Schools in Paris which is better

[Ania2011]

We are Polish family with 2 children (4 years old girl and 8 years old boy). In the end of October we are moving to Paris from London where we have been living for the last 3 years. My children are bilingual, Polish and English and they attend good private British schools where they are happy. I?m really worried which school in Paris will be the best for them and for their future: British International School, American School, International School or maybe EAB Victor Hugo. I would appreciate any information or suggestion. Thanks for any advice or thoughts.

Dilbertina - you're taking him out of French maternelle? Was he struggling or did you just want him back in British system for when you got back?

Hi Brioche, his teacher and assistant at the Maternelle were lovely, he seemed to settle in ok (although tears every am at drop-off...) didn't seem to be speaking much French and whilst I'm sure that would have come in time I did worry a bit that it was hard for him socially, which I guess is the most important thing at his age.

The main reason we've moved him though is that now the BSP has moved it was going to be a nightmare for drop-off and pick-up between the 2 schools...and we get his fees paid now which made the decision easier!

Hope your two are settling in well, isn't your daughter at a new school? How's it going? MUST get that coffee in soon! Do you want to come here?

Yes, but next week perhaps - this week's mad!! How about next Tues or Friday morning (14th or 17th)?

Dilbertina,
I'm so happy today; my two have space in BSP. My daughter will be in the nursery and my son in year 4. We are going to start school 4th of November, I will be happy to meet you one day.
Ania

Czesc Aniu!

Just saw your thread, happy it all worked out.

Mieszkam w centrum Paryza, mam dwojke dzieci- DD 19 miesiecy i DS 8 lat. Dzieci sa 'mieszane'- DS polsko-amerykansko-francuski, a DD polsko-angielska.

Jakbys miala ochote spotkac sie kiedys na kawe albo wziac dzieci do parku, skontaktuj sie ze mna przez CAT.

Winnybella,
Thaks for yor mesage.
Bardzo chetnie sie spotkam jednak nadal jestem jeszcze w Londynie, mamy plany na przeprowadzke w polowie pazdziernika, nie od nas to zalezy. Bardzo dziekuje za zaproszenie. Skontaktuje cie przez CAT tylko co to jest?
Ja nawet nie rozumiem skrotow: DD (chyba corka) DS (syn) ale czemu DD blush
Ania

Good news Ania! Will look out for you! We take and collect the children from the classroom in nursery so no doubt will see you there.

Hi Dilbertina,

We are going to start school in the 4th of November. I register DD for full time. Let's see how it?ll work.
I'm looking forward seeing you.
Ania

Hello - Lycee International at St Germain en Laye has a British, American and Polish section. I think your children may need to speak some French and it is competitive. I think the British section has a fast track french class for those coming into the country - Polish section may do the same and may be easier to get into than the British section. St Germain en Laye is a great town in the Paris western suburbs full of expatriates and consequently easy to meet new people in. There is also an English speaking mother/child support group in Paris called MESSAGE.

Hi Ania, Just so you can enthuse your ds....we've just had list of after-school clubs through and he will have plenty of opportunity for sporty type stuff after-school as well: football, judo (extra cost for this one - 150euro/year, numbers limited so don't be too hopeful! all others are free), boys gym, mixed netball, dance, badminton. If he would like to go to Cub-scouts it might be worth putting his name down now, there may be a waiting list... details here

See you soon!

Dear Dilbertina,

Thank you so much one more time, my English is not enough good to say how I appreciate your help and effort. I'm surprised that after school activities are for free. Could you tell me more about uniforms in the nursery? I saw few photos and I noticed that boys and girls wear the same clothes.

Thank you for everything

Hi Ania, in the nursery it's basically just a school light blue polo-shirt and school tracksuit. DS is pretty messy but I can get away with 2 tracksuits and 3 poloshirts without panic washing. Maybe buy 2 new poloshirts and 1 tracksuit from school shop and then check out if any second hand ones available? The tracksuits do shrink a little after repeated washing so don't buy too small! (or maybe it's just my washing!) In warmer weather they can wear school dark blue sports shorts instead of tracksuit trousers. They don't seem to fussed about shoes in nursery but I think darker colour is preferred....

There are non-sports after-school clubs too eg Guitar club, Art Club, Creative Computer, Drama, French, Orchestra.... the clubs are aimed more at older children so your ds will have the choice of lots but your dd will have to wait a bit (although if she is anything like my ds she'll be too exhausted at end of day anyway!) By the way, they are able to nap in nursery in the afternoon if need be.

Just so you don't have last minute panic they'll both need a small named plastic container for a "healthy snack" each day, and an art overall - an old shirt is fine for example. DS will need a drinks container to leave at school.

I know from experience it's the sudden need for little things that that can push you over the edge when you've just moved and still have no idea where the nearest supermarket is even! Good luck with the move!

Dilbertina,
Thank you, thank you.
I hope that one day I can help and give you useful information.
See you soon

Ania

Are there some news about IB school at Paris ?

I would suggest starting a new thread with your particular questions.

Bonjour expats! We're moving from Texas to Paris (16th) in a couple months for a job (not assignment) with a French company. We have 2 children going into 3rd and 6th grades. I know this topic is a common one, but I'm going to respectfully drag it out a bit longer. We're in that hectic process of trying to decide between ASP, Marymount and ISP. All have their pluses and minuses. Our kids are currently involved in sports, in academically advanced courses, yet artistic. "Dad" is from England and I'm from California. The kids have traveled a lot globally, so I think they'd adapt to most environments, but, as a mom outweighing all the factors, any help/advice/thoughts would be greatly appreciated y'all. :)

Sorry to jump in this feed but I am hoping to get some feedback on bilingual schools and it feels like a good place to start my investigation. We are a french family but we have been in London for 10 and 20 years with my husband and our son would start CP/Y2 next school year. He is in an English school and I’d like him to maintain his academic level of English but also continue to have a network of international friends. Thank you very much for your input even tho your children might be old by now!