External Applicants

Thank you for your interest in joining the Strata adolescent community.

The adolescent community of Strata Montessori Adolescent School provides a unique opportunity for study, work, and development within a supportive community at this new life stage. The program involves rigorous academic studies integrated with a rich variety of activities such as caring for and developing the school environment, looking after plants and animals, and running small businesses. Students are also involved in projects in the wider community, and in regular, substantial outdoor education experiences.

To ensure that all students and their families understand the unique nature of the program, and that the program and the students are well suited, the school has implemented a thorough application process for students and their families. The process involves careful consideration by students of a number of questions to which they must respond through an interview (with the Strata guides) and written questions, at least one day of shadowing at Strata, and the creation of a portfolio of work.

Parents are asked to participate in the application process through an observation at Strata, speaking with the Strata guides, and filling out an application form about their child.In addition, we ask that parents request and submit a copy of the student’s most recent report card and any documents contained in the student’s “Documentation Folder,” which is a part of your child’s OSR (Ontario Student Record) and contains items such as IEPs (Individualized Education Plan) and psych-educational assessments. The parents of a student have the right to access to the student’s OSR.

Strata also asks that recommendations from one teacher/principal and one community member are completed for external applicants (ie. from outside Dundas Valley Montessori School). This is an intensive application process, but each element serves to:

  • Provide descriptive information to help Strata staff understand the student and his or her individual needs;

  • Give the student and their family greater understanding of Strata: Montessori Adolescent School.

It is expected that each student will demonstrate a personal investment in the culture and values of Strata Montessori, especially in regard to: mutual respect; inner discipline; personal responsibility for actions and learning; recognition of the intrinsic value of learning and developing as a learner; intention to make the most of schooling; and a regard for and commitment to Strata Montessori’s small community. The entrance process emphasizes this investment and it will be reconsidered regularly throughout the student’s time at Strata.

It is desirable that families of students share this outlook.There is a six (6) week probation period beginning the date the student begins attending Strata wherein Strata Montessori Adolescent School reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission.Parents will be expected to make a commitment to further develop their own understanding of the Montessori approach to education through participation in all parent education events, goal setting meetings, and parent-student-teacher conferences.

External Enrollment Forms:

The Parent Response Form and the Student Application Form must be completed and submitted to Strata as soon as possible.  Once the application forms have been submitted, a shadowing day for your child will be booked. Student Portfolio submissions should be brought by the student to his or her shadowing day so that they can be discussed with the Strata guides.Once all components of the application process are completed, the Head of School and Strata guides will meet to decide whether admittance to Strata Montessori is the best fit for both the applicant and the community of Strata.If you have any questions about the application process, or about Strata, please contact us for further information.

Hand-Written Responses:

Please handwrite answers to the following TWO questions in greater detail. There is no length requirement, but please answer both questions fully. Do not seek assistance from anyone in writing these mini-essays as we are interested in your perspective and look forward to discussing them further with you at the enrolment interview.Strata Montessori Adolescent School is a unique opportunity for study, work, and experience. Why would you like to join our communityAdolescence is a time for imagining possible futures. Share a description of how you see your future when you think about it now.

Student Portfolio Requirements:

Though this is in part for assessment, it is, more importantly, an opportunity for you to examine the quality and character of your work and to reflect on your abilities as you embrace the sense of community offered in the Strata Montessori Adolescent Program. Please prepare a folio of 5 pieces of work. This folio should include school work, but may also include work done at home or in other activities. The pieces can be written, they can be digital, they can be 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional art or construction, they can be oral, they can be performance, or they can be of any other demonstrable worth. Select pieces of work of which you are proud and you feel give a good idea of your strengths and interests.