York Montessori School is a reputable independent Montessori School both licensed by the Ministry of Education and accredited by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA). Originally comprised of two small classrooms, YMS is now a home away from home to over 150 students aged 18 months to 6 years.
York Montessori School seeks to be a place where parents, with peace of mind, will leave their children in the hands of our educators. At YMS, we respect all students as individuals and are committed to providing a personalized and connected learning experience for each child. Through the use of classic Montessori pedagogy, our experienced and dedicated educators aim to support the physical, socio-emotional, intellectual, and character development of each of our young learners. We recognize learning as a social process and through our multiage classrooms are able to not only foster a sense community and belonging, but also provide challenging and supportive learning environments.
With a focus on academic preparation, our students are presented with individualized lessons from all curriculum areas, affording them the opportunity to gain knowledge and take ownership over their own learning. Through access to a wide variety of intentionally prepared hands-on learning experiences, each child is encouraged to build on previously mastered skills and engage in independent discovery, satisfying their natural curiosities while establishing habits to support a prosperous educational future.
Our goal at YMS is for our students to emerge as independent and confident learners who seamlessly transition from thriving in our classrooms to succeeding in the world.
“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement is being formed.”
Dr. Maria Montessori in The Absorbent Mind
Mission Statement
York Montessori School provides a high-quality educational experience in which each child can achieve academic excellence while being cared for in a nurturing and stimulating environment. We deliver child-directed programming in a carefully prepared setting, allowing our students to develop within themselves the foundation, confidence, and skills essential for a lifetime of critical thinking and connected learning.
Daily Operations
YMS is open daily from 7:30am to 5:30pm. The academic year runs from September through June and the school is closed during both the December Winter Break and March Break. We offer an 8-week theme-based Summer Camp program for our registered students from July through August of every year. The school is closed for the last week of the summer to allow for preparation of the next academic year.
Community Involvement
York Montessori School is dedicated to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of the school community. As a close-knit group of administrators, educators, and actively involved families (both current and alumni), we recognize the value of enriched parent-teacher partnerships and the associated effects on the quality of education that we are able to successfully provide. We believe in frequent and transparent communication and offer a wide variety of social and educational opportunities for parent involvement. In addition to hosting regular school community building events such as curriculum nights, Montessori education evenings, parenting workshops, an annual holiday social event, and a yearly family picnic. Parent-teacher meetings, classroom observations, progress reports, and “Watch Me Work” workshops are also conducted throughout the year.
YMS is dedicated to maintaining close relationships with our students and their families. Much of our success is attributed to supportive and trusting connections between staff, students, and families. Collectively, we work towards one important and common goal, a rich Montessori education for all students.
