About Avalon
A Small School with a Big Vision for Every Child’s Potential
For 25 years, we’ve been a cornerstone of the Beach community. As a small, independent school, we offer a personalized experience in which parents, students, and staff work hand in hand — so your child isn’t just another student, but a valued individual guided by respect, understanding, and a shared commitment to their lifelong success.
Our Journey
The History of Avalon
Sherry VanDerKooi, Angie Samis, and Christine Keery founded Avalon in the fall of 1999. As qualified teachers, they had seen many positive examples of Montessori education, but also schools where the guiding principles were driven by money rather than the child.
They decided to start a school where the needs of the children were the absolute priority and integrity was a key element of daily operation. For over two decades, the happiness and growth of our students has remained the true measure of our success — and today we are proud to be a premier children’s Montessori school in Toronto that feels like a village for our families.
Our Team
Meet Our Founders and Directors
Avalon is a founder-led school. Our three directors use a team approach to management and teaching, remaining active in the classroom across both campuses.
Christine Keery
School Director, Casa Directress
Teaching since 1993, Chris developed full pre-school programmes and a Montessori-based physical education program she still implements at Avalon. Her work helped form the Independent Schools Athletic Association, and she developed and implemented Avalon’s toddler program in our inaugural year.
Angie Samis
School Director, Administration
Holding Primary and Elementary Montessori diplomas from TMI and teaching since 1995, Angie has led Casa departments, curriculum development, staff hiring, and licensing. She worked alongside Christine and Sherry when the idea for Avalon was born, and now leads our Administration Team and oversees the Casa Program.
Sherry VanDerKooi
School Director, Elementary Principal
A TMI graduate with Primary and Elementary diplomas, Sherry developed and taught Upper Elementary and served as President of the Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers. Certified in JUMP Math and the AIM French method, she heads Avalon’s Elementary department as our Elementary School Principal.
Why Montessori
The Montessori Method
The Montessori approach recognizes each child as a unique individual with their own potential, allowing them to work at their own pace during sensitive periods of development.
A Carefully Constructed Classroom
Designed to be inviting and ordered without being overwhelming.
Didactic Materials
Hands-on tools that aid the learning process through spontaneous discovery.
A Well-Trained Teacher
Specialists in observation who follow the individual interests of each child.
Pedagogy of Respect
An approach that treats the child as an intelligent individual capable of making independent choices.
Professional Standards
Proud Member of OFIS
Avalon is a proud member of the Ontario Federation of Independent Schools (OFIS), which ensures we meet high standards of safety, governance, and academic accountability within the Ontario private school system.
Our Locations
Two Campuses in Toronto
Avalon operates out of two beautiful campuses in Toronto’s East End.
Ages 2½ – 6
Wood Glen Campus
31 Wood Glen Road
Toronto, ON M1N 2V8
8am – 5pm · 416-686-6621 Ext. 1
JK – Grade 8
Beach Campus
65 Glen Manor Drive
Toronto, ON M4E 3V3
8am – 6pm · 416-686-6621 Ext. 1
Enrolment
Now Accepting Registrations for 2026/27
Spaces are limited. If you’re considering Avalon for your child, we encourage you to reach out today.