St. George's School of Montreal
Encyclopedia
St. George's School of Montreal is an independent school in Montreal
, Canada
which was founded in 1930. It consists of 2 campuses: the Elementary School campus in Westmount, Quebec
, and the High School campus in Montreal
. The school is a co-educational, non-denominational day school, where students do not wear school uniforms.
St. George’s was founded in 1930 by a small group of parents who, inspired by the movement for progressive education, rejected the authoritarian ways associated with conventional education. They believed that learning should be a natural and enjoyable activity related to the developmental stages and needs of the child. During most of the 20th century is was notable for being one of the most avant garde, liberal and innovative schools in the province of Quebec, largely due to its child-centered philosophy (which was quite exceptional in the 1930s, and unique in Montreal).
St. George's School of Montreal is a member of The Quebec Association of Independent Schools (QAIS
), The Canadian Association of Independent Schools
(CAIS), and The National Association of Independent Schools
(NAIS).
using FirstClass
software which is used to channel both internal and external communications, including classroom conferences, online homework posting and submission, and bulletins for parents.
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
which was founded in 1930. It consists of 2 campuses: the Elementary School campus in Westmount, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, and the High School campus in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. The school is a co-educational, non-denominational day school, where students do not wear school uniforms.
St. George’s was founded in 1930 by a small group of parents who, inspired by the movement for progressive education, rejected the authoritarian ways associated with conventional education. They believed that learning should be a natural and enjoyable activity related to the developmental stages and needs of the child. During most of the 20th century is was notable for being one of the most avant garde, liberal and innovative schools in the province of Quebec, largely due to its child-centered philosophy (which was quite exceptional in the 1930s, and unique in Montreal).
St. George's School of Montreal is a member of The Quebec Association of Independent Schools (QAIS
Qais
Qais , also spelled Qays or Kais, were an Arabian tribe branched from the Mudhar Adnani groups.-Main branches of Qais:The main branches of the Qais tribes are the Banu Sulaym, Hawazin and the Banu Ghatafan. These three main groups remained in the Eastern Hejaz until the 7th century...
), The Canadian Association of Independent Schools
Canadian Association of Independent Schools
Canadian Association of Independent Schools is an association for independent schools that operate within Canada or offer a curriculum leading to a Canadian diploma in a location outside of the country. Member schools are non-profit institutions with volunteer Boards of Governors who are...
(CAIS), and The National Association of Independent Schools
National Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boarding, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary...
(NAIS).
The Six Founding Principles
The school has six founding principles:- Health must come first
- Learning comes from doing
- The classroom should be freed from unnatural restraints
- Adapt education to the differences of the individual child
- Group-consciousness and social-mindedness should be developed
- The child should have abundant opportunity for creative expression
Mission statement
The school states its mission is to educate its students to:- Achieve academic excellence
- Develop a capacity for critical thought and problem-solving
- Pursue life-long learning
- Realize their creative potential
- Encourage their personal growth
- Become responsible world citizens
School Philosophy
"St. George's School of Montreal is a co-educational, non-denominational school committed to providing a student-centred education of the highest quality within a spirited, engaging, creative and cooperative environment. Our philosophy encourages an individualized and flexible approach to learning and to teaching, while challenging each student to excel. We believe in learning by doing. The St. George's community of students, parents, faculty and staff is dedicated to offering a caring and inclusive milieu that balances the importance of self-expression with the rights of others."Technology
As of 2006, every student at St. George's High School has been required to lease a laptop through the school, as part of a technology initiative. Technology is emphasized on both campuses of St. George's School and is an integral part of the school's curriculum. The school has an intranetIntranet
An intranet is a computer network that uses Internet Protocol technology to securely share any part of an organization's information or network operating system within that organization. The term is used in contrast to internet, a network between organizations, and instead refers to a network...
using FirstClass
FirstClass
FirstClass is a client/server groupware, email, online conferencing, voice/fax services, and bulletin-board system for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux...
software which is used to channel both internal and external communications, including classroom conferences, online homework posting and submission, and bulletins for parents.
