The big top was raised at Ecole Montriond last Monday by dads and a couple of circus professionals who proceeded to run a circus camp one of the last weeks of the school year.
Replacing the end of year "spectacle" (show), kids rehearsed Mon-Thurs, learning various routines, a song (written by a teacher), handmade signs and programs, delivering two magnificent performances Friday evening. 
Words cannot describe the energy and quality of the show - truly excellent.
Words cannot describe the energy and quality of the show - truly excellent.
But the Swiss share an unusual love and tradition for street performance - the tradition dates to medieval times with reigning circus families and clowns, such as Demitri, as national heritage figures. One of Jack's teachers, Messiur Decoudres, announces the evening.
They know how to do circus.
Michael's assistant teacher made crepes, while parent volunteers handled ticket booths, costuming, monitoring, etc. 
Generally speaking, curriculum is less driven by commercial or media fads; we are impressed by the emphasis on craft, not the latest consumer technology driving academic priorities; kids seem, as a result, both more innocent and industrious.
The opening
The gymnasts
Jack was a "ladder-ist"
Michael a clown
Americans in house were thinking, "Did those kids sign a waiver?" Yes, that's a bed of nails. There were flame-eaters, as well.
Granted, the circus was exceptional as a project - will be shown on local Swiss TV - we were amazed the level of cultural trust and focus that allowed them to pull this off.
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