Need advice re French Bilingual Schools

[Amy917]

Am moving to Paris next summer (2020) and need to enroll my kids in school for the 2020/2021 school year. Two will be in primary (5th grade) and one in college (6th grade). Budget is around 10k euro/child. Strongly prefer that they are in the same school. It’s early in the search, but currently favoring Cours Moliere. My kids are taking French lessons online but are basically novices. Therefore a a school with an immersion program is preferred. Also curious to know if any public schools would help them adapt. (It would be great if we didn’t have to pay the tuition of a private school). Any advice is appreciated.

If you want an adaptation class, EIB Monceau is really good and you should get in touch with Kelda Knight, the deputy head who runs the immersion programme there, as soon as possible. She u very professional and helpful. That won’t be any good for your child in 6eme, however. EJM and Lycee International de Saint Germain en Laye (British Section) can also offer good quality immersion programmes for beginners in French. There is a French Catholic school in the 7th, Paul Claudel d’Hulst, that isn’t bilingual but does offer French immersion. It’s a nice school - beautiful buildings, lovely area, great catchment without being too blingy.

I think Cours Molière is «hors contrat». Please be aware that «hors contrat» schools come with lots of complications.

Strongly prefer that they are in the same school.

While I sympathise with your preference, do you realise that French state schools are not all through schools and that there is a significant break point between CM2 and Sixième? And that many private schools are not all through schools either?

Thanks for the advice, very helpful. We’ve heard good things about EIB Monceau and will contact them. Yes, many schools there aren’t through schools and that is adding another layer of difficulty.

Lycee International de Germaine en Laye might be a good option, though the commute from Paris concerns me. Do you know how long the commute is, on average? We are pretty flexible regarding where we rent in Paris. I suppose we could also live in the Western suburbs but that wouldn’t be ideal.

You can’t commute to the LI in Saint Germain en Laye from Paris - pupils are expected to live within a 15km radius catchment areas.

While I’m quite familiar with Paris, I know little about the suburbs. What is the area around this school like? We are coming from NYC and the thought of living on a suburb fills me with dread:)

If you are coming from the US you should talk to the American Section at the LI. I’m sure they will be helpful. However, you are right to be worried about the Western suburbs! How long are you planning on staying in Paris? EJM would fit your requirements best if it’s a short term thing.

We intend to be in Paris for a year or two, possibly a bit longer. I’ll take a good look at EJM, thanks!

If it isn’t a permanent move and you want to stay central, EJM is your best bet.

👍🏼, thank you.

Eurecole is central Paris (near Arc de Triomphe). Pricey though. 10k before lunch is included.

I havent had children there but know someone who did and she was very happy. Does primary and secondary.

We re going the opposite direction this summer to the US and its very daunting. Dont even know what city yet and we re meant to move end of August....

Join the FB group English speaking mums / moms in Paris.

Oh and FWIW there are a number of public schools with adaptation programmes for foreign students.

Yes I joined the FB group. It’s a big help.

Any recommendations for public schools with Adaptation programs for both primary and college?

You might find this organisation for expat Mums useful:

www.messageparis.org/

We were in Paris suburbs for 4 years... kids went to British School of Paris and Lycee Intl in St German.... would recommend both but BSP is v pricey and not bilingual..... probably not any use to youif you'd prefer to be centrally relocated anyway....

Saint Germain even