Rietberg Montessori School

The Montessori program is state-accredited and aligned with the Canton Zurich curriculum, guaranteeing transfer to secondary school. In kindergarten, tuition covers instruction in German and English, and learning is designed to be self-motivated and joyful. In elementary school, teaching continues in mixed-age groups and covers writing, reading and mathematics, introduces science, and includes foreign languages. The school provides intensive preparation for gymnasium entry and employs trained specialists for subjects such as arts, woodwork, music and painting.

The school offers extensive arts and music provision. In elementary school, students study foreign languages, music, woodwork, art and craft, and participate in art studio, sport, dance and theatre projects, supported by trained specialists. In-house music lessons are taught by specialists (piano, violin, clarinet). Theatre projects and school performances are part of the programme, and there are creative projects such as a film project and architecture for kids.

Tuition languages in kindergarten are German and English, and German and English continue in elementary school with French lessons from fourth grade. The school also provides cultural enrichment through visits to museums, art galleries, opera and concerts.

Children learn in mixed-age groups, developing social skills and courtesy through daily collaboration and group activities. Annual events foster a sense of community between children, parents and staff, including Children's Playday, Lantern Parade, Carol Singing, Open Day and theatre performances. Parents are invited to participate in evenings, workshops and round-table meetings, and to accompany group excursions.

Parent involvement is encouraged through regular communications, conferences with the principal, and opportunities to attend parent evenings and workshops. The school hosts events that bring together children, parents and staff, and offers group excursions and community activities such as theatre, music and cultural outings. Annual events foster a sense of community between children, parents and staff.

Development meetings and progress reports occur regularly to discuss each child's objectives and learning. Students learn to plan their work and assess progress in regular conferences with teachers. The school supports leadership development through student involvement in projects such as theatre, school publishing and other responsibilities.

After-school activities include woodwork, sports and music ensembles at no charge, and additional options such as Wednesday afternoon programmes and holiday programmes. Free activities include Kids Go Soccer, Kids Go Sport and Chess Club. Mindfulness/yoga, film projects, kung fu, robotics, design thinking and architecture for kids are available for a fee, while sports days, ice-skating, hiking, camp weeks and theatre projects support wellbeing and active lifestyles.