École Montessori Aquilae vs Montessori Rive Gauche

	É École Montessori Aquilae Geneva, Switzerland	M Montessori Rive Gauche Geneva, Switzerland
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year CHF 17,000 - 21,000	Fees / year CHF 15,700 - 20,700
Age range	Age range 3 - 12 years	Age range 3 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Montessori Curriculum	Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, Swiss Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 70	Pupils 110
Typical class size	Typical class size 23	Typical class size 25
Instruction language	Instruction language French, English	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened —	Opened 2011
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Geneva, Switzerland. Address: 24, ch. des Tulipiers, 1208 Genève. The school is a bilingual Montessori school for children aged 3 to 12. Hours are Monday–Friday 8:00–18:00; Wednesday 8:00–12:00 with workshops 8:00–16:00.	Location Montessori Rive Gauche is located in Collonge-Bellerive / Vésenaz at 15 Chemin des Gotettes. Five classrooms and administration are spread over four houses in nearly 3,000 m² of wooded grounds. Car access is straightforward with parking for drop-offs, and Bus G stops in front of the school at Petray.
Stages	Stages 3 to 6 years; 6 to 12 years	Stages Mixed-age classrooms for 3-6 y.o., 6-9 y.o., and 9-12 y.o.
School type	School type Bilingual Montessori school for ages 3 to 12	School type Private Montessori school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school is supported by an ASE apprentice and a French-speaking Montessori assistant at different times of the day.	Additional learning support Therapists (psychologist, occupational therapist) are on site to support pupils.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Switzerland	Country affiliation Switzerland
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure The 3–6 age class runs 8:00–16:00, with after-school care available until 18:00; the school operates four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday); 3-year-olds may attend half-days 8:00–13:30, and from age 4, full days. Wednesday includes a 8:00–12:00 session and 8:00–16:00 workshops.	School day structure 3-6 years: part-time until 1:30 pm or full-time until 3:30 pm, with lunch at the school; 6-12 years: full-time. After-school activities are available on site (e.g., piano, robotics, woodwork, music, mindfulness).
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Bus line G stops in front of the school (Petray stop).
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - An enrolment deposit (referred to as an “émolument”) and registration fees are required to place a child on the waiting list and to confirm an enrolment. The school's public information indicates that these payments are part of the admission steps but does not publish fixed amounts for the application or registration fees. Tuition fees by year group (full detail available publicly) - Age range covered: 3 to 12 years (multi-age classes 3–6 and 6–12). - Published tuition indication: CHF 1,700 to CHF 2,100 per month, depending on the child's age and chosen hours. This is the only explicit tuition range published in the school's public information; no further breakdown by specific year group, class (3–6 vs 6–12), or per-term figures is published. Billing schedule and payment terms - The-school-published figure is presented as a monthly amount (CHF per month). Specific billing schedules (for example: billed monthly, per term, or annually), payment due dates, instalment options, discounts, or late-payment penalties are not published in the public information and are set out in the school's Conditions générales et financières. The public admission procedure indicates families receive the conditions générales et financières as part of the enrolment paperwork. Boarding fees (if applicable) - The school operates as a day school with published opening hours (Monday–Friday 08:00–18:00; Wednesday variations for younger pupils) and does not present boarding provision. No boarding fees are applicable. Other costs and fees - After-school / paraschool service: there is a published paraschool/after‑school service up to 18:00 offered for families who wish children to stay after 16:00, with a stated forfait price of CHF 15 per day (snack included) for that service. - School-sponsored workshops and holiday camps are offered; fees for workshops, holiday camps, or additional extracurricular activities are not itemised in the school's public pages and are treated as separate, additional charges. - Uniforms, textbooks, classroom material charges, transport, lunches or incidental fees are not specified in the publicly available information. No fixed amounts for these items are published. Refund information - Refund, cancellation and reimbursement terms (for example, for deposits, registration fees, or term/annual tuition on withdrawal) are defined in the school's Conditions générales et financières; the school's public information indicates these terms are provided as part of the enrolment documents but does not publish a public summary of refund rules. Fee payment options - The public pages do not list specific accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, direct debit, etc.). Payment methods and detailed payment instructions are provided in the Conditions générales et financières and in the enrolment paperwork. Summary statement for database use - Published, specific fee figures available publicly: a monthly tuition range of CHF 1,700–CHF 2,100 (depending on age and hours) and a paraschool fee of CHF 15 per day (snack included). The school requires an enrolment deposit/registration payment to join the waiting list and to confirm enrolment, but exact application/registration amounts, a per-year or per-term tuition table, detailed billing schedule, refund terms, and accepted payment methods are not published on the school's public pages; those items are defined in the school's Conditions générales et financières and the enrolment documents provided to families.	