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What is an international school in Paris?
At Esclaibes International Schools, an international school combines several elements: a bilingual French-English education, the French curriculum, an enriched Montessori approach, and a welcoming environment for children from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. More than 40 nationalities are represented today in the network’s schools.
This international dimension is evident in everyday life—not only in the languages spoken at school but also in the composition of the classes and the backgrounds of the families enrolled: French families seeking to provide their children with an international perspective, expatriate families living in Paris, and families returning to France after several years abroad.
At the same time, Esclaibes schools continue to adhere to the standards of the French curriculum. At Paris 8, this international focus is further reflected in the school’s application to join the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program *.
Is an Esclaibes International School bilingual?
Yes. At Esclaibes schools, French-English bilingualism is an integral part of the educational program starting in the early grades. The immersion program is balanced: 50% of school time is spent in French and 50% in English. Both languages are used in the classroom and in everyday school life.
What role do French and English play in Esclaibes schools?
At Esclaibes International Schools, bilingualism is based on a balanced immersion program: 50% of school time is spent in French and 50% in English. The two languages are therefore not merely studied as subjects; they are part of the child’s everyday environment and are used in learning, activities, and interactions throughout school life.
This regular exposure allows children to encounter French and English in real-life situations throughout the day. Bilingualism is thus an integral part of the educational program, starting in preschool.
How does a child learn a language he or she doesn't yet speak?
At Esclaibes schools, a child can be enrolled even if he or she does not yet have a command of French or English—or even if he or she does not speak either language at all. Learning develops gradually through immersion, interactions with adults and other children, and real-life classroom experiences.
Gestures, routines, observation, materials, and interactions with peers help children understand even before they can fully express themselves. Little by little, children associate words with the situations they experience and begin to use language themselves.
The goal, therefore, is not to wait until a child is bilingual before enrolling him or her, but to allow the child to gradually develop his or her linguistic foundations within the school.
What is the best international school in Paris for your child?
There is no single international school that is the best fit for every child. The choice depends on the child’s age, language background, the educational approach sought, the languages used on a daily basis, the school’s location, the family’s budget, and their plans for relocation.
For families looking to combine the French curriculum, French-English bilingual immersion, and an enriched Montessori approach, Esclaibes offers several schools in Paris and the Île-de-France region. The choice between Paris 8, Paris 15, Paris 16, or Clichy will depend largely on the child’s age, the desired educational level, and the family’s place of residence.
Which Esclaibes international school in Paris should you choose?
The Esclaibes schools in Paris and Clichy share a common foundation: bilingual French-English instruction, an enriched Montessori curriculum, small class sizes, and a diverse student body representing many nationalities. However, they do not all offer the same grade levels or exactly the same academic program. A family’s choice should therefore be guided by the child’s age, geographic location, and educational goals.
Is it possible to enroll in an international school during the school year?
Yes. Mid-year enrollment is possible at Esclaibes schools, subject to availability. This flexibility makes it possible, in particular, to accommodate children arriving in Paris due to a job transfer, a return from living abroad, or a move to France during the school year.
Placement for just a few months may also be considered, but only in exceptional cases. This primarily applies to specific situations involving family relocation or transition, and each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the child can be placed under appropriate conditions.
A delayed start does not mean, however, that the child must already be fluent in French or English. The team takes into account the child’s age, educational background, the languages they speak, and their circumstances in order to best prepare for their arrival in the classroom.
When a child does not yet speak French, French as a Foreign Language (FLE) instruction can be provided. Small class sizes also make it possible to offer more individualized instruction tailored to the child’s language needs and background.
For families still living abroad, initial communication with the school can also be arranged remotely before their arrival in France. This allows the school to check availability, understand the child’s educational background, and plan for the child’s transition.
What curriculum does the Esclaibes International School follow?
Esclaibes schools follow the French curriculum, enriched by bilingual French-English instruction and an active teaching approach inspired in particular by the Montessori method. In this way, children meet the French curriculum’s learning objectives while developing their independence, cultural openness, and daily use of both languages.
In the classrooms, hands-on activities, observation, individualized learning, independence, and cooperation play an important role. To learn more about this approach, families can visit our page dedicated to the Montessori method.
International outreach is not based solely on the use of English. It is also reflected in the diversity of the families enrolled, cultural exchanges, and the schools’ ability to support children with very different academic and linguistic backgrounds.
At Paris 8, the school has been granted candidate status for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP)*. This candidacy commits the school to a process of preparation and support aimed at becoming an IB World School. The teaching teams are gradually implementing this approach in the classrooms, particularly through the Primary Years Program’s inquiry units.
This approach aligns with several principles that are already central to the Esclaibes project: empowering children to take an active role in their own learning, encouraging inquiry and exploration, and fostering critical thinking, cooperation, and an openness to the world.
* Esclaibes International School of Paris 8 and Esclaibes International School of Marseille (12) are candidate schools seeking to offer the Primary Years Program (PYP). These schools wish to become IB World Schools. IB World Schools share a common philosophy: a commitment to a stimulating, high-quality international education, which Esclaibes International School of Paris 8 and Esclaibes International School of Marseille (12) consider important for their students.
How much does an international school in Paris cost?
Tuition varies depending on the school, the child’s grade level, the number of days attended, and the chosen dismissal time. At Esclaibes schools in Paris and the surrounding suburbs, current tuition ranges from approximately €8,600 to just over €20,000 per year, depending on the plan selected.
How does the admissions process work at an international school in Paris?
- Initial Contact with the Family: The team talks with the parents to understand their goals, the child’s academic history, and the child’s needs.
- School Tour: Families get to explore the school, learn how it operates, and talk with the staff.
- Review of the student’s academic record: The information provided allows us to evaluate the child’s academic history and determine whether the school is a good fit.
- Level-Based Trial Day: When offered, this event allows the child to experience the school environment firsthand and gives the teaching staff an opportunity to observe how the child finds his or her bearings, interacts with others, and adapts to the classroom environment.
Admission is based on mutual agreement. Following these discussions, both the family and the teaching staff may conclude that another school would better meet the child’s needs. The goal is to ensure that the proposed educational program is truly a good fit for the child.