Montessori education at La Marelle Welcome to the laboratory of happiness !
At La Marelle, we don’t just teach: we nurture the spark that shines in every child. Choosing Montessori education at La Marelle means offering your child an environment where freedom and joy are the best drivers of learning. Here, education is a ‘weapon of peace’.
Maria Montessori : The inspiration behind La Marelle's teaching methods
Did you know? Maria Montessori was the first female doctor in Italy in 1892. Nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize, she dedicated her life to proving that children are the builders of tomorrow’s society.
The pillars of Montessori education :
- Respect for children : encouragement, positive education and listening to their emotions
- Mixed ages : several mixed age groups are established to encourage natural ‘mental osmosis’.
- The prepared environment : classrooms are carefully prepared to encourage autonomy and independence.
- The hand as an instrument of intelligence : it is by manipulating materials that children construct their thinking.
Our atmospheres : two worlds, one philosophy
Class for 3-6 year olds
Slogan :
« Help me to do it by myself »
The absorbent mind:
children absorb their environment like a sponge.
We cultivate order, movement and language.
Class for 6-12 year olds
Slogan :
« Help me to think by myself »
Transition from sensory materials to abstraction with an “understanding mind”.
Children become ‘explorers of ideas’ with a strong moral sense.
An atmosphere designed for exploring in complete freedom
At La Marelle, space is not just a classroom, it is what Maria Montessori called a ‘prepared environment’. Imagine a place tailor-made for your child’s needs, where every shelf, every piece of equipment and every corner is an invitation to discovery.
Why is this so important for Montessori education at La Marelle ?
The cocoon of independence
this environment is our response to allowing children to freely choose their activities. It is here that they develop their thinking, their future social being and learn to move around independently.
Joy as a driving force
our mission is to create an atmosphere of joy and freedom. Why? Because a happy and free child is in the best possible position to absorb new knowledge.
A true micro-society
by mixing ages, we create a ‘natural mental osmosis’. In this small society, there is no room for competition or jealousy. On the contrary, we cultivate mutual support, respect and admiration between the youngest and oldest children.
Zero pressure, 100% confidence
thanks to individualised teaching, each child progresses at their own pace. Here, there is no fear of the gaze of adults or peers. Everything is done to ensure that each child finds exactly what they need to grow up in harmony.
An authentic living environment
school becomes a place where children can experience freedom and let their inner selves shine through, rather than simply being “filled” with knowledge.
Awakening in the heart of nature
the forest becomes a second classroom. By engaging all their senses, children discover the living world, refine their powers of observation and develop a deep and respectful connection with their environment, in complete freedom.
Meet the La Marelle team : passionate guides
La Marelle’s teaching approach is supported by a team that puts all its knowledge at the service of your child’s development.
a word from the director
Welcome to La Marelle. My career as a paediatric nurse has profoundly shaped my view of childhood: an essential balance between well-being, safety and fulfilment. Since our school was founded, my mission has been to preserve that spark of natural curiosity that shines in every child.
Here, we do not simply impart knowledge; we cultivate independence, confidence and respect for others. Accompanying your children as they discover their own abilities, at their own pace and with joy, is our greatest pride. I look forward to opening our doors to you and sharing with you our vision of an education that serves life.
Rachel Director of La Marelle
Marine
Shannon
Marion
Doris
Kim
Véronique
Agathe
Amit
Shana
Solidarity: our support for associations
Because openness to the world is at the heart of our project, La Marelle brings its community together around solidarity projects. This commitment allows us to put into practice, beyond the school walls, the values of sharing that we pass on to the children. Thanks to the mobilisation and generosity of parents, our school actively supports local and international associations. Whether through fundraising, sponsorship or one-off initiatives, it is the families of La Marelle who bring to life this vision of education focused on people and mutual aid through concrete actions:
- 2025 : Donation of school supplies to AFEME (Friends of Families and Schools in Madagascar) to support international education.
- 2024 : Food collection for the La Seymaz shelter (Hospice Général) in Chêne-Bourg.
- 2023 : Donation of childcare equipment to the Au cœur des grottes Foundation in Geneva.
- 2022 : Support for the Épicerie solidaire de Thônex food bank through food donations.
- 2021 : Collection of toys for the Hospice Général children's home in Geneva to brighten up the daily lives of other children.