Frequently asked questions

Admissions happen in four steps: 1) a phone call with our head teacher to understand your family's plans, 2) a visit of the school, 3) a one-to-one meeting with the child and both parents, 4) signing the enrolment paperwork. The full process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.

We welcome children from 2.5 years old in the Children's House (3-6) and up to 12 in the Explorers' Community (6-12).

Yes — the child spends a morning observing and taking part in the class before the final enrolment decision. It lets the child and the team meet in the real context of the class.

Ages 3-6: €504/month over 10 months. Ages 6-12: €546/month over 10 months. A 5% discount applies from the second child onwards. Enrolment fee: €420. Supplies fee: €130 (3-6) or €150 (6-12).

No. Junior Academy is an independent private school outside the state contract system. It receives no state funding: rent, salaries and school trips are entirely covered by families' contributions. After-school-care fees are, however, tax-deductible in France.

It's an approach developed by Maria Montessori (Italian physician, 1870-1952) based on observing the child and respecting their rhythm. The child freely chooses their activity in a carefully prepared environment, handles concrete sensorial materials, and moves gradually from sensory experience to abstract thinking. The teacher observes and guides — never imposes.

Yes. The French national curriculum is fully covered, especially in the 6-12 class. Montessori is our method for meeting those goals — not a parallel programme.

The aim of Montessori isn't only to prepare a child for the next school — it's to prepare them for life. Our pupils go on to state, private or international schools. They leave with valuable skills: autonomy, organisation, self-confidence, intellectual curiosity and the ability to learn on their own. These qualities usually make the transition to a new school setting smooth.

Multi-age classes (3-6 and 6-12) encourage cooperation, mutual help and healthy emulation. Younger children learn by watching the older ones; older children consolidate their knowledge by passing it on. It's a cornerstone of Montessori education.

English isn't taught as a subject — it's lived every day. A native English-speaking teacher or assistant is present in the classroom and works with the children across every activity and every moment of the day. Children learn English the way they learn a mother tongue: through use.

Absolutely. Most of our pupils arrive with no English at all. Progressive immersion in class is designed exactly for that: children first understand, then start speaking naturally, usually within a few months.

No. Extensive research shows that early second-language exposure strengthens executive functions and does not hinder the mother tongue. French follows its normal rhythm — bilingualism is added, it doesn't replace anything.

The school is open from 8:20am to 4:30pm. Morning drop-off is between 8:20 and 8:45am. After-school care runs from 4:30pm to 6pm (€80/month, tax-deductible).

We serve a hot, balanced lunch every day, sourced from local organic farming (canteen: €90/month for 3-6, €100/month for 6-12). Families who prefer can send a lunch box (€40/month).

Junior Academy is at 2 chemin de Lorette, 69230 Saint-Genis-Laval. 15 minutes' walk from Oullins metro station (line B), 25 minutes by public transport from Bellecour, or on bus C10 from Lyon (Lorette stop). Parking on site.

Yes — our holiday camps welcome children aged 3 to 9 (whether or not they attend our school) during every school holiday. Half day €27, full day €48, full week €210.