About AMS: Alumni Testimonials
Our Alumni - Where Are They Now?
Richard Wang (2003)
Hello! My name is Richard Wang and I’m an alumni of the Aurora Montessori School. I am going to briefly describe my path from this school to my current post-secondary institution. My journey here has been extremely rewarding and enriching – it gave me the tools and discipline I needed to succeed in the years beyond grade 8. During my time here, I learned the importance of embracing a love of learning and subsequently bringing out the best in me. The Montessori system is truly remarkable in the sense that is espouses learning for the sake of learning-the small class sizes and the personalized approach created an atmosphere of a close-knit community committed to gently bringing out the best in every individual.
After graduating, I was accepted into the Arts York program for Unionville High School. Four years later, I was accepted into the University of Toronto as a Bachelor of Science. I am now currently taking a double major in Philosophy and Psychology, and hope to go for my PhD someday. The credo of loving to learn has been the greatest gift Aurora Montessori has bestowed upon me – it has enabled me to get this far, and I am confident that it will take me even further.
Rebecca Shaw (2003)
My name is Rebecca Shaw and I am a second year student working towards my masters in Sociology at Trent University. I attended Aurora Montessori School from grades 4-8 (1998-2003), which not only provided me with great experiences, but also with a foundation of knowledge and creativity that has allowed me to succeed throughout the rest of my schooling. With the help of AMS and its staff, I was able to realize some of my capabilities at a young age and work my hardest to achieve success. I personally enjoyed working in our ‘Language Power’ work books and I had completed our entire book by Christmas of grade 8. My teacher continued to mark my book at the pace of the class while I was able to work ahead on the grade 9 and eventually grade 10 ‘Language Power’ work books. Rather than ‘limit’ my learning, AMS and my language teacher did what they could to ensure I was being academically challenged by supplying me with advanced material to work on.
AMS encouraged me to be involved in the community and treat others with respect. I remember volunteering at Resthaven Retirement Residence in Aurora from grades 5-7 and I was always looking forward to this weekly trip. We would help and exchange stories with the residents there and they were always so excited when we arrived. I also remember fantastic field trips to places like Medieval Times and the Science Centre, where my friends and I would always enjoy ourselves.
AMS provided me with not only advanced academic knowledge, but also confidence that has assisted me throughout numerous aspects of my life. The school’s focus on integrity is something that has become extremely important to me.
One of the biggest benefits of attending Aurora Montessori School for me was the encouragement I received from teachers to participate and ask questions in class. The ability to speak up and ask for clarification proved to be a key part of high school, as well as University and it is something that many students do not do.
Some of my favorite things about AMS are the friendly atmosphere and fun learning environment, along with the fact that the teachers want their students to succeed and they work hard to ensure their success. The small classes present a great opportunity to make close friends and really get to know your teachers. I am still in contact with many of the students I graduated from AMS with and I have come back to visit the school and staff numerous times. AMS has been a significant part of my life.
Thanks AMS!
Moneika Ramsinghani (2010)
High school is great. AMS has taken me on a spectacular journey, giving me learning skills, many friends to remember and the courage to stand up on my own feet and face the world. I am doing very well in my courses and hope to become a very successful woman.
Jake Boyer (2010)
My time at Aurora Montessori was amazing! Ms. Vucko was my first teacher when I first came to AMS at 3 years old. I learned to read before I was five and my love of reading continues today. I made many lasting friends, and what I learned at AMS helps me every day in high school and the way I live my life has been influenced by my AMS experience. The teachers at AMS are fantastic and the Montessori methods, such as “the checkerboard” helped build a strong foundation in math, where I am getting straight A’s in high school. The teachers integrate learning with fun, and this helped me learn through application. The clubs were a great way to have fun and learn new skills after school. My favourite time at AMS was grade 7 & 8 because Mr. Rossiter made learning an adventure, not a chore. I will never forget the camping trip up north and all of the hiking trips we took. I would recommend AMS to anybody who wants more than just school.
Karoline Antonsen (2010)
My name is Karoline Antonsen, I have previously been attending AMS for eleven years. After graduating, I now attend Toronto Montessori School in Richmond Hill. It is an IB (International Baccalaureate) school, therefore the work is much harder. In my preparation for coming to TMS, I was doing more advanced math that would be done in grade nine at the academic level of a public high school during grade seven and eight. Also, much of the science and geography that I am currently doing relates back to what I was doing in grade seven and eight. This way, even though the work I’m doing now is much harder, I feel that going to AMS has made it easier for me.
Shanna Hunter (2009)
While attending Aurora Montessori School, I was able to form, and build on many skills that have been of use to me now that I am in high school. The tone set in the school allowed me to feel comfortable in my surroundings. I knew that if I should ever require aid, I would be able to receive it within the warm and friendly environment. The school staff members were always willing to provide support and assistance, both with academics and in personal growth. Two of my favourite classes were Computers and Art. The techniques used in those classes, as well as others, have been beneficial to me in my current classes, as well as those taken in Grade 9. Aurora Montessori School has helped me to evolve as a person – allowing me to build the self-confidence needed to be successful in all aspects of life. My experience at A.M.S. was a positive one. I believe that because of the care and support provided by the staff, I have accomplished much more than I otherwise would have. Thank you A.M.S.
Katie MacPherson (2009)
Aurora Montessori School gave me a great sense of community. This school gave me the self-confidence to try new things. It helped shape me into the person I am today. AMS let me bloom and find my individuality; I cannot thank this school and its staff enough.
Andrew Papousek (2008)
After graduating from Aurora Montessori in 2008, I was accepted to Saint Andrew’s College here in Aurora. In my Grade 9 year, I played U16 soccer and hockey for the school while maintaining an overall average of over 80%. In Grade 10, I played U16 football and hockey. We were fortunate to win the hockey championship last year. I also kept my average over 80% in all subjects. This year, Grade 11, I am plying varsity football and I hopefully will make the junior varsity hockey team, so far this year, my average is over 90% overall. Throughout high school I have also played AA hockey in Aurora. Last year we won the Minor Midget AA York Simcoe championship.
This year, we moved from Willis Drive to Knole Haven Drive in Aurora. Our family has had a fairly busy time in the last few months.
I owe a lot of the scholastic and sports success to the Montessori school where I learned to be a better student and a team player in both sports and life. I still keep in touch the other students from the school I look forward to reading about other graduate student updates over the next few months.