Our Pedagogical Project
At Mayrit, education is not something that “happens” to the child; it is something the child constructs.
Our pedagogical project is born from an absolute respect for the real needs of childhood: physical, emotional, and social. We do not limit ourselves to a single method; we have integrated active pedagogies -such as Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Creative Education- to offer an accredited and deeply human-centered model.
Here, boundaries provide the framework for safety, while freedom is the engine of learning.
We invite you to explore the 12 pillars that sustain our daily life, designed to ensure that your child’s innate desire to learn never fades.
Accompanying: The art of being present
At Mayrit, to accompany is not to lead; it is to “walk alongside.” Our presence is a subtle balance: we guide through our life experience, yet we know exactly when to step back.
The goal is for our intervention to diminish as the child’s confidence grows. Here, accompanying means trusting that they already know the way.
Well-being & Respect: Your second home
There is no learning without emotional calm. We create an environment where every child is unconditionally accepted, without trying to change their essence. At Mayrit, emotions are not judged; they are heard and embraced. We want them to feel that the school is a sanctuary where they can simply be themselves.
Prepared Environments & Materials: Spaces that invite being
Our classrooms are ecosystems designed for wonder. Materials are not mere objects; they are vehicles for learning, always within their reach. Both indoor and outdoor environments invite children to touch, create, and experiment—always following the child’s curiosity rather than a rigid curriculum.
Autonomy, Freedom & Boundaries: The framework of trust
Real freedom only exists when there are clear boundaries that provide security. At Mayrit, boundaries are the support that prevents a child from “falling” while exploring their autonomy. We encourage the freedom to choose and to make mistakes, because we understand that error is a valuable and necessary part of growth.
Innate Desire to Learn: Keeping the flame alive
We deeply trust that every child is a natural learner. Our task is not to “fill heads,” but to nurture that innate curiosity. By respecting their interests and providing access to the right materials, we ensure that the desire to research and discover remains alive for a lifetime.
Growing Together: The richness of heterogeneity
At Mayrit, ages are mixed because we believe in mutual enrichment. Younger children learn from the older ones, while older children strengthen their empathy and responsibility by caring for the younger ones. It is a model of collaborative learning where coexistence is our greatest teacher.
Play, Creativity & Movement: The language of childhood
Play is not a break from learning; it is the learning. We promote free play and spontaneous movement as the most natural way to unfold the creative force. At Mayrit, the body and the mind move together to integrate knowledge in a lasting way.
Flexible Rhythms: Respecting the Inner Clock
Every child is a world, and every process requires a different amount of time. While we have a structure that provides security, it is the child who sets the pace. We allow them to dive deep into what they are passionate about without arbitrary interruptions, validating their need for either stillness or action at any given moment.
Mayrit Beyond Mayrit: The City and Nature as our Classroom
The school has no walls. We step out to meet reality: the forest, the local shop, public transport… We understand that the community is an infinite source of learning. Teaching children to engage with the world is giving them the tools to become active and conscious citizens.
Festivals & Celebrations: Honoring life and its cycles
We celebrate the joy of being together. From birthdays (our “walk around the sun”) to the changing of the seasons and our community’s shared achievements. Festivals are moments to open the school to families and honor the cycles of nature, strengthening our common history.
Educational Community: The Circle of Care
We are a living network of children, mentors, families, and staff. We believe in a system of circular care: the child inspires the adult, the adult supports the family, and the family sustains the school. We honor the personal worth of every member, knowing that together, we are stronger and more coherent.
A Sense of Belonging: Being part of something bigger
Listening to a child does not mean always doing what they want; it means attending to their need to be seen and considered. By feeling like an essential part of the decisions that affect them, children develop a true commitment to their environment. At Mayrit, we all feel that this is where we belong.
“This model is not just a pedagogical theory; it is our way of understanding the world. At Mayrit, we prepare children for life, giving them the freedom to discover who they are today so they can transform society tomorrow.”