Education and Schools in Paris
Paris has some of the best schools and educational facilities in the world with hundred of schools and 17 university campuses. Expats placing their children in Paris schools will find a high-quality, demanding level of education. Schooling in France is generally cheap or free, as even private schools and universities are often subsidised. Non-residents will have to pay fees as the schools are paid for from taxes.
Schooling in France officially starts at age 6, but may parents sent their children to school much earlier at age 3 or even 2 years of age. The collèges cater for 11-15 year olds, with the lycées for the 15-18 year olds. The baccalaureat, or le bac is the finishing diploma for French schooling and performance in this exam is what gives a school-goer, access to higher education.
There is a different schooling culture in France with academic excellence being highly stressed. Teachers consider school their domain and largely expect parents to stay away. A parent would do well to discuss these differences with their child before they enter into the schooling system.
Private schools are options for expats, especially as many of these schools provide for education in French and in English. There are two types of private schools in France, those which do and do not have contracts with the government. Often Roman Catholic government contracted schools can cost as little as €300 per year, while the independent ones will cost as little as €2,000 and over. A private school may ease the transition into a new culture, although it is important for a child to integrate into any society in which they will be spending some number of years.
For after school education, the French system divides into the grandes ecoles and universities with the former being the more prestigious. The Ecole Polytechnique which is in the Latin Quarter, and the Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) of Paris are rated at the 10th and 5th best in the world respectively. Unlike in most countries the universities in France are specialized rather than general with a student attending a university based largely upon their subject choice. For instance, the Ecole Polytechnique is an engineering school while the HEC Paris is a business school. The University of Paris is one of the world leaders in the Humanities.
Public institutions like the Polytechnique have fees that are set, and subsidies from the government so costs are kept low. €200 per year would cover university for residents and citizens. For a private institution like HEC Paris, €16 000 per year is more likely. The school year starts in September and ends in July.
Schooling in France officially starts at age 6, but may parents sent their children to school much earlier at age 3 or even 2 years of age. The collèges cater for 11-15 year olds, with the lycées for the 15-18 year olds. The baccalaureat, or le bac is the finishing diploma for French schooling and performance in this exam is what gives a school-goer, access to higher education.
There is a different schooling culture in France with academic excellence being highly stressed. Teachers consider school their domain and largely expect parents to stay away. A parent would do well to discuss these differences with their child before they enter into the schooling system.
Private schools are options for expats, especially as many of these schools provide for education in French and in English. There are two types of private schools in France, those which do and do not have contracts with the government. Often Roman Catholic government contracted schools can cost as little as €300 per year, while the independent ones will cost as little as €2,000 and over. A private school may ease the transition into a new culture, although it is important for a child to integrate into any society in which they will be spending some number of years.For after school education, the French system divides into the grandes ecoles and universities with the former being the more prestigious. The Ecole Polytechnique which is in the Latin Quarter, and the Hautes Etudes Commerciales (HEC) of Paris are rated at the 10th and 5th best in the world respectively. Unlike in most countries the universities in France are specialized rather than general with a student attending a university based largely upon their subject choice. For instance, the Ecole Polytechnique is an engineering school while the HEC Paris is a business school. The University of Paris is one of the world leaders in the Humanities.
Public institutions like the Polytechnique have fees that are set, and subsidies from the government so costs are kept low. €200 per year would cover university for residents and citizens. For a private institution like HEC Paris, €16 000 per year is more likely. The school year starts in September and ends in July.
