Article Link: http://stage.exchangepress.com/article/a-program-showcase/5019582/
Toward the end of the 19th century, as the Côte d’Azur of France developed into a world destination for the wealthy, Beaulieu sur Mer became a favorite residence for European royalty and rich Americans such as the founder of the Singer sewing machine company and the publisher of the New York Herald. Today it is a pretty Mediterranean resort known for its mild weather and as the sister city to Tempe, Arizona. However, it is becoming increasingly known for its memorable school for young children.It might be expected that a relatively affluent community would have a good school, and it does. Located on the grounds where the Russian writer Anton Chekhov spent several summers between 1891 and 1900, the site then housed an Anglican church followed by another villa, and was then rebuilt into an école maternelle in 2004. This school has an enrollment of 132 girls and boys organized into five classes: two Petite classes (3-4 years), 1 Moyenne class (4-5), and two Grande classes (5-6). Before (7:30-8:30 a.m.) and after-school (4:30-6:30 p.m.) care is also available. Beaulieu has a well-educated international community and many parents speak two or three languages. Thus, parents bring their children to school with high ...