Dr. Montessori observed that children between the ages six and twelve experience an explosive period of social and intellectual growth. The elementary program, she believed, should be responsive to the children’s intellectual energy and imagination during these critical learning years.
The Montessori elementary classrooms and materials provide students with the tools for self-directed learning under the guidance of their teachers. Self-discipline, self-motivation, and organizational skills are strengthened as students work at their own pace. In our classrooms, the focus is on the process of learning, rather than on a simple accumulation of facts; the student applies knowledge gained through critical thinking.
Modelled upon Dr. Montessori’s directives and perfectly suited to each elementary child’s needs, the GMS elementary Montessori program prepares and inspires its students to achieve academic excellence through a love of learning.
Private elementary school (Grades 1 to 6) Curriculum
Elementary children (ages 6-12) follow the Montessori curriculum, which surpasses guidelines set by the Ontario Ministry of Education. The Montessori elementary curriculum includes language and literary arts, mathematics, geography, history, economics, science, technology, art, music, drama, physical education, computer skills and a comprehensive French program.
Elementary Specialist Programs:
The arts and physical education play important roles at GMS. Classes in physical education, fine arts, music theory, recorder, and theatrical studies are all taught by specialists.
Bilingual French Program:
At GMS, special emphasis is placed on French. Our aim is to generate enjoyment and ease in speaking and understanding the French language. Formal lessons, games and activities expand the children’s vocabulary.
At both the junior elementary (ages 6 to 9) and senior elementary (ages 9 to 12) levels, GMS’s extended French programming offers students daily French language instruction in small classes.
Students are also assisted in building their French language skills through individualized instruction during the work cycles. To create a bilingual atmosphere at GMS, specialist classes in (gym, art, theatre etc..) incorporate French. Additional opportunities for conversational French are offered during lunch, recess, French café and in the bilingual after-school enrichment classes.
At the senior elementary level, the French program is taken a step further, as students pursue cultural studies and extensive research projects in the French language.
Meet your elementary guides
- Ms. Thom (BA Hons., B.Ed., AMI) leads Senior Elementary (ages 9–12)
- Ms. Roberta (BA, AMS) leads Junior Elementary (ages 6–9).
Together they have guided GMS elementary students for over 20 years.
Meet our full teaching team and their Montessori credentials →
What does a Montessori elementary classroom look like day to day?
Children learn in mixed-age communities where they support one another, collaborate on meaningful work, and grow in confidence as both learners and leaders. At any given moment, you might see one group researching ancient civilizations, another working through advanced mathematical ideas with hands-on materials, and others writing, experimenting, or preparing for a small group discussion.
The classrooms are active, purposeful, and full of energy, but they are also grounded in care and respect. As students move between independent work, collaborative learning, and teacher guidance, they gradually develop responsibility, concentration, and a genuine love of learning.
Rather than asking children to simply memorize information, we invite them to wonder, investigate, question, and discover. In this kind of environment, learning becomes deeply meaningful, children feel truly seen and valued, and education becomes a joyful journey toward becoming capable, thoughtful, and caring citizens of the world.
What is peace education in Montessori?
Peace education is at the very heart of this work. Maria Montessori believed that each generation of children carries within it the hope for a more peaceful world. At GMS, children bring these values to life each day by volunteering, helping younger students, and sharing their time, knowledge, and kindness with one another throughout the school.
“The child is both a hope and a promise for humanity. If we therefore mind this embryo as our most precious treasure, we will be working for the greatness of humanity.” — Dr. Maria Montessori, Education and Peace
Does the Montessori elementary curriculum align with the Ontario curriculum?
The GMS elementary curriculum covers all Ontario Ministry of Education subject areas — language and literary arts, mathematics, geography, history, science, and the arts — while adding economics, technology, drama, and a comprehensive daily French program. Students who transfer to Ontario public or private schools do so without a curriculum gap.
What is the difference between junior and senior elementary?
Junior Elementary serves ages 6 to 9 and Senior Elementary serves ages 9 to 12, reflecting Montessori’s mixed-age three-year cycles. Both levels receive daily French instruction in small classes. At the senior level, students extend their French through cultural studies and extensive research projects conducted in French.
Coming from Casa? See our bilingual Montessori preschool program → Elementary students also take part in our music program → and after-school enrichment →
“When interested, a child becomes self-motivated. Self-motivation leads to self-discipline. When self-disciplined, a child engages in a process of mastery and develops his or her potential.”
Dr. Maria Montessori