Annual Report - Montessori Academy of London

Andrea Dean, Board President

Dear MA Families & Friends,

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I am pleased to present the Annual Report for Montessori Academy of London, including board membership updates, governance priorities, school highlights, and financial and fundraising reports for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

[A text-based PDF of the 2024-2025 MA Annual Report is available here]

Board Update

The Board of Governors is a collaborative group of volunteers who steward the long-term viability of Montessori Academy by providing financial and strategic leadership aligned with the school’s vision and mission.

Officers

Andrea Dean, President
Mark Innes, Vice President
Eric Janitis, Treasurer
Mark Whitley, Secretary & Founding Family Representative

Governors

Mike Ankers, Alumni Parent
Jessica Da Silva, Community Member
Angie Daouk, Current Parent
Matt Grossi, Community Member
Tina Brown, Executive Director, Ex-Officio
Kristen Crouse, Academic Director, Ex-Officio
David Pasquino, Finance Director, Ex-Officio

(As of June 30, 2025)

Membership

Several Governors completed their terms during 2024-2025 and we are grateful for their contributions to the Board. Our thanks go to Melissa Sariffodeen (former President), Tyler Reavell (former Treasurer), Megan Komenda (former Vice President), and Kelly Wang. Looking ahead to 2025-2026, the Board will focus on recruiting enthusiastic and talented volunteers with skills and experience in non-profit governance, strategic fund development, finance, and facilities management – all of which align with the school’s strategic priorities and the Board’s stewardship mandate.

Governance Priorities

Capital Planning

A capital needs assessment commissioned by the Board in 2024 includes evaluation of the school’s current facilities and estimation of future maintenance requirements. The assessment will inform the Board’s financial planning activities in 2025-2026, with the understanding that buildings at our downtown and Westmount locations will require significant resource commitments in the long term. Our buildings house intentional learning and teaching environments for students and staff, and the Board is squarely focused on developing a funding strategy in response to future needs.

Strategic Fundraising

In 2024-2025, the Board of Governors recognized the need to invest in board education to support the school’s future resource requirements. To that end, Governors have been engaged in professional fundraising training and coaching to help us understand the Board’s strategic role in fund development and provide insight into donor motivation, fundraising strategies, governor roles and board composition.

Learn more about our Board members: https://montessori.on.ca/about/board-of-governors/

School Highlights

Montessori Canada Accreditation

As part of our commitment to authentic Montessori principles and standards, Montessori Academy of London undergoes a rigorous accreditation process every five years. In May 2025, our Toddler, Casa, Lower and Upper Elementary levels received excellent feedback from Montessori Canada accreditors, with special attention given to the beauty of our carefully prepared learning environments, and the strong sense of community and camaraderie across all locations. The accreditors were especially impressed with the many ways in which the school’s vision and mission are evidenced in day-to-day interactions between students, families, faculty, staff and partners.

Montessori Canada’s accreditation team with two of our Junior High students.

We are proud to share that our Executive Director, Tina Brown, is the Montessori Canada Vice President, and two of our senior faculty members are engaged with Montessori Canada to develop accrediting standards for Adolescent programs, given that our Junior High program was the first in Canada and remains a model for the establishment of best practices.

New Parent & Infant Program

Montessori education is truly a family affair that begins when young children enter our Toddler and Casa programs. Our school is committed to supporting families from the start, and we have now shifted the starting line with our new Parent & Infant Program. Planned in 2024-2025, the program includes three 8-week sessions for parents and their Infants (2-10 months) or Movers (10-18 months). Parents and children will be hosted in a carefully prepared environment and experience the support of specially trained Montessori educators with expertise in child development. The new Parent & Infant Program extends our commitment to share Montessori philosophy with new parents while growing our Montessori Academy community.

Our Community Hub – Colborne St. United Church

Casa students enjoying Phys Ed class in the gym.

As our students and families know, the Colborne St. United Church is critical to the school’s physical education program, and an integral part of the Montessori Academy experience throughout the school year. In recognition of the church as our community hub, we have developed and deepened our relationship with church stewards based on a mutual commitment to the success of both organizations. Montessori Academy has entered into a longer-term lease for the gym, and secured the opportunity to explore the rental of other spaces in the future, in anticipation of a lengthy and mutually beneficial relationship with our community partner.

Accessibility Upgrades – 311 Oxford St.

The 311 Oxford St. elevator project began in 2024 and represents the Board’s commitment to ensure accessible facilities for our students, families and staff. The significant capital investment made by the school was recognized by the building owner, resulting in the negotiation of a long-term lease with several provisions that will benefit Montessori Academy in the future. The elevator project was completed over the summer and officially opened for use in October 2025.

Financial Report

Montessori Academy of London ended the 2024-2025 fiscal year with approximately $6.75M in revenues and $6.72M in expenses, resulting in just over $76K in net revenue. Final enrolment for the year was 327, with a number of student and family transitions balanced by new applications to the school.

The school’s financial position was impacted by the unexpected ending of the Ontario Government’s Payroll Wage Enhancement Program that supported moderate compensation increases for some Toddler and Casa teachers. Although the program ended in December 2024, Montessori Academy maintained compensation levels for those impacted by the change, and absorbed the unplanned expense for the remainder of the year.

In addition to investing in our people, Montessori Academy’s commitment to improving our places and spaces was evidenced by the significant investment at 311 Oxford St. The addition of this elevator at our downtown Casa location ensures accessibility and increased safety, and creates a more inclusive environment where everyone belongs. The project was funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, and made possible by sound management of the school’s financial resources.

The school’s financial statements can be found by searching for “Montessori Academy of London” on the Canada Revenue Agency website’s List of Charities.

Fundraising Report

In 2024-2025 our MA-zing supporters helped Montessori Academy achieve its positive financial position with $85,000 in donations and funds raised. Through our annual appeal, family fundraising events, one-time and monthly donations, major gifts and sponsorships, our community continues to fund important projects that benefit our students, and enables our school plan for the future.

The past year presented challenges for fundraising across the third sector in Canada, with a decline in giving and participation that likely reflect the current economic climate. At the same time, fundraising and volunteer engagement have never been more important for Montessori Academy. Accordingly, the school will invest in professional training and the completion of a fundraising audit in 2025-2026 to facilitate the development of a robust Case for Support. In addition, the Board will support the development of strategic fundraising plans designed to augment the resources available for the school’s future needs.

We are incredibly grateful to the many people, organizations and businesses who support our school and our students each year, and wish to sincerely thank our donors for their kindness and generosity. Together, we will continue to cultivate experiences that inspire compassion and a love of learning.

Charitable Registration #1052 29124 RR0001