An Enriched Bilingual Montessori: How The Mint School Rethinks Early Childhood Education
At The Mint School, enriched Montessori learning starts with joy. Children thrive in two languages, led by wonder and rooted in purpose.
In an enriched Montessori classroom at The Mint School, childhood leaves the waiting room and steps confidently into the world, ready to begin with power and purpose. Tucked in a quiet, tree-lined corner of Etobicoke, Mint offers something rare in Toronto: a truly enriched bilingual Montessori experience. Toddlers as young as 18 months enter classrooms alive with language, curiosity, and connection. Educators guide with passion. Children learn with joy.
What “Enriched” Really Means
The Mint School gives enriched real meaning. Here, educators don’t simply add content, they infuse every moment with purpose. Mint’s Enriched Whole Child Curriculum blends Montessori’s foundational pillars, hands-on learning, purposeful independence, and a nurturing, child-led environment, with carefully chosen experiences that fuel cognitive, emotional, and social growth.
Children engage in hands-on STEM learning, build bilingual fluency, express creativity through art, and practice leadership daily, not as distant goals, but as essential parts of enriched early education. With every activity, they connect ideas, deepen understanding, and grow lasting confidence.
On any given day, they might:
- Mix baking soda and vinegar to explore cause and effect in science
- Switch fluidly between English and French during play
- Use counting skills to share snacks equitably
- Lead a group activity at age three
- Paint stories inspired by music from around the globe
These experiences don’t just build skills. They strengthen persistence, independence, empathy, and joy, preparing children to think deeply, lead gently, and grow with purpose.
Bilingual By Design
At The Mint School, bilingualism is not a subject, it’s the backdrop. The daily rhythm flows in both English and French. Teachers use songs, instructions, and play to move seamlessly between the two languages. This immersive environment helps children build fluency without fear or formality.
But language is only the beginning. Research shows children exposed to multiple languages early on develop stronger memory, sharper focus, and deeper cultural awareness. At Mint, it also builds something quieter: confidence. The kind that grows when a child can navigate not just words, but worlds.
Modern Montessori, Enriched for Today’s World
Maria Montessori’s century-old framework is visible in every corner, yet The Mint School doesn’t rest in nostalgia. It evolves the model. Yes, children choose their work and follow their internal guides. But they also explore through logic puzzles, study environmental systems through garden work, and engage in collaborative problem-solving that aligns with modern cognitive science.
Teachers here do not lecture, they guide. They link each activity with intention. Every progression builds mastery without pressure and independence without isolation. In doing so, The Mint School doesn’t dilute Montessori, it enriches it.
Leadership At The Core
The school's excellence begins with its leadership. Executive Director, Saarah Shivji, J.D., brings both academic rigor and warmth to the role. A Harvard-trained expert in early education, and fully bilingual herself, Shivji embodies the school’s mission.
“Investing in the early years is one of the most precious gifts we can give our children,”
This philosophy pulses through the faculty, who model grace and love of learning. In response, children mirror those values, with calm, confidence, and care.
Why Do Parents Choose an Enriched Montessori?
Families who enroll at Mint want more than academics. They seek meaning. They want their children to speak at least two languages naturally, explore the world boldly, make mistakes bravely, and lead their own futures.
Mint meets that hope with a curriculum that doesn’t just teach, it equips. It empowers children to think deeply, grow gently, and thrive fully.
The Only One of Its Kind
The Mint School is the only Montessori to offer this distinctive blend of enriched, bilingual education. This isn’t just a point of pride — it’s a reflection of our purpose. At Mint, children are thoughtfully guided, encouraged, and celebrated. The result is more than school readiness — it’s a mindset rooted in confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning.
Book a tour today and experience what enriched Montessori can be.
