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The Priory School

Canada, Montreal

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, French
Fees CA$23,160 - 24,610
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 180
Type Co-educational
Opened 1947
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Taught languages French
Typical class size 14
Strengths Performing Arts, Languages, Outdoor Education
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Elementary
Introduction

Located on The Boulevard in Montreal, The Priory School is an English-language, independent, co-educational elementary that serves K4 to Grade 6. Its Pillars of Pedagogy—Child-Centered Learning, Research-Based Practices, and Learning by Doing—shape daily teaching and assessment, with small class sizes and favorable ratios that support individualized attention. Students learn in a bilingual environment where English instruction is complemented by a French program for Junior and Senior levels, fostering biliteracy and cultural awareness. The campus offers spacious yards, a basketball court, two soccer turf areas, and a skating field, along with an art room, a music room, a library, and an outdoor classroom with gardens to support immersive projects. The Priory emphasizes whole-child development, including social-emotional learning, through the Priory Enrichment Program and a Learning Specialist who differentiates instruction. Signature programs include drama, music, visual arts, and a French-language art program, plus student leadership opportunities and a commitment to community service.

The Priory School, 3120 The Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H3Y 1R9, Canada

The Essentials

The Priory School has 180 pupils, typical class sizes of 14, instruction in English, French.

Location
The Priory School is located at 3120 The Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H3Y 1R9. Montreal is in Quebec, Canada.

Stages
Preschool for 4-year-olds through Grade 6.

Type
English-language, independent, co-educational.

Country affiliation
Canada
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Hot lunches are prepared on-site in The Priory's own kitchen. The culinary team creates nutritious and tasty meals that cater to the diverse tastes and dietary needs of students. Lunchtime is a communal time that also teaches responsibility, with students helping to set up and clean up.

Governance and Ownership
The Priory School is governed by a Board of Directors that works with the Head of School to oversee strategic direction and financial health. It operates as The Priory School Inc., an independent English-language private school.
Fees

Annual tuition at The Priory School ranges from CAD 23,160 to CAD 24,610 for 2026/27.

Application fee

- A non‑refundable application fee of CAD $50 is required with each application.

Annual tuition and itemised charges by year group (2025–2026 fee schedule)

- K4 & K5 (Preschool / Kindergarten 4–5 year‑olds):
- Tuition (instruction & supervision): CAD $17,700.
- Meals: CAD $2,230.
- Student Life Fees: CAD $1,650.
- Parents Association fee: CAD $80.
- Technology & Building Maintenance: CAD $1,500.
- Total other charges (Meals + Student Life + Parents Association + Technology & Building Maintenance): CAD $5,460.
- Total annual tuition & fees (all items above): CAD $23,160.

- Cycle 1 (Grades 1–2):
- Tuition (instruction & supervision): CAD $18,900.
- Meals: CAD $2,230.
- Student Life Fees: CAD $1,725.
- Parents Association fee: CAD $80.
- Technology & Building Maintenance: CAD $1,500.
- Total other charges: CAD $5,535.
- Total annual tuition & fees: CAD $24,435.

- Cycle 2 (Grades 3–4):
- Tuition (instruction & supervision): CAD $18,900.
- Meals: CAD $2,230.
- Student Life Fees: CAD $1,725.
- Parents Association fee: CAD $80.
- Technology & Building Maintenance: CAD $1,500.
- Total other charges: CAD $5,535.
- Total annual tuition & fees: CAD $24,435.

- Cycle 3 (Grades 5–6):
- Tuition (instruction & supervision): CAD $18,900.
- Meals: CAD $2,230.
- Student Life Fees: CAD $1,900.
- Parents Association fee: CAD $80.
- Technology & Building Maintenance: CAD $1,500.
- Total other charges: CAD $5,710.
- Total annual tuition & fees: CAD $24,610.

Per‑term example (common billing format)

- The school issues tuition invoices in instalments; the second tuition instalment is due on or before February 1 in the school communications. Where families are billed in two equal instalments, the per‑term amount (annual total ÷ 2) would be as follows (examples):
- K4 & K5: CAD 11,580 per instalment (CAD 23,160 ÷ 2).
- Cycle 1 (Gr. 1–2): CAD 12,217.50 per instalment (CAD 24,435 ÷ 2).
- Cycle 2 (Gr. 3–4): CAD 12,217.50 per instalment (CAD 24,435 ÷ 2).
- Cycle 3 (Gr. 5–6): CAD 12,305 per instalment (CAD 24,610 ÷ 2).
- Note: the second instalment due‑date and invoicing are handled through the school's billing system (invoices are issued from QuickBooks in recent communications). Overdue balances are subject to interest at an annualized rate of 18% in accordance with the school's Educational Contract. Payment methods shown in school communications include cheque, bank draft, and Interac e‑Transfer; bank wire arrangements may be made through the Finance Office (wire fees charged to the payer).

