The Montessori school of Senegal's Petite Côte
Bilingual Montessori school in Nguérigne, Senegal. From 18 months to 12 years - and up to 15 from September 2026, with the opening of our middle school.
A Montessori school
rooted here.
A bilingual French-English Montessori school on Senegal's Petite Côte, five minutes from Ngaparou. Three full environments welcome children from 18 months to 12 years, in bright spaces that open straight onto nature.
Our team is Montessori-trained. No grades, no competition - but careful observation and a thoughtfully prepared environment, so that each child can move at their own pace and keep their love of learning intact as they grow.
"Let us not raise our children for the world of today - this world will have changed by the time they grow up. Help the child, above all, to develop their power to create and to adapt."
Maria Montessori
Serious teaching,
a school that breathes.
Montessori pedagogy
Personalised learning rooted in Maria Montessori's principles, following each child's pace and interests.
A garden that teaches
A vegetable and permaculture garden where children learn to care for the land - and to grow what they eat.
Lunch made on site
Balanced meals cooked fresh every day from local, seasonal produce. Real food, designed around how children actually grow.
Parents in the loop
Families are partners in school life, not visitors. We invite real involvement and keep the conversation open.
Three environments, one unbroken path.
Each age group has its own prepared environment, built around the developmental needs of that stage.
What families
tell us.
« I've traveled a lot, and Montessori has always interested me. My son was at a wonderful Montessori school in Bali, so when we arrived in Senegal I wanted the best for him. I went through every school I could find - and Les Colibris, in Nguérigne, is where I stopped. Talking to the director, I could tell she really lived the Montessori philosophy. The visit only confirmed it: this isn't just another school, it's a team that's committed, aligned, the real thing. Three years on, we couldn't be happier with the choice we made. »
« I came to observe the 3-6 class expecting what you usually see with small children - noise, running, squabbles. To my surprise, I saw calm, focused children, each absorbed in what they were doing. They spoke softly, respected each other's space, chose their own activities and stayed with them. I was genuinely won over. I'm so glad my son is growing up in a place this caring. »
« I was pleasantly surprised by how the classroom is set up. Each child moves from one activity to the next, alone or in a group, all very independently. The space invites creativity and discovery, in a quiet, settling calm. I see my daughter learning to do, and learning to be. »
« It was refreshing to see a space where kids are allowed to just be. The classrooms are open, kids move freely, explore, sing, dance, feed animals - they learn through experience, not instruction. You can feel the joy. My daughter did a summer program here and absolutely loved it. It's the kind of learning environment every child deserves. »
« Thank you for the immersion day - I came away with my heart full. I loved watching the little ones move at their own pace and choose what they wanted to do. A huge thank you to Michèle, Odile and Bernadette for their gentleness, kindness and daily commitment. »
« From our very first visit, we were won over - by the setting, the warmth of the educators, the joy of the children. Less than a year later, our son is simply thriving, happy to go to school every single day. Hands down, the best choice we've made for him. Thank you to Les Colibris, to Else and Jérôme. »
« What struck me was the incredibly calm, almost silent atmosphere of the classroom, even with so many children there. You can tell each one has found their place. It's beautiful to watch them freely pick an activity and dive into it with focus and joy. Thank you for this peaceful place. »
« Thank you, sincerely, for the support you give our two children's growth - and for the sense of safety you give them, and us. We're so glad we found your team here on the Petite Côte, and we're signing up for a third year with you. »
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Building a Montessori hub,
from early childhood to adolescence.
Our ambition is to make Les Colibris a reference for Montessori on the Petite Côte. We're building the region's first Montessori middle school (ages 12-15), with a high school (15-18) to follow - so that children can grow with us through every stage of their schooling.
Adolescence is when young people start to ask who they are, where they belong, what they're capable of. Our middle school will meet them there - with hands-on work, life in community, and a real opening onto the world.
Come and see for yourself.
Before enrolling, we'd love to show you around, introduce you to the team and answer everything you'd like to ask. It's usually how a great match begins.