The IB Program at SJS has been wonderful for my two kids. The teachers and administration obviously…read morework very hard to create a well prepared and engaging environment. My experience has, so far, been limited to the junior school where the warm and encouraging (while still academically challenging) atmosphere is quite special. My son, in particular, has transformed over his three years, (and counting), at the school from a bright, though highly anxious and shy child, into a much happier confident kid.

Montessori school in south Vancouver close to Granville and West 70th Ave near Fraser River Park in…read morea light industrial area. They offer Pre-School from ages 3-6 and Elementary from grades 1-7. My kids went here from pre-school all the way through grade 5 and it was an incredible experience. A early Montessori education really helped them develop their hard-working and inquisitive personalities. French is offered from pre-school on and their level will exceed most public schools except for French immersion schools. Both French language and culture is taught which is nice so the kids have a practical reference for use of the language. They have both class observations where the parents can observe their kid in the normal class environment and parent/teacher conferences. Year-end show is fun where the elementary kids all present skits, songs and plays for the parents at a nearby theatre. Competition to get into the pre-school program is quite stiff so register early to get on the waiting list. Dedicated, long-term teachers and staff, highly recommended!

I was charged a banned $150 waitlist fee in 2025. Beware! Combined with the high tuition (see West…read moreCoast Child Care fee survey), overall, I get the impression they prioritize collecting fees and deposits from desperate parents, using pressure tactics, over following rules. I also found out their contracts violate the BPCPA in several ways and that I actually held the right to refund despite non-refundability clauses. Update: when I brought this to their attention, they returned the waitlist fee but refused to return the deposit, in violation of the BPCPA. Buyer Beware! (Noticed this comment in another review too) As Principal Jelena told me, measure twice, cut once.

I've observed in this school, and volunteered several times. During my initial observations, I was…read moreimpressed at the level of discipline in the classrooms; it was only the third week of the school year, and already the children's activities were humming along smoothly. I haven't been in a Montessori environment for a while because I've pursued other career choices, but I wanted to get back in touch with it so I set up observations at a couple of nearby schools, and after visiting this school I was happy to spend some time volunteering there as well. (I found schools near my house by using the yelp search feature, of course!) The classrooms are located in the very large church hall of a Russian Orthodox church, and are each spacious and cheerful, with plenty of windows and bright decorations, and classical music playing in the background. There are also pianos (one grand and one upright), which are used for the weekly music class. There are 3 classrooms, and a fenced (locked) outside play area along the side of the church. If you aren't familiar with the Montessori way, the children - in mixed-age classes from 2.5 to 5.5 years old - were working quietly and independently at child-sized tables and on mats on the floor, either alone or in pairs, using Montessori materials to explore and develop their practical life skills, sensorial processing, shapes (2-D and 3-D), letters & writing, numbers & addition, and other benchmark preschooler/kindergartner skills. Per provincial requirements, there are two teachers for 20 children, so if you have any experience of preschoolers you know that it takes true talent to channel their exuberant energy into focused activity like that with that many children in the same room. As a "responsible adult" volunteer, I visited for 3-hour shifts in the downstairs classroom. I was also impressed when the children approached me and asked for assistance with their work and took pride in their roles as learners, not asking me to do things "for" them, but rather asking me to assist with specific issues so that they could complete their work on their own. They brought their work to me so show off their accomplishments with true pride. Several times, children approached me and took my hand, wanting me to walk with them as they looked around to choose another activity. This is a fabulous Montessori moment, in my opinion, and it showed me that these students are benefiting from a genuine Montessori approach. This particular school also offers French, music, art and Mandarin, but I am qualified to judge only the first two (I am ... 'challenged" ... in the visual art department, and I don't speak Chinese, but I speak French and I studied music for many years): the children spoke to me using intelligible French phrases and understood simple directions the same as in English, and the music class included not only learning to sing a song with synchronized movements, but also a music appreciation exercise of listening to a short piece played on the piano, which I think is a great idea for this age group; the children sat thoughtfully and really listened to it all the way through. P.S. If you care about such distinctions, this school is on the AMI side of things and is run in accordance with AMI principles and practices October Challenge 31/31

WMS is a place like no other, it's simply outstanding in every way. The staff is like my extended…read morefamily. I trust them implicitly. My son adores them and talks about them like they are his friends. The program is incredible. They even did a home visit to get to get to know our family better before the first day. That set the tone for us and the school has exceeded our expectations in every way. There are requirements to attend - a full commitment to the program. I was looking for a true Montessori school for my son's most important developmental years. I wanted an authentic Montessori experience and that's what he is getting, and then some. With that comes the need to stick to my word and follow through on my family's commitment to my child completing Montessori at WMS through Kindergarten. And he will, and so will my daughter. I wouldn't have it any other way. And I expect the other families in my child's class to do the same. We are all in it together. Trying to leave early ruins it for all of us. As parents, if you sign up and take a coveted space, then at least follow through. Don't sign up, break your word and expect cake and flowers.

My son attended here few years ago and only writing a review now. I felt roped into staying in…read moretheir program longer than I should have at West Side Montessori program. This program was no longer what I thought it was due to philosophical issues I had with teaching staff who often took a very one sided approach to matters. Do not buy into their philosophy and contracts for kindergarten to keep your hard earned money. I also felt their philosophy of values in how they dealt with matters also impacted their teachings and emotional safety of children.

The female theatre teacher Ms. Byrne is horrible. Counselor made my son take drama as an elective,…read moreacross multiple years. English is his second language. Our son told us that Ms. Byrne told him to speak more "clearly", and to work on speaking "proper" English, and used a slur against Chinese people when talking about him. She frequently confused Asian names, no matter what the students looked like. To us parents that was offensive as she didn't take the time to care for Asian students she did to others. Beyond that our son told us that students in the class felt uncomfortable, she often commented on student's bodies, talked about what the children were wearing. As parents we encouraged our son to speak to Ms. Byrne about the issue. He did and he told us that she told him he would receive a bad grade if he continued. We attempted to have a meeting, but the teacher said no. The school should be ashamed of employing a teacher so prejudiced, racist, and dismissive of student's feelings.

The food is a bit too overpriced and really isn't that great. But, no one forces you to get…read moreanything so really it's up to you.