Ellington Montessori School

” Both my son and daughter attended EMS from Casa 1 to Grade 6. Who my children have become is largely due to the way EMS instills positive values and life learnings into the day to day activities at the school . This school is not for everyone. Children (and parents) should be prepared to work diligently, just like the real world. Both my children are teens, the first is in university…still makes the effort to connect with Ms. Deborah when he is in town. Respect. “

” My two children have been attending EMS since they were Toddlers. When they were ready to transition to Grade 1, we had to decide whether or not to continue investing financially in their primary education (vs. sending them to a public school). In the end, the decision was an easy one to make. Not only is Montessori an extremely effective method of learning (the academic results are visibly impressive), but it’s Ellington’s wholistic approach to teaching that puts them a notch above everyone else. When I first visited the school, I was greeted at the classroom door by a 6-year student. He offered me his hand, introduced himself and welcomed me to his classroom. I was impressed… but the skeptic in me wondered if this was simply part of the presentation. The reality: ALL of these young students were equally polite and welcoming – because these types of ‘life lessons’ are simply part of what makes up a child’s education at EMS. My children consistently receive compliments – from family, friends and perfect strangers, on their sense of courtesy, empathy, and desire to contribute positively to society. Having a good student is one thing… but having a great kid is something else :-) Having said that, this school is not necessarily right for every family. The Head-of-School is quite clear on that point, right from the beginning. A student’s success at EMS requires a true partnership between the student, the school and the family. This is not the type of school where you simply drop your child off and expect them to come home perfectly packaged for the real world (if there is such a thing). Their happiness and success (academic or otherwise) depends on the school and the family working together with the same end goal in mind… and the positive results of that effort can be seen in my own children, their classmates and all of the alumni that I have met over the years. Bottom-line: This school has become a second home for us. My children are now in Grades 4 and 6 and we have not regretted our decision for one moment. I have no doubt that once we have all ‘graduated’ from EMS, we will continue to be a part of this school (and return to visit as so many of EMS’ former students do). Should EMS be at the top of your consideration list? In our family’s humble opinion: Absolutely. “

” Both my kids went to Ellington Montessori and loved it. It’s a very well run school that not only teaches A B C’s, but teaches them how to be good citizens that are well rounded. If I had to do it again, Ellington would still be my first choice. “

” My daughter was in Ellington Montessori School last summer when she was 22 months. On the second week, one of her eyes had a deep cut that was only 2mm to the eye! When I picked up my daughter, the principal told me that my daughter fell on a shelf corner because my daughter was not wearing proper shoes (my daughter was wearing her favourite shoes and she wear it everyday had no issue before) and another bigger girl was holding her hands walking fast. When asked why they didn’t call me when it happened, the answer was they only call if its an emergency, by which the definition is the kid is dying and in an ambulance (this was what the Principal literally said!). When asked why they don’t child-proof all the facilities, the answer was its Montessori schools’ philosophy to teach children to live in a real life environment even for baby and toddlers. When asked what if my daughter’s eye was hurt and damaged? The principal actually answered:”But it didn’t happen. If I worry about all the what-if, I wouldn’t be able to run the school”! The only thing the principal seemed care was if we were going to continue the school! I withdrawaled my daughter from the school for a week and the school never asked if she is getting better. And we never went back! 22 months is a quite young age for school, but if the school takes kids this age, they should be responsible for their safety. A school with such a cold and hard heart principal definitely not is the one we want to send our kids to! And apparently they don’t have enough teachers for the summer school, although the principal said they do. Everytime I drop off or pick up my daughter, there was only one teacher around, maybe one assistant sometime, for almost twenty kids. “

” This is the best Montessori School I have ever seen. The children are well mannered and very pleasant. Excellent location right off the highway. A committed and caring staff. The school had been around since 1990 and speaks volumes to the quality. “