Ahead of La Rentrée in Monaco, the government has unveiled the new and cutting-edge Collège Charles III on Promenade Honoré II.
Monaco’s schoolchildren are preparing to return to the classroom on Monday 9th September, and the new Collège Charles III will be primed and ready to greet its student body at the gates.
Located at 7 Promenade Honoré II, the modern and highly-equipped Collège Charles III spans almost 24,000sqm. It includes 64 standard classrooms, 14 science laboratories, six technology rooms, three art rooms, three music rooms and a 270-seat auditorium as well as extensive recreational amenities, such as a 25-metre swimming pool and a 1,000sqm multi-sport gymnasium. Additionally, the school is equipped with two infirmaries, each providing medical and rest facilities, and offices for a psychologist and a social worker.
See more: La Rentrée: where to buy school supplies in Monaco
At a press event that formally introduced the new facility, attended by Monaco Life, Principal Cédric Bertrand said, “Charles III College is a cosmopolitan place of education where more than 46 nationalities rub shoulders. Strong values have emerged from this cultural melting pot, and the establishment has forged a conviction of tolerance, respect and mutual aid.”
This international aspect runs through the curriculum: from the sixth grade onwards, students can choose to learn German, Chinese, Spanish, Italian or Russian alongside various levels of English instruction.
Artistic and cultural development is also a core element of the studies offered by the college, which has established partnerships with local institutions such as the Académie Rainier III and the Théâtre Princesse Grace.
To this end, Jean-Philippe Vinci, Monaco’s Director of National Education, Youth and Sports, said, “The school must be a place of both rigour and the joy of learning.”
To maintain a focused learning environment, the school has implemented clear policies regarding mobile phone use. Mobile phones are prohibited during class and students are required to keep their devices turned off and stored away during school hours.
Read more: Total ban on mobile phones in French schools possible by 2025
The Collège Charles III is designed to be accessible to all students. The facility features entrances, elevators and restrooms specially adapted for disabled students, as well as wide corridors and ramps to facilitate movement for students with mobility impairments.
The central location of the school, at a crossing point between the Condamine, Jardin Exotique, Monaco Ville and Fontvieille neighbourhoods, will make it easy for many students to come to school by foot. It is also served by several CAM bus lines, including Line 4, which connects to the nearby Place d’Armes. For more information on accessibility, click here.
A dynamic cultural programme
Throughout the school year, students will benefit from various cultural activities organised by the Principality’s Department of National Education, Youth and Sports, in collaboration with the school’s cultural partners. These activities, including workshops, performances and talks, will be integrated into the curriculum and cover various artistic, scientific and historical topics.
Notable events for students include a planned visit by Hugo Duminil-Copin, the 2022 Fields Medal winner in mathematics, who will speak to high school students about connecting mathematical concepts on 17th October. Didier Queloz, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 2019, known for discovering the first confirmed exoplanet, will be coming to meet students on 5th December. Additionally, Djaïli Amadou Amal, a Cameroonian feminist writer and the winner of the 2020 Goncourt des Lycéens prize, has also been invited to the school, with a date still to be finalised.
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