History of our School

History Timeline before becoming a Montessori School

1913-1978

  • St Christopher's School (Non- Montessori School)
    1913–1970s . Established in 1913 by Miss Mary Ashworth in a flat over Newport Grocery at 1187 Newport Avenue. By 1917 she had relocated the school to 2629 Longbranch Avenue (Currie Road) where she served as principal until 1946.

  • After 1946 the school endured a large turnover of key personnel.

  • The school closed in the early 1970s, after which the facilities became a dance studio.

  • In 1978 the property was acquired by the Queenswood Montessori Society to become St. Christopher's Montessori School.

    source

“Queenswood House” 2494 Arbutus Road

Queenswood Montessori School

(1969-1978)

St. Christopher’s Montessori School can trace its roots back to Queenswood Montessori School, one of the first Montessori schools to be established in B.C. under the auspices of the Sisters of St. Ann. The school was founded in 1969 and operated by two Sisters from the Queenswood House of Studies on Arbutus Road (Victoria, BC), Sister Sylvia Scott and Sister Philomena Morrissey.

“Daily Colonist“ Newspaper Ads from 1969”

When the sisters decided to retire and close the school in 1978, parents who did not wish the school to close created the Queenswood Montessori Society, purchasing the present school buildings in 1978.

St. Christopher’s Montessori School

(1978 - present)

“Daily Colonist” Newspaper Ad , September 22, 1978

The school buildings were originally a local elementary school called St Christopher’s and built in the early 1900s. Later the school was converted into a dance studio before reverting to the school we know today in 1978. A major addition of the school buildings was undertaken in 1988, when the Buttercup Room was added.

St. Christopher’s Montessori School is operated under the auspices of the Queenswood Montessori Society. The society is a non-profit organization, registered as a Charitable Trust under the Societies Act of BC. Our school is owned by parents and operated by a Board and a Principal. Every year further upgrades to the building and grounds continue with the support of our annual fundraiser.

This year, 2024, St. Christopher’s will be celebrating its 45th Anniversary.