Selecting a school in France can seem like the most overwhelming aspect of moving with children. Online sources seldom reveal what everyday life is truly like, and each family's priorities vary. This guide emphasizes practical questions and a straightforward decision-making approach — particularly for families considering a move to Paris.
First: Clarify What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before comparing schools, establish your nonnegotiables. Many choosing errors arise when families weigh everything together without a clear priority order.
- Commute: the daily driving time matters more than you might expect.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to all day.
- Support: learning support, ESL assistance, and pastoral care.
- Culture fit: how the school's structure, discipline, and communication style align with your family.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical method that suits expat families well:
A straightforward process
- Shortlist by location first. In Paris, traffic can turn a “good” school into a daily hassle.
- 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 helps prevent the “everything feels the same” issue.
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?
- How do you handle new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does the day actually look like (start/end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support kids who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy for language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you handle heat/indoor/outdoor time in hotter months?
Costs and Logistics (The Unpleasant Bit)
School choices aren’t only about tuition. Consider the complete daily cost of attendance:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the day-to-day routine 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.
Final Take
The ideal school tends to be the one that aligns with your family’s real schedule: location, support, and everyday ease for your child — not the one with the flashiest advertising.
If you’d like help sorting your priorities for Paris (commute, routines, questions to ask), get in touch — or call +33 1 23 45 67 89.