The Priory School
The Priory School is a private, independent, co-educational day school in Montreal serving approximately 180 students from Kindergarten (K4) through Grade 6, offering French Immersion and English instruction with small class sizes, a whole-child philosophy, and a nearly 80-year legacy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersMontreal, Canada
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What The Priory School does
The Priory School is a private, independent, co-educational day school located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1947 by Frances Ballantyne and Alphonsine Paré-Howlett as Quebec's first co-educational, child-centered elementary school, it serves approximately 180 students from Kindergarten for 4-year-olds (K4) through Grade 6 with 125 faculty and staff. The school operates without government subsidies and is governed by a Board of Directors elected annually by a corporation of active parents, with The Priory School Foundation (established 2001) supporting fundraising. The school is led by Head of School Christian St-Pierre, who brings more than 25 years of education leadership experience.
The Priory's academic program is built on three proprietary pedagogical pillars — Child-Centered Learning, Research-Based Practices, and Learning by Doing — and includes a dual-language model featuring French Immersion (50/50 English/French in K4-K5, shifting to 65/35 in Grades 1-6) with an optional French Mother Tongue Pathway in Grades 5-6. Student-teacher ratios range from 1:7 (K4) to 1:14 (senior grades), with half-groups of 12 in upper elementary. The school supplements academics with a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program led by a dedicated coordinator, the Priory Enrichment Program (PEP) for differentiated instruction, athletics (Panthers soccer and basketball), Drama, Music (including a Band Program in Grades 5-6), Visual Arts, and off-campus learning expeditions. Extended-day services include an After School Program, Ped Day Daycare, Priory Kinder Camp (summer camp for ages 4-6), and a daily hot lunch service. Technology infrastructure is administrative in nature, centered on a DASH parent/student portal with Google OAuth authentication; no AI or ML capabilities are evident.
Revenue is primarily generated through recurring tuition fees that bundle academic programs, meals, materials, and extracurriculars with no supplemental billing throughout the year. Supplementary streams include a one-time $50 application fee, weekly Kinder Camp fees ($395/week), French and English tutoring services, and uniform sales through the Potter Boutique e-commerce storefront. The school supplements operating revenue through philanthropy: an Annual Fund with a 100% community participation goal and a $5 million Soaring to New Heights Capital Campaign supporting campus expansion including Buchanan House acquisition and a PEER research hub. The go-to-market model is relationship-driven, leveraging Open House events, personalized tours, direct admissions outreach, virtual tours, Instagram content, and word-of-mouth referrals within Montreal's English-speaking and bilingual family community.
The Priory School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Priory School
- Legal name
- The Priory School Inc.
- Website
- https://priory.qc.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- The Priory School is a private, independent, co-educational day school in Montreal serving approximately 180 students from Kindergarten (K4) through Grade 6, offering French Immersion and English instruction with small class sizes, a whole-child philosophy, and a nearly 80-year legacy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Priory School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent K-6 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
Keywords
Where The Priory School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montreal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Priory School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from tuition fees covering academic programs, support services, extracurricular activities, facilities, meals, materials, and field trips. No extra billing for sports, special events, cocurriculars, or field trips. Fee structure for 2025-2026 available with French or English tutoring options. Sibling discounts for families with 3+ children.
- Priory Kinder Camp: Summer camp program for children aged 4-6, running July 6-31, 2026, at $395 per week with full-day care included (7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Potter Boutique (Uniform Sales): Online and in-person uniform sales operated by Priory Parents' Association (PPA), including new uniforms and gently used uniform sales
- Donations and Fundraising: Annual Fund donations, Soaring to New Heights Capital Campaign ($5M goal), Day of Impact annual giving day, and various designated funds (Athletics Fund, Bursary Fund, Library Fund, etc.)
