About
Respect, creativity, independence & compassion
Nelephant Montessori School in St. Catharines is a Not-for-Profit Charity committed to providing an authentic Montessori education for young children.
Authentic Montessori in St. Catharines to inspire a lifelong love of learning
Are you interested in learning more about Nelephant and our authentic Montessori programs? Join the waitlist now, and when we have space available we will reach out to you to book a tour.
Celebrating 50+ years of learning
Nelephant Montessori School was founded in 1971 by a group of dedicated parents. They wanted a school program that provided children with the opportunity to develop into self-reliant, confident, independent learners.
What these parents created has helped to shape and inspire several generations of capable, confident, and happy children.
Today, Nelephant Montessori School provides a loving, nurturing and family-oriented environment. Many of our alumni have enrolled their own children because they had such an amazing, life-changing experience!
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide a high-quality Montessori education that fosters our children’s lifelong love for learning in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment.
Mission Statement
Our community of staff, board members, parents, and volunteers in St. Catharines is committed to providing students between the ages of 18 months and 6 years with a high-quality and authentic Montessori School environment and education.
Our Values
As a community, we value the following to the highest degree possible: community, respect, individuality, independence, creativity, and compassion.
At Nelephant Montessori School we provide both a Toddler Program (18 months to 3 years) and a Casa Program (3 to 6 years).
This period of time in a child’s development is crucial. It is at this time of their development that their educational experience is building the foundation for who they will become. An authentic Montessori education can ensure the whole child is nurtured including their mind, body and spirit.
"The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six."
Dr. Maria Montessori
Nelephant Montessori School has been a CCMA accredited school since 2003. Being accredited by the Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators (CCMA) ensures your child is immersed in a Montessori program that is following authentic Montessori guidelines.
Because the Montessori name is not protected, not all programs advertised as Montessori are following Dr. Maria Montessori’s guidelines or delivering a Montessori curriculum. One way to ensure a genuine Montessori program is by looking for a school that is CCMA Accredited.
The Nelephant community involves parents at every level of our school. Nelephant Montessori in St. Catharines has a volunteer-elected Parent Board. Parents can also join one of our Parent Committees and participate in fundraising and social events throughout the school year.
The involvement of parents in the Nelephant community is crucial to their child’s learning and growth. All parents will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers for Parent/Teacher Interviews twice per year and our Casa parents will also be invited into the classroom to observe and work with their child throughout the year.
