Rietberg Montessori School offers additional German language tuition to kindergarten and elementary children who do not have German as their first language. Children are encouraged and supported in their individual language acquisition process in small groups of 4 to 6 participants, or in private lessons according to their needs.

French

In the Children's House, group size is between 20 and 28 children, in the Lower School 24 to 26, and in the Middle School 28 to 32. Each class is supported by 2 to 3 teachers — considerably more than at mainstream schools.

In the lower years RMS introduces the children gently to the digital world. Here the computer is used quite deliberately as a tool.

In the upper years the focus shifts to a deeper, critical and creative engagement with the digital world. Pupils learn not only to consume media, but also to understand and question it.

Not in the Children's House or Lower School. From Middle School onward, there are project-based assignments in moderate amounts — deliberately sized so they can be done during the quiet hour in the afternoon. That leaves time for family, sports and personal pursuits.

Interview, trial days

Before a child may be admitted, the parents are invited to an extensive interview with the principal.
Before starting kindergarten, children have three introductory sessions of about 2 hours each day (over three consecutive days). Elementary classes invite children to a trial week. After the introductory days or trial week, a joint decision (principal, responsible teachers and parents) on the admission will be taken.

8:00 am

3:30 p.m.

After-school care — From the end of lessons until 6 p.m. A varied programme, time to play with friends.

Yes

The kitchen team serves a vegetarian menu daily, prepared with fresh, seasonal vegetables. They lovingly prepare delicious, varied, child-orientated meals. There is always an alternative menu for children with allergies or food intolerances.

No

Soccer, tennis, chess, architecture for children, cartoon series, violin, pian, music ensemble, Kung Fu, sports, board games, Yoga, Jiu Jitsu, Hindi.

Physical education

RMS' campus is a self-contained area, made up of an ensemble of three imposing former townhouses and a small coach house, today serving as inspiring school buildings.

Playground

The Rietberg Montessori School offers children aged 3 to 12 a sheltered and inspiring environment in a bilingual setting (German/English).

As a state-approved day school in Zurich, RMS relies on authentic, licensed Montessori education that nurtures children’s natural thirst for knowledge.

What sets RMS apart can't be captured in a single word. It's the mix of consistent, child-centred pedagogy, of people who are wholeheartedly engaged, and of buildings and rooms that provide a sense of safety. Anyone who looks in is impressed by the calm and concentration in the classrooms and at the same time by the liveliness and joy of the children.

This atmosphere doesn't happen by chance. It's the result of many deliberate decisions: mixed-age classes, long working periods for independent work, carefully prepared materials, and a team working together on a shared pedagogical approach. Parents often describe it as “energy you feel the moment you walk through the door.”