About Us
Established in 1976, Brockville Montessori School is a small, independent school for children ages 2½ to 6.
Licensed for 32 children, we offer Dr. Maria Montessori’s three-year Casa dei Bambini, or “Children’s House,” program — a science-based and research-backed alternative to traditional kindergarten.
Our History
Celebrating our 50th anniversary!
Brockville Montessori School was established in 1976 as a non-profit charitable organization licensed by the Ministry of Community and Social Services and operated by a parent board. In 2011, the school was purchased by its long-time educators, Mary Jane Leslie and Erica Swirsky. They remain its owners and operators.
Our Approach
At Brockville Montessori, children learn by doing.
With thoughtful guidance, our students are driven by their own curiosity. Our carefully prepared environment supports their cognitive, physical, and emotional development. Here, mistakes aren't failures — they're stepping stones to growth, and children are free to learn at their own pace without pressure or shame.
Our classroom uses hands-on Montessori materials — not toys. These materials are engaging and purposeful, delivering an academic curriculum that prepares children for first grade and well beyond.
Activities are designed for both independent work and social development. Your child may choose to focus on their own projects or collaborate with others in a group. Lessons are planned individually for each child, allowing them to spend more time where they need it or move ahead when they're ready. This allows our Directress to respond to each child's unique level of understanding and interest.
Like all authentic Montessori schools, our environment is designed specifically for children aged 2 ½ to 6. Everything is child-sized, welcoming, and intentional, fostering self-discipline, internal motivation, and a love of learning.
Our multi-age classroom fosters a natural sense of community among the children, while the low 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio enables us to engage with each child's individual learning style.
We don't just offer an education — we offer a foundation for life.
We are more than educators — we’re guides, observers, and champions of each child's unique potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. The school is licensed by the Ministry of Education and must follow its requirements.
We are currently licensed to operate two classrooms with 16 children each, at an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
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Each of our two classrooms have one qualified Montessori Directress one qualified Montessori Assistant.
Yoga in French is provided once a week, starting in October by our volunteer teacher.
Any additional staff is selected by the owners of the school.
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Yes. As required by the Ministry of Education, all staff and volunteers working in the classroom are subject to a vulnerable sector criminal reference check to ensure the safety and security of the children.
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To ensure continued quality education for the children, the Directresses periodically upgrade their skills by attending conferences and refresher courses.
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We are not actively recruiting at this time. If you would like to be considered for a future position, please Contact Us to express your interest. We keep all applications on file.
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At this time, we are not entertaining student placements.
