Elementary Program

The Elementary Program is a 6-year program. Students start at the equivalent of grade 1.

Given the multi-year nature of the program, we typically do not accept students after grade 1 without direct previous experience in a Montessori Elementary school.

Under the guidance of their experienced Association Montessori Internationale trained teachers, we provide a program for students that follows the BC Ministry of Education curriculum and provides a fully implemented AMI Montessori Elementary program and environment.  Classrooms are designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities for children so they can deeply connect with their work.

Students move through the curriculum at their own pace following their interests and curiosities. There is freedom and responsibility in the classroom and students are an integral part of their community.

Classrooms are made up of students from a mixed-age group. Each class has children ranging in age from age 6 to 12 years old (grades 1-6). This provides leadership and mentorship opportunities for the older students and allows the younger ones to see where their learning is heading. There is a lead teacher and a trained assistant in each class. Instruction is supplemented by specialist teachers who deliver exceptional French, music, dance, art and personalized assistance programs.

These multi-aged communities create kind and caring spaces in which everyone is a valued member.  The classroom environments are purposefully designed to enable students to gain a strong sense of themselves as well as an awareness of their peers.  Students work collaboratively or independently and are encouraged to find ways to contribute to the wider community.

In addition to the full complement of Montessori activities in each classroom, students may also choose areas of in-depth study person study to create passion projects of their own. Through this work, students can organize and lead 'going out' opportunities to learn more from local experts.  Our students regularly practice practical life skills such as cooking, sewing, entrepreneurship, and financial management. Swimming, gymnastics, skating, and othter student-chosen activities round out the physical education program.

We follow BC Ministry of Education guidelines and provide an exceptional and fully implemented Montessori elementary program children to thrive in.

"Education between the ages of six to twelve is not a direct continuation of that which has gone before, though it is built upon that basis.  Psychologically there is a decided change in personality, and we recognize that nature has made this a period for the acquisition of culture, just as the former was for the absorption of the environment."

(Dr. Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential, p. 3)