- Tutoring Services: French and English tutoring services available, may involve additional cost beyond standard tuition
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Weekly | Kinder Camp 2026 - Weekly rate for ages 4-6 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Application Fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Priory School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Priory School is a private, independent, non-profit co-educational day school in Montreal offering early childhood and elementary education from Kindergarten for 4-year-olds (K4) through Grade 6. Its core offering is a bilingual (English/French) academic program grounded in three pedagogical pillars (Child-Centered Learning, Research-Based Practices, and Learning by Doing), delivered through intentionally small classes with student-teacher ratios of 1:7 to 1:14, and complemented by enrichment programs in Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Athletics, and Social and Emotional Learning, along with extended care services such as an After School Program, Ped Day Daycare, and the Priory Kinder Camp.
Product overview
The Priory School is a premier independent, co-educational day school offering early childhood education from Kindergarten for 4-year-olds (K4) through Grade 6. The school's core educational offerings include a dual-language program with French Immersion (50/50 in K4-K5, shifting to 65/35 English/French in Grades 1-6) and an optional French Mother Tongue Pathway in Grades 5-6. The academic program is grounded in three pedagogical pillars: Child-Centered Learning, Research-Based Practices, and Learning by Doing. Beyond core academics, The Priory provides enrichment programs including Drama & Theatre, Music (with Band Program for Grades 5-6), Visual Arts, Athletics (Priory Panthers soccer and basketball teams), Social and Emotional Learning, and the Priory Enrichment Program. Extended care services include an After School Program, Priory Kinder Camp (summer camp for ages 4-6), Ped Day Daycare, and a daily hot Lunch Program. The school also operates fundraising initiatives including the Soaring to New Heights $5M Capital Campaign and Annual Fund, and maintains a Bursary Program for families in financial need.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kindergarten for 4-Year-Olds (K4)
- Kindergarten for 5-Year-Olds (K5)
- French Immersion Program
- French Mother Tongue Pathway
- After School Program
- Ped Day Daycare Services
- Priory Kinder Camp
- Priory Enrichment Program (PEP)
- Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Program
- Lunch Program
- Drama & Theatre Program
- Music Program
- Visual Arts Program
- Athletics / Priory Panthers
- Off-Campus Learning / Field Trips
- Potter Boutique Uniform Store
- Tutoring Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 1:7 to 1:14 student-teacher ratios enabling personalized attention for every child
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Priory School
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Priory School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
The Priory School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)majorThe Priory is a member of CAIS, a national organization that defines, supports, and advocates for the independent school community in Canada. CAIS provides accreditation, professional development, and networking opportunities for member schools.
- Quebec Association of Independent Schools (QAIS)majorThe Priory is a member of QAIS, the provincial association representing independent schools in Quebec. QAIS organizes events including the annual QAIS School Expo and chess tournaments that Priory students participate in.
- Fédération des établissements d'enseignement privés (FEEP)coreThe Priory is a member of FEEP, the federation representing private educational institutions in Quebec, which provides advocacy and support for independent schools.
- Sid Lee ArchitecturemajorAward-winning architectural firm commissioned to develop the master plan for the Soaring to New Heights campus expansion project, including redesign of Buchanan House and major upgrades to current school buildings.
- CanadaHelpscoreSecure online donation platform partner enabling families to make one-time or recurring donations to The Priory School Foundation, receive instant charitable tax receipts, and designate gifts to specific funds.
- Mabel's LabelsminorCanadian company partnered with PPA providing personalized clothing and item labels. 20% of all sales donated to the Priory Parents' Association to support school events and activities.
- Maret School (Washington, D.C.)minorVisited Montreal and performed for Priory students with their Senior Concert Band and Concert Choir (50 students aged 15-18), featuring music from classical to pop and funk.
- Orchestre symphonique de MontréalminorPriory students from Grades 3-6 attended 'Voyage Symphonique' concert at Maison Symphonique, exploring global soundscapes and performing Latin American music in choir.
- Ecomuseum (Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue)minorKindergarten students visited Ecomuseum for nature walk to learn about Quebec animals and winter preparation, reinforcing classroom learning.
- Musée Pointe-à-CallièreminorGrades 3-4 visited museum for interactive archaeology workshops and exploration of New France history and culture.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de MontréalminorKindergarten students visited museum for art activities, games, and hands-on painting workshop designed for their age group.
