Surrey Montessori school celebrates 40 years<\/p>\n
Published 10:30 am Sunday, June 7, 2026<\/p>\n
A celebration featuring an outburst of butterflies.<\/p>\n
Kristin Marples first discovered Montessori education more than four decades ago and in doing so she learned she found something special.<\/p>\n
After spending 10 years teaching in the public school system, Maples says she became increasingly frustrated with a one-size-fits-all approach to education. That was until she learned about the Montessori philosophy and immediately felt called to pursue it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought, now this is education,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n
The new found drive and passion is what led Marples to open Roots & Wings Montessori in Surrey in 1985.<\/p>\n
Forty years later, she remains actively involved as principal, guiding a school that has educated generations of local children while staying true to the original teachings of Italian educator Maria Montessori.<\/p>\n
Roots & Wings celebrated its 40th anniversary with an invite-only alumni reunion at Camp McLean in Langley on May 24. The event brought together former students, families and staff from throughout the school\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
For Marples, one of the highlights was reconnecting with former students and seeing where life had taken them. \u201cIt was amazing seeing students that I taught for 10 years and now they\u2019re 20 years old and seeing what they\u2019re doing, so it was fun,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The celebration featured displays dedicated to each decade of the school\u2019s history, allowing alumni to revisit memories and reconnect with classmates. Many former students also returned as volunteers to help with the event.<\/p>\n
Roots & Wings continues to follow what Marples describes as an authentic Montessori model, a philosophy she believed has become less common over the years.<\/p>\n
Unlike traditional classrooms where students of the same age move through lessons together, Marples says Montessori classrooms group children across three-year age spans. Younger students learn by observing older classmates, while older students develop leadership skills by helping their younger peers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe children have freedom in this environment to use what they are attracted to and in doing so they teach themselves,\u201d explained Marples. \u201cThey don\u2019t need someone else to tell them when they\u2019re wrong because the materials are self-correcting.\u201d<\/p>\n
She believes that approach helps children develop confidence and independence.<\/p>\n
Over the years, the school has become known for a number of unique programs and initiatives. Students have helped fund annual class trips through classroom entrepreneurship, operating a weekly hot lunch business that raises thousands of dollars each year.<\/p>\n
Older students have also travelled internationally, including representing Canada at Montessori Model United Nations conferences in New York.<\/p>\n
One of Marples favourite memories came during one of those trips.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had such a good music teacher and she taught them a song, and we were walking down the street in New York, and they suddenly all spontaneously sprang into this song,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n
The school has also been Wi-Fi free since 2010 when Marples learned more about the potential negative impacts that come with excessive screen use. \u201cWhen I heard about this, I thought, well, there\u2019s no reason that we have to have Wi-Fi,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Marples commitment to Montessori education has also earned national recognition.<\/p>\n
In 1998 she received a Governor General\u2019s award from then-Governor General Rom\u00e9o LeBlanc for creating a Montessori curriculum focused on Canadian history and citizenship for students aged nine to 12.<\/p>\n
Despite the school\u2019s longevity and success, Marples shared her worries about the future of Montessori education. \u201cOne of my fears is that Montessori is kind of dying out.\u201d<\/p>\n
She believes many schools have moved away from the original philosophy and says it has become increasingly difficult to attract teachers willing to dedicate themselves to the method.<\/p>\n
Still, after 40 years, Marples faith in Montessori remains the same.<\/p>\n
As part of the anniversary celebration, attendees released butterflies into the air, a symbolic gesture that resonated deeply with Marples.<\/p>\n
\u201cRather than the 40th feeling like an ending, it was like we were sending out all these students to make their mark in the world,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Marples said the 40th celebration reminds her how important Montessori education is and will continue following it as long as she can.<\/p>\n