7th–10th Grade (12–15 years old)
Welcome to the first International Montessori Secondary Program in Aragón
The only Montessori program for teenagers in grades 7–10 in Aragón.
2025–26 School Year: Enrollment is open only for 7th and 8th grades.
The Zaragoza SchoolHouse Secondary program for 12-15 year olds is based on the recognition of the special characteristics of adolescence. Adolescence is an age of great social development, an age of critical thinking and re-evaluation, and a period of self-concern and self-assessment. It is a transition from childhood to adulthood with the corresponding physical and mental maturation. Zaragoza SchoolHouse students will work on understanding the world through a problem-solving lens while exploring the big ideas that have united humans across time: truth, beauty, freedom, justice.
Our Secondary programme enables students to incorporate new knowledge in a deep and sequential way, while strengthening their experience as individuals and citizens living in community.
Academic learning with the Montessori method takes place in parallel in three areas:
- Direct and intuitive handling
- Regular practice and individual study
- Collective subject presentations by the teacher as academic social events that lead to active and interested learning.
Valorisation
Wisdom
Freedom and limits
Syllabus and Methods
The Zaragoza SchoolHouse program officially incorporates the curriculum for Compulsory Secondary Education (1st through 4th year of ESO), while expanding teaching resources to ensure that students fully grasp the material. We have a low student-to-teacher ratio, highly qualified teachers, and a greater number of weekly class hours dedicated to core subjects: math, science, and language arts.
The goal is for young adults to experience a life that is lived rather than merely taught, to foster a sense of stewardship toward their environment, ownership of their learning, and, ultimately, economic independence as they prepare for adulthood. We balance study and work to promote the optimal development of young adults.
In addition, at Zaragoza SchoolHouse, we provide our students with a real-world experience of citizenship. We focus extensively on building personal dignity and respect for others, as well as on developing their social skills through shared responsibility and participation in school-based micro-enterprises.
Spanish
The goal is for young adults to experience a life that is lived rather than merely taught, to foster a sense of stewardship toward their environment, ownership of their learning, and, ultimately, economic independence as they prepare for adulthood. We balance study and work to promote the optimal development of young adults.
Mathematics
At the heart of the mathematics program is an in-depth exploration of arithmetic, geometry, and algebra.
Maths is introduced through regular lessons and reinforced through a weekly Socratic-style seminar. The Maths seminar fosters learning in a democratic manner by encouraging each student to articulate and demonstrate their understanding of the various approaches to solving word problems.
English Language and Literature
The goal of the English Language Program is to help students develop confidence and a sense of independence in their ability to communicate in a foreign language. The program aims to provide ample opportunities for students to practice their conversational skills and engage in meaningful interactions in English, a goal further supported by an annual exchange program.
In addition to these experiences, the students work on expanding their grammar and vocabulary, thereby building their knowledge of the language, and participate in a variety of activities that deepen their understanding of English culture.
Science Careers
We take a practical approach to science. In response to the needs of the community and the environment, students explore both the study of Earth and Living Things and Human Progress and Civilization. Covering Earth Science (Geology, Physical Geography), Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics), Life Science, and Contemporary Science (Mechanics and Engineering, Genetics, Science and Technology), their scientific studies directly connect students to their community through production and exchange, their work in the garden, and the culinary program.
Humanities
The work and studies of these adolescents give them an opportunity to explore and understand how society has evolved over time and why we are where we are today. Through research, debate, and creative work, the students investigate people and their lives throughout history as they engage in in-depth discussions that honor the human story.
Creative Expression
Visual Arts, Performing Arts, and Physical Expression support adolescents' need for creative work and self-expression. Across the curriculum, students are introduced to a variety of different media that allow them to explore who they are—their talents, their interests, their emotions—and to connect with others through their explorations and work. Supported by a variety of experts in their fields, adolescent students are invited to explore interests such as painting, printmaking, sculpture, dance, photography, music, sports, and drama.
French
The goal of the French Language Program is to help students build confidence and a sense of independence in their ability to communicate in a foreign language. The program aims to provide ample opportunities for students to practice their conversational skills and engage in meaningful interactions in French, a goal further supported by an annual exchange program to France.
In addition to these experiences, the students work on expanding their grammar and vocabulary, thereby building their knowledge of the language, and participate in a variety of activities that deepen their understanding of French culture.
