Any personal experience or views on these schools in Paris: Ecole Alsacienne...Stanislas...Massillon...Cours Moliere?

[Greythorne]

Thx

When i was an au pair in paris 15 yrs ago the kids all went to Stanislas. It's a private, catholic school full of wealthy kids of aristocrats, politicians etc. For this reason mocked by lots of french people, but is a good school with a good reputation and facilities, but obviously in the French school mould iyswim.

I know stanislas and EA from the time i was a student myself.
Academically, they are reasonnably sound. The whole point of these particular 2 though is about networking as explained above.
Very highbrow, and frankly these days more about money than social standing. And the pupils are often worse than the parents. I remember they had "clubs" to group people ie: those who have a driver, those who live in 200sqm + etc....
If your child is a very confident type, fine.

Thanks

I have a friend moving to Paris in the next few months and she has done a cursory google search and come up with this shortlist for her DC.

I am trying to get some more info on them for her. I know they are all v difficult to get into and I have heard amazing things about EA. The social side is tricky.

EA is rue notre des dames des champs so slap bang in the middle of what was the gauche caviar set.
15-20 years ago that was all intelligentia, artist set and serious cinema types. A really interesting crowd actually but hard to break into. It seems it has gone a bit little tackier from what i hear but am sure still an interesting mix.

Staniskas is a mix of new money/ media & still aristo vibe.

Oddly, the best way i can define those school is terms of social make up which is maybe not what your friend as a parent is interested to hear.

Hope it helps.

It sounds ridiculously cliche but as an 18 year old I could perceive that really clearly.
That said, both schools turn out pretty worldly graduates.

One huge Catholic sous contrat, one normal sized Catholic sous contrat, one non religious sous contrat, one non religious hors contrat, all in different areas of Paris. This seems a rather strange shortlist, the only connecting factor is that they are all "elitist" schools and honestly, without being part of there raison d'etre, I'm not sure I'd want my children at any of these schools. The fact that someone is asking other people's advice on these schools suggest they may not fit into these type of schools. Even if I were a millionaire, I still wouldn't have my children there.

My friend fancies herself as part of the elite is very elite. Her DC are in a v expensive London day school at present.

Maybe your friend will fit in fine then :) My BIL went to EA and is desperate for his kids to go there but can't afford it... he's pretty much gauche caviar and status is v important to him. I got the impression from him that you pretty much had to know people there to get in though.

Your friend is already fluent in French and moves in the circles already of these schools?

Then it seems like it would be a great fit if the kids are fluent in French.
Plus coming from a posh school in London gives them "un je ne sais quoi"

I read this a few month ago and brought back lots of memories. It was really eerie it hit home on so many aspects.
describes pretty well the atmosphere I was referring to.

this is the actual link!

Lycee Moliere is where my DP went to school, as did his mother. It was fine in the past (if not top notch) but you really don't want to go there these days.

Stanislas is uber Catholic competitive and selective. Very un-Anglo-Saxon in every possible way.

Ecole Alsacienne is where I hope to send DD to college and lycee. The best and most open-minded of the big brand Parisian schools.

Interesting.

My friend has just asked around her entourage for recos and hence the very eclectic mix, I think.

Bonsoir
What makes you want to move your Dd from EAB?

I've never had any intention of keeping my DD at EaB for college/lycee.

Just moved to Paris from Dubai with DH (French) and DC (4) and 3 of them already enrolled at EAB Monceau. Going into immersion classes in September.
Very impressed with the American Head Mistress.
Anyone has any input on EAB Victor Hugo. Considering IB there for my DS next year? Would appreciate all kinds of info!

Does your DS need to do the IB in English? I think that ASP is the safest bet.

My DD is at EaB Monceau, by the way - she's just going into 9ème/CE2. PM me if you need any info.

Hi Bonsoir
Been meaning to ask you.
What are your reasons for moving your DD from EaB for 6ème onwards?

hello Bonsoir :)

Thanks for prompt answer.
Yes, he needs to study in English.
The only thing is that ASP is in the out-skirts of Paris. 3 of my children have been at ASD - sister school in Dubai so we're very familiar with American curriculum but would like to option for a more international student body.

When I google EAB VH a lot of negative comments appear so I would love to hear if anyone can go into details about especially academics but also about student attitude towards study life etc.

My 3 DC will be going in the equivalent of grade 3, 4 & 5.
So excited. But little worried about College after only one year of French teaching for my 5th. grader. Even though the head said "you can do it" :)
I noticed that you option for another college than EAB. I'll check that out as well. But maybe even more difficult to get in with only one year of French.
Thanks for taking your time to answer. Very kind of you.

Greythorne - because I don't like the Collège at EaB and I particularly don't like the Lycée. At the moment I am thinking that we'll apply to Ecole Alsacienne, Institut de La Tour and Institut de l'Alma. The first two cater to bilingual pupils and the third is where my DSSs are and we are very happy with it (and DD will get a sibling priority place). It will then depend on the offers we get and what takes my DD's fancy!

Duchesse6 - I'll be honest and say that I don't think EABVH is a very good school. It has a highly transient population. For IB in Paris your choice is EABVH, EABJM or ISP and of course ASP in the suburbs. ASP would be my gut first port of call (big and well-established school and IB programme - they've been doing it for decades) but you should go and see them all.

Duchesse6 - you could also try applying to Institut de La Tour for 6ème - google it.

thx Bonsoir.

Institut de la Tour looks good; i have three friends whose children are there, but maternelleonly.

But isn't it very skewed to American English? That's just the impression I got...

I have been to EABJM which I didn't like at all, I must say. I know that this school is very reputable and ranked for one of the best schools in France but honestly what I met was an unfriendly and arrogant tone during my campus tour and when meeting the IB co-ordinator. They weren't interested in any of the many questions my DS and we had prepared.

When visiting EAB Monceau the first time, we came early and sat one hour in the reception area and quite the opposite impression and tone. Very very friendly, polite and accommodating . Also I loved the idea of my DC playing in the park at recess. We're of course used to a huge and out-door campus life from Dubai all year :) - very hot.
I just wonder (since I'm not surprised with your answer - it seems to be everybody's opinion about VH) how and why can the VH be so bad when Monceau seems to be such a lovely school.
I called ISP - we're on a waiting list there.
I'll look into ASP again and book a campus tour.
Thank you very much.

Bonsoir - thanks ! I have taken a note of all 3 colleges! So happy to receive recom. as all is new!