Notable alumni
- Melissa AltroMelissa AltroMelissa Altro is a Canadian actress best known for her voice acting. She has lent her voice to such animated roles as Pippi Longstocking in the 1998 series Pippi Longstocking, and Muffy Crosswire in the long-running PBS animated series, Arthur.Altro guest-starred as Alex in a 1994 episode of Are...
, voice actress for ArthurArthur (TV series)Arthur is an American/Canadian animated educational television series for children, created by Cookie Jar Group and WGBH for the Public Broadcasting Service... - Ian C. BallonIan C. BallonIan Ballon is an Internet and intellectual property litigator, author of books on Internet law and Executive Director of Stanford University Law School’s Center for E-Commerce. He is the author of the 4-volume legal treatise, E-Commerce and Internet Law: Treatise with Forms 2d edition, the...
, internet author and lawyer - Howard BilermanHoward BilermanHoward Bilerman is a Canadian recording engineer, producer, and Grammy nominated musician. He is a former member of the band Arcade Fire, having recorded & drummed on their debut album, Funeral, as well as records by Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band, Vic Chesnutt, Basia...
, music producer, and ex-member of the band Arcade Fire - Paul Bronfman, Chairman and CEO of Comweb Group Inc., served on the board of Film Ontario, The Canadian Film Centre, the Banff International Television Festival and currently serves on the board of Astral Media
- Dov CharneyDov CharneyDov Charney is the founder and CEO of American Apparel, a clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer. Charney is known for his success as an entrepreneur, passion for simple clothing and love for Strictly Rhythm. His "contrarian" leadership style, which he feels promotes creativity, has drawn...
, founder and CEO of American ApparelAmerican ApparelAmerican Apparel is a clothing manufacturer in the United States. It is a vertically integrated clothing manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer that also performs its own design, advertising, and marketing... - James DiSalvio, of Bran Van 3000Bran Van 3000Bran Van 3000 is an electronica collective from Manhattan, New York City, New York and Montreal, Quebec. Founded by DJ James Di Salvio and E.P...
- Corey Hart, pop musician
- Jaclyn LinetskyJaclyn LinetskyJaclyn Michelle Linetsky was a Canadian actress who voiced Caillou from 2000-2003. She also provided the voices for Bitzi in the 2002 animated series Daft Planet, Lori Mackney in What's With Andy? , and Meg in Mega Babies...
, actress (class of 2003) (died September 8, 2003) - Lindsay RobinsLindsay RobinsLindsay Robins is a singer-songwriter who wrote and performed the theme song "What Would You Do" for the VJ Search reality series on MuchMusic, which went on to be the 2007 recipient of The North American Promax Award for Best Music Package/Theme Song...
, pop rock musician - Naomi KleinNaomi KleinNaomi Klein is a Canadian author and social activist known for her political analyses and criticism of corporate globalization.-Family:...
, journalist, author and activist - Nikki YanofskyNikki YanofskyNicole "Nikki" Yanofsky is a Canadian jazz-pop singer from Hampstead, Quebec. She is involved in charitable causes, and released her first studio album on her own label, A440 Entertainment, and on Decca Records outside of Canada. Yanofsky sang Canada's national anthem at the opening ceremonies of...
, jazz singer - Barbara Cathcart, British National Health Service Charity Director
- Kevin O'LearyKevin O'Leary (entrepreneur)Kevin O'Leary is a Canadian entrepreneur, venture capitalist, investor, and television personality.-Early life and education:O'Leary was born in Mount Royal, Quebec, a suburb of Montreal, to a salesman father and seamstress mother....
, entrepreneur and TV personality - Shawn LevyShawn LevyShawn Adam Levy is a Canadian-American actor, director and producer who directed the comedy films Big Fat Liar, Just Married, Cheaper by the Dozen, The Pink Panther, Night at the Museum, Date Night, and the sci-fi movie Real Steel...
, film director - Sara Diamond, singer (ex Clique Girlz singer)
Board Mandates
The following is a list of board mandates of the school:- Buildings & Grounds
- Development
- Education
- PAC
- Finance School Policies
- Environment
- Extracurricular Activities
- Respectful Environment