Bannockburn offers exceptional Toddler, Primary, and Elementary Montessori education. Children choose purposeful work in a welcoming, inspiring learning environment designed to foster independence, imagination, and intellectual curiosity. Our enriched Montessori learning environments enable the whole child to develop – intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Bannockburn sBannockburn's story begins with a community of parents and educators united by a lifelong love of learning. Local families and educators from North Toronto and North York neighborhoods were passionate about giving their children an authentic, exceptional Montessori education. In 1993, under the leadership of founder Ada love Gorrie, the Children'sChildren's Montessori Independent School (CMIS) opened its doors to a tightly-knit and supportive community. A year later, CMIS acquired not-for-profit status and changed its name to Bannockburn School. It'sIt's solid standing as an outstanding Montessori school led to the growth of Elementary and Toddler Programs.
Over 20 years later, Bannockburn is a treasured community school, and its reputation for exceptional, enriched academics, outstanding Montessori standards, and respect for the whole child continues to strengthen and spread. Today, many students and families are proud to know Bannockburn as a second home: a warm, beautiful school community where children love to learn, and where they grow and thrive as creative, confident and compassionate individuals.
Silvia and I wanted to let you know how pleased we are with Bannockburn and the enjoyable experience your school has provided Bianca over the past seven years. As you know, Bianca started attending Bannockburn in junior kindergarten and finishes Grade 6 in June. Attending the school was the best decision we could have made for our daughter, as Bannockburn is an extraordinary place.
We are strong supporters of the Montessori teaching principles and practices. In our opinion, there is no doubt that Bannockburn delivers the best Montessori education in the city. Evidence of your school'sschool's excellent teachers, support staff, and superior learning environment were confirmed when Bianca was accepted to all four of the schools to which she applied for grade 7. As Bannockburn only goes up to grade 6, over the last year, we undertook to try to figure out the next best school for Bianca to attend. We applied to several prominent private schools, all of which had a substantial number of applicants and rigorous admission criteria. Some of our friends were concerned that Bianca might have difficulty accepting those schools due to her attending a Montessori school. However, I am pleased to advise that Bianca was accepted by all four of the schools to which she applied and will be attending Branksome Hall this September.
Also, the feedback we received from the four schools was that Bianca displayed a high level of confidence, maturity, and exemplary communication skills. Without question, your school played an invaluable role in helping Bianca realize her academic potential and teaching her a desire for learning. We could not be happy with Bianca's results during her time at Bannockburn, nor with the excellent teachers, staff, and remarkable learning environment your school has provided. We highly recommend Bannockburn as a premier school, be it Montessori or otherwise, and cannot thank you enough for the kindness and support everyone at Bannockburn has shown our daughter over the years.
Our mission is to develop responsible, nurturing, peaceful young people with self-esteem and respect for others. Bannockburn graduates are self-motivated, intellectually-curious students who love learning and who achieve academic success. To achieve our vision and mission, Bannockburn School:
- Inherently respects and strives to meet the needs of each child.
- It provides an enriched learning experience that honors and practices the core tenets of Montessori philosophy.
- Offers a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for joyful learning.
- Attracts and employs passionate, dedicated, and fully-qualified staff.
- Maintains a respectful partnership with parents through frequent and open communication.
The enriched Montessori curriculum at Bannockburn offers a range and depth that exceeds the skills and knowledge covered in the provincial curriculum. Besides comprehensive academic range and depth, Bannockburn students develop excellent learning skills, including organized and resourceful research, analytical and critical thinking, and effective time management. When coupled with an independent love of learning, these skills enable each child to confidently and successfully thrive in any learning environment.
Bannockburn'sBannockburn's Toddler Program is open to children between 18 months and three years old, with half-day and full-day options available. Our nurturing and peaceful Toddler environments, evoke harmony, and curiosity in our littlest learners. We strive to create a safe and caring haven that supports the development of the whole child. Thoughtful attention and detail have gone into creating a welcoming Toddler community that fosters physical and psychological development, cultivates budding independence, and helps realize individual potential. Children step into a loving, warm space where everything – from the furniture to the sensitive materials – has been created with their rapid growth in mind. A minimal teacher-student ratio of 1:5 ensures that each child is given the care he or she needs.
As with Bannockburn classrooms at all levels, the Primary environment is designed from the child'schild's perspective: The natural, wood furniture is scaled to size, manipulative materials are displayed in a sequential and visually-engaging manner, and teachers intently observe and respond to each child. Children develop self-control as they freely choose activities from the different classroom areas and cultivate internal focus through periods of uninterrupted work. Alongside their growing knowledge and willpower, they organically learn from one another and cultivate grace and courtesy in a mixed-age environment.
A Bannockburn education prepares the individual for success within the classroom and beyond it. Imagination, interaction, inquiry, and initiative are critical components of our Montessori Elementary program. Bannockburn Elementary students actively build upon their strong academic foundation and progress towards achievement and fulfillment through collaboration, creative expression, and contribution to the community.
The Elementary environments are dynamic, vibrant spaces buzzing with inspired lessons, passionate projects, and cooperative study. Freedom and responsibility continue to be exercised and refined, enabling students to cultivate independence and their ability to choose while simultaneously imparting the importance of responsibility.
