ABC School International vs École Montessori Internationale Les Colibris

	A ABC School International Cote D Azur, France	É École Montessori Internationale Les Colibris Cote D Azur, France
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year €7,400 - 10,700	Fees / year €500 - 11,220
Age range	Age range 3 - 11 years	Age range 2 - 15 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum French Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary)	Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, French Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 150
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, French	Instruction language French, English
Opened	Opened 1987	Opened 2009
Bus service	Bus service Yes	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Nice, France. ABC School International is located at 72 Boulevard Carnot, 06300 Nice. The school serves as a bilingual private institution in the city and is accessible within the Nice area.	Location Biot / Sophia Antipolis, Alpes-Maritimes, Côte d'Azur, France. The school is located in a green setting in the Brague National Park. It occupies about 3,000 m2 of outdoor space. Address: 3735 route des Dolines, 06410 Biot, France.
Stages	Stages Maternelle (kindergarten) and Primaire (primary), with a Classe d'adaptation (adaptation class).	Stages Toddler 2-3 years; Preschool 3-6 years; Elementary 6-9 years and 9-12 years; Middle School 12-15 years.
School type	School type Private bilingual school offering French-English instruction from the early years.	School type Montessori school with an international program; bilingual in French and English; accredited by AMF (Association Montessori France) and ISMM (Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori).
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Garderie – Etude – Soutien (childcare, study supervision, and academic support) and Classe d'adaptation for intellectually precocious students.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation France; private bilingual school under contract with the State.	Country affiliation France
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure Class hours run from 9:00 to 16:30. Children can be welcomed from 7:30 to 18:00. Secretariat hours are 8:30 to 17:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.	School day structure School hours 8am to 5:50pm; schedule depends on each class.
Bus service details	Bus service details Ramassage scolaire provides safe transport with experienced drivers, adapted routes, and supervision to ensure punctual and secure arrivals at school.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - New-student registration fee: EUR 190 (applies to new pupils only). Annual one-off fees (charged at registration) - Administrative fee: EUR 90 per pupil. - Pedagogical/materials fee (books, files, art and IT materials, supplies): EUR 420 per pupil. - Participation in school shows / spectacles: EUR 60 per pupil. - At registration a deposit of EUR 550 plus payment of the annual fees listed above is required. Tuition fees by year group (2025/2026 academic year) — stated as monthly amounts; annual and per-term amounts are calculated below - Pre-Maternelle and Maternelle 1 & 2 (monthly): - Part-time with snack: EUR 558 per month. - Meal package (for meal days): EUR 173 per month. - Full time (four-day week): EUR 810 per month. - Maternelle (Grande Section) through CM2 (monthly): - Full school week (includes two snacks and the meal): EUR 730 per month. - Dispositif F.L.E. (monthly): - Full programme (includes two snacks and the meal): EUR 1,070 per month. Annual totals and per-term amounts (calculation method stated below) - Calculation method used here: the school calendar shows the instructional year running from 1 September to early July; that span corresponds to approximately ten months of schooling. Annual tuition amounts below are therefore calculated as monthly fee × 10. A three-term academic billing split is presented as Term 1 = 3 months, Term 2 = 3 months, Term 3 = 4 months (term month counts align with the school calendar). These per-term amounts are calculated from the monthly figures above. - Pre-Maternelle / M1–M2: - Monthly: EUR 558. - Annual (monthly × 10): EUR 5,580. - Per term: Term 1 (3 months) EUR 1,674; Term 2 (3 months) EUR 1,674; Term 3 (4 months) EUR 2,232. - Meal package (monthly EUR 173): annual EUR 1,730; per-term: EUR 519 / EUR 519 / EUR 692. - Full-time option (monthly EUR 810): annual EUR 8,100; per-term: EUR 2,430 / EUR 2,430 / EUR 3,240. - Maternelle (GS) – CM2: - Monthly: EUR 730. - Annual (monthly × 10): EUR 7,300. - Per term: Term 1 EUR 2,190; Term 2 EUR 2,190; Term 3 EUR 2,920. - Dispositif F.L.E.: - Monthly: EUR 1,070. - Annual (monthly × 10): EUR 10,700. - Per term: Term 1 EUR 3,210; Term 2 EUR 3,210; Term 3 EUR 4,280. Options and other recurring costs - Wednesday-morning activities: EUR 70 per month (maternelle); EUR 80 per month (primaire). - Supervised study (étude surveillée, primaire): EUR 85 per month. - School transport (ramassage scolaire): - Morning on Nice (4 days): EUR 40 per month. - Morning outside Nice (4 days): EUR 95 per month. - Evening on Nice (4 days): EUR 40 per month. - Evening outside Nice (4 days): EUR 95 per month. Discounts and sibling reductions - A sibling discount applies: 5% off tuition for the second child from the same family; 10% off tuition for the third child from the same family. Billing schedule and payment terms - At registration: a deposit of EUR 550 plus payment of the annual fees (registration, administrative, pedagogical materials, spectacle participation) are required. Monthly tuition is quoted and the school's calendar shows the instructional year runs from 1 September to early July; the figures above present monthly, inferred annual, and per-term amounts accordingly. - Parents must provide a RIB (bank account details) as part of the enrollment documentation, indicating bank transfer details are used for account setup and payments. No explicit statement of acceptance of credit-card payments or other specific payment channels is published in the fee documents. Boarding fees - Boarding is not applicable. The school is a maternelle and primaire day school; no boarding fees are published. Uniforms and additional one-off items - The 2025/2026 fee schedules list the annual material/package fees and show optional and recurring costs (transport, activities, study) but do not list a compulsory uniform fee for that academic year. (An older fee document from a previous year referenced a clothing package; that item is not shown in the 2025/2026 fee documents.) Refund information - The published 2025/2026 tariff documents specify required deposits and annual fees payable at registration but do not publish a refund policy or rules for pro rata refunds within the tariff files. No explicit refund terms are listed in the fee schedules. Fee payment options (methods stated in school documentation) - A RIB (bank account details) must be provided at enrollment; this indicates bank transfer is a payment channel used for billing. No other individual payment channels (for example explicit credit-card acceptance) are specified in the published fee documents. Notes on calculations included above - Monthly tuition amounts are the figures published in the school's 2025/2026 fee documents; the annual totals and per-term totals above are calculated by multiplying the published monthly amount by ten months and by allocating months to three terms (Term 1 = 3 months; Term 2 = 3 months; Term 3 = 4 months) to align with the school calendar. These annual and per-term totals are presented to give clear per-term and per-year figures for parent planning.	Fee details Application fee - EUR 500 per new student; one-time and non‑refundable. Tuition fees (by year group) - Infant Community (ages 2–3): - Part‑time (2 days/week): EUR 7,140 per year. - Full‑time (4 days/week): EUR 10,200 per year. - Children's House / Maison des Enfants (ages 3–6): - 4 days/week: EUR 10,200 per year. - Elementary (ages 6–12): - 4.5 days/week: EUR 10,610 per year. - Middle School / Collège (ages 12–15): - 4.5 days/week: EUR 11,220 per year. Per‑term and monthly equivalents - Per term (calculated as annual fee ÷ 3): - Infant Community part‑time: EUR 2,380 per term (EUR 7,140 ÷ 3). - Infant Community full‑time: EUR 3,400 per term (EUR 10,200 ÷ 3). - Children's House (3–6): EUR 3,400 per term (EUR 10,200 ÷ 3). - Elementary (6–12): EUR 3,537 per term (EUR 10,610 ÷ 3). - Middle School (12–15): EUR 3,740 per term (EUR 11,220 ÷ 3). - (Term figures are the annual fee divided by three.) - Monthly instalments (as offered by the school when choosing the instalment plan): - Infant Community (2–3) part‑time: EUR 714 per monthly instalment. - Infant Community (2–3) full‑time & Children's House (3–6): EUR 1,020 per monthly instalment. - Elementary (6–9 & 9–12): EUR 1,061 per monthly instalment. - Middle School (12–15): EUR 1,122 per monthly instalment. Billing schedule and payment terms - Two payment options: - One‑time full‑year payment at enrolment by cheque, cash or bank transfer, with a 2% discount. - Ten instalments: a first payment at registration plus nine monthly direct‑debit instalments (direct debits on the 1st of each month from July to March). - All invoices are payable in EUR. Direct debits, transfers and cheques must originate from a French bank account; for foreign bank transfers, bank charges are borne by the payer. A rejected direct debit incurs a EUR 15 bank fee; two consecutive rejections suspend direct debits and the outstanding balance becomes immediately due. Late payments incur a penalty of 10% per overdue invoice; persistent non‑payment may lead to exclusion from class. - In case of mid‑year enrolment, fees are calculated pro rata for remaining months; the payment at registration normally includes the admission fee plus the first three months of schooling and ancillary fees, with subsequent monthly direct debits for the remaining months. Boarding fees (if applicable) - The school does not list on‑site boarding fees in its enrolment materials. The school has a partnership with an external pedagogical farm (Thorenc) that offers a full‑board option for middle‑school students; boarding arrangements and fees are provided by that partner rather than by the school. Other costs and optional services - Canteen (annual options): - Full‑time (4 days/week): EUR 1,280 per year. - Part‑time (2 days/week): EUR 650 per year. - Wednesdays: EUR 330 per year. - A la carte canteen: EUR 10 per meal. - Daycare / Garderie (annual packages and a la carte): - Morning 8:00–8:30: EUR 660 per year. - After‑school 16:15–17:00: EUR 910 per year. - After‑school 16:15–17:30: EUR 1,480 per year. - After‑school 16:15–17:50: EUR 1,800 per year. - A la carte daycare: EUR 11 per hour. - Wednesdays / KidsClub (for enrolled pupils — annual or per‑session options): - Montessori morning session (8:30–11:45): EUR 118 per year (35 sessions). - Afternoon workshops (14:00–17:00): EUR 118 per year (35 sessions). - Full Wednesday day (8:30–17:00): EUR 227 per year (35 sessions). - A la carte Wednesday half day: EUR 42; full day: EUR 80. - Holiday workshops / KidsClub (weekly rates): - Weekly part‑time workshops: typically EUR 180 per week. - Weekly full‑day workshops: typically EUR 340 per week. - Some short weeks (e.g., weeks including a public holiday) have adjusted prices (example: EUR 160/300). Organic lunch option during workshops: EUR 10 per meal or EUR 48 per week. - Extracurricular activities and special trips: not included in tuition; prices vary by activity and are charged separately. Certain extracurriculars may be eligible for a 50% tax credit under French rules for out‑of‑home childcare in applicable circumstances. - Supplies / school photos / school trips: these are not included in tuition and are charged separately. Discounts, cancellations and refund rules - Sibling discounts on tuition (tuition only): second child: 20% reduction; third child and beyond: 30% reduction. One‑time full‑year payment receives a 2% discount. - Admission fee (EUR 500) is non‑refundable. Meals booked as part of a canteen package are not refundable or transferable if not consumed. Extracurricular sessions, holiday workshops and mercredis (Wednesdays) are non‑refundable in case of absence. A written cancellation notice of at least three months is required for Wednesday programmes or regular daycare; one month's written notice is required for holiday workshop cancellations. Fee payment methods and bank details - Accepted payment methods: direct debit (prélèvement), bank transfer (virement), cheque, or cash. All payments must be in EUR. Direct debits and cheques must be issued from a French bank account; international transfer charges are paid by the sender. The school provides its bank details (IBAN and BIC) for transfers and lists the account holder name for payments. Late‑payment penalties and bank fees for rejected payments apply as noted above.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details ABC School International in Nice offers a bilingual French-English program from maternelle through CM2. There are two curricula: Français 1re Langue Bilingue Anglais, preparing for the Baccalauréat général; and Anglais 1re Langue Bilingue Français, preparing for the Cambridge Primary Program. It is a private school under contract with the State for maternelle and primary and operates a Cambridge International Center, preparing children for Cambridge exams from age seven (YLE, KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE). The teaching follows the French National Education program with French and English teachers, small class sizes, and multimedia and internet resources integrated into teaching. The Cambridge Primary track is conducted in association with the University of Cambridge. ABC School was founded in 1987 by Mr. André Rosset and is located at 72 Boulevard Carnot, Nice 06300.	Curriculum details Montessori pedagogy governs the teaching at Les Colibris. The school is accredited by AMF (Association Montessori France) and ISMM (Institut Supérieur Maria Montessori). It provides bilingual education in French and English. It offers continuity in schooling from 2 years to 15 years under the same pedagogy and team. It opened a middle school class for ages 12-15 at the start of the 2020 school year, with a partnership with Thorenc pedagogical farm to provide a full-board option for students continuing to secondary education. The school emphasizes outdoor learning and a connection with nature.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented ABC School welcomes intellectually precocious children and provides differentiated teaching aligned with their cognitive functioning and progression pace. Small classes and cross-age projects with an attentive staff support cognitive and psychosocial development. When appropriate, progression can be accelerated through two-level classes to harmonize learning and avoid gaps.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The school is a private bilingual kindergarten and primary school in Nice. The school teaches bilingual French–English instruction from the earliest years, from nursery through CM2. The school has a state contract for kindergarten and primary education and is overseen by the Académie (Inspection Académique), with student levels nationally recognized. The school is in association with Cambridge University and Cambridge International, and Cambridge examinations are part of its program starting from age 7 (YLE, KET, PET, FCE, CAE, and CPE).	Admissions Registration can be completed year‑round depending