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Yearly enrolment fee: CHF 250, payable at enrolment. - Guarantee (security deposit): CHF 4,000, payable at first enrolment; the guarantee is held as security against unpaid fees and is returned, free of interest, at the end of the pupil's time at the school provided the school's conditions are met. Payment for the guarantee is to be made to account CH17 0024 0240 7181 7502 V (titulaire Montessori Rive Gauche SA). - Re‑enrolment (renewal) fee: CHF 250, payable February 1 each year; this fee is not refundable if renewal is cancelled. Tuition fees by year group (per month, with trimester and annual totals) - Children House (3–6 years) — part‑time (monthly): CHF 1,570. - 1st trimester (Sept–Dec, 4 months): CHF 6,280 — due May 31. - 2nd trimester (Jan–Mar, 3 months): CHF 4,710 — due Nov 30. - 3rd trimester (Apr–Jun, 3 months): CHF 4,710 — due Feb 28. - Total for full school year (10 months, part‑time): CHF 15,700. - Children House (3–6 years) — full‑time (monthly): CHF 1,870. - 1st trimester (4 months): CHF 7,480 — due May 31. - 2nd trimester (3 months): CHF 5,610 — due Nov 30. - 3rd trimester (3 months): CHF 5,610 — due Feb 28. - Total for full school year (10 months, full‑time): CHF 18,700. - Primary I (6–9 years) — full‑time (monthly): CHF 1,970. - 1st trimester (4 months): CHF 7,880 — due May 31. - 2nd trimester (3 months): CHF 5,910 — due Nov 30. - 3rd trimester (3 months): CHF 5,910 — due Feb 28. - Total for full school year (10 months): CHF 19,700. - Primary II (9–12 years) — full‑time (monthly): CHF 2,070. - 1st trimester (4 months): CHF 8,280 — due May 31. - 2nd trimester (3 months): CHF 6,210 — due Nov 30. - 3rd trimester (3 months): CHF 6,210 — due Feb 28. - Total for full school year (10 months): CHF 20,700. - The tuition fees include tuition, the morning snack, and the organic midday meal certified “fourchette verte.” Extra costs for sports activities and outings (museums, shows, end‑of‑year trips, etc.) are not included and are charged separately. - Discounts: 1% discount for a single full‑year payment; 10% discount on the second child's tuition while siblings are enrolled; 15% discount on the third child's tuition while all three are enrolled. Discounts do not apply if a third party (employer/institution) pays the fees. Billing schedule and payment terms - Billing schedule: Tuition is billed and payable in advance by trimester — first trimester due May 31, second trimester due Nov 30, third trimester due Feb 28. The school may refuse entry or terminate enrolment if fees are not settled by the due dates. Tuition remains payable even if the child is absent. - Guarantee handling: The CHF 4,000 guarantee is payable at first enrolment; it may be used to cover unpaid re‑enrolment or tuition fees if the pupil is withdrawn or if agreed minimum attendance conditions (for 3–6 section) are not met; otherwise it is repaid at the end of schooling, without interest. Payments for the guarantee must be made to account CH17 0024 0240 7181 7502 V (Montessori Rive Gauche SA). - Late payment: Reminder fees apply in the event of late payment. Parents signatories are jointly and severally liable for all fees. Boarding fees - Boarding is not offered; the school operates as a day school for children aged 3–12. There are no boarding fees. Other costs and extras - Sports activities, outings, museum/theatre visits and certain extracurricular activities are charged in addition to tuition. - No uniform fee is listed among the standard fees. Additional optional services (after‑school activities and external therapist consultations) are available on site and are separate from tuition; such services are charged in addition where applicable. Refund and withdrawal penalties - The CHF 250 enrolment fee is non‑refundable if the child's enrolment is cancelled after the school's confirmation of enrolment. - Withdrawal penalties: - Withdrawal after Feb 1 (concerning the following school year): re‑enrolment fee CHF 250 plus a CHF 4,000 penalty are due. - Withdrawal after Apr 30 (concerning the following school year): tuition fees for the first trimester of the following year and the enrolment fee are due. - Withdrawal after the start of the school year (including force majeure): the current trimester is due, plus the following trimester. - Exclusion from school does not entitle parents to reimbursement of tuition already paid. In case of temporary school closure for epidemic/pandemic or similar major events, distance teaching may be offered and certain costs (for example meals) may be refunded, but tuition fees are excluded from such reimbursements. Fee payment options - The school specifies payment by bank transfer to the school account (IBAN/account CH17 0024 0240 7181 7502 V — Montessori Rive Gauche SA) for the guarantee and routine payments; a special agreement can be established if a third party (employer or institution) will pay all or part of the fees. No alternative payment methods (such as credit‑card payment) are specified in the school's terms.