Montessori is so much about fostering a child's true exploration and expression of the self; the Kingfisher classroom is where it all comes together, where it really coalesces. We've seen it twice now; our first child moved onto high school with a stable foundation, a sense of self and a curiosity about the world around him and our second child entered Kingfisher having seen his older brother's experience. Those positive expectations are being fully realized for our son.
And as parents we see Kingfisher classroom as the perfect culmination of the Montessori experience!
Our child transferred to Selkirk in the middle grades after several years of flailing academically and socially in another school. His confidence was at a real low point. It is no understatement to say that Selkirk has been a monumentally positive move for him. Since moving to Selkirk he has regained his self esteem and love for learning, and it keeps flourishing! His classroom is a calm and safe place where he feels truly cared for. His teachers are dedicated and talented professionals, who put a lot of time and thought into their lessons. He comes home sharing all the things he learned in the day, which never happened before this year. We love the mix of academics, leadership, fine arts, music, sport, outdoor learning, community engagement, etc at Selkirk. He says going to school is like going to a favourite camp each day!
Selkirk Montessori isn't just a school—it becomes a comforting place to look forward to going to every morning. The relationships formed between teachers and students allows for education to be welcoming and friendly, while encouraging children to try their hardest.
Sending my daughter to Selkirk Montessori School was one of the best decisions I made as a parent. I knew after I had worked at the school as a teacher that it would be the ideal environment for my own child to grow up and develop in. I saw first hand how the Montessori method and all the attentive staff nurtured every child who passed through their doors. And after 11 years in the school, my daughter has not only mastered her 3 Rs, but has learned how to be a mature, contributing member of society. I am very proud of her, and much of who she has become is thanks to the wonderful work of the staff at Selkirk Montessori.
As a visible minority and person of faith, I have always felt welcome in the Selkirk community and, even beyond that, I am incredibly grateful that our faith has been supported and welcomed into the school and we have been able to share it with the community in meaningful ways. It has no doubt assisted both my girls with embracing their identities.
Thanks to you and the rest of your amazing people!
I have one child in the kingfisher class right now, and one that graduated from Selkirk last year. Both kids have had a fantastic learning experience at the school, with huge developmental growth—especially in the kingfisher class in grade 8. The dedicated and supportive administration staff and teachers are at the root of this, providing so many extra enrichment opportunities including Leadership experiences, the debate club, Montessori Model UN, team sports, exceptional music education and theatrical performance experiences. If there was a high school option both kids would stay at Selkirk through grade 12!
Selkirk has helped me build strong relationships with my fellow classmates and Teachers. This school has also helped prepare me for high school and real life. I love Selkirk because of the many opportunities that it has to offer for students from preschool all the way up to grade eight. I also see Selkirk as a big family because of the support that I and all of my classmates get from each other and the Teachers.
I don't know who I would be without Selkirk. The Teachers and Staff have basically raised me to be the person I am today. I was at Selkirk for 8 years, and in that long yet short period of time I made so many memories and learned so many lessons that will stick with me forever. I love Selkirk and the family built around it.
I have no shortage of praise for Selkirk Montessori School. I can't imagine my child being a better fit in a different school. The staff and educators are amazing people, who love each child and take real time to get to know them. So much value is placed in who an individual child is, and what their strengths are as they are gently guided into an understanding of how they will succeed. The learning environment goes beyond the B.C. curriculum and academics. Selkirk Montessori is a school in which grace and courtesy—the tenets of Montessori education—and kindness, love and respect for all people and living things is instilled. Selkirk Montessori is more than just a school. It's a community that prides itself of being inclusive, kind and supportive to those within it and to the community at large.
Both my boys who are now in Grade 12 and Grade 8 went to Selkirk from when they were 3 years old all the way to Grade 8.
I could not have made a better decision in my life than this. I am so proud of myself for this decision. The skills, the awareness, the compassion, the sense of community that Selkirk has provided cannot be matched. Extraordinary staff at every grade level. I am so happy that we stayed here this long!
A proud parent of proud Montessorians!
