THE CASA PROGRAM

Mixed age classes, developmentally appropriate lessons and personalized instruction.

Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten Years

The Casa Program is made up of Preschool, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten. The full three year program is a mandatory component of registration in our school. The learning in one year builds upon the next so that students complete their Kindergarten year prepared for the transition to Elementary School. 

Preschool Year
​Age 3 - 4

The half-day, morning or afternoon, Preschool program allows children to participate in the multi-age classroom setting without overwhelming them with a full-day program. 

Preschool students attend four half-days, Monday through Thursday. 

Junior Kindergarten Year
Age 4 - 5

The half-day, morning or afternoon, Junior Kindergarten program allows children to continue to participate in the multi-age classroom setting . 

Junior Kindergarten students attend five half days per week including  the Enrichment Program on Friday mornings with their same-aged peers.

Kindergarten Year
Age 5 - 6

The full-day Kindergarten program is the culmination of the three-year program. It allows the children to achieve their early academic potential and develop strong leadership skills.

Children in Kindergarten attend full days on Monday through Thursday and the Enrichment Program on Friday mornings with their same-aged peers. 

Subjects Taught

Our fully licensed and professionally trained Montessori teachers lead the students through various subject areas throughout the day according to the child’s readiness. Teachers in each classroom hold their Independent School Teaching Certificate with the Ministry of Education and are fully qualified as Early Childhood Educators.

In the first year, students learn Practical Life subjects to develop self helps skills, fine motor abilities and a sense of order. This cultivates independence, focus and confidence in his or her own abilities. The Sensorial materials are introduced to refine his or her understanding of their surroundings.

The second year student delves deeper into the study of Language, Math, Geography and Social Sciences. Introductory reading, writing and math skills are introduced to the children for development in their Kindergarten year.

The third year Montessori child takes on great responsibilities within the classroom, among their peers and for their own learning. The teachers continue guide the children to reach their full academic and social potential in this capstone year of the Three Year Cycle.
​
Specialist Teachers provide instruction in Yoga, French and Orff Music every week to students of all ages. Soccer is added to the specialist program for the Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten years.

The Casa Classroom

Mixed age classrooms encourage community, mentorship and emotional development. Younger children are inspired by having older children working in the same environment. Older students learn how to be confident leaders and reinforce their own knowledge by sharing it with younger ones.
​
The Casa Classroom has small class sizes with only 20 students and three teachers. This allows for personalized instruction and specific focus on each child.

Friday Enrichment Program

The Enrichment Program runs on Friday mornings. The activities are an extension of the Montessori curriculum with a specific, smaller group focus. The program includes neighbourhood outings, field trips, guest speakers, in class workships, science experiments, soccer classes, journal writing and project work.

All Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students participate in the Enrichment Program.

The Mandatory Three Year Cycle

We cannot stress enough the importance of full completion of the Three Year Cycle at Westside Montessori School. The progression of the Three Year Cycle was laid out by Maria Montessori to follow the natural acquisition of skills and knowledge from year to year throughout the early developmental period of a child's life.

At WMS, every single activity that the children work with are building blocks for the next skill. Nothing is arbitrary or isolated. For later knowledge building, the steps before need to be followed. To ensure acquisition of the full skill set, the final steps must also be taken. This is why we stress the completion of all three years of our program.
​
Kindergarten Year Tuition Deposits are collected at registration during a child's Preschool and Junior Kindergarten years.

​These tuition deposits are held and applied towards tuition fees your child's Kindergarten Year.

Tuition

Kindergarten Commitment: While tuition contracts are for one year at a time, WMS requires that children be enrolled with the written and financial commitment of completing the full Three-Year Program. This is in keeping with sound Montessori philosophy and the integrity of our program.

The Kindergarten Year Tuition Deposit is due upon registration in a student's first and second years and is applied to the final tuition instalment in a student's Kindergarten Year.

Please note: If a child begins at WMS in their Junior Kindergarten year, a $3000 Kindergarten Year Tuition Deposit will be due upon registration.

Full tuition, including the Kindergarten Year Tuition Deposit. is due at enrolment. Parents have the option to pay by lump sum or in three instalments with post-dated cheques: 1st March, 1st June, 1st October.
​
Yearly Tuition Fees cover the complete cost of the Montessori Program including Specialist Classes, Snack and Field Trips.

Yearly Tuition for the 2023 - 2024 School Year:

PRESCHOOL
4 Half Days
Monday to Thursday
$11,000
(+ $1500 Kindergarten Year Tuition Deposit)

JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN
5 Half Days
Monday to Thursday & Friday Enrichment
$13,250
(+ $1500 Kindergarten Year Tuition Deposit)

FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN
4.5 Full Days
Monday to Thursday & Friday Enrichment
$19,950
​(less the Kindergarten Year Tuition Deposit paid in first and second years)
Please Note: The BC Ministry of Children and Family Development may provide a childcare subsidy for children who attend a licensed childcare program. Contact Affordable Child Care Benefit (ACCB) for more information.

The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) is also designed to help Canadian families, as they try to balance work and family life, by supporting their child care choices through direct financial support.

Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

An exemption from tuition is not available by absence, including illness or vacation.
​
Letters of recommendation or the completion of reference forms are only provided for children during their Kindergarten Year in support applications to Grade One.
CASA PROGRAM CAMPUS
Westside Montessori School

4157 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC
​V6H 2N1

Office Phone: 604.731.6594