CGMA Student Handbook

Country Garden Montessori Academy

Pursuing Potential, Establishing Success   

 Student Handbook

2025/2026

Welcome to the Country Garden Montessori Academy (CGMA) 2024 – 2025 academic school year. This package is prepared for the students and families of CGMA to stay informed. Kindly review the following. Additional information can be accessed via the CGMA website countrygarden.ca and by following us on X (formerly Twitter) @cgmaschool.

Our Philosophy

It is the mission of our school to promote a student-focused climate, to not only encourage personal growth, dignity, and the lifelong pursuit of learning, but also to motivate students to become productive members within a diverse society.

Expectations/Goals

CGMA has established objectives to ensure that each student has the maximum opportunity to learn. The achievement of these objectives depends upon the shared responsibilities of students, teachers, and parents. 

  • To provide the tradition of excellence in academics and personal growth. 

  • To develop a feeling of self-worth through accomplishments, discipline, and respect for oneself, and others. 

  • To encourage self-motivation so that students take a responsible role in their education. 

  • To create a positive learning environment through shared responsibility of teachers, students, and parents. 

  • To prepare students by developing and fostering innovation & creativity, presentation skills, critical thinking, punctuality, and pride in work. 

Mission Statement: Our students are expected to develop their potential as individuals and to become contributing, responsible members of society, who will think clearly, feel deeply, and act wisely.

Ontario Student Record (OSR)

The Ontario Student Record (OSR) is the official school record for a student. Every Ontario school keeps an OSR for each student enrolled at that school. The OSR contains achievement results, credits earned, diploma requirements completed, and other information important to the education of the student. Students and their parents (if the student is not an adult) may examine the contents of the OSR. The Education Act and Freedom of Information legislation protect these records.  Our school will request and transfer OSR documentation according to the Ministry of Education OSR guidelines.

Report Cards and Parent-Teacher Interviews

Report cards will be issued three times throughout the year for Casa and Elementary and four times for high school students. Parent teacher interviews are held twice during the school year. Should you wish to speak with your child’s teacher at additional times you may call the school and leave a message for the teacher to call you or communicate directly with the teacher to arrange an appointment.  

Casa and Elementary Report Cards: November, March, June

High School Report Cards:

  • Semester 1 November (Midterm), February (Final)

  • Semester 2 April (Midterm), June (Final)

Morning Care and After School Care

Morning Care and After School Care (7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.) are available for an additional cost. Please register your child through the office as spaces are limited to families that require it to accommodate their work schedule. 

Inclement Weather

Should there be inclement weather that would force the school to close there will be a recorded message left on the school phone, and there will be notification on the school’s X account (formerly Twitter) @cgmaschool.

Absenteeism/Lateness/Sickness

Should your child be absent or late for school please notify the school office at (905) 898-6257 and we will notify your child’s teacher. Absenteeism and lateness can hinder student engagement and results. 

If your child has a long-term illness that requires lengthy absenteeism from school the Principal can arrange for school work to be sent to the student to work through at their leisure. Assessment and evaluation will be conducted when appropriate. 

If your child is unwell they must stay home so as not to transmit bacteria or viruses to their classmates and teachers. If your child gets sick while at school, we will contact you immediately and keep your child comfortable until your prompt arrival.

Administration of Medication

If your child requires prescription medication while at school you must fill out a medication form and hand in the form with the medication (in its original packaging) to the office. A member of the office staff will administer your child’s medication as directed by their physician.

Study Hall 

Study hall is a complementary teacher-supervised study period for students who wish to complete their homework at school. It is highly recommended for all students to take advantage of this privilege.

  • Grades 1-4 on Wednesday evenings from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

  • Grades 5-8 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

  • High school Monday through Thursday from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Homework

  • Casa Pre-School: Students can bring reading books home to practice their reading skills. This is arranged between the teacher, the student, and their parents to ensure a positive experience.

  • Grades 1-8:  Monday, Wednesday & Friday (additional days for projects, test preparation)

  • Grades 9-12:  Daily (assignments, projects, test/exam preparation, and review of daily lessons)


Uniforms (Casa and Elementary students only)

Uniform shirts are to be worn Monday through Thursday. Students have a choice of a polo shirt, CGMA T-shirt, vest, or sweater.

In addition, a separate gym uniform is required for all students including High School. This consists of a grey CGMA T-shirt and blue CGMA shorts. All uniform pieces can be purchased through the school office by appointment for sizing. 

School Trips/Excursions  

Classes will, from time to time, schedule a school trip to complement class educational content, or for sports team participation. There are many benefits to expeditionary experiences, which include: cohesiveness, team spirit, and an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. All excursions require a signed parental permission form.

