Welcome to the
NWT Montessori Society

For over 40 years we have operated
the Yellowknife Montessori School

Working Mission: Using the Montessori Philosophy and method of education, it is the goal of the NWT Montessori Society to instill in each child a love of learning, an appreciation of nature, and a strong sense of self, and responsibility to community.

“Help me to help myself.”

Working Vision: The NWT Montessori Society strives to provide programs for preschool-aged children that focus on the dynamic relationships between children, caregivers, and the learning environment, resulting in children forging their own unique path.

Working Values: The NWT Montessori Society values guiding children through gentle leadership to take charge of their own learning, supported by caregivers and the environment. The NWT Montessori Society values the seven principles of Montessori Education: play is work, prepared environment, observation, freedom within limits, respect, hands-on learning, and independence.

Land Acknowledgement: The NWT Montessori Society acknowledges that we teach and learn on the traditional territories and homeland of the Akaitcho Dene, Tłı̨chǫ and Métis peoples of the Northwest Territories

Truth and Reconciliation: The NWT Montessori Society recognizes and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action in our programming. Calls to action 12 and 62 (i) are areas where the NWT Montessori Society can focus efforts.

12. We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to develop culturally appropriate early childhood education programs for         Aboriginal families.

62. We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to:

(i): Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal peoples’ historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students.

Programs

Casa (Preschool)

Our primary program with a focus on children aged 2.5 – 4 years old.

To succeed in our program, students must be fully potty trained. This means they require no hands on assistance when using the washroom. Our staff members will be there to coach any students that need help but this is a skill they are expected to have prior to their start date. 

Learn More >

Montessori Camps

Learn More >

2026-2027 School Year Registration Opening Next Week!
Registration will open for both Aftercare and CASA preschool programs Thursday February 19th. Registrations are received through our database and are automatically placed in chronological order.
Aftercare Locations;
NJ MacPherson max 20 spaces (up to Grade 3)
Range Lake North School max 20 spaces (up to Grade 3)
CASA Locations;
Ecole Itlo max 16 spaces
Range Lake North max 16 spaces
5212 52nd Street max 32 spaces (16 upstairs classroom & 16 downstairs classroom)

Process;

  1. Registration opens.
  2. The application process starts with entering a request through the following link;  https://www.himama.com/online_registration/apply/nwt-montessori-society
  3. All application requests are received in chronological order ensuring the process is fair.
  4. If there is space for your child, you will receive an email inviting you fill out the registration forms (if you do not receive the invite, it means there is no space currently and you are on the waitlist). Please ensure these documents are complete.  If you have immunization records, we accept a photo of those (or copy) if you do not want to go to public health to get the immunization form signed. These documents are required to be completed each year by ECE and the Society.
  5. When the system receives the documents, they will be reviewed and either start the registration or add to the waitlist (depending on space). If documents are incomplete or missing, they will not be processed, and we will move onto the next family.
  6. Please ensure that you identify the preferred location (if there is a rationale why please include it), as we try to accommodate preference but cannot guarantee you will get your choice due to space limitations.
  7. If you require morning care, drop off from 7:45 onward, please identify this in the specified section of the form. We only have limited morning care spaces, and only at the downtown and Range Lake North locations. Itlo does not offer morning care (8:15 earliest drop off time). These are on a first come first served basis.
  8. All confirmed children will be contacted and advised they have the space (by receiving the invites to complete the registration documents).
  9. Then you will hear nothing until around May/June where I will advise of which location and/or classroom they have been assigned, items required, school calendar, drop off area, classroom cell number, etc.
  10. As per the bylaws only members of the society can register their children. To become a member, there is a membership fee of 50.00.  The membership lasts for each school year (Sept to June) and membership must be current to attend. This can be paid prior to or, when submitting your application or registration documents (after receiving link to complete) via an etransfer to ed@ykmontessori.ca  or via cheque or money order. Each year’s membership expires end of June, and membership must be paid prior to the start of the next school year.  Membership is not required for summer camp, as that is not the school year.