History of St. Christopher's Montessori School

St. Christopher's Montessori School, a non-profit organization owned by parents and operated by a Board and a Principal, opened in the fall of 1978. It was an offshoot of the original Montessori school in Victoria, Queenswood Montessori School. When that school closed, a group of dedicated parents organized the Queenswood Montessori Society, and found a new location on the corner of Currie and Newport in Oak Bay. The early 1900's building had originally been a small primary school, later enlarged and converted to a dance studio. The Society purchased the building for $130,000 with a one dollar down payment.

Over the years, a number of expansions and improvements have been made to the school and grounds. The attic was developed in 1988; a major playground project was completed in 1991; the kitchen was expanded and renovated in 1999. In the summer of 2007, the first phase of designs for new outdoor areas was started. The garden area was expanded, and the new sandbox was completed and open for business in May 2008.  In 2010, the main floor bathroom was renovated, the main building reroofed and new installation added; 2011 saw the outdoor sheds upgraded, some playground equipment replaced and the hallways refreshed with new paint.  

St. Christopher's is proud to continue the tradition of providing quality education.

Montessori Method

The Montessori Method is an alternative educational system that caters to the whole child. Freedom, choice and the ability to move are all an integral part of the Montessori program. Each child can work with materials according to interest and ability. The multi-aged classrooms provide for opportunities to interact with children of different ages which is an accurate reflection of relationships in real life.

School Mission

Our children's house provides a nurturing Montessori community dedicated to educating the whole child, heart, mind and body.

School Values

St. Christopher's Montessori School creates a warm and secure environment in a home-like setting. Our school is solely and especially designed for the needs of the young child. During their three years here, they develop social and cognitive skills that give them a firm foundation upon which each child can begin creating the person they will become. We foster independence, love of learning and respect for self, others and the environment. Our Montessori curriculum shapes an individualized program for each child according to his/her own interest, learning style and natural pace. Our children learn that school is the place where they succeed and have fun! 

Facilities 

 Our spacious classrooms are attractive, functional and equipped with the complete range of Montessori materials.  In addition to these wonderful materials, we have a wide range of educational tools and other supplemental equipment. 

Our outdoor areas provide a magical environment in which to explore and develop skills, strength and agility. Our new garden area is an extension of our classroom curriculum. The children see science in action. Our new boat sandbox provides endless fun!

"The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one - the period from the age of birth to the age of six."

Maria Montessori