700 Gray Ave, Saskatoon, SK S7N 2J3
About Us
Our Vision Statement
Our vision is to cultivate a life-long love of learning while developing caring and respectful individuals who positively contribute to the world around them.
Our Mission Statement
Guided by the Montessori philosophy and the Virtues Project, we will provide a peaceful and caring environment that nurtures the development of every child and their natural curiosity for learning.
The Montessori Philosophy
Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) developed her philosophy of education through careful observation and thorough training in medicine, psychology, and anthropology. Dr. Montessori discovered that children pass through ‘sensitive periods’ of development in their early years - when they are particularly receptive to certain stimuli. Maria Montessori described the child’s mind between the time of birth and six years of age as the “absorbent mind” stating that during these years, the child has a tremendous ability to learn and assimilate from the world around them. The Montessori approach introduces the child to materials that the child is interested in, and which are specifically designed to develop and enhance their senses. The children are also given the freedom to choose the materials they work with which creates a love and a joy for learning.
Why Our School?
What Is Montessori?
Montessori is an individualized approach that helps each child reach their full potential in all areas of life. It is a student-centered approach that encourages creativity and curiosity and leads children to ask questions, explore, investigate and think for themselves as they acquire skills.
A Montessori environment focuses more on student's learning than on a teacher's teaching. Specially trained Montessori teachers guide, coach and facilitate each child's learning through continuous observation and assessment.
Concepts are taught with specialized Montessori materials that allow students to learn in concrete and sensorial ways before moving into abstract concepts. This creates a strong and lasting foundation that carries them through their schooling.
What Is Authentic Montessori?
Since ‘Montessori’ is a word in the public domain, it is possible for any individual or institution to claim to be a ‘Montessori School’. An ‘authentic Montessori’ classroom should have the following basic characteristics at all levels:
- A classroom atmosphere which encourages social interaction for cooperative learning, peer teaching, and emotional development.
- A schedule which allows uninterrupted large blocks of work time to problem-solve, to see connections in knowledge and to create new ideas.
- A full and diverse set of Montessori materials, activities, and experiences which are designed to foster physical, intellectual, creative, social, and personal independence.
- A partnership established with the family. The family is considered an integral part of the individual's total development.
- Teachers educated in the Montessori philosophy and the methodology for the age level they are teaching who have the ability, experience and dedication to put the key concepts into practice.
- A multi-aged, multi-graded, heterogeneous grouping of students.
Why Brilliant Star Montessori School?
Brilliant Star Montessori is committed to providing a joyful and authentic Montessori experience for students. We are a Qualified Independent School and Charitable Organization with highly experienced and certified staff. Guided by the Montessori philosophy and the Virtues Project, we will provide a peaceful and caring environment that nurtures the development of every child and their natural curiosity for learning. Our vision is to cultivate a life-long love of learning while developing caring and respectful individuals who positively contribute to the world around them.
Brilliant Star Montessori School is officially the FIRST Montessori School in Saskatchewan to be a CCMA Member School under the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators.
Reviews and Testimonials
"All three of our children attended this amazing school in both the Casa and Elementary programs. We will forever be grateful for the foundation that Brilliant Star Montessori and their teaching philosophy provided for our children's education and for our family values."
- Jason Danielson
"My son went to Brilliant Star from grade 3-5... What a wonderful school. My son loved the environment, the materials, the teachers, the learning style........ Montessori teaches children to love learning, to explore the world, to respect each other and the environment, to always be trying to be the best person you can be, in a spirit of respect and acceptance and appreciation for each other. Any child lucky enough to go to Brilliant Star is a blessed child indeed."
- Bev Pongracz
"I have come to know many schools and Montessori schools across the country over the years both professionally and personally and have never found one as tirelessly dedicated to excellence, passion for child-directed learning. I have an MSc in Capacity Building and am in awe at the way the school inspires children to engage with their own learning and tap into inner joys for education.
All the staff are all incredibly genuine, professional and great role models for the children. The school space itself is beautiful, inspiring and invokes a home learning familiarity that encourages children to feel more relaxed and focused on inquisitive learning than social dynamics. My only wish is that there was another Brilliant Star Montessori of this caliber on the west coast. Congrats to Julie and all the staff at this school for creating such an inspiring school dynamic!!!"
- Michael Leggett
"Our three children have attended both the casa and elementary program over the last six years at Brilliant Star Montessori. By following Maria Montessori's philosophies, the school has inspired a love of learning and in turn fostered confidence, helpfulness and independence. The directors (teachers) at the school follow the Virtues project which is a wonderful teaching tool to encourage the use of virtues in everyday life to help bring out the best in each child. Our children were not only taught the virtues, but practiced them on a daily basis. Consideration, forgiveness, generosity, honesty and kindness are just a few of the virtues (there are 52 of them) that create a caring and peaceful school and help build students who love to learn, but equally important - those of strong character. The directors are incredibly kind, patient and guide the children to be their best. We truly appreciate everything about the school and cannot say enough good things about it."
- Claudette Pesenti