Private School’s Individualized Teaching Helps Child Catch Up Two School Years

A private primary school in Brussels has demonstrated the transformative power of individualized education, reporting that one child caught up two full school years in just one year of personalized instruction. The remarkable achievement, reported by La Libre Belgique, offers a compelling case study in how tailored teaching can help children with specific learning needs overcome significant academic gaps.

A School Built for Individual Attention

Founded in 1955 by psychologist Anne Misonne, the École Anne Misonne in Auderghem operates on a radically different model from mainstream schools. With a maximum capacity of just 24 students aged 5.5 to 13, the school divides its pupils into four classes of only six children each. This intimate setting allows teachers to provide near-individualized attention to every student.

The school serves a specific and vulnerable population: children with ADHD, learning disorders such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dyspraxia, school phobia, autism spectrum disorders, and other conditions that prevent them from thriving in either mainstream or special education. As school director Foulik de Meeûs explained in a 2017 interview, the school takes in children who “find their place neither in ordinary education nor in special education” because they require “an almost individualized schooling, a teacher practically dedicated to them.”

A Philosophy of Positive Reinforcement

The school’s pedagogical approach is built on principles that were considered revolutionary when Anne Misonne first developed them in the 1950s. “The child is not unintelligent,” Misonne wrote. “It is rather us who do not understand their request.” Her philosophy emphasized respect for each child, a family-like atmosphere of trust, and a relentless focus on finding and developing each student’s strengths.

Today, those principles translate into concrete practices: continuous observation of each child’s needs, teaching adapted to individual rhythms, a secure and predictable environment, and systematic positive reinforcement. Teachers ideally keep the same students for two to three years to provide stability and continuity.

Tangible Results

The headline achievement — a child catching up two school years in one year — is not an isolated case. The school reports consistent progress among its students, who follow the standard primary curriculum but at their own pace. The King Baudouin Foundation, which awarded the school a €12,000 grant in 2023 through its Paquot Fund, recognized the institution’s unique role in supporting children with learning difficulties who fall through the cracks of Belgium’s education system.

According to the Fonds Alcuin, which also provided support in 2018, the school’s success stems from its ability to combine emotional support with rigorous academic tracking. Each teacher develops an individualized pedagogical project for every student, using active learning methods and daily monitoring of progress. Regular evaluations and reports keep parents informed, while the teaching team continuously reassesses each child’s evolving needs.

Bridging a Systemic Gap

The school occupies a crucial niche in Belgian education. Belgium’s system offers both mainstream and special education (types 1 through 8), but some children with specific needs do not fit neatly into either category. They are too academically capable for special education, which could cause them to lose skills, yet they cannot cope in mainstream classrooms that lack the resources for near-individualized attention.

This gap has become more visible amid broader challenges in the French Community’s education system. In 2026, CEB (Certificate of Primary Education) results hit their lowest point in a decade, with a pass rate of just 84.63%, sparking debate about education quality and inclusivity.

The Affordability Challenge

As a private, non-subsidized school operating as an ASBL (non-profit association), École Anne Misonne receives no state funding. Tuition ranges from €380 to €880 per month depending on family income, placing it out of reach for many families without external support from social welfare services or philanthropic foundations. The school employs six half-time teachers, a director, speech therapists, and about 15 volunteers, and constantly seeks donations for materials, therapy tools, and extracurricular activities.

Looking Ahead

The school’s success raises important questions about scalability and equity. Can the individualized approach that produces such remarkable results be replicated within the public system? As Belgium’s education authorities grapple with teacher strikes, funding debates, and declining outcomes, the École Anne Misonne model offers both inspiration and a challenge: how to bring the benefits of truly personalized education to more children who need it.

For now, the school continues its quiet work, one child at a time — proving that with the right support, even significant academic gaps can be closed.