3 best boarding schools in Paris 2026

The school system in Paris operates within the framework of the national educational system of France and is characterized by a clear structure, consistency and high quality of teaching. How is school education organized in the French capital:

• Pre—school education - the age of a child from 3 to 6 years,
• Primary education — from 6 to 11 years,
• Secondary education — from 11 to 15 years,
• Senior secondary education — from 15 to 18 years old.

Among the features of the school education system in Paris are:

• The emphasis is on early preparation. The French system focuses on early development and the formation of basic skills.
• Strict discipline. Strict order is traditionally maintained in French schools, which contributes to the formation of independence and responsibility.
• Cultural education. Parisian schools actively involve students in the cultural life of the city by organizing excursions, theatrical performances and musical concerts.
• Multilingualism. Many boarding schools in Paris offer foreign language learning (not only French and English), helping students prepare for an international career and study abroad.

Despite the fact that public schools are available to foreign children in France, this opportunity is severely limited by the duration of studies up to one year and a small selection of educational institutions. Therefore, if a child plans to continue his studies and become a student at a French university, such a school will not be 100% convenient.

But private boarding schools in Paris freely accept foreign students of any age, usually from the age of 11, and offer accommodation on campus, eliminating the problem of independent housing away from parents. Some French boarding schools follow a five-day school week schedule (weekly boarding): students attend classes for five days on weekdays, and on Saturday and Sunday they go home (to their host families). This form of stay helps students to immerse themselves deeper into the cultural environment of the country and actively develop their conversational French language skills outside of lessons.

French boarding schools are famous for their excellent level of education and are in demand among foreign families. Many parents choose such institutions in the hope of making it easier for their child to enroll in a local university.

Esther Diaz

Education specialist, career coach and consultant. She worked for Inspired Education Group and directed the admissions department at the International School san Patricio Toledo.

What would you say is the most important when choosing a school?

This is the quality of support and work of the management, the opportunity to study at IB, the prestige of the school and the percentage of successful completion of the diploma stage of IB, recommendations for further universities. It is worth considering the national "recruitment" of campus students, opportunities for extracurricular development and activities, the availability of medical services and consultations, opportunities for language immersion. Is education at the chosen school based on the values you share? Is the school a close-knit community? Is academic support good?

Studying at a Paris boarding school has a number of advantages:

• High level of studying. Boarding schools in Paris are known for their strict quality standards of education, preparing students for prestigious universities in France and the world.
• International programs. The opportunity to choose international certificates (IB Diploma, Cambridge International Examinations), open access to foreign education.
• Immersion in French language and culture. Daily communication in French promotes rapid language acquisition and understanding of cultural peculiarities.
• The rich cultural environment of Paris. Students are in constant contact with the art, history, architecture and traditions of the French capital.
• Comfortable accommodation. Students study and live on school grounds, which eliminates the need to look for housing, providing comfort and safety.
• Organized leisure activities. Boarding schools in Paris regularly organize excursions, sports events, clubs and sections that promote the comprehensive development of the student.
• Career prospects. Obtaining a high-quality European diploma opens the doors to the best universities in Europe and increases the chances of successful employment.

Studying at a boarding school in Paris allows foreign students not only to receive a high-quality education, but also to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of French cultural life, expanding the horizons of their future opportunities.

The following points are among the ambiguous features of education in Paris boarding schools:

• High costs. Education in boarding schools in Paris for foreign students is an expensive pleasure, including tuition, accommodation, meals and additional services.
• Limited personal space. Living in a boarding house involves constant interaction with other students, lack of freedom of movement outside the educational campus.
• Difficulties of adaptation. Moving to a new country and switching to a different lifestyle can cause stress and difficulties with adaptation for a child, especially if he does not speak the language well or has never lived away from his family before.
• Strict discipline regime. Boarding schools in Paris adhere to a strict daily routine, which includes compulsory attendance at lessons, sections and events, but does not exclude free time for personal hobbies.
• The need to overcome the language barrier: learning French can take some time, creating difficulties in the first months of study.

It is important to take all these factors into account when deciding whether to teach a child at a boarding school in Paris, correlating the potential benefits and possible risks.

The cost of tuition at the best boarding schools in Paris varies depending on the level of prestige of the institution, the facilities provided and additional services. Prices usually range from €25,000 to €70,000 per year. Approximate figures for some well-known Parisian schools that are among the top boarding schools in Paris:

• Lycée Janson de Sailly — from €35 to 45 thousand per year,
• École Jeannine Manuel — from €38 to 48 thousand per year,
• Institut Le Rosey (there is a branch in Paris) — from €60 to 70 thousand per year,
• Collège Stanislas — from €30 to 40 thousand per year.

The cost of full board in Paris boarding schools for foreign students, as a rule, already includes three meals a day, accommodation, and leisure activities. However, some Paris boarding schools charge additional fees for textbooks, medical insurance, school uniforms or other additional activities - these costs should be specified individually.

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