In September 1947, The Priory School first
opened its doors to 25 children in “Le Manoir”, an old stone house in
N.D.G. For the founders, Frances E. Ballantyne and Alphonsine Howlett,
education was of premier importance, as their own families were reaching
school age. They were convinced that these early years could not be
compromised. Driven by their vision of a structured yet creative
education and by young children’s thirst for care, attention and
academic stimulation, they founded The Priory School.
The number of students gradually increased, and by 1949 the school moved
to the larger premises it occupies today, Lindsay House on The
Boulevard. The number of students continued to increase. To accommodate
this, the Ballantyne Building was constructed, adding a multipurpose
hall, classrooms, an art studio and library. It was officially opened by
Governor General Georges Vanier in 1961.
Read More In The News: Unique School for
the Children Founded, Operated by Two Women
September of 1998 saw the successful
completion of The Priory Rejuvenation Project, which provided the school
with a state of the art computer centre, library, art room and
multi-purpose gymnasium. This allowed The Priory to remain at the
forefront of the elementary educational community.
Today, The Priory welcomes approximately 170 pupils and maintains the
traditions that have made it so successful over time. In partnership
with the parents, The Priory works to ensure that children are allowed
to be children in a small, warm, orderly environment which helps them
develop their first learning skills and nurtures a love of learning.
