The pedagogical organisation at Stepping Stones is built around two complementary types of classes.

1. Montessori workshops, common to both preschool and primary, bring together 18 to 20 students supervised simultaneously by a French-speaking teacher and an English-speaking teacher.
2. Directed lessons work differently depending on the year group. In preschool, they take place in small groups of 10 children of the same age, while in primary, students alternate between a French class with their French-speaking teacher and an English class with their English-speaking teacher, in groups of up to 18 students.

This organisation ensures a natural and constant immersion in both languages at every stage of the journey.

Bilingual Preschool Programme – FWB, Cambridge & Montessori

> Ages 3 to 6
> Preschool Years 1, 2 and 3

At Stepping Stones, the three preschool years are organised around two complementary approaches. For Montessori workshops, children aged 3 to 6 come together in a vertical class, in groups of up to 20 students split into two sections. This mixed-age approach, central to the Montessori philosophy, is a genuine added value: older children become points of reference for the younger ones, and younger children progress through natural observation and emulation.

For directed lessons, children return to their age group in small sections of up to 10 students, allowing for individualised support and progress adapted to each stage of development.
Teaching is delivered in equal measure in French and English, through 12 weekly hours of bilingual Montessori workshops supervised by two teachers simultaneously, as well as 7 hours of directed sessions covering themed activities, reading, writing, art, music and psychomotor development. Free play, supervised breaks and outings complete this programme to support the fundamental learning of children aged 3 to 6. The programme follows the requirements of the Federation Wallonia-Brussels and is enriched by the Cambridge International curriculum for the English component.

Bilingual Primary Programme – FWB, Cambridge & Montessori

> Ages 6 to 12
> Primary Years 1 to 6

At primary level, Stepping Stones maintains its bilingual approach while progressively building the balance between the two languages. In Primary Years 1 and 2, French takes priority in order to consolidate the essential foundations of the language, while maintaining equal timetable hours with English. Bilingual Montessori workshops continue through Primary Year 3 at 5 hours per week, ensuring continuity with preschool.

The programme covers all the core subjects of the FWB common curriculum (languages, maths, sciences, social sciences, arts, physical education and citizenship), taught in both languages. Particular attention is given to oral expression, seen as a key lever for self-confidence and cognitive development. From Primary Year 3, an introduction to Dutch rounds out the multilingual journey.
On the assessment side, Stepping Stones meets a dual requirement. For French, students sit the official Federation Wallonia-Brussels assessments on three occasions: non-certificative in Years 3 and 5, and certificative (CEB) in Year 6.

Since the primary section was founded, every student has passed these assessments with a 100% pass rate, including students from international, non-francophone families. A remarkable achievement that demonstrates the strength of the bilingual programme.

For English, students have the option to sit the Cambridge International assessment in Primary Year 5 or 6 upon registration, a complementary certification that opens access to Belgian, bilingual or international schools.

A unique hybrid pedagogy: FWB, Cambridge and Montessori combined

Stepping Stones is one of the only bilingual schools in Brussels to integrate the FWB programme, the Cambridge International curriculum and Montessori workshops within a single, structured educational project. This combination brings together official Belgian recognition, an internationally assessed English component and a pedagogy centred on autonomy and hands-on learning, without compromising on academic standards.

This hybrid approach is not simply a collection of methods, but a coherent and purposeful educational project in which each element reinforces the others. It allows every child to learn at their own pace, within a framework that is both demanding and nurturing, without ever sacrificing one for the other.

Living bilingualism: two teachers, natural and constant immersion

At Stepping Stones, bilingualism is not an option or an extra subject: it is the school’s daily mode of operation. Each teacher speaks exclusively in their own language, creating natural and constant immersion without translation. In Montessori classes, the French-speaking and English-speaking teachers are present at the same time, allowing each child to choose their interlocutor freely, without frustration or interruption in learning.

Core lessons are delivered in strict equal timetable hours in French and English. Reading, writing, reasoning, oral expression and academic skills are built in both languages to the same standard. This structural bilingualism prepares students to express themselves and learn with ease in both languages well before the end of primary school.

In addition to tuition fees, Stepping Stones offers a range of services, some optional and some included depending on the year group.

• Hot lunches and snacks are billed separately (1,090 EUR per year).
• At primary level, a one-off participation fee of 500 EUR is required, covering all school materials, swimming lessons and school trips.
• After-school care is available every day in three formats: annual payment, per-term payment or a 20-hour access card.
• On Wednesday afternoons, children in Preschool Years 2 and 3 can join “Happy Wednesday” workshops covering arts, games and creative movement.
• A school uniform is available for purchase from the school. At preschool, it is compulsory only for sport and school outings. At primary level, the uniform is compulsory at all times, as well as a sports uniform for physical education and outings.

Stepping Stones Bilingual School invites interested families to get in touch directly via the school website or by phone to arrange a visit.

Stepping Stones Bilingual School
Address :

• Avenue Legrand 60 | 1050 Ixelles, Brussels
• Avenue Legrand 45 | 1050 Ixelles, Brussels