Education and Schools in France

The education system in France may be more complicated than expats are accustomed to, but it’s generally of a high standard. There are a variety of school types in France, including public, private, bilingual and international schools. You’ll need to consider the language barrier, cost and curriculum before deciding which type of institution will be best for your children.

Public schools in France

French education is highly centralised, with most private and public schools in France following the national curriculum mandated by the Ministry of Education. Public schools in France are free for citizens and those who can show proof of residence in the form of a signed lease or a utility bill. Public school attendance is based on catchment areas.

School attendance is compulsory for students between the ages of 3 and 16, but you can often enrol your children in a maternelle (kindergarten) from the age of two. Children generally spend two or three years at this level before advancing.

Many expat parents choose to send their younger children to their local nursery school, as it’s practical and free of charge. Children of this age tend to overcome the language barrier quickly, and as there are few formal educational demands, the difficulties of reading and writing in French are irrelevant.

As in most destinations, schooling standards can vary immensely from one neighbourhood or city to the next. Certain public schools in France run a curriculum geared towards teaching French to non-Francophone students, known as a Section Internationale, to eventually integrate these students into the French system. This programme typically offers about 6 hours of English instruction weekly, including English Language & Literature, Science and Geography. Few primary schools offer this programme. It’s largely reserved for middle and high schools in France’s large cities.

Useful links

• French Ministry of National Education
• Section Internationale Programmes

Private schools in France

Private schools in France are either state sponsored or privately funded. These tend to afford smaller class sizes, more individualised instruction, better facilities and improved access to teachers. About 95 percent of private schools in France are Catholic, meaning that the curriculum incorporates a faith-based value system.

You should note that state-sponsored private schools have a better reputation than their privately funded counterparts.

French is the primary teaching language in most private schools, but you’ll find more bilingual options in this category than in public schooling. Private schools are also more likely to make an effort to hold special classes for non-Francophone students. Parent associations tend to be stronger and more prevalent in private schools.

Admission requirements and tuition fees of private schools in France may vary considerably. Proof of residence is not usually required, but some schools may request previous school records and entrance exams. Due to high demand, early application is advisable. Tuition for state-sponsored schools is generally significantly less than that of privately funded schools.

International schools in France

There are many international schools in France, although most are located in large commercial centres such as Paris. Some notable options can be found in other cities, including Lille and Toulouse, as well as along the French Riviera. These schools generally either uphold the teaching language and curriculum of your home country or subscribe to the International Baccalaureate curriculum and teach in English.

While educational standards and school sizes tend to vary, high tuition fees are common. Nevertheless, international schools in France are ideal if you plan to stay in France and would like to maintain consistency in your child’s education for a short time. They’re also preferable if you have high-school-aged children looking to attend university in your home country.

International Schools in Paris

Special-needs education in France

France has fairly adequate infrastructure in place to support children with special educational needs. Both public and private schools in France try to cater for the needs of students with special needs through the use of specialist teaching assistants. The Maison Départmenetale des Personnes Handicapeés (MDPH) is the organisation charged with evaluating a child’s special needs, and they work with the Commission des Droits et de l’Autonomie des Personnes Handicapeés (CDAPH) to create a personalised learning plan (PPS).

Since the 2019 reforms, there has been an increased focus on inclusive education, with mainstream educational settings adapting to accommodate each learner’s special educational needs. The system is evolving toward enrolling more learners with disabilities in mainstream classes, either part-time or full-time, with appropriate support frameworks through the PPS.

When a student with special needs can’t adjust to a mainstream school, the options include special schools or private tutors. The availability of additional staff and facilities to accommodate students with special educational needs often depends on the school and the area in which it’s located. You’re most likely to find this type of support at schools in major French cities.

Useful links

• Secretary of State for People with Disabilities
• European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education: France

Tutors in France

The private tutoring market in France is booming, with projected growth at a healthy 10 percent annually through 2030. Generally speaking, most private tutors offer one-on-one sessions with students, but some offer small group tutoring sessions. Online tutoring options have also expanded significantly, providing more flexibility and access to international curricula.

You’ll find that inquiring at your children’s schools and networking with other expat parents may be a good starting point for sourcing good private tutors. Online platforms such as Preply, Italki, and Languatalk also offer access to vetted French tutors with easy booking systems.

If you’re looking to relocate to France in the long term, you might want to get a French language tutor to improve your children’s language abilities faster. Naturally, French tutors are available in abundance, but it’s worth vetting their qualifications to see if they are certified teachers or simply native language speakers.

If your children require extra assistance on a particular subject, you can also look for tutors who are subject-matter experts rather than those who follow a particular curriculum. There are lots of tutors who are qualified to tutor the French curriculum and the International Baccalaureate, but there are smaller numbers available to tutor other curricula, such as the British curriculum.

Useful links

• iTalki
• Preply
• LanguaTalk