Kindergarten
Maternelle Curriculum at The Académie
At The Académie, our Maternelle program is designed to nurture curious minds, open hearts, and bright futures. From the very first day, our young learners are invited to see, explore, and understand themselves, their environment, and the people around them from two perspectives—French and English. We welcome the young learners from the age of 2.5 years-old (30 months).
Bilingual Learning
- Tres Petite Section and Petite Section (2.5–4 years old): 70% French, 30% English
- Grande Section (5–6 years old): 60% French, 40% English
- Our curriculum gradually introduces children to English and French in an immersive environment, building strong bilingual foundations from early years.
- In later grades, the ratio will evolve toward a 50/50 balance between French and American curricula, with Spanish introduced in 4th grade.
Daily Schedule & Learning Time
- School Year: 10 months, starting August 24, ending June 12
- School Hours: 8:20 AM – 3:35 PM
- Breaks: Morning break, lunch, and nap/rest time
- No school on Wednesday afternoons – inspired by Belgian traditions, this time allows children to rest, explore personal interests, and spend quality family time, supporting balance, creativity, and well-being.
Our Educational Approach
Our Maternelle curriculum blends the rigor of the French full-day program with the play-based approaches of top American early learning initiatives, inspired by pedagogical leaders such as Céline Alvarez, Montessori, Steiner-Waldorf, and competency-based education (pédagogie par compétences).
Core classroom activities include:
- French, English, Science, Math, Social Studies & Technology
- Hands & Mind Exploration (HME): gardening, cultural projects, empathy-building exercises
- Physical Education, Music & Arts
- Theater, Play, and Free Exploration – following Finnish-style play-based learning principles
Each classroom is small and intimate, allowing for individual attention, tutoring if needed, and personalized guidance. Students are supported by two dedicated teachers—one native French speaker, one native English speaker—ensuring a fully immersive bilingual experience.
Curious Minds & Compassionate Learners
- Our program nurtures flexible, agile minds, asking children to explore early pre-skills in reading, writing, math, science, and creative arts while moving fluidly between French and English.
- Surrounded by classmates from diverse nationalities, students develop empathy, social skills, and a sense of community, learning to care, share, and collaborate in a bilingual environment.
Preparing for the Future
- From classroom learning to hands-on projects and cultural exploration, The Académie’s Maternelle program fosters joyful, confident, and engaged learners.
- Children leave Maternelle ready for Elementary school, equipped with strong bilingual skills, curiosity, independence, and a love for learning that will carry them throughout their educational journey.
