Villa Maria

Villa Maria is a prominent private secondary school situated on a beautiful historic estate in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood. Originally founded as a girls' school by the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame in 1854, it has since become co-educational (since 2016) and serves as a major hub for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program in Quebec. The school is unique in Montreal for offering two distinct linguistic sectors—one English and one French—under the same roof.

The school’s educational philosophy emphasizes the development of the whole person, integrating technology through a 1-to-1 iPad program and a focus on 21st-century skills. Students in both sectors follow the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which encourages critical thinking and cross-curricular learning. This prepares them exceptionally well for CEGEP and subsequent university studies worldwide.

Villa Maria is notable for its sprawling 40-acre campus, providing a park-like atmosphere in the heart of the city. Facilities include a historic chapel, modern science labs, a large sports center, and numerous outdoor fields. The school is also recognized for its 'Elite' sports-study and arts-study programs, which allow high-achieving athletes and artists to balance their academic requirements with intensive training.