Tuition with optional French or English tutoring (2025–2026 option)

- Tutoring option (French or English) is offered as an add‑on for applicable cycles. The tutoring charge shown in the 2025–2026 tutoring fee schedule is CAD $3,300 (per year) for the cycles where tutoring is selected. When tutoring is added, the annual totals become:
- K4 & K5 (no tutoring line in the tutoring schedule): Total annual remains CAD $23,160.
- Cycle 1 (Gr. 1–2) with tutoring: Total annual tuition & fees CAD $27,735.
- Cycle 2 (Gr. 3–4) with tutoring: Total annual tuition & fees CAD $27,735.
- Cycle 3 (Gr. 5–6) with tutoring: Total annual tuition & fees CAD $27,910.
- Per‑term (if billed in two equal instalments) with tutoring: divide the applicable annual total by 2 to compute the instalment amount.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Invoices are issued in instalments; communications show a second tuition invoice issued in January with a due date of on or before February 1. Invoices may be sent from the school's billing tool (QuickBooks). Overdue fees incur interest at a rate of 18% (annualized) under the Educational Contract. Payment options listed in school communications include:
- Cheque or bank draft payable to The Priory School.
- Interac e‑Transfer to payments@priory.qc.ca (multiple transfers acceptable if limits are exceeded).
- Bank wire transfers arranged through finance@priory.qc.ca (any bank fees incurred by the school for receiving a wire are invoiced to parents).

Boarding fees

- The Priory operates as an independent day school for preschool through Grade 6; there is no boarding programme and therefore no boarding fees.

Other costs and optional programme fees

- Meals, didactic materials (computer technology, book rental, school supplies), and student‑life activities (sports, games, special events, and field trips) are included in the tuition and are not billed separately during the year. Parents Association and Technology & Building Maintenance charges are included in the totals shown above.

- Uniforms: uniforms are supplied through the school's Potter Boutique (operated by the Priory Parents' Association). Uniform items are purchased through the Potter Boutique (in‑school shop hours and an online store are available); pricing for uniform items is set by the Potter Boutique and billed at point of purchase.

- After‑school, Ped Day and Kinder Camp: the school runs an After School Program and Ped Day daycare services; these programs are managed and billed separately from standard tuition. Priory Kinder Camp is offered in July and is charged by the week (published weekly fee for Kinder Camp shown as CAD 395 per week in the camp information). Cancellation terms for Kinder Camp allow cancellations up until the Friday before the registered camp week begins without penalty.

Refunds and refunds‑related terms

- The application fee is explicitly non‑refundable. Overdue fee interest and other payment obligations are governed by the school's Educational Contract; the contract specifies interest on overdue amounts (18% annualized) and the school's billing terms. For program‑specific refunds (for example, Kinder Camp), the published camp terms permit cancellations up to the Friday before a registered camp week with no penalty. For enrolment, withdrawal and tuition‑refund specifics, the Educational Contract governs the precise refund and withdrawal terms.

Fee payment options and administrative notes

- Accepted payment methods reported in school communications: cheque, bank draft, Interac e‑Transfer (payments@priory.qc.ca). Wire transfers are possible via the Finance Office (finance@priory.qc.ca); any bank charges related to receiving a wire are invoiced to the family. Invoices have recently been issued from QuickBooks. Families are advised that overdue balances carry interest of 18% annualized.
Academics

Curriculum
The Priory's Pillars of Pedagogy are Child-Centered Learning, Research-Based Practices, and Learning by Doing. The Priory serves students from Kindergarten for 4-year-olds (K4) through Grade 6, with English instruction and a French environment for Junior and Senior French programs, focusing on both academic and social-emotional development as part of whole-child education.