Enrichment Activities
Throughout the day, students participate in cultural, entrepreneurship, and microeconomics activities that enrich their social, academic, and emotional development.
In our Montessori environment, adolescents establish their knowledge, acquire the academic competence necessary for their development, discover new interests and test their own motivations.
In addition, they gain access to a real citizenship experience that allows them to train their social skills in both a local and international context.
- Students in grades 7–9
- Ratio teacher/student - 1:6
- Two 30-square-meter classrooms
- Language used: English
- Third language: French
- Community work programme
- Entrepreneurship programme
- Cultural programme
- Mathematics and science +
- Strong background in Music and Art
Academics
Academic teaching with individualised and rigorous tutoring
Applied Occupations
Applied communityservice activities , volunteerism and micro-economics
Arts
Artistic training and expression: visual arts, music and writing
Our Secondary programme includes:
- Full-day program: extended hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch provided at the center
- Individual tutoring: Weekly tutoring and academic guidance with students
- English based teaching: English is the vehicular language of communication and 50% of teaching.
- Excellence Academics: official academic curriculum in a personalised format, with extended hours in mathematics, physics and chemistry, as well as a solid offer in music, art, programming and languages.
- Kultur-Kinder: emphasis on artistic training by specialists and cultural enrichment activities inside and outside the centre.
- Micro-Economics Internships: micro-economicsinternships where students themselves develop applied planning, production and project management activities.
- Community Service: community and voluntary work
- Latin and Philosophy: from the 1st year of ESO as part of a holistic student education programme
- Computer Sciences: computational thinking supports the study of mathematics and the sciences
Trips for Teens
A key part of development at this stage is for adolescents to learn what it takes to be part of a social group and serve their community. To support these developing needs, the Adolescent Community participates in three overnight trips throughout the year, each with its own objectives.
The Odyssey Trip
The Odyssey Trip embodies the concept of a journey of social-emotional growth. The teenagers immerse themselves in community life through a trip, taking on every aspect of their daily routine—from planning and preparation to cooking and caring for one another. They form bonds through their collaborative efforts and their shared desire to thrive as part of a team.
The Farm Trip
The Farm Trip evolves into an enriching week of immersion in nature, where teenagers not only take on hands-on responsibilities for caring for animals and plants, but also develop a deeper understanding of the natural world. Throughout the week, they build stronger connections with their peers, expand their sense of community, and gain insights into alternative ways of interacting with both nature and each other. This experience encourages personal growth and fosters teamwork. It’s a unique opportunity for self-discovery, learning, and forming lasting bonds.
The Cultural Trip
The last two weeks of the academic year are set aside for X-term. Unlike any of the other study cycles, the topic for this term is chosen by the students themselves. Starting in mid-January, they are tasked with planning a two-week unit of study that immerses the community in a specific topic. As part of the project, the students are encouraged to plan a two- to three-day trip for the end of the term. It is up to the students to choose the destination of the trip, plan the activities, and work and engage to raise the necessary funds for the trip.
Montessori Student Exchange Opportunities
At Zaragoza SchoolHouse our aim is to prepare students for international exchanges with other Montessori schools. Our programme is international and trilingual (English, Spanish and French), where at least 50% of the content is taught in English. The multilingual environment allows them to continue their academic development in international Baccalaureate programmes, thus facilitating access to universities in different countries.
Montessori adolescents are part of a global educational movement that aims to have a positive impact on society and promote sustainable development.
October 2023
Middle school students from Zaragoza SchoolHouse visit Ecli Montessori in Thonon-Les-Bains, France.
April 2024
Metro Montessori, Portland, USA, is spending time at Zaragoza SchoolHouse.
October 2024
Students from Zaragoza SchoolHouse are spending time at Metro Montessori in Portland, USA.
January 2025
Students from Victor Hugo College in Besançon visit Zaragoza SchoolHouse
February 2025
Secondary students from Zaragoza SchoolHouse are spending time at Victor Hugo College in Besançon, France.
November 2025
A one-week stay at a Montessori school in Germany. Open to students in 6th grade and middle school.
Spring 2026
A one-week stay at a Montessori school in Austria. Open to students in 6th grade and middle school.
Summer 2026
A one-and-a-half-month stay at a Montessori school in Australia. Designed for students in their final years of secondary school.