Our Vision
45 years strong and a cornerstone in the educational and international community of greater Fontainebleau, The Centre Actif Bilingue is an international school offering a bilingually enriched program in English to nursery and elementary age students (3 -10 year olds), or the choice of a German enriched program to nursery age children (3-5 year olds).
We are a family-oriented school, founded and still overseen by parents who believe in nurturing our children’s education in a safe and stimulating environment with a focus on the whole child. The CAB holistic vision provides children the opportunity to be actively engaged in their learning. Our personalized and caring approach nurtures our students to develop confidence and independence.
Our Vision
45 years strong and a cornerstone in the educational and international community of greater Fontainebleau, The Centre Actif Bilingue is an international school offering a bilingually enriched program in English to nursery and elementary age students (3 -10 year olds), or the choice of a German enriched program to nursery age children (3-5 year olds).
We are a family-oriented school, founded and still overseen by parents who believe in nurturing our children’s education in a safe and stimulating environment with a focus on the whole child. The CAB holistic vision provides children the opportunity to be actively engaged in their learning. Our personalized and caring approach nurtures our students to develop confidence and independence.
History
Originally a nursery school, The Centre Actif Bilingue non profit educational association was created by a group of French and international parents from the INSEAD International Business School in Fontainebleau in 1972. The school remains a partner with the INSEAD today. At its origin, everyone at The Centre Actif Bilingue was a volunteer. In its second year, parents hired a founding teacher – director, Danielle LeMaire whose philosophy still defines our approach today.
In April 1983, a German program was offered. In September 1988, the school commenced proposing a mixed-age class, grouping together children from the last year of kindergarten and those of elementary ages. Each year following, another elementary class was offered. Since September 1992, the school has offered every level of nursery and elementary. In 1999, Danielle Lemaire, the first school director, retired; teachers in subsequent years assumed directorship while still teaching according to our strong founding philosophy. By 2010, The elementary and nursery school had grown and was relocated to our current historical building, the old EDF/GDF works at 48, Boulevard Orloff in Fontainebleau, neighboring the world famous Fontainebleau Forest.
History
Originally a nursery school, The Centre Actif Bilingue non profit educational association was created by a group of French and international parents from the INSEAD International Business School in Fontainebleau in 1972. The school remains a partner with the INSEAD today. At its origin, everyone at The Centre Actif Bilingue was a volunteer. In its second year, parents hired a founding teacher – director, Danielle LeMaire whose philosophy still defines our approach today.
In April 1983, a German program was offered. In September 1988, the school commenced proposing a mixed-age class, grouping together children from the last year of kindergarten and those of elementary ages. Each year following, another elementary class was offered. Since September 1992, the school has offered every level of nursery and elementary. In 1999, Danielle Lemaire, the first school director, retired; teachers in subsequent years assumed directorship while still teaching according to our strong founding philosophy. By 2010, The elementary and nursery school had grown and was relocated to our current historical building, the old EDF/GDF works at 48, Boulevard Orloff in Fontainebleau, neighboring the world famous Fontainebleau Forest.
Heritage
The philosophy of The Centre Actif Bilingue remains rooted in the wisdom, kindness and care of the work of Daniel Lemaire, who embraced the extraordinary potential, imagination, and curiosity of each child. Daniel Lemaire taught many of our teachers who are still with us today, professionals who seek above all else to nurture in children their own capacity to grow as engaged, inquisitive, confident community members who are active in their learning process and blossom into independent, resourceful individuals As importantly, our approach is informed by the philosophies of Montessori, Freinet and Decroly.
Daniel Lemaire also inspired parents to participate in an intimate, caring learning community where service, shared work, healthy life habits and learning by doing are still at the core of our vision. True to our non-profit mission, parents remain engaged stakeholders; and their children grow to their fullest potential in the safe and home-like environment for which we remain proud. Daniel Lemaire believed the most worthwhile education combined the values of respect, cultural and individual tolerance, open-mindedness, active learning and bilingualism. At The CAB, we continue to uphold profound life and learning values today.
I am truly confident about the future of The CAB!
Our school offers a bilingual education based upon active methods adapted to many French business people who have spent time working abroad with their family.
Heritage
The philosophy of The Centre Actif Bilingue remains rooted in the wisdom, kindness and care of the work of Daniel Lemaire, who embraced the extraordinary potential, imagination, and curiosity of each child. Daniel Lemaire taught many of our teachers who are still with us today, professionals who seek above all else to nurture in children their own capacity to grow as engaged, inquisitive, confident community members who are active in their learning process and blossom into independent, resourceful individuals As importantly, our approach is informed by the philosophies of Montessori, Freinet and Decroly.
Daniel Lemaire also inspired parents to participate in an intimate, caring learning community where service, shared work, healthy life habits and learning by doing are still at the core of our vision. True to our non-profit mission, parents remain engaged stakeholders; and their children grow to their fullest potential in the safe and home-like environment for which we remain proud. Daniel Lemaire believed the most worthwhile education combined the values of respect, cultural and individual tolerance, open-mindedness, active learning and bilingualism. At The CAB, we continue to uphold profound life and learning values today.
I am truly confident about the future of The CAB!
Our school offers a bilingual education based upon active methods adapted to many French business people who have spent time working abroad with their family.