- Parc du Domaine Vert / D'Arbre En ArbreminorGrades 3-4 students enjoyed aerial adventure field trip with challenging courses, rope bridges, zip lines, and suspended platforms.
- Yale Centre for Emotional IntelligenceminorSEL Coordinator Mr. Karl Mercuri co-interviewed with Dr. Marc Brackett, director of Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence, on the Curious Neuron podcast discussing emotional intelligence and 'permission to feel.'
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Priory School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lower Canada College: Premier co-educational Montreal independent day school (K-11) with similar small-class philosophy, English-language instruction, and dual-language programming. Most direct head-to-head competitor for tuition-paying Montreal families seeking premium early-childhood through elementary education.
- Sacred Heart School of Montreal: Independent Catholic day school in Montreal (K-11) with bilingual programming and strong Montreal heritage. Comparable premium positioning and serves overlapping families in the same West End / downtown market.
- Selwyn House School: Independent boys' day school in Montreal Westmount (K-11) with strong academic reputation and small-class approach. Targets the same premium English-instruction segment in the same geographic catchment as The Priory.
- St. George's School of Montreal: Independent co-educational day school in Montreal (K-11) with English instruction and bilingual elements. Similar small-class, family-oriented model and overlapping catchment area in the Montreal independent-school market.
- The Study: Independent girls' day school in Montreal (K-11) offering bilingual programming and small class sizes. Comparable premium positioning and Quebec-English school dynamics make it a direct competitor for the same West End Montreal family pool.
- Trafalgar School for Girls: Independent girls' day school in Montreal Westmount (Grades 7-11) with whole-child educational philosophy. While grade-range differs, it competes for the same premium Montreal families and emphasizes similar personal attention and community values.
- Villa Maria High School: Independent Catholic girls' school in Montreal (Grades 7-11) with strong academic reputation. While secondary-focused, it competes for the same premium Montreal families transitioning out of elementary schools like Priory.
- Westmount Park School: Independent co-educational day school in Montreal Westmount (K-6) with similar small enrollment, English-language instruction, and family-focused culture. Closest direct competitor in terms of grade range and size.
- The Montreal School: Independent co-educational day school in Montreal (K-11) with progressive, individualized-learning philosophy. Comparable scale, mission emphasis on whole-child development, and Quebec-independent positioning.
Regional players
- Bishop's College School: Independent boarding and day school in Sherbrooke, Quebec, offering K-12 instruction with similar CAIS accreditation and Quebec independent-school positioning. Comparable network participation but regional rather than direct Montreal competition.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Priory School social profiles
Digital presenceThe Priory School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Priory School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
The Priory School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Priory School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Priory School
What does The Priory School do?
The Priory School is a private, independent, non-profit co-educational day school in Montreal offering early childhood and elementary education from Kindergarten for 4-year-olds (K4) through Grade 6. Its core offering is a bilingual (English/French) academic program grounded in three pedagogical pillars (Child-Centered Learning, Research-Based Practices, and Learning by Doing), delivered through intentionally small classes with student-teacher ratios of 1:7 to 1:14, and complemented by enrichment programs in Drama, Music, Visual Arts, Athletics, and Social and Emotional Learning, along with extended care services such as an After School Program, Ped Day Daycare, and the Priory Kinder Camp.
Is The Priory School a public or private company?
The Priory School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Priory School founded?
The Priory School was founded in 1947. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is The Priory School based?
The Priory School is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does The Priory School make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are priory Kinder Camp, potter Boutique (Uniform Sales), donations and Fundraising and tutoring Services.
Who are The Priory School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lower Canada College, Sacred Heart School of Montreal, Selwyn House School, St. George's School of Montreal, The Study, Trafalgar School for Girls, Villa Maria High School, Westmount Park School and The Montreal School. Bishop's College School is listed as a regional player.
Does The Priory School have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Priory School.
What industry is The Priory School in?
The Priory School's product category is Independent K-6 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.