Excellence Ruralite
Think Human Foundation
Mission & History
The Excellence Ruralities Network operates in the field of equal opportunities within disadvantaged rural areas of mainland France by establishing a network of schools tailored to the specific needs of these regions and through advocacy efforts. In 2017, the first middle school, Cours Clovis, opened its doors in La Fère (in Aisne), a town of 3,000 people emblematic of peripheral France, where youth unemployment stands at 48% and school dropout rates are at 31%. Conceived as an experimental project, the school developed the Excellence Ruralities educational model, which tests the best pedagogical tools (small class sizes, personalized support, educator-teachers, parent collaboration) to re-engage young people with their education. To combat early school dropout, Cours Clovis later expanded with the opening of a primary school. Many students entered the sixth grade struggling with fundamental knowledge typically acquired in primary school. This institution is open to all children in the area, with no selection process.
Five years after its inception, it serves as a replicable model for other regions. In September 2022, the second Excellence Ruralities middle school was established in Confolens (in Charente), in the former community school, which had been closed for six years.
Country Information
Geographical Situation:Cours Clovis is located in Aisne, the French department with the highest percentage of students struggling with reading at age 15, with 15.7% experiencing severe reading difficulties. Due to their geographical location, young people in these areas also receive less support from dropout prevention associations, which are primarily concentrated in large urban centers.
The Need
With an average social position index of 78 in primary school, our students were among the 5% most culturally disadvantaged in 2023-24. In 54% of families, the highest qualification in the household is a CAP or BEP. Nearly 40% of the students arrived with significant academic difficulties or were out of school. The young people we welcome have lost faith in the traditional educational system for various reasons (bullying, special educational needs such as DYS disorders, ADHD, etc.) and do not resonate with the conventional school system.
To ensure accessibility for all families in the region, our schools are 95% funded by private sources. This funding allows these children to benefit from a calm environment, personalized support through small class sizes, and explicit teaching methods (Montessori, Nuyts, etc.) to help them regain confidence and re-engage with their education. *The Social Position Index (IPS) assesses the social status of students based on the professions and social categories of their parents.
The Project We Fund
Think Human Foundation contributed to funding the opening of the CM2 class (5th grade), which included the purchase of educational materials (textbooks, science equipment, art supplies, sports gear, notebooks and school supplies, Montessori materials, etc.), partial funding of the teacher’s salary, and the rental of premises. In the 2023-2024 school year, 15 students benefited from this support, allowing them to learn in a conducive environment. All of them were promoted to the next grade at the Cours Clovis middle school.
The Result
During the 2023-24 school year, Excellence Ruralité’s educational approaches proved effective, as primary students from modest cultural backgrounds, half with learning difficulties, achieved national average levels in reading fluency, French, and mathematics by 6th grade. Their success was bolstered by dedicated teachers and a positive school environment. Impressively, 92% of Cours Clovis’ former students, who attended at least two years, engaged in employment, internships, or further education, all at an educational cost 20% to 40% below the national average.
Excellence Ruralité’s data collection highlighted their impact through demographic data and student academic performance comparisons against national standards. They also conducted surveys to gather qualitative insights from students, parents, and teachers. Throughout 2025, they improved educational outcomes for disadvantaged rural youth, engaging 115 direct and 230 indirect beneficiaries in enriching activities like internships and workshops. Their method emphasized building students’ self-esteem and gained support from local businesses due to their cost-effective education model.
Testimonies
“The day before the start of the school year, Noah was diagnosed with autism (ASD). He had no social interaction and struggled with his peers. At this school, the teachers are always encouraging. Now, Noah is thriving — he talks a lot and has made friends.”
-Noah’s mother, 7th-grade student’s parent-
“Léona was bullied at school for three years. She no longer felt happy at school and ended up failing academically in 4th grade. Today, I have a very different view of school compared to six months ago. As a parent, I feel included and part of a group, with teachers we know and can talk to. It’s incredible, I’ve found my daughter again. She smiles when she comes home from school, tells us what she’s done during the day, and she’s thriving. It feels so good after three very difficult years for her.”
-Leona’s father, 6th-grade student’s parent-
