Selecting a school in France may seem like the most daunting aspect of moving with children. Online resources seldom reveal what everyday life is truly like, and each family has its own priorities. This guide emphasizes practical considerations and a straightforward decision framework — particularly for families preparing to relocate to Paris.
First: Define What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before evaluating schools, outline your non-negotiables. Many missteps come from comparing too many factors simultaneously without a clear hierarchy of priorities.
- Commute: the amount of time spent commuting each day matters more than you might expect.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: the linguistic setting your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning assistance, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: school structure, disciplinary approach, and communication style.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical method that suits expatriate families:
A simple process
- Shortlist by location first. In Paris, traffic can turn a “good” school into a daily challenge.
- Confirm availability and admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about the classroom reality. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Do one visit (or virtual tour) per finalist. Trust your observations more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Create a one-page checklist and rate each school after a visit. It stops the “everything feels the same” problem.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions tend to reveal more than generic “tell us about your program” conversations:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you accommodate new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does a typical day look like (start/end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support children who feel anxious or are adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy for language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you manage heat and indoor/outdoor time during hotter months?
Costs and Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
Choosing a school isn’t about tuition alone. Consider the complete daily cost of routines:
Common Pitfalls (And How to Dodge Them)
- Selecting based on reputation alone: the everyday routine matters more.
- Overlooking commute time: it impacts sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn't.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for children.
- Waiting too long: admission timelines can close sooner than expected.
The Bottom Line
The right school for your family is typically the one that aligns with your real daily schedule: its location, the support it offers, and the everyday ease for your child—not the school with the flashiest marketing.
If you’d like help weighing priorities for Paris (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +33 1 42 68 53 00.