Education and Schools in France
Expats are likely to find the system of education in France more complicated than what they may be used to, but nonetheless, 
up to standard. There is an assortment of schools in France - public, public with an international section, private, private bilingual and international - and parents will need to consider the language barrier, cost and curriculum before making a decision.
It's recommended that expat mothers and fathers interview the administration of the school they're interested in, as well as other families who send their children to the institution. Ask questions about the primary teaching language, the support available for non-Francophone children, and the admission requirements.
Education in France is highly centralised, with the majority of schools (both public and private) following the national curriculum mandated by the Ministry of Education. Public school in France is free for citizens and for those who can show proof of residence (a signed lease or a utility bill), and school is attended based on catchment zone.
School attendance is compulsory for students between six and 16, but parents often enrol their children in Maternalle
(kindergarten), akin to nursery school or pre-primary school, from the age of two. Students spend two or three years at this level before advancing.
Many expat parents choose to send their children (3 to 6 years old) to this local nursery school, as it is practical, in close proximity to the home, and affordable (free). Kids who are this young tend to overcome the language barrier quickly, and as there are few formal educational demands, the difficulties that come with reading and writing and French are not relevant.
Some parents also choose to send their children to a public, primary school. The standard of this part of the education system is thought to be high, though the primary teaching language will most likely be French, with few exceptions otherwise. While these schools, and middle schools, often have language initiation classes (CLN or CILN), the courses are often disappointing and students may still struggle to adjust.
Nonetheless, for those who arrive in France with young children, and who plan to make the nation home long-term, this is certainly a worthwhile option.
Again, it is vital that parents speak to those in the area who send their children to public schools. As in most destinations, standards can vary immensely from one neighbourhood to the next, and from one city to the next.
Certain public schools in France claim a Section Internationale (international section), a curriculum geared toward teaching French to non-Francophone students and then integrating them into the French system.
Few primary schools offer this program, it is largely reserved for middle (College) and high schools (Lycée); and most of these schools are found only in the large cities.
If a public school in your area offers this program, it is certainly worth exploring the possibility of enrolment, especially if you have plans to stay in France for more than two years.
Private schools in France are either state-sponsored or privately funded, and tend to afford the smaller class sizes, more individualised instruction, better facilities and improved access to teachers that are common to this category.
The majority of these schools are Catholic, meaning that the curriculum is tempered by a faith-based value system. Expat
parents will need to decide if this is a characteristic they'd like included in their child's education.
Expats should note that state-sponsored private schools claim a better reputation than privately funded schools. That said, state-sponsored schools will also emphasise the French national curriculum, and will leave less room for extra-curricular activities or alternative learning styles that might make privately funded schools more attractive to expats.
By default, French is the primary teaching language in most private schools. Still, in this category there are more opportunities for expats to find a bilingual institution, or an institution that makes a more pointed effort to hold special classes for non-Francophone students. Parent associations also tend to be stronger and more prevalent in these schools.
It is essential parents considering sending their children to a French private school meet with the body's administration to ask about the support for non-French speaking students. Some private schools will refuse to enrol those who aren't proficient in the primary teaching language.
Admission requirements vary, as do fees. Proof of residence is not usually required, but past school records and entrance exams may be. Tuition for the state-sponsored schools is generally significantly less than the private funded schools.
There are many international schools in France, though the majority of these institutions will be located in the large commercial centres.
These schools either uphold the teaching language and curriculum of an expat's home country, or they subscribe to the International Baccalaureate curriculum and teach in English.
Standards vary, as does the size of the school; though hefty tuition fees are a constant.
Turnover rates tend to be high in the schools, both for teachers and students. Furthermore, the daily commute may be long and tiring.
