History, Mission and Values
The school, which is now co-ed, is dedicated to helping students excel and succeed by offering them an active, innovative education attuned to their needs.
from monklands…
The origins of our school date back to 1795, when James Monk, Chief Justice of Lower Canada, bought the land from the Décarie family.
Named “Monklands”, the classically inspired colonial stone residence he built on the land in 1803 served as the official residence of three Governors General of Canada: Sir Charles Metcalfe (1844-1845), Lord Cathcart (1845-1846), and Lord Elgin (1847-1849). Now one of the oldest Palladian villas in Canada, this lovely residence was declared a historic monument in 1951.
… to villa maria
In 1854, the Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame purchased Monklands to open a bilingual boarding school for girls. They called it Villa Maria. The first class consisted of forty-five students from Québec, Ontario, and the United States. For many years, classes were taught in French in the morning and English in the afternoon. Students received a solid education in science and art, and learned music and sewing. In 1900, Villa Maria graduates were the first women to enrol in Canadian and American universities.
To learn more about Marguerite Bourgeoys and the work of the CND, visit the virtual archives Faith in Action.
notable guests
Many distinguished guests have visited the school over the years. They include: King Edward VII (1860), the Duke and Duchess of York (King George V and Queen Mary, 1901), and many Governors General, notably Viscount Monck (who was accompanied by Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir George-Etienne Cartier, and Thomas D’Arcy McGee) and the Right Honourable Georges Vanier in 1964.
villa maria today
Over the years, Villa Maria has adapted to changing cultural and social requirements.
The school, which is now co-ed, is dedicated to helping students excel and succeed by offering them an active, innovative education attuned to their needs. Thanks to personalized guidance from a committed team and the integration of cutting-edge teaching technology, the School provides students with a motivating environment in which to grow.
Recognized as being in the public interest by the Quebec Ministry of Education, Villa Maria currently provides a high-school education to a total of 1950 students in its two educational sectors: one French, the other English.
Our mission
We help our students develop and achieve their full potential, preparing them to be citizens of the world with the ability to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s labour market.
Rooted in our rich history and driven by our willingness to evolve, our dedicated team offers an innovative and stimulating educational environment that fosters the development of every facet of our students’ lives.
Our values
The core values that define and motivate us
