From CP to CM2, our classes are based on Montessori teaching methods, in line with the French national education curriculum, and offer bilingual French-English teaching.
In the primary cycle at the Lycée International Montessori Athena, pupils from CP to CM2 are taught in a bilingual, stimulating and caring environment. Learning is fully in line with the national education curriculum, while being enriched by innovative teaching practices. Our teaching is based on the Montessori method, which places the student at the heart of his or her learning and encourages autonomy, self-confidence and commitment.
The aim of this approach is to enable each pupil to approach the start of sixth form with peace of mind and confidence. It also guarantees optimum continuity at school, facilitating, where appropriate, a harmonious reintegration into the traditional education system.
Mathematics, French and culture with Montessori concrete materials.
4 half-days of English immersion per week: language, grammar, science, history and art lessons.
Cambridge exam preparation.
As well as academic subjects, our students benefit from enriching activities that encourage their personal development.
Half a day a week of study in nature or in the vegetable garden: science programme, cultivation of the vegetable garden, looking after the chickens.
Teaching the arts to develop the senses, oral expression, creativity and fluency.
Every week, several sports sessions are organised with a specialist, either in a stadium or in the large playground.
Cultivation, maintenance and harvesting of the vegetable garden. Animal care to develop a sense of responsibility.
English is taught during 4 half-days of total immersion each week.
Students benefit from true English immersion 50% of the time. All subjects are taught in French AND English to ensure complete mastery of both languages.
This daily immersion allows students to naturally develop their language skills in an authentic school context.
Children take the Cambridge Young Learners exams as soon as they are ready, from CE1.
Precise educational objectives for harmonious development, combining academic rigour and personal fulfilment.
Students are ready for collège with an excellent level of English and a solid foundation in all subjects.
Montessori materials, designed according to proven scientific principles, are integrated into teaching practices to support the acquisition of knowledge. The concrete nature of the material encourages a deeper understanding and lasting memory of concepts, while helping pupils to develop their independence.
Montessori concrete materials are an essential step in the gradual move towards abstraction. By manipulating specially designed materials, pupils build a solid understanding of concepts, enabling them to move naturally towards abstraction with greater meaning, precision and sustainability in their learning.
Handling Montessori materials is at the heart of learning. Pupils use them to discover new concepts and use them for as long as necessary, until they reach the point of abstraction. Each material, designed according to scientific principles, is specifically developed to support and facilitate learning.
By the end of CM2, pupils are capable of learning without the use of Montessori teaching materials. They enter collège with confidence and autonomy, fully prepared to continue learning as part of the continuum of their education.
In line with the principles of Montessori teaching, classes are organised in groups of mixed ages and levels. This encourages mutual support, cooperation and respect for each individual's pace. This way of working develops autonomy, self-confidence and a sense of responsibility, and creates a calm classroom climate conducive to lasting learning.
Thanks to deliberately small class sizes, each adult can provide high-quality, individualised support. This organisation allows each child to develop at his or her own pace, to be recognised for their progress and encouraged in their initiatives. As a result, the teaching team has favourable conditions in which to observe attentively, support sympathetically and provide demanding guidance for each pupil. Whether they need to progress more quickly or benefit from extra explanation time, each child receives support tailored to their needs.
Within each class, thanks to work plans, learning is adjusted to the pace and needs of each pupil. This differentiated approach is designed to support individual progress and encourage success.
Our pupils are heading for secondary school with :
Answers to specific questions parents have about Montessori elementary school
Yes, absolutely. We regularly welcome students from traditional schools. Our programme covers all the requirements of the French national education system, with personalised support. Thanks to multi-level classes and an individual work plan, each child progresses at his or her own pace. The teachers assess the starting level and adapt the presentations accordingly.
Yes, homework is given every Friday for the whole week ahead. Memorising conjugations, dictations, poems and multiplication tables is essential for success. The lessons are covered in class, where the children receive support from the teachers. We also encourage regular reading in French and English.
Yes, it's quite possible. Children have a remarkable ability to acquire a language through immersion. Our English-speaking teachers are trained to welcome pupils of all levels and adapt their presentations accordingly. The bilingual environment, the visual and concrete Montessori pedagogy and the multi-level classes greatly facilitate this acquisition. Most beginners quickly become comfortable in English.
Pupils use Montessori materials for as long as they need them, generally up to CM1 or CM2 depending on the subject. This gradual transition from the concrete to the abstract ensures a deep and lasting understanding of concepts. By the end of CM2, they are autonomous and perfectly prepared for collège, where they will learn without manipulatives, as in any traditional school.
Yes, we do. Our programme rigorously follows the expectations of the French national education system. Students returning to a traditional school generally have an excellent academic level, a high degree of autonomy and solid work methods. These qualities make it easier for them to adapt. We provide a complete school file with reports and assessments in line with the expectations of the French system.
Do you have any other questions about our bilingual Montessori elementary school in Bailly?
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