Nonetheless, they are ideal for those families who'd like to maintain consistency in their child's education, who plan to stay in France for a short-time, or who have high school-aged children looking to attend university in their home country.
up to standard. There is an assortment of schools in France - public, public with an international section, private, private bilingual and international - and parents will need to consider the language barrier, cost and curriculum before making a decision.It's recommended that expat mothers and fathers interview the administration of the school they're interested in, as well as other families who send their children to the institution. Ask questions about the primary teaching language, the support available for non-Francophone children, and the admission requirements.
- The school year starts in September and concludes in July
- The school week lasts from Monday to Friday, with no school for primary school children on Wednesday
Public schools in France
Education in France is highly centralised, with the majority of schools (both public and private) following the national curriculum mandated by the Ministry of Education. Public school in France is free for citizens and for those who can show proof of residence (a signed lease or a utility bill), and school is attended based on catchment zone.
School attendance is compulsory for students between six and 16, but parents often enrol their children in Maternalle
(kindergarten), akin to nursery school or pre-primary school, from the age of two. Students spend two or three years at this level before advancing.Many expat parents choose to send their children (3 to 6 years old) to this local nursery school, as it is practical, in close proximity to the home, and affordable (free). Kids who are this young tend to overcome the language barrier quickly, and as there are few formal educational demands, the difficulties that come with reading and writing and French are not relevant.
Some parents also choose to send their children to a public, primary school. The standard of this part of the education system is thought to be high, though the primary teaching language will most likely be French, with few exceptions otherwise. While these schools, and middle schools, often have language initiation classes (CLN or CILN), the courses are often disappointing and students may still struggle to adjust.
Nonetheless, for those who arrive in France with young children, and who plan to make the nation home long-term, this is certainly a worthwhile option.
Again, it is vital that parents speak to those in the area who send their children to public schools. As in most destinations, standards can vary immensely from one neighbourhood to the next, and from one city to the next.
Public schools in France with an international section
Certain public schools in France claim a Section Internationale (international section), a curriculum geared toward teaching French to non-Francophone students and then integrating them into the French system.
Few primary schools offer this program, it is largely reserved for middle (College) and high schools (Lycée); and most of these schools are found only in the large cities.
If a public school in your area offers this program, it is certainly worth exploring the possibility of enrolment, especially if you have plans to stay in France for more than two years.
Private schools in France
Private schools in France are either state-sponsored or privately funded, and tend to afford the smaller class sizes, more individualised instruction, better facilities and improved access to teachers that are common to this category.
The majority of these schools are Catholic, meaning that the curriculum is tempered by a faith-based value system. Expat
parents will need to decide if this is a characteristic they'd like included in their child's education.Expats should note that state-sponsored private schools claim a better reputation than privately funded schools. That said, state-sponsored schools will also emphasise the French national curriculum, and will leave less room for extra-curricular activities or alternative learning styles that might make privately funded schools more attractive to expats.
By default, French is the primary teaching language in most private schools. Still, in this category there are more opportunities for expats to find a bilingual institution, or an institution that makes a more pointed effort to hold special classes for non-Francophone students. Parent associations also tend to be stronger and more prevalent in these schools.
It is essential parents considering sending their children to a French private school meet with the body's administration to ask about the support for non-French speaking students. Some private schools will refuse to enrol those who aren't proficient in the primary teaching language.
Admission requirements vary, as do fees. Proof of residence is not usually required, but past school records and entrance exams may be. Tuition for the state-sponsored schools is generally significantly less than the private funded schools.
International schools in France
There are many international schools in France, though the majority of these institutions will be located in the large commercial centres.
These schools either uphold the teaching language and curriculum of an expat's home country, or they subscribe to the International Baccalaureate curriculum and teach in English.
Standards vary, as does the size of the school; though hefty tuition fees are a constant.
Turnover rates tend to be high in the schools, both for teachers and students. Furthermore, the daily commute may be long and tiring.
Nonetheless, they are ideal for those families who'd like to maintain consistency in their child's education, who plan to stay in France for a short-time, or who have high school-aged children looking to attend university in their home country.
