indirect Support | Medium integration | |
TMS | Montessori | International Baccalaureate | Student-paced | Rigorous | No support | |||
Westside Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 10 to 24 | No support | |||
Humberside Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | Full-time Dedicated Class | Light integration | |||
Peel Montessori School | Progressive | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | |||
Century Private School | Montessori | International Baccalaureate | Student-paced | Rigorous | 10 to 20 | No support | Light integration | |
OMS Montessori | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 16 to 25 | Withdrawal Assistance | Light integration | ||
Academy of Thought and Industry Toronto | Montessori | Student-paced | Rigorous | 10 to 12 | No support | Heavy integration | ||
Somerset Academy | Traditional | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 13 to 18 | No support | |||
North Star Montessori Elementary School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | ||||
Kanata Montessori | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 12 to 15 | Resource Assistance | Heavy integration | ||
Dearcroft Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 10 to 20 | No support | Light integration | ||
The Element High School | Progressive | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | Indirect Support | Heavy integration | ||
Hillfield Strathallan College | Traditional | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 16 to 20 | No support | Heavy integration | |
Fredericton Montessori Academy | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | Indirect Support | Light integration | |||
Trillium School | Traditional | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | No support | Medium integration | ||
Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences | Traditional | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | No support | |||
Hatch House Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Light integration | |||
Guidepost Montessori | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 1 to 10 | No support | Light integration | ||
Cornerstone Montessori Prep School | Liberal Arts | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | 10 to 15 | No support | ||
Unionville College | Traditional | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | 18 to 24 | Partial Integration | Heavy integration | |
Meadow Green Academy | Traditional | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | 10 to 12 | No support | Medium integration | |
Aurora Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | 15 to 24 | Partial Integration | Medium integration | ||
Rotherglen School - Oakville | Progressive | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 18 | No support | ||
Wheatley School | Montessori | International Baccalaureate | Student-paced | Supportive | 15 to 18 | Indirect Support | ||
Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. | Progressive | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Rigorous | 8 to 16 | Indirect Support | Medium integration | |
Town Centre Private Schools | Traditional | International Baccalaureate | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 15 to 24 | No support | ||
Rotherglen School - Mississauga | Progressive | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | 18 | No support | Light integration | |
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Light integration | |||
La Maison Montessori House | Montessori | No support | ||||||
Braemar House School | Traditional | Montessori | Standard-enriched | Supportive | No support | Heavy integration | ||
Northstar Montessori Private School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Heavy integration | |||
Wishing Well Schools | Progressive | Accelerated | Rigorous | 15 to 20 | No support | Medium integration | ||
Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | ||||
Guiding Light Academy | Traditional | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | 5 to 16 | No support | Heavy integration | |
Avalon Children's Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | Supportive | No support | Medium integration | |||
Richmond Hill Montessori Private School | Traditional | Montessori | Accelerated | Rigorous | 16 to 20 | No support | Medium integration | |
The Children's House Montessori School | Montessori | Student-paced | No support |
Legend:
Bond Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Clanmore Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Westmont Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ashwood Glen | ||||||||||||||||||||
TMS | ||||||||||||||||||||
Westside Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Humberside Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Peel Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Century Private School | ||||||||||||||||||||
OMS Montessori | ||||||||||||||||||||
Academy of Thought and Industry Toronto | ||||||||||||||||||||
Somerset Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
North Star Montessori Elementary School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Kanata Montessori | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dearcroft Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Element High School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hillfield Strathallan College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fredericton Montessori Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Trillium School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Leonardo Da Vinci Academy of Arts & Sciences | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hatch House Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Guidepost Montessori | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cornerstone Montessori Prep School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unionville College | ||||||||||||||||||||
Meadow Green Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Aurora Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rotherglen School - Oakville | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wheatley School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Durham Elementary, Durham Academy and G.B.M.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Town Centre Private Schools | ||||||||||||||||||||
Rotherglen School - Mississauga | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bishop Hamilton Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
La Maison Montessori House | ||||||||||||||||||||
Braemar House School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Northstar Montessori Private School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Wishing Well Schools | ||||||||||||||||||||
Montessori Learning Centre of Pickering | ||||||||||||||||||||
Guiding Light Academy | ||||||||||||||||||||
Avalon Children's Montessori School | ||||||||||||||||||||
Richmond Hill Montessori Private School | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Children's House Montessori School |
Montessori middle schools have a unique approach and philosophy based on the insights of Maria Montessori. They have a lot of self-directed learning, interaction, and group projects. For more coverage of Montessori middle schools (not to mention preschools and elementary schools), see our main Montessori school guide.
Child-specific advice on choosing a Montessori school
Read our child-specific insights on choosing the right school, including Montessori schools. We explore how choosing the right type of school crucially depends on kids' unique traits, such as their mental and academic focus, social tendencies, and activity level.
To customize over 350 school profiles with insights unique to your child's traits, create a child profile through an Our Kids user account.
In Montessori middle schools, students do lots of independent and group work. They also often have some uninterrupted work time. During this time, they can work on tasks or projects, by themselves or with others. This is a hallmark of the Montessori method.
Montessori middle schools focus a lot on core academics, though. Montessori kids take math, science, languages, creative writing, and history, among other subjects. They may also work with modern-day technology. For instance, they may use computers, though usually only for research.
Middle schools start to prepare kids for high school, where they likely won’t be in a Montessori. Kids are given worksheets and start to practice note-taking. They may also be given some assignments and tests. They may not be graded on these, though.
Montessori middle schools are often a blend of standard Montessori education (including self-directed learning, group work, and student-to-student teaching) and traditional middle school education (including note-taking, assignments, and tests).
Some lectures are given, especially for difficult subjects such as math and science. More often, though, teachers give short lessons to small groups of students. Teachers also offer special guidance and support. They encourage students to take notes, and sometimes start to grade some of their assignments and tests.
Montessori students often work in groups to complete challenging projects. Older children help younger children with their work. This is a great way for both to reinforce their knowledge.