Student Teacher Ratio
1:7 in the 4-year-old kindergarten; 1:14 in the 5-year-old kindergarten and the first cycle of elementary school; senior classes operate in small groups of 12 throughout the day.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
SEL is integrated across The Priory's program. The Priory provides a holistic educational experience that nurtures the whole child. Social and Emotional Learning helps students develop healthy identities, manage emotions, show empathy, build supportive relationships, and make responsible decisions. SEL is reinforced through weekly assemblies focused on social well-being and leadership, led by the SEL Coordinator, Mr. Karl Mercuri, with sessions divided for junior and senior students. By embedding SEL into the curriculum and school culture, The Priory supports emotional and social growth for all students.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is the language of instruction at The Priory School, a premier English-language, independent, co-educational institution. The Priory welcomes students who may not otherwise be eligible for English education in Quebec. The French program develops biliteracy through a plurilingual approach, with immersion from K4 to Grade 4 and a personalized Cycle 3 pathway offering either French Immersion or French Mother Tongue. Exceptional French educators and specialists support language development and cultural awareness. A Certificate of Eligibility for English Instruction is not required.

Mental Wellbeing
SEL supports mental wellbeing by fostering emotional intelligence and resilience. The program helps students develop healthy identities, manage emotions, show empathy, and build supportive relationships. Weekly assemblies on social well-being and leadership are led by the SEL Coordinator, with junior and senior groups. By embedding SEL into curriculum and school culture, students grow emotionally and socially. Mindful Parenting workshops support families in applying SEL concepts at home.

Safeguarding
The Priory has a Code of Ethics.
Parent Experience

History
Over seventy-five years ago two Montreal mothers Frances Ballantyne and Alphonsine Paré-Howlett started a co-educational, child-centered elementary school, the first of its kind in Quebec. They created a school where children could be children by playing, singing, performing, discovering, and exploring in a caring and nurturing environment. They believed early learning years were the most important and developed a revolutionary curriculum that nurtured the whole child in a supportive, inspiring, and individualized learning environment. Their approach was innovative for the 1940s when schools were large and impersonal, and it emphasized personal growth alongside academic excellence. Founded in 1947, The Priory is an English-language, independent, co-educational school guided by those founding principles.

Community
The Priory community is best understood through the voices of families, students, and alumni who share experiences of a nurturing environment, innovative programs, and strong connections. Their stories highlight the sense of belonging and the school's supportive culture. Parental involvement is encouraged, with school and home working in partnership to enrich each child's education. The Priory fosters a welcoming, collaborative community where families, students, and staff contribute to a vibrant elementary experience.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Priory Parents Association, commonly known as the PPA, is a cornerstone of The Priory School community. Made up of dedicated and enthusiastic parents, the PPA collaborates closely with the Head of School, faculty and staff to foster a vibrant, enriching, and supportive environment for students, families, and educators. The PPA meets monthly and supports a variety of activities, including Cheers & Chat, Halloween Party, uniform sales in the Potter Boutique, Open Houses, gingerbread house-making with Kindergarten, and Pasta Family Night. Parents may share expertise, join classroom activities, chaperone field trips, co-coach teams or clubs, and support special projects and events. All Priory parents are valued members of the PPA, and parental involvement strengthens the school community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Priory School is located at 3120 The Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H3Y 1R9, in a quiet residential area near Mount Royal. The campus features spacious yards shaded by mature trees, a basketball court, two soccer turf areas, and a playground. The recreation field transforms into a skating rink in winter. Indoor facilities include a light-filled art room, a dedicated music room, and a library, with a French environment for Junior and Senior French programs. An expanded gym supports a range of physical activities, and an outdoor classroom and gardens provide spaces for immersive learning.

Sports Facilities
The Priory provides two soccer turf areas and a basketball court for team sports and physical education. The gym has been expanded to support a variety of physical activities. The outdoor recreation field doubles as a skating rink in winter. The outdoor playground complements outdoor activities, while the campus supports year-round athletics.

Academic Facilities
The Priory has a light-filled art room, a dedicated music room, a library, and a French environment for both Junior and Senior French programs. The campus includes spaces designed for specialized learning and living spaces, enabling teachers and specialists to work effectively. An outdoor classroom and gardens provide space for immersive learning.

Extra Curricular Facilities
The Priory Enrichment Program (PEP) supports diverse learning styles and needs. A Learning Specialist collaborates with teachers to differentiate instruction and curriculum. The program includes an individualized reading program with weekly one-on-one reading instruction for Cycle 1 students. Students set personalized goals under the program and receive guidance to foster a love for learning. PEP helps students succeed and reach their full potential.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The Priory's pedagogy is anchored in three pillars: Child-Centered Learning, Research-Based Practices, and Learning by Doing. The approach emphasizes meeting each child where they are, tailoring instruction to abilities, needs, and interests to foster curiosity and active engagement. Small class sizes and favorable ratios support individualized attention: 1:7 for 4-year-old kindergarten, 1:14 for 5-year-old kindergarten and the first cycle of elementary, and half-group settings of 12 in senior grades. The Priory's whole-child approach underpins academic and social development, preparing students for high school and beyond.

