Adolescent Program
Suitable for ages 12 to 14 years
Course Content
Westside’s Adolescent program is geared for students in grades 7-8 and provides our eldest students the opportunity to pursue both academic study as well as to participate in adult life through taking on responsibilities within both the school and their greater community. Program goals include preparing our students academically and socially for high school while offering them experiences to contribute to society in meaningful ways.
Our students run their own microeconomy, they plan and carry out their own business; allowing them to strengthen their skills in communication and math while also learning new skills including marketing, finance and entrepreneurship.
Areas of study include the Humanities, Language, Literature, French as a second language, Mathematics, Sciences, Production and Exchange and Community Work. Between tending to our onsite orchard and programming through the PINE Project, our students spend significant time outside connecting with and caring for their natural environment.
Humanities
The Middle School Humanities curriculum encompasses the study of history, geography, politics, economics, and current events, areas that essentially define our humanity and place within society. Through the integrated study of these areas, students are exposed to the story of humans from the time of hunter-gatherers to our modern world. Our students study Canadian history as well as world history.
Language & Literature
Middle School students continue to build upon their language work from Elementary, including refining and expanding their understanding of and ability to use grammar, as well as the mechanics of language and vocabulary skills. Language study includes literature and novel study as well as the study of written language.
French as a Second Language
French is taught to our Middle School Students through biweekly lessons with the Alliance Française. They continue their learning and practise through ongoing instruction and conversation with our French-speaking classroom assistant. Areas of study include: vocabulary, grammar, verbs, reading comprehension and writing.
Mathematics
In a Montessori Middle School classroom, math is taught in a variety ways ensuring that students engage and enjoy the exploration of math concepts. This includes tackling applied math problems related to the functioning of the classroom and community, lessons being taught by the guide through math textbooks and math seminar, where the students are given a mathematical problem to solve independently and then return as a group to review and discuss how they approached the problem and why. These varied approaches encourage excitement and engagement in math while preparing our students for their years in high school and beyond.
Sciences
Building on their foundation in elementary science, our students move on to more advanced work in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Science such as planning and running experiments and developing evidence-based explanations based on their findings. They see the real-world impact of science, which inspires and motivates them not only to ask the “why” but also to find out the “how.”
Production and Exchange
In our Middle School program, students are introduced to production and exchange through planning and creating their own business. Students participate in micro-economy projects serving a need or meeting a demand in their community. Students produce items, services, or events which are then offered for sale or purchase to the wider community. A portion of the money earned is donated to a charity of the students’ choosing and the rest is returned to the micro-economy budget and is used to fund additional micro-economy ventures or special events that the students decide upon as a community. Students are introduced to and take on roles within budgeting, accounting, investment, marketing, and customer service. Their current business is a delicious homemade apple pie jam, granny jam!
Community Work
Adolescents are learning their place in society and have a desire to belong and contribute; as they transition towards adulthood, real work experience becomes increasingly important. Our students regularly volunteer their time in the community, which includes time spent working at the seasonal Dufferin Grove Farmer’s Market, helping to run Dufferin Grove Park’s skate and helmet rental program and becoming increasingly supportive and highly involved in the micro-world of the incredible park across the street.
Our Core Objectives
Every child is an individual, captivated by different things at different times. We personalize your child’s learning experience by creating individualized lesson plans based on their interests, level of understanding and experiences. In this manner, every child is introduced to all aspects of our curriculum at the right time in their development.
Children who graduate our program are prepared for the next step in their education, private or public, with a genuine love of learning. They have an increased curiosity about the world around them and the confidence necessary to take on new academic and social challenges.
“Both my kids have attended Westside Montessori and they’re learning and growing way above their age group, I couldn’t be happier!”
Amy Adams
Parent of Two Kids