Cell Phone, Social Media and Technological Devices

  • Grade 5 - 6: Guided laptop use for research, project work, and presentations 

  • Grade 7 - 8: Laptop use for notes, research, projects, writing, and presentations 

  • High School: Full laptop integration in most high school classes (see specific course syllabus for further details)

All technological devices are permitted in school as they can be of great benefit to students however, if a student uses their device in a way that becomes a distraction, deterrent, or infringes on the privacy of others (including posting to social media), they will not be permitted to bring/use any tech device at school. The teachers and principal reserve the right to ban/restrict a student's tech usage based on their actions. To optimize student learning tech devices are not to be used during class instruction. Cell phone use and internet accessibility is under review to consider the new Ministry directive to have all students not have access to the internet without permission from the teacher. CGMA will review how this can be implemented within our school. Initally we will start with all students with phones to place them within the phone holder at the front of the class and then retrieve them when class is finished.

Assessment and Evaluation

Casa: Coursework is evaluated through close observation of student work both individual and group. 

Lower Elementary (Grades 1 - 4):

  • Coursework is evaluated on an ongoing basis paying close attention to student growth and development. Students will be graded based on observations of their knowledge during class discussions as well as evidence collected through projects, presentations, quizzes, and tests.

Upper Elementary (Grades 5 - 8) Coursework is evaluated through :

    • Observations

    • Tests, assignments, quizzes, presentations, debates, and projects

Final marks are reflective of all coursework taking into account the student’s consistent results as well as their most recent results. A final examination evaluation will be given to all grade 7 and 8 students. The impact of the result of their final examination is dependent upon each subject and will be outlined by the teacher before the examination.

High School: 

  • Coursework (tests, quizzes, projects, debates, participation, essays, etc.) totalling 70% of the final mark.

  • Final Examination Evaluation (2 or 3-hour final examination for each course) totalling 30% of the final mark.


High School Organization

CGMA operates on a semester system divided into two semesters.  Semester one extends from September to the end of January and semester two from February to the end of June.  Students study four full time courses each semester with an option for a total of two spares in either Grade 11 or 12.

Graduation Requirements for Ontario Secondary School Diploma

Credits are granted by the Principal on behalf of the Minister of Education and Training for courses that have been developed or approved by the Ministry.

To obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) under Ontario Schools, the student is expected to successfully complete 30 credits from a variety of subjects.  There are 18 compulsory and 12 optional credits.  As part of the 18 compulsory credits listed on the chart you must complete two online credits. Depending on the course, these additional credits may be taken in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12. 

Reach Ahead

Students in Grade 8 who display exemplary academic ability and conduct may be recommended for ‘Reach Ahead’. This is an opportunity for students to work ahead. The student will be enrolled in and join a high school course with the objective to successfully meet the expectations of the course, and gain a high school credit. The candidate may be recommended for one or more subjects as a result of their achievement and ability. Parent, student, teacher, and principal consent must be granted for the student to become enrolled in a high school credit course. 

Community Service Involvement Activities (Minimum of 40 hours required)

As part of the OSSD requirements, students must complete a minimum of 40 hours of community service involvement in addition to academic requirements.  These activities may be completed at any time during their years in the secondary school program. Students may start accumulating their community service involvement hours during the summer between Grade 8 and Grade 9.

The community involvement requirement is designed to encourage students to develop an awareness and understanding of civic responsibility, and the role they can play in supporting and strengthening their communities.  The requirement benefits communities, but its primary purpose is to contribute to student development, by providing opportunities for students to learn about the contributions they can make to the community. Records of student community service involvement are maintained by the school office and stored in the student’s OSR file.

Throughout the year CGMA provides students with the opportunity to perform some of their required community service as a high school collective. However, students are encouraged to collaborate with their parents, and community to provide additional opportunities for community service involvement.  Community involvement activities may take place in a variety of settings but are not to include paid positions. Activities performed outside of school and not as a school collective must take place outside of school instructional time.

Literacy Test (Grade 10 Literacy Test)

To obtain an OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) the Ministry of Education requires that students complete the Grade 10 Ontario Literacy Test. If a student does not successfully complete the test, they will have the opportunity to write the test for a second time. If the student is still not successful, they will be enrolled in the Ontario Literacy Course.

High School Course Calendar

The High School course calendar is available on the school website. Students are encouraged to refer to the course calendar regarding mandatory information concerning graduation requirements. The document may be downloaded and printed at any time. 

Peanut/Nut-Safe Policy

CGMA is a peanut/nut-safe environment meaning that no peanut/nut products are to be brought to school. 

Lunch & Recess

Casa: Lunch begins with students eating from 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. followed by recess from 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Elementary: Lunch begins with students eating from 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. followed by outdoor recess from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

High School:  Lunch runs from 11:45 a.m. - 12:55 p.m. (following Homeroom) 

  • Open Campus: high school students are permitted to leave school property during their lunchtime. Students are advised to check in at the school office before leaving school grounds. 

*Please note that each classroom is outfitted with a microwave providing the students the opportunity to warm up their food if necessary.

Additional Information  If you have any questions or require additional information please contact the office at (905) 898-6257.

For up-to-date information visit the school website countrygarden.ca and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @cgmaschool.