Selecting a school in France can seem to be the most anxiety-inducing aspect of moving with children. Online resources seldom convey the realities of everyday life, 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: Clarify what “Good” Means for Your Family
Before evaluating options, establish your nonnegotiables. Most mistakes in choosing schools occur when families weigh everything at once without a well-defined set of priorities.
- Commute: how long you spend driving each day matters more than you might expect.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local programs.
- Language environment: the language your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning assistance, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: the school's structure, discipline, and communication approach.
Choosing Without Getting Overwhelmed
A practical method that serves many expatriate families well:
A simple process
- Shortlist by location first. In Paris, commuting patterns can turn a solid school into a daily grind.
- 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 concise one-page checklist and rate each school after a visit. It helps avoid the “everything feels the same” problem.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions tend to reveal more than general “tell us about your program” conversations:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you accommodate new students who join mid-year?
- In what ways do teachers update parents (weekly notes, apps, emails)?
- 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 are the policies for language support (ESL) if needed?
- How is heat managed and indoor/outdoor time arranged during hotter months?
Costs and Logistics (The Part Nobody Dreads)
Choosing a school isn’t only about tuition. Consider the complete daily costs:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the everyday schedule matters more.
- Ignoring commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Waiting too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than expected.
The Bottom Line
The ideal school typically aligns with your family’s actual schedule: its location, the level of support, and day-to-day comfort for your child — not the school with the most dazzling advertising.
If you’d like help sorting priorities for Paris (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +33 6 12 34 56 78.