The St. James Montessori School was founded in 1969 with the purpose of offering our local community the enrichment of a Montessori preschool education.
From its modest beginnings in the basement of a local church, our school has expanded, and is now located in two spacious, sunlit classrooms in Lincoln Middle School.
St. James Montessori School is a non-profit charitable organization and relies heavily on donations and the fundraising efforts of all of our families. The school is operated by our Director Laura Burla and is overseen by our Volunteer Board of Directors to ensure we are able to offer all students the benefit of a Montessori education.
Photo by Kert Gartner
Our School provides a challenging and stimulating environment that enables the child to develop independence, self-confidence, initiative, concentration, and social skills. These skills, combined with an emphasis on self-control and discipline, provide excellent preparation for the transition to Kindergarten and Grade One.
We offer quality care and education for up to 20 children aged 2.5 years - 6 years in a 2.5 hour morning or afternoon program 3-5 days a week.
The classrooms are carefully laid out and geared specifically to the child's level, both physically and academically. The learning materials explore basic elements of biology, botany, geography, math, language, world culture, and creativity. We have further enhanced our program and curriculum by including a strong socio-emotional development component as well as daily gross-motor time to encourage physical fitness. We have combined all of the elements, principles and materials of the Montessori Method with the Developmentally Appropriate Practices of the Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Program. We strongly believe that by merging these two early childhood education principles, we are supporting the growth of the Whole Child.
The St. James Montessori School is committed to supporting families of all socio-economic backgrounds and families are welcome to apply for the Manitoba Subsidy Program.
As part of Manitoba's now defunct Early Learning and Child Care Initiative, we were previously an Enhanced Nursery School.
We are the only Montessori School in Manitoba to have been awarded the Enhanced status.
In order to be Approved for this Enhanced Nursery School Operating Grant, programs need to continually be demonstrating the highest standards in early childhood education. We continue to do so, even after the Province ended the program. The Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Program awarded our School with this status in the Fall of 2014, due to the success of our program’s dedication to merging Developmentally Appropriate Practices with the Montessori Method.
The St. James Montessori School is dedicating to supporting children of all developmental abilities and needs. The Montessori Method can be very beneficial to children with additional support needs including Autism Spectrum Disorders and Sensory Disorders.
For more information on our School's Inclusion Policies, please contact our Executive Director.
