Beyond the Expected

A Trilingual Montessori school in Oakland from Preschool to Elementary.

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Our Mission


The mission of The Renaissance International School is to provide students with an international center of learning and culture that is open, supportive, and multidisciplinary, where children can develop and achieve their highest potential.


We are committed to offer students an education based on the research and resulting philosophies of Maria Montessori and Zoltán Kodály. We are a three-language immersion Montessori program with a diverse faculty and student community. 

Why do so many families choose Montessori?

Lessons are designed and given to each child when they are most ready to learn.

Social, emotional, and physical development is emphasized along with academic skills.

Freedom to move and choose activities fosters independence and self-confidence.

Current neurology and human development research consistently backs Montessori.

Programs

“We selected TRIS as our school because of its Montessori approach to learning and development. Having spent their entire matriculation in the Montessori setting, we recognized the value of continuing in this method of learning. My children immediately demonstrated a sense of familiarity and confidence in the environment. As students, they both thrived in learning how to take responsibility and learn to be engaged in their own growth process." 

J. M.

“Our daughter is entering 6th grade… wow!!! She plays flute and piano (begun at TRIS) and is keeping up with her French. She plays basketball and socially is thriving with friends and many adventures. We met up with another TRIS family in Ireland this Spring - the comfort and bonds of TRIS friendships live on. Sending lots of love and good wishes to the TRIS family. You know how much I miss you!"

A. R.

Visit us!


We invite you to visit our school, meet the teachers, and observe the children in their classrooms. We encourage you to ask questions learn about the opportunities available at all levels of our programs.

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How to apply

3. Join the community!

The latest from our blog.

By Jade Woo June 12, 2025
We're so excited for our upcoming spring concert, where we'll explore the incredible beauty of nature in all its forms! Our vision for this performance is to celebrate various aspects of the natural world, from animals and water to vibrant flowers, breathtaking landscapes, and captivating weather. The students will perform "J'ai vu le Loup" (I Saw The Wolf), a lively French tune about animals playfully dancing and laughing. Its catchy melody and humorous lyrics, featuring wolves, foxes, and hares engaging in human-like antics, make it a favorite among our students to perform. Be ready to be transported to the serene Scottish hills with "Loch Lomond." This beautiful piece evokes images of the famous lake and its rolling landscapes, telling a touching story of longing and natural splendor. A charming Chinese folk song celebrating the sweet, fragrant jasmine flower, "Mo Li Hua" will also be featured. The students enjoy mimicking a jasmine bloom with their hands as they sing this beautiful melody. We're also incredibly proud to debut an original piece created by our talented students: "Power of the Night." This semester, they've worked diligently, making key decisions on the time signature, key, and tempo. I developed a chord progression, and the students brainstormed lyrics inspired by winter and its unique weather. Through a collaborative process of refining lyrics and melodies, "Power of the Night" came to life, exploring themes of friendship, thunderstorms, and even dragons! We can't wait to share these wonderful musical stories and more with our community at the spring concert! Jade Woo Kodály Vocal Instructor - Elementary
By Julie Gochman (Elementary Art Instructor) May 6, 2025
At TRIS, we believe that art education is more than just creating pretty pictures. It’s a powerful tool for cognitive and emotional development. Students build self-esteem, develop self-control, and strengthen their problem-solving skills through individual art projects. Our lessons also incorporate thoughtfully curated art history, organized by timeline and selected to highlight significant works and movements.
By Wellington Pontes-Filho March 11, 2025
Our school community was thrilled to experience the "Silent Journey," a unique and insightful event showcasing the TRIS Montessori curriculum. This school year, the Silent Journey focused on the Trilingual Immersion Program we offer at The Renaissance International School. The Preschool/Kindergarten Programs offer Spanish or French and English immersion, and the Elementary Program offers Spanish, French, and English immersion with native-speaking Montessori guides. Why the Silent Journey? The Silent Journey isn't just a walkthrough; it's a carefully curated experience for parents that maps out a Montessori curriculum for children aged two to twelve and explains the Montessori philosophy and methodology behind the careful, child-centric, developmentally appropriate, and systematic approach to learning. The Silent Journey Experience - The Big Picture To The Nitty Gritty! The Silent Journey offered an opportunity to: Strengthen the school-home partnership: A better understanding of the curriculum and specific methodologies used in the classroom supports a child's learning journey and strengthens the essential partnership between home and school. Experiencing the Learning Continuum: Parents walked through our classrooms, observing the sequential progression of our language curriculum from Toddlers (ages 2-3) to Elementary (ages 6-12). This presentation allowed them to see the holistic development of language skills across all levels and how language studies intertwine with all subject areas in the Montessori classroom. Exploring Our Trilingual Immersion: Our program is built on the science of reading, emphasizing phonics and phonemic awareness. Parents could see how we cultivate these skills in our youngest learners. They also witnessed our unique approach to phonemic awareness, grammar, and parsing across English, French, and Spanish. Witness the Montessori Method in Action: Parents observed how Montessori materials and principles work together in learning. They discovered the thoughtfulness and intentionality behind the Montessori Method. This included the vast array of materials for all language study components such as phonology, syntax, semantics, etc., how Montessori guides give lessons to introduce, reinforce, and retain concepts, and the design of materials and how they foster independence, promote self-directed learning, and nurture a love of exploration. They saw materials and methodologies that empowered their children to learn and practice concepts independently and at their own pace, becoming active drivers of their learning. From Observer to Participant - Stepping into a Montessori Student's World : After their silent observation, parents received lessons from our Montessori guides and enjoyed the hands-on experience of being a Montessori student. Understanding the Form and Function of Montessori Materials: Parents better understood the Montessori Language materials and how they enable a deep conceptual understanding of study areas. Overall, the Silent Journey experience was a great success and helped parents gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Montessori Method, with many parents remarking, " I wish I had learned the Montessori way! "

Montessori or Conventional:

What’s Best For Your Family?


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