How to choose a school for your child in France

Choosing your child’s school is one of the first big decisions parents make. For families arriving from abroad, it comes with a system they do not know yet. This guide explains how school is organised in France and the three types of school, with a particular focus on bilingual and international education.

School in France, in four stages

• Maternelle (pre-school): ages 3 to 6 (from age 2 in the pre-nursery year, “Toute Petite Section”, where the school offers it)
• École élémentaire (primary school): ages 6 to 11, from CP to CM2
• Collège (lower secondary): ages 11 to 15
• Lycée (upper secondary): ages 15 to 18

Education is compulsory in France from age 3. This guide focuses on the early years, from about 2 to 10: pre-school and primary school.

Why the choice matters

A school that is not the right fit does not always show it straight away.

Some difficulties appear quickly. A child who is ahead of the class can get bored and feel held back. A child who struggles with certain topics can lose self-esteem if they are not supported.

Others only show later, often at collège. A child who never had the chance to step out of their comfort zone may find it hard to adapt to a new, more demanding or more anonymous setting.

The right school, on the other hand, opens doors:

• Two languages from an early age are more than an academic asset: open-mindedness, adaptability, and later the freedom to live and work in many countries.
• Active teaching encourages creativity, independence and curiosity.
• Personalised teaching lets each child progress at their own pace, building on their strengths.

The three types of school in France

State schools (école publique)

State schools rest on two principles: they are free, and secular (“laïque”). They welcome every child and follow the national curriculum set by the Ministry of Education, which gives every child the same common foundation of knowledge across France.

Teachers are civil servants, trained in national teacher-training institutes (INSPÉ). A state school offers full immersion in French language and culture.

Things to check:

• Bilingual or international sections exist, but they are rare and in high demand.
• Conditions vary from one school to another: class sizes, resources, support for children with special needs.
• Strikes can occasionally disrupt the canteen or before- and after-school care, so it is wise to have a back-up plan.

Private schools under contract (privé sous contrat)

Halfway between state schools and independent schools, private schools under contract with the State follow the national curriculum and timetable while keeping their own ethos. The vast majority of them are Catholic.

Teachers are paid by the State, which keeps fees generally moderate. The school takes part in choosing its staff, which helps it build a team that fits its project.

Things to check:

• Language provision: extra English or a third language are possible, but the room for another language is limited by the national timetable. Truly bilingual teaching, in equal measure, is rare.
• The school’s ethos, and in particular its religious character, so that it matches your family’s values.

Independent private schools (privé hors contrat)

Independent private schools are not under contract with the State. They are free to choose their curriculum and methods, on one condition: every child must master the common core of knowledge, skills and culture (“socle commun”) by the end of compulsory schooling. They are inspected by the Ministry of Education, starting in their very first year.

This freedom makes bilingual and international programmes possible, meeting the expectations of expatriate families and of families who want an education open to the world. It also allows particular approaches, such as Montessori or Steiner. Teachers, recruited directly by the school, often bring varied and international backgrounds.

Things to check:

• Fees, which are generally higher, since the school receives no State funding.
• The curriculum followed, and how it prepares children for what comes next: a French collège or an international pathway.
• Class sizes, and the individual support actually on offer.

21 questions to ask when you visit

A visit tells you more than a brochure. Here are 21 questions to ask every school, whatever its type, whether you meet the head or the team. Write the answers down: they will help you compare.

Teaching and learning

1. Which teaching approach do you use, and which curriculum do you follow? How does it prepare children for what comes next: a French collège or an international pathway?
2. What does a typical day look like in my child’s class?
3. How does the school adapt to a child who is ahead, who is struggling, or who has special educational needs?
4. How do you assess progress (marks, continuous assessment, portfolio), and how often are parents told about it?

Languages and international outlook

5. How much of the school day is spent in each language? Is it a bilingual programme, or extra language lessons?
6. Are the foreign-language teachers native speakers?
7. How do you support a child who arrives without French, or without English?
8. Does the school run international projects or organise trips?

Class size and the team

9. How many children are there per class, and how many adults?
10. What training and experience do the teachers have, and does the team stay the same from one year to the next?

The premises

11. Does the school have outdoor space to play and move?
12. How are the classrooms equipped, and is there a library?

Activities

13. Do children go out of school, and which activities are offered outside the classroom: sport, arts, drama, outings?

Values and atmosphere

14. What are the school’s values, and how do they show day to day?
15. How does the school look after children’s well-being, and what kind of relationship do adults have with them?
16. How do you handle conflicts between children?

Relationship with parents

17. How does the school communicate with parents, and who is their point of contact?
18. Can parents take part in school life?

Practical arrangements

19. What are the school hours, and is there before- and after-school care?
20. Are meals prepared on site, and with what kind of produce?
21. How does the application process work, and what do the fees cover (materials, meals, activities)?

Choosing well

Take the time to find out and to visit several schools. If your child is old enough, involve them in the decision.

Every child is unique: the best school is the one that fits their needs and your family’s values. A school that nurtures curiosity, respects each child’s pace and opens onto several cultures lays solid foundations for what comes next.

Da Vinci Private School is an independent bilingual French-English school in Castelnau-le-Lez, near Montpellier. Discover its bilingual pre-school and its bilingual primary school, or read the answers to frequently asked questions.

Short glossary

• Maternelle: pre-school, ages 3 to 6 (from age 2 in the pre-nursery year)
• École élémentaire: primary school, CP to CM2, ages 6 to 11; commonly called “école primaire”
• Collège: lower secondary school, ages 11 to 15
• Lycée: upper secondary school, ages 15 to 18
• Baccalauréat: the end-of-secondary diploma, roughly equivalent to a high school diploma
• Sous contrat / hors contrat: whether or not a private school has signed a contract with the State

Further reading

• How school is organised — French Ministry of Education (in French)
• Private schools — French Ministry of Education (in French)