Choosing an English-Medium Christian School in Antananarivo: A Parent's Guide

Choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions a family makes. In Antananarivo, more and more schools describe themselves as "English", "bilingual", "Christian" or "Montessori", and the words don't always mean the same thing from one school to another. This guide gives you the questions worth asking before you decide, wherever you choose to enroll your child.

1. Is English really the language of instruction?

Some schools teach English as one subject among many. Others use English to teach everything. The simplest test: ask in which language mathematics, science and reading are taught every day. If English is the language of the whole classroom, your child will not only learn English, but learn in English.

At Ayhay Christian School, English is the primary language of instruction, from Preschool to Erdkinder.

2. What does the school mean by "Montessori"?

Montessori is not a brand, and the word is used in many ways. Ask to see a classroom. Look for a carefully prepared environment, hands-on learning materials on open shelves, children choosing purposeful work, and mixed-age groups in which younger children learn from older ones.

Ayhay is guided by Montessori principles: children learn through hands-on work with Montessori materials, at their developmental pace, in three-year mixed-age cycles. In Elementary, Cosmic Education and the Five Great Lessons connect science, history, geography, language and mathematics.

3. How is faith part of daily school life?

For many families, a Christian school is about more than a weekly prayer. Ask how faith shapes daily life: how children are taught, how conflicts are resolved, how teachers model values such as love, honesty and respect.

Ayhay provides a Christ-centered education. Christian education is part of every program, and biblical values guide daily life at school, helping children grow in knowledge, character and faith.

4. Is the school accredited?

Ask to see the school's authorization from the Ministry of Education. It protects your child's school record and future transfers.

Ayhay Christian School is accredited by the Ministry of Education of Madagascar (Accreditation N°175/2020 MEN) as a private general education establishment using the anglophone program.

5. How far can my child grow at this school?

Changing schools every few years is hard on children. Check the age range a school covers, and what happens when your child reaches adolescence.

Ayhay welcomes children from 3 to 15 years old: Preschool (3–6), Lower Elementary (6–9), Upper Elementary (9–12) and Erdkinder (12–15), a Montessori program designed for adolescents that combines academic study with practical work, projects and real-life responsibility.

6. Does learning go beyond the classroom?

Children understand the world best when they experience it. Ask how often students leave the classroom to learn, and how those outings connect to their lessons.

At Ayhay, Learning Expeditions take students across Madagascar to discover first-hand the nature, history and culture they study in class, and projects like Tiabee, our school beekeeping project, turn learning into hands-on experience.

7. What happens if my child doesn't speak English yet?

Young children adapt remarkably fast through immersion, but a good start matters. Ask how the school welcomes new students who are still learning English.

At Ayhay, every newly admitted student takes part in our two-week Winter Camp in August, a joyful, Montessori-guided English camp that prepares children for a smooth start to the school year.

8. Are fees and the admission process clear?

A good school explains its fees, what they include and how admission works, before you commit. You can find Ayhay's fees, school hours and admission steps in our Parents' FAQ.

The best test: visit

No website replaces a visit. Watch a class at work, talk with the teachers, and notice how children behave when no one is directing them. We warmly welcome families at Villa les Moineaux, Rue Tsimanindry, Ambatoroka, Antananarivo. Contact us at school@ayhay.org or +261 33 33 409 59, or visit our Admissions page.