Testimonials

It is hard to count the way in which the Colin Macdonald School benefitted me. However, two words immediately come to mind: freedom and confidence. In my time at CMCS (my entire elementary school career) I was allowed and encouraged to direct my own learning, focus on aspects of the curriculum that interested me, and move at my own pace. The freedom I was given in my education, starting from a young age, continues to benefit me today in my university career. In my studies at Queen's I have found that restating what you have learned is inadequate and that the ability to direct oneself and explore a topic with critical thought is essential. I feel that this ability stemmed from my early independence and freedom granted at CMCS.

The second term that I strongly identify with CMCS is confidence. Calling my teachers by their first names seemed irrelevant to my life when I graduated in grade eight. However, I feel the effects of this policy now. The ability to address a teacher by their first name and carry out a conversation from person to person, as opposed to from teacher to student, gave me an unknown confidence. My greatest skill since I have left CMCS has been the ease at which I can talk to people, both my peers as well as authority figures. I have the confidence to see teachers and professors, interviewers and supervisors, acquaintances and friends as my equals and people who can be easily addressed. The years I spent at CMCS continue to benefit my life today.

Jessica Stansfield
3rd year at Queens University (2009)

All four of our children have greatly benefited from the Montessori CASA programme developed at Colin McDonald Community School. This programme provided our children with a rich, hands-on educational environment and fostered in them a love and enthusiasm for learning. The teachers are fabulous and very caring. We strongly recommend this program to parents who are seeking to give their children the best possible start to their education.
Rosa and Joel Begin

The Colin Macdonald Community School gave me a great deal in the seven years I attended it. The close personal contact not only with fellow students but most importantly with teachers instilled great social awareness in me. The Montessori approach to learning meant that I was given the great opportunity to find out what interested me academically early on in my educational career. This has proved to be invaluable in making choices on how best to continue my education after finishing Secondary School.

There is a lot to be said for a school that encourages learning at a pace best suited to each student. More than anything, during my time at Colin Macdonald Community School I felt more like an individual than I have at any other time during my academic career.

Peter Hess
1st year at Queens University (2009)