Arts & Creative
Drama and Theatre offers students opportunities to perform through class plays and musical productions, fostering confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Music education begins in Kindergarten and continues through Grade 6, with Orff instruments in the early years, recorder studies in Grades 3-4, and a Band Program in Grades 5-6; students perform in concerts and school events. Visual Arts engages students in expressive work; classes are taught in small groups (roughly 12-14 students), and the language of instruction for art is French, helping develop bilingual skills and artistic voice.

Cultural & Language
French Mother Tongue Pathway is available, designed to develop biliteracy and plurilingual competence. From Kindergarten (K4) to Grade 4, students are immersed in an enriched French immersion program, with a personalized pathway in Cycle 3 (Grades 5-6) offering options for French Immersion or French Mother Tongue. The program emphasizes continuity, plurilingual training, and cultural appreciation, supported by specialized French educators.

Social & Hobbies
Parental involvement is integral to Priory life, with numerous opportunities to participate in classroom activities and school events. Student life includes leadership opportunities and community involvement, such as fundraising for charitable causes and the Student Council. A strong sense of community is reinforced through testimonials from families and students.

Community & Service
Community service is integrated into The Priory's educational approach, with students participating in initiatives such as environmental cleanups, food drives, shelter support, and awareness campaigns. The entire Priory community was recognized with the Montreal Community Cares Foundation award for 'Community Leader, Elementary School'. Through project-based learning and active volunteering, Priory students discover meaningful ways to make a difference.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership development is embedded in Priory's program through a Grade 5-6 Team Building Leadership Retreat in the Laurentians. Weekly assemblies focused on social well-being and leadership are led by the SEL Coordinator, providing opportunities for student leadership and personal growth. Students have opportunities to participate in the Student Council and lead charitable initiatives, building organizational and collaborative skills.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Social-emotional learning is embraced through school-wide SEL, with assemblies focused on well-being and leadership, guided by the SEL Coordinator. Mindful Parenting workshops and parent programs support family well-being and resilience. The Priory environment is nurturing and secure, attuned to the whole child and individual needs.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught are English and French. English is the language of instruction; French is taught through Immersion from K4 to Grade 4 and through personalized pathways (French Immersion or French Mother Tongue) in Cycle 3 (Grades 5–6), with continuity from K4 through Grade 6.

Bilingual Teaching
The Priory School teaches in English and offers French language instruction through an Immersion program for Kindergarten 4 (K4) through Grade 4 and a personalized French Mother Tongue or French Immersion pathway for Cycle 3 (Grades 5–6).

Immersion Programs
From K4 to Grade 4, students are immersed in an enriched Immersion program that fosters a deep understanding and appreciation of the French language and culture.
Reputation

Awards
Montreal Community Cares Foundation (MCCF) Award for Community Leader, Elementary School — recognizes community leadership and involvement in Montreal.
Admissions

Admissions
STEP ONE: Submit an online application for admission. Begin by completing the online application form. Submit a certified copy of your child's birth certificate. Provide your child's most recent report card or school transcript if applying for Grades 1–6; for Kindergarten, submit any evaluation from daycare or nursery school. Include a recent passport-sized photo of your child with the application and a non-refundable application fee of $50, payable to The Priory School. STEP TWO: Submit a Confidential School Report form. Download the appropriate Confidential School Report form and have your child's current school or daycare teacher complete it. Ensure the completed form is emailed or mailed directly to The Priory School. STEP THREE: Arrange for an interview. Once the completed application form and all required documents have been received, the school will arrange a mutually convenient time for an in-person interview with your child. Interviews with prospective Kindergarten students and their parents begin in November, with initial acceptances going out on December 1. All other grades are interviewed from January to June, and acceptances are given when there is space available. If a place is not available, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list and notified when a place becomes available. The Priory School does not receive government subsidies; therefore, students are not required to submit a Certificate of Eligibility. Please mail or email the completed application package to The Priory School, Admissions Office, 3120 The Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec H3Y 1R9; Email: admissions@priory.qc.ca; Tel: 514-935-5966.

Waitlist
If a place is not available, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list and notified when a place becomes available.
School Events
The school has not added events
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