REVIEW OF Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS) BY parent, Tatheer Abbas

(4.5) Student Experience

My child's experience as a student in Rowntree Montessori Schools has been nothing but PHENOMENAL! For the first time when he stepped inside the doors of the school, he was extremely worried, nervous and shy but the principal made him feel at home. She talked as if he had been there for ages. I always saw my son going to school with extreme excitement! Not that he never got in trouble but the way he was guided, helped in boosting his confidence. The school caters to nearly ALL the needs of my son. There are various activities like STEM Project, Arts Festival, Speech night, Math Competition that he was engaged in, to help him refine his learning skills. Teachers not only focus on academics but work habits and ethics too. My son has usually been engaged in hands-on activities and best of all the majority of the projects are prepared in the class so I, as a parent did not feel burdened by project work. Administration and teaching staff are prompt towards my concerns or queries and never have I ever seen any frustration or agitation when an issue was raised, rather they always made sure I was listened to and tried to accommodate the requests or resolve a concern, etc. The school is also connected with other schools in many ways such as the International School Partnership (ISP) in the I am a Scientist group which helped my son to learn more about the environment making him conscious about taking care of the surroundings. Of course, when he gets in trouble or when he does not concentrate on his work he does feel disappointed and because he has traits of introvert he tends to close himself in a shell but I appreciate his teacher who is always highly alert and guides him to shine again. Never once has she ignored his silent cry for help! She reads his face and acts according to make him feel that he can be himself instead of closing up. My child is treated as an individual and his needs as a person and learner are taken under consideration. My son feels Appreciated, Guided, Happy, Loved, and Safe in school. What more can a parent ask?

(5) School Leadership

School Leadership and administration are extremely prompt! The Principal is only a message away regardless of the time of day. She fosters a positive school environment with so much passion and enthusiasm. She always makes sure to listen and assess situations before making a judgment call. She makes sure that she talks to us, not in a haste but gives us enough time to understand the policy or requirement, etc. If we are struggling anyway, she would always step up to lend a helping hand and guide us through. She is always appreciative and easily approachable with her flashing smile that takes away half our problems :)

(4.5) Teaching

Teachers are second parents to a student. I have blind faith in my son's teachers especially his homeroom teacher. She made him feel welcomed from day 1. She takes time in teaching concepts and makes sure that all her students have understood before she moves further in teaching. Her passion is worth appreciating and she not only give textbook knowledge but also gives real-life examples. She tries to connect all her teaching to the world to prepare her students for the real world. She not only gives thorough feedback but also revisits any challenges that her students face. While catering to the needs of some students she lets her other students work with challenging activities and keeps a thorough record of every task. My son receives gradation in tasks. If the tasks are easy, he has challenged accordingly but not to the level that he would feel frustrated, instead just enough that he learns new things with the confidence that he can do it.

(4.5) Academics

Rowntree Montessori Schools uses the Ontario curriculum with Montessori Method blended with their own method of teaching students a grade up. School's strength is the various method they use especially that once the students graduate from Grade 8 they would be all ready for Grade 9 as they would have completed Grade 9 material already. The weaknesses are that the school is not all the way till high school and the fees are quite high. The school uses its RMS portal and all the communication is paper-free. The school cultivates a very healthy and equality-filled atmosphere. I feel the academic program at Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS) will adequately prepare my child for life's next steps because of the various hands-on activities that he is indulging in throughout the academic year.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

There are a lot of extracurricular opportunities offered at Rowntree Montessori Schools (RMS) like French Help, Tennis, Karate, Music, Yoga, Football, etc. There are adequate opportunities to participate in competitions as well as for fun like Arts Festival and STEM Project. The school is providing the right context in which to develop well-rounded students because I have seen my son progressing from an introverted and shy boy to an outgoing and confident student.

(4.5) Students

The students are like any other kids but they are all trained to respect each other, be organized, work collaboratively, and have empathy for their peers. Students are taught to treat each other with equality and appreciated each other through a lot of group activities. In case of any conflicts, students are encouraged to resolve them among themselves and even if the teachers are involved, they still make sure to respectful attitude. Students celebrate each other's birthdays or special days by making greeting cards. The students are encouraged to play in groups so that no student is left behind especially new ones. Since students are usually working in groups, therefore they are trained to work with each other and respect each other's opinions, ideas, and suggestions.

(4.5) School Life

I always see my son going to school with extreme excitement! Not that he never got in trouble but the way he was guided, helped in boosting his confidence. The school caters to nearly ALL the needs of my son. There are various activities like STEM Project, Arts Festival, Speech night, Math Competition that he was engaged in, to help him refine his learning skills. Teachers not only focus on academics but work habits and ethics too. My son has usually been engaged in hands-on activities and best of all the majority of the projects are prepared in the class so I, as a parent did not feel burdened by project work. The school is also connected with other schools in many ways such as the International School Partnership (ISP) in the I am a Scientist group which helped my son to learn more about the environment making him conscious about taking care of the surroundings. Of course, when he gets in trouble or when he does not concentrate on his work he does feel disappointed and because he has traits of introvert he tends to close himself in a shell but I appreciate his teacher who is always highly alert and guides him to shine again. Never once has she ignored his silent cry for help! She reads his face and acts according to make him feel that he can be himself instead of closing up. My child is treated as an individual and his needs as a person and learner are taken under consideration. My son feels Appreciated, Guided, Happy, Loved, and Safe in school.

(4.5) Community

My child's experience as a student in Rowntree Montessori Schools has been nothing but PHENOMENAL! For the first time when he stepped inside the doors of the school, he was extremely worried, nervous and shy but the principal made him feel at home. She talked as if he had been there for ages. I always saw my son going to school with extreme excitement! Not that he never got in trouble but the way he was guided, helped in boosting his confidence. The school caters to nearly ALL the needs of my son. There are various activities like STEM Project, Arts Festival, Speech night, Math Competition that he was engaged in, to help him refine his learning skills. Teachers not only focus on academics but work habits and ethics too. My son has usually been engaged in hands-on activities and best of all the majority of the projects are prepared in the class so I, as a parent did not feel burdened by project work. Administration and teaching staff are prompt towards my concerns or queries and never have I ever seen any frustration or agitation when an issue was raised, rather they always made sure I was listened to and tried to accommodate the requests or resolve a concern, etc. The school is also connected with other schools in many ways such as the International School Partnership (ISP) in the I am a Scientist group which helped my son to learn more about the environment making him conscious about taking care of the surroundings. Of course, when he gets in trouble or when he does not concentrate on his work he does feel disappointed and because he has traits of introvert he tends to close himself in a shell but I appreciate his teacher who is always highly alert and guides him to shine again. Never once has she ignored his silent cry for help! She reads his face and acts according to make him feel that he can be himself instead of closing up. My child is treated as an individual and his needs as a person and learner are taken under consideration. My son feels Appreciated, Guided, Happy, Loved, and Safe in school. What more can a parent ask? Parent involvement is there but yes it can be increased by judging STEM projects, for Art Festival judging, etc.

(4.5) School Location

The school is close to my workplace therefore dropping and picking is very easily convenient. Students stay indoors at all times and when the students do step out its because of special events like Terry For Run but teachers are always monitoring them. The school has a basketball court and a playground where students make snowmen in winter and fun games in summer.