Sea to Sky Montessori School
Elementary Program
Ages 6-12
About Our Elementary Program
Guides
Our Guides are trained by the Administration Montessori Internationale (AMI). This is the only training that continues to be backed by the Montessori family. More Importantly – our Guides love and respect their students.
Location
Our Loggers Lane location offers central Squamish drop-off and pick-up with easy highway access. The school utilizes programs at Brennan Park Recreation Center and allows for a weekly walk to our rivers and spawning channels.
AMI
The Administration Montessori Internationale (AMI) offers the most comprehensive training course available. Our AMI trained Guides go into the classroom confident they can guide your children to a world of learning and discovery.
Individual Approach
Montessori Guides present lessons at your child’s own pace. Individual and small group lessons are given by the Guide based on your child’s ability. Each lesson is geared to have successful outcomes that challenge and invite your child to discover and develop. Children are given the freedom to work with the materials that they have been presented, and then guided in the next step once the previous one has been mastered.
Peer to Peer
The three year mixed aged group is a fundamental pillar of the Montessori classroom. Within the three-year age group, there is much peer to peer learning in both academics and social areas. The kindergarten-aged child takes on a role of mentor – given the opportunity to show the younger simpler activities to their peers. The younger child strives to emulate the elder; the younger sees the “big” work the older child is able to do, and strives to learn.
“SMS is committed to meeting the social, emotional, physical and intellectual needs of the child. Within the framework of Montessori principles and philosophy, the school’s goal is to provide each child the opportunity to develop to their full potential, in a safe, loving, and affirming environment.”
— Eline Huisken, Lead Elementary Guide
The Elementary Environment
The elementary environment is designed to foster independence in students, allowing them to become less reliant on their Guide. By gradually moving towards more abstract learning, students gain confidence in their understanding of concepts and expand their knowledge in new and exciting ways. Through their own efforts and discovery, they are empowered to take control of their own learning journey and achieve their full potential.
Students have the freedom to work at their own pace and choose how they complete assignments based on their interests. They work on projects individually or in small groups, which promotes creativity and critical thinking. This provides engaging lessons that encourage research-style activities.
About the Society
After teaching in Toronto, Ontario for four years, Lindsay and Michelle moved to BC in 2006 in search of the perfect place to live and open a Montessori school. After six months, they decided Squamish was that place.
In the lower level of the Squamish Community Church, Squamish Montessori School was opened in May of 2008. Starting with three children, the school grew to expand into a second Casa or primary classroom in the Squamish Elementary public school’s building.
Today, through our Casa program and Toddler Community, we proudly serve the Sea to Sky corridor with 108 children between the ages of 12 months to Kindergarten. Starting in September 2023 we are excited to announce the beginning of our Lower Elementary Program (Grades 1 - 3) at our Loggers Lane location - and we are continuing to expand!