The School

ISLAND MONTESSORI is a school for children from two and a half years of age through school-aged.  We are an inclusive school and are proud to have children from a variety of economic and ethnic backgrounds as well as with a whole host of abilities and special needs.  Island Montessori opened in September 1973 and hundreds of children have attended over the years!

After more than 30 years in public schools in Victoria, Island Montessori moved out to our current location in beautiful rural Saanich.  We are surrounded by a magical forest with a lovely walk up to a wooden yurt perched on moss-covered ground.  We can see out of our school windows, across West Saanich Road, to the ‘lake’ where swans glide.  Deer wander in and out of the large lawn in front of the school, rabbits and frogs hop about, and an owl hoots in the early morning hours.  We have a fenced play area and plenty of opportunities for nature walks.  We will be planting a vegetable garden and flowers, and enjoy watching apples grow on the fruit trees here.  We are also composting snack debris and are consciously being eco-friendly (using individual towels instead of paper towels, etc.).  This is a perfect environment to teach children about conservation and caring for our planet Earth.

The Montessori Method of Education involves preparation of the classroom based on observations of the needs of each child and recognition of their natural love of learning. Our program encourages active participation, promotes self-reliance and independence, fosters a spirit of cooperation and provides for the development of the whole child.

Through a warm and nurturing environment, your child will develop a lifetime love of learning while building self-confidence and self-esteem. And because they are able to choose their own activities, they enjoy learning. In fact, they have so much fun, they don’t always know they’re learning.

We believe in the basic premise that children learn better when they are given the opportunity to choose and discover in their own way. Our Directresses do not give children the answers. Rather, they ask the right kinds of questions which enable children to discover the answers for themselves. We are not only offering a preparation for elementary school, but the beginning of an education for life.