Jean-Claude  Decalonne
Ashoka Fellow since 2009   |   France

Jean-Claude Decalonne

Orchestres A l’Ecole
Jean-Claude Decalonne is providing struggling French pupils in at-risk neighborhoods with the tools they need to succeed academically and socially. By engaging parents, teachers and the broader…
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This description of Jean-Claude Decalonne's work was prepared when Jean-Claude Decalonne was elected to the Ashoka Fellowship in 2009.

Introduction

Jean-Claude Decalonne is providing struggling French pupils in at-risk neighborhoods with the tools they need to succeed academically and socially. By engaging parents, teachers and the broader community in supporting and developing young people’s potential, he is showing society the value ofRead more

The New Idea

Jean-Claude is using collective teaching methods to create an inclusive, cross-subject and accessible education experience for at-risk children and youth. In France’s most educationally-challenged neighborhoods and lowest performing schools, Jean-Claude has developed a program for low performingRead more

The Problem

The French school system is underperforming and has shown little movement towards improvement over the years. As highlighted by repeated ministry reports and demonstrated by the growing marginalization of some students, structural deficiencies in the system reduce young people’s chances of success.Read more

The Strategy

In classroom orchestras, children choose their own instrument on their first day of school and learn from local music school teachers every week, fostering curiosity and respect. Teachers and school administrators become project leaders, responsible not only for the quality of kids’ educationalRead more

The Person

When Jean-Claude first heard Louis Armstrong’s “The Good Book” at the age of eight, his life took a decisive turn. Shortly thereafter, he met the founder of a new music school in his town open to people of all income brackets, who convinced him to join and fostered his love of music. As an adult,Read more

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