01
Montessori‑based
Where independence takes root.
Children explore at their own pace in a calm, structured environment built just for them. They choose their work, stay with it for as long as it holds them, and tidy up after themselves.
Johannesburg Pre-primary school · Ages 3–6 Inspiring lifelong learning.
A school that knows your child.
- Family-orientated
- Faith-based
- Character formation
See the school
Tap to watch.
- A day at Mitra
- The space
- The materials
- Outside
- What parents say
- Tidying up
01 · About
Mitra is a Montessori-inspired, faith-based pre-primary school in Johannesburg.
We are an independent school dedicated to assisting parents in nurturing students in wisdom and character rooted in the Catholic Faith. Our mission is to empower them to become authors of their own lives, preparing them to thrive as adults who make meaningful contributions to family and society.
The idea underneath
Freedom, practised.
At Mitra, children practise freedom every day inside clear limits, beside adults who know them, so they grow into people who can choose the good and carry real responsibility.
Freedom is not doing whatever you want. Freedom at Mitra is the ability to choose the good.Head of school, Franci Ruygrok
02 · Our approach
Built around your child and your family.
We’d rather show you than tell you.
Book an info session
02
Parent partnership
Open door policy.
Parents told us they wanted more for their children, so we built a school around them. You are your child’s first teacher and we exist to serve your family. So, join your child at lunchtime to spend some quality time with them when you can.
See the fees
03
Character formation
The small things that make a person.
Grace and courtesy. Tidying up after yourself. Real duties and real responsibility. The virtues behind them. At Mitra, your child is known and formed in these every day.
An honest school
Mitra isn’t for everyone. We’d rather say so.
It may be right for you if…
- You want your child to practise real responsibility, not only hear about it.
- You want to be involved, and you’d welcome being near your child’s day.
- You’re comfortable with a small school and intimate classes.
It may not be the right fit if…
- You’d like the school to take over from parents. Here, parents are the first teachers and we work beside you.
- You prefer a highly structured, adult-directed environment rather than one that nurtures independence, freedom of choice, self-discipline and intrinsic motivation.
- You believe children need to be rescued rather than given the freedom to take age-appropriate risks, learn from their mistakes, and grow in responsibility and resilience.
Spend a day with us. Come and see if it feels like home.
Spend a dayWhat people are saying
What people are saying about Mitra.
Tap to watch.
- BeautyParent
- Father MarkPriest
- MarcelleParent
- TimothyParent
- MatthewParent
- EleanorParent
03 · A day at Mitra
A day at Mitra.
A morning at Mitra is calm and structured. Children choose their work and stay with it for as long as it holds them. A calm adult is always close by. At lunchtime, parents are welcome to join.
Arrival
Children arrive and settle.
Choose your work
The work cycle begins. Each child chooses what to work on and stays with it for as long as it holds them. Emergent literacy, numeracy, sensorial work and practical life, culture, geography, zoology, history and art are all part of an ordinary day. One-on-one personalised attention is at the heart of the work cycle.
Snack time
Children share a healthy snack.
Free play
Bikes, tree climbing, sand castles, bubbles and balls. It’s the moment for imaginative games of superheroes and tigers. It is where gross motor skills are developed and greater discovery is made.
Half day ends
Lunch
Lunch together. Parents are welcome to join their child.
Quiet time
A moment to rest, reflect, listen to stories and read.
Extramural clubs
Extramurals start. The excitement of sport, music and confidence building continues.
Full day ends
Aftercare
Aftercare begins.
Aftercare ends
Hours
Choose your hours.
Half a day, a full day, or a full day with aftercare.
07:1512:0014:0016:30
Half day07:15 to 12:00
Full day07:15 to 14:00
Full day and aftercare07:15 to 16:30
Term dates 2027
1
Term 1
13 January to 9 April
2
Term 2
4 May to 6 August
3
Term 3
7 September to 3 December
04 · Fees and how to join the Mitra family
Come and see what suits your family.
We exist to assist parents. That’s why we believe in having full transparency and no hidden costs to allow you to make the best decision for your child’s future.
Fee structure 2027 PDF · opens in a new tabHow to join the Mitra family
Three simple steps.
Step 02
Spend a day
Your child spends a day with us. Then we talk, honestly, about whether Mitra is the right fit.
Spend a dayStep 03
Enrol
If it feels right for both of us, complete the online application and pay the once-off admin levy.
Questions parents ask
Good questions. Honest answers.
Tap a question to read the answer. If yours isn’t here, ask us.
Ask us something elseWhat kind of school is Mitra Academy?
Mitra Academy is an independent, Montessori-inspired, faith-based pre-primary school in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, for children aged 3 to 6. Many parents call this stage preschool. We are rooted in the Catholic faith, open to all families, and focused on character formation as well as learning.
What ages does Mitra take?
Mitra is for children aged 3 to 6. To see whether it suits your child, book an info session or spend a day with us.
Is Mitra a Montessori school?
Mitra is Montessori-inspired. Children choose their work and how long to stay with it, inside clear limits and beside adults who know them well. Every child tidies up. Watch “Montessori explained” in the Our approach section to see what this looks like.
What is character formation at Mitra?
At Mitra, children practise freedom every day inside clear limits, beside adults who know them, so they grow into people who can choose the good and carry real responsibility. This is what we mean by character formation, one of our three pillars.
Where is Mitra Academy?
Mitra is at 111 Jan Smuts Avenue, Saxonwold, Johannesburg. The office is open Monday to Friday, 07:15 to 16:30. WhatsApp or email us and we will be happy to talk before you book anything.
How can we see the school before we decide?
Book an info session to come and see how we work and ask us anything, or spend a day with us. Both can be booked online.
How do I choose a pre-primary school?
The best way to choose is to see it. Visit, watch how the adults speak to the children, ask what a day looks like and what the fees cover. That is why we offer info sessions and a day to spend with us.
Is Mitra a Catholic school?
Mitra is rooted in the Catholic faith and open to all families. Faith is part of daily life and we are clear about what we believe, but we invite children to think and ask questions. Families who do not share our faith are very welcome.
Can I join my child at lunch?
Yes! Parenting is hard. With the frantic busyness of life and all its demands, getting that golden, intentional, special time is nearly impossible. Here’s your moment to share your down time with your child in a peaceful, happy environment.
What is the admin levy for?
This is a relatively small, once-off fee that covers classroom equipment, materials, consumables, baking ingredients and some special celebrations.
05 · Contact
Questions first? Talk to us.
Please WhatsApp or email us. We’re happy to talk before you book anything.
Find us
111 Jan Smuts Avenue, Saxonwold, Johannesburg
111 Jan Smuts Avenue
Saxonwold, Johannesburg Get directions
Saxonwold, Johannesburg Get directions
Office hours
Monday to Friday, 07:15 to 16:30
So come, spend a day with us.
Spend a day