Study programmes

In order to facilitate academic integration with other schools and universities, we base our syllabus on the highly regarded Flemish education programme (third on the PISA OCDE list). Long-term plans envisage further integration with international education programmes.

Building on that foundation, Arboretum will offer an intellectual menu including: Latin and Greek, sciences and mathematics, languages taught by native speakers, current events, philosophy, economics and law.

Our educational methods focus on ‘entreprendre pour comprendre’ – ‘taking action to understand’. We value the meaning of knowledge and our activities emphasize integrative thinking. Teachers encourage students to be curious and critical; to set their own objectives and responsibilities, and to excel with reference to their personal benchmarks.

In the course of their work, students will learn to express themselves in public, to read critically, to synthesise and to write.

Teachers work in interdisciplinary teams during the ‘AIR’ (Autonomy, Innovation, Responsibility) half-days. Research shows that autonomy for both students and teachers within guidelines encouraging responsibility and rewarding innovation supports the development of our students into productive citizens prepared for the challenges of our rapidly changing world.

Friday afternoons are dedicated to CAS: creativity, action and service, with projects running over several weeks to provide follow-up experience. Art, music and sport are integrated with our daily activities and we will create a supportive environment tailored to the specific gifts and talents of our children.

Teachers are invited and challenged to bring their own talents and passions to Arboretum to contribute to the academic and pedagogical development of the College.