
About MAPSS
What is the Montessori Alternative Public School Society?
MAPSS was formed in 1999 when a dedicated Montessori educator and group of parents proposed that the Montessori method become an option for students in Calgary’s public school system.
To make public Montessori school possible, MAPSS raises funds to purchase Montessori materials and classroom tools, provide teacher training, present parent education, and purchase Montessori parent resources for each school’s library.

What does MAPSS do for MY school?
The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) provides an excellent education to ALL of the children of Calgary regardless of the program they are in. Families of Calgary are lucky that CBE has adopted a progressive approach to education. While the regular CBE program provides a high quality education for all students, they understand that no educational program is ideal for every learner. Some would benefit from programs that approach the curriculum differently.
MAPSS was formed in 1999 when a dedicated Montessori educator and group of parents proposed that the Montessori method become an option in the CBE. However when the proposal came to the Board of Trustees there were limited funds to finance the program. And so the MAPSS fundraising ventures began.
Since that time, MAPSS has raised nearly $900,000 to supplement the CBE’s investment. We have contributed to Montessori materials and classroom tools, teacher training, parent education, and Montessori parent resources for each school’s library.
Our schools have been flourishing and enrollment in our Kindergarten and Grade One programs have never been higher. We are very excited with the increased interest in Montessori education and the growth of our schools. MAPSS is dedicated to supporting our schools, Principals and the CBE helping build the strongest Montessori.
Captain John Palliser School
http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/CaptainJohnPalliser/
Killarney School
http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/Killarney/Pages/default.aspx
Lake Bonavista School
http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/LakeBonavista
The MAPSS Board of Directors
President: Thom Dutchak
Vice-President: Stephanie Martin
Treasurer/Secretary: Dorma Chung
Founding Director: Judith Doucette
Fundraising Chair: Jessica McGlashing
Communications: Melanie Kazimir
Casino Chair/Director: Chad Martin
Social Media Chair: Megan Mccullough
Director: Shan Rahim
Priorities of Our Strategic Plan
Over the next five years MAPSS has committed itself to achieving the following objectives. These will be our top priorities.
1. Excellence in the Classroom
2. Awareness
3. Sustainability
Want to know more about our Strategic Plan? Contact us here.
News and Resources
MAPSS Messenger!
The MAPSS Messenger is our newsletter, connecting our supporters, volunteers, and members.
If you have an idea for our MAPSS Messenger team, or if you’d like to help with putting the MAPSS Messenger together, please contact us here.
Annual General Meeting
Our last AGM was held on October 13, 2021 Thanks to all who attended!