Organic, local meals
A hot lunch delivered every day, sourced from local organic farming. Balanced nutrition matters — we take it very seriously.
School life
A day at Junior Academy
From arrival at 8:20am to home time after after-school care, every moment of the day is designed to respect the child's rhythm, offer them a steady frame and nourish their curiosity — in both French and English.
A typical day
8:20 – 8:45
Staggered arrival
Children arrive at their own pace, settle their belongings and get ready for the day.
8:45 – 11:30
Morning work cycle
Lessons in English or French. Individual presentations and independent work.
11:30 – 11:45
Circle time
Circle time in English. Games, rhymes and songs.
11:45 – 13:30
Lunch & outdoors
Organic local meal or lunch box. Outdoor time in the garden.
Independent work 
Morning work cycle 
Afternoon work cycle 
Outdoor play 13:30 – 16:00
Afternoon work cycle
Nap for the youngest — lessons in French or English. Presentations and independent work.
16:00 – 16:30
Circle time
Group time in French. Songs, stories, end-of-day recap. Tidy-up time for the 6-12 class.
16:30 – 18:00
After-school care
Wind-down time, free play and snack. €80/month, tax-deductible.
Beyond academics
Time outdoors
Our green setting in Saint-Genis-Laval offers outdoor spaces where children explore and learn in a safe, healthy environment.
Warm after-school care
From 4:30pm to 6pm: quiet time, free play and snack — a gentle transition home.
Art & creativity
Fine arts, painting, modelling, design — creativity feeds every day and every age group.
Music & rhythm
Songs in French and English, simple instruments, rhythmic awareness from the Children's House onwards.
Workshops & camps
Wednesdays and school holidays: our workshops extend Montessori pedagogy to all children aged 3 to 9.
Your questions about daily life
What are the school hours?
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).
How do meals work?
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 also bring a lunch box (€40/month nursery package).
How do we get to the school?
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.
Do you run holiday camps?
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.
Visit the school during a morning
Nothing beats a visit. Book 15 minutes with our head teacher to plan yours.
A typical day at a bilingual Montessori school
Days at Junior Academy follow the child's natural rhythm. A staggered arrival between 8:20 and 8:50 lets each child settle in, freely choose an activity and start the day calmly. The long Montessori work cycles — three hours in the morning — enable deep concentration, alternated with movement, English language and practical-life sessions.
Meals are prepared from organic, locally sourced ingredients with a plant-forward focus. They are taken together, in a calm setting, with teachers guiding children through serving and table autonomy. After-school care until 6pm includes free play, creative workshops and outdoor time when weather allows.
On Wednesdays the school stays open for weekly workshops (English, arts, sport, science); during school holidays, themed camps also welcome children who don't otherwise attend Junior Academy, Monday through Friday.