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Montessori Aquilae follows Montessori pedagogy, focusing on autonomy and hands-on learning. The curriculum emphasizes freedom of activity and movement in a prepared environment, respect for each child's pace and personality, and mixed-age groups (3–6 years and 6–12 years). The school offers a bilingual French–English program; all subjects (except early reading and mathematics) are taught in both languages with two teachers whose native languages are French or English in each class. In the 3–6 year classes, the bilingual group is taught by two educators (one Francophone and one Anglophone) and an English-speaking assistant; children spend two weeks in bilingual instruction and one week in an English-only class to support English learning; there is also a 100% anglophone class option for 3–6-year-olds to reinforce English. In the 6–12 year classes, the group is guided by two educators (one Francophone and one Anglophone) as well as subject teachers (German, sport). All educators and assistants hold a recognized Montessori diploma (AMI).	Curriculum details Montessori Rive Gauche uses the Montessori method with AMI-trained teachers. Classrooms are mixed-age for 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 years, with bilingual instruction in French and English and German taught from age 6. The school follows the Plan d'Études Romand (3P to 8P Harmos) and uses a Montessori curriculum for the 3-12 age range. It is a member of Association Montessori Suisse AM(S) and adheres to AMI principles. Eco-Schools label since 2022. In the 3-6 year-old section, there are two bilingual classes, each taught by three teachers. In the 6-12 year-old section, six teachers teach the Montessori curriculum with bilingualism and the Plan d'Études Romand; a programme of educational outings is offered. After-school classes are available, and on-site therapists (psychologist, occupational therapist) are available. Arts, robotics, music, mindfulness, and other activities are offered as part of extra-curricular options.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Visit our site and contact us via the information request form. On the site you can read hours, location, the team, as well as the educational programs and frequently asked questions. The form facilitates the first contact for a visit to the school. After submitting the form, you will receive an email with proposed visit dates, general and financial conditions, a class presentation, the admission procedure and criteria, and a questionnaire to learn more about your family. 2. Read the documents and visit the class. After reading the various documents and completing the questionnaire, it is time to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and the materials. A one-hour class visit is offered with the head of school who will present the school's vision, how the class operates, and the main principles of Montessori pedagogy. 3. Waiting list enrollment. Following your visit, you are invited to write to us if you wish to enroll your child in our establishment. To maintain balanced classes in terms of language and age, we cannot enroll children upon expression of interest. The child is placed on the waiting list upon receipt of the enrollment fee, and families are notified as soon as a place becomes available. 4. Observation of a class. If a place is available, parents are invited to observe the class for one hour during the day to understand how it operates and how it is organized. Parents may ask questions of the teaching team after the observation. This observation helps families understand the classroom environment. 5. Registration form and payment of registration fees. To confirm enrollment, the registration form must be completed and returned, and the registration fees paid according to the general and financial terms. All terms and fees are outlined in the general conditions and financial policies. Once these steps are completed, the school proceeds with further arrangements. 6. Trial morning. Toward the end of the school year, we offer new students a morning in the class for a first meeting with the surroundings, teachers, and future classmates. The morning allows the family to experience the classroom routines and the daily activities. 7. Welcome breakfast. To ease the first day, we organize a welcome breakfast on the Saturday before the first day with new students and their parents to discover the place and meet the teachers. This helps familiarize the children with the classroom before start and builds a connection with staff and peers. 8. Admission criteria. Admission criteria require families to adhere to Montessori principles to ensure consistent guidance at school and at home. To maintain a balanced class, criteria include age, gender, language spoken, and parents' engagement in Montessori pedagogy and school life. Priority is given to siblings of children already enrolled. For the 3-6 year class, children must be at least 3 years old by December 31, subject to places available or the next school year. For the 6-12 year class, children can enroll from age 6 (3P).	Admissions Children may join at any time during the school year from age 3 to 11. The school offers mixed-age classes (3-6, 6-9, 9-12). All teachers are AMI Montessori trained and native speakers in French or English; German is taught from age 6. The school is bilingual French/English and follows AMI principles as recognised by the Association Montessori Suisse AM(S) for both the 3-6 and 6-12 sections. Prospective families can pre-register via the pre-registration template and contact the principal, Nancy Ramu, at 078 806 22 42 to arrange a visit.
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist The waitlist is used to maintain balanced classes in terms of language and age. Enrollment cannot occur solely on expression of interest. The child is placed on the waiting list upon receipt of the enrollment fee, and families are notified as soon as a place becomes available.	Waitlist —
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