École Montessori Aquilae

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.

3 to 6 years; 6 to 12 years

Bilingual Montessori school for ages 3 to 12

The school is supported by an ASE apprentice and a French-speaking Montessori assistant at different times of the day.

Switzerland

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.

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).

The Montessori pedagogy provides a benevolent accompaniment of the child within a structured and reassuring environment. Based on observation of the child's development, it enables each child to express their full potential while learning to understand their own functioning. The fundamental values are: the free choice of activity and freedom of movement in the classroom; the high-quality prepared environment; respect for the child's pace and personality; mixed-age groups (3 to 6 years and 6 to 12 years). The ultimate aim is to help the child grow into a free, conscious, and responsible adult.

A child who speaks only one language at home can adapt to a bilingual class. The start may be confusing for the child, but they quickly learn to adapt. We accompany them softly and adjust this program to the child's maturity during the first year. The child must first feel safe in their environment before learning. They understand the value of speaking another language because they are surrounded by multilingual peers. However, a child speaking a second language only at school will not become bilingual after a cycle of 3 years.

The Montessori approach provides a benevolent and structured atmosphere that supports emotional wellbeing. Freedom of movement, mixed-age groups, and the trust educators place in children foster social development and confidence. The classroom balances autonomy with guidance, helping children feel secure as they learn. Meals and routines are designed to support a calm, orderly atmosphere that respects each child's pace.

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).

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.