4 best private schools in Paris 2026

Secondary education in Paris is an organized and carefully structured system designed to prepare students for further studies at universities. Education is mandatory for all children from 6 to 16 years old, and consists of three stages.

• The primary school (école primaire) covers the period from 6 to 10 years, laying down the fundamental knowledge and skills.
• The next stage is secondary school (college), lasting from 11 to 14 years, represents the expansion and deepening of acquired knowledge.
• Finally, lycée, designed for students aged from 15 to 18 years old, prepares students for entering higher education institutions. This type of institutions offers specialized directions, allowing them to choose their future profession.

It is important to note that the French education system is centralized: the state strictly controls educational policy, approves curricula, monitors the qualifications of teachers and the quality of education in general. The work of both public and private schools does not violate the unified system — regardless of the status of the educational institution, the state exercises strict control over educational activities. The educational process, despite its strict structure, leaves enough space for individual development and creative expression. Teachers are highly qualified specialists who strive for innovative and interactive studying, which makes the learning process not only effective, but also fascinating.

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?

Choosing a private school in Paris for a child is a task that requires careful analysis and a balanced approach. Despite the relatively small number of private educational institutions in the city, they have a high level of teaching and are deservedly popular, especially among foreign students. The attractiveness of private schools in Paris is largely due to their ability to significantly simplify a child's path to the French higher education system.

Children aged 11 and over are accepted to study in Paris private schools, regardless of nationality, for any period of time. A significant part of these boarding schools relieve parents of the problem of finding and organizing housing for a child, which is especially important for families living outside France.

Parisian private schools can be divided into two main categories:

• Schools under contract which receive public funding from the French Government are required to follow the national educational program. It is noteworthy that, despite the predominantly Catholic affiliation of most of these schools, they accept children of all faiths.
• Independent schools represent a more flexible and diverse category: they are free to choose teaching methods and can focus on different pedagogical approaches. Here you can find schools that work according to the principles of Montessori, Steiner or Fresne. Democratic schools (coles democratiques), inspired by the French ideals of freedom, equality and fraternity, and environmental schools (coles co-citoyennes), focusing on sustainable development and environmental education, also stand out in this category. Independent schools often use alternative learning programs beyond the standard national curriculum, allowing them to offer a more personalized educational experience.

Many private schools in Paris offer bilingual education, combining French and English in teaching various subjects. Fully English-speaking education can be obtained in international schools in Paris.

Boarding schools occupy a special place among private educational institutions in France, of which there are over 600 in the country. Foreign students of such schools can live both in residences at the educational institution and in specially selected families.

Paris is renowned for its variety of international schools aimed at foreign families, diplomatic staff, and professionals working around the world. Such schools offer a wide range of educational programs, language opportunities, and additional classes, making them an attractive option for families seeking to provide their children with a quality education in a global environment.

In Paris, international schools differ in several key parameters, including educational programs and the categories of students they target.:

• Schools using national educational standards of specific countries: It can be a British, American or German education system.
• Schools offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.
• Bilingual schools where teaching is conducted in French and an additional language (for example, English, German or Spanish).
• Schools that focus on a particular culture or religion: for example, Jewish, Catholic, or Japanese.
• Montessori schools and other alternatives: Alternative educational approaches such as Montessori or Waldorf methods are used.

Among the most popular curricula offered by international schools in Paris are the following:

• British Curriculum (IGCSE and A-Levels),
• American Curriculum,
• International Baccalaureate (IB),
• French curriculum with international elements: combines the French state curriculum with international components,
• Other national educational programs: sections with German, Spanish, Italian and other national standards.

Top private schools in Paris are:

• Ermitage School,
• Notre-Dame International High School,
• ICS Paris International School.

Admission to prestigious Parisian educational institutions is characterized by a high level of competition, so it is recommended to start preparing in advance. Core features are:

• Key dates for submitting documents — deadlines need to be monitored very carefully!
• List of required documents:
• The questionnaire is a standard sample (each school has its own one, be careful),
• Academic statement with grades for the last 2-3 years of study,
• Letters of recommendation (if available),
• A copy of your birth certificate or passport.
• Entrance tests and a personal interview.
• Not always, but a number of schools organize testing in specialized disciplines (for example, English and mathematics), conduct interviews with applicants and their parents (face-to-face or online).
• The level of language proficiency. Despite the fact that many schools provide support to foreign students, some may set minimum requirements for proficiency in the language of instruction (English or French).

The cost of tuition at high-level private boarding schools in France varies on average from €26,000 to €40,000 per year. The most economical option is to study in French public schools, where you only need to pay for accommodation (about €10,000 per year). In France, there are private schools that receive government subsidies, which therefore cost between €15,000 and €20,000 per year.

Advantages and disadvantages of English schools

Top 35 best schools in the USA - 2026 Smapse rankings

Top 14 best schools in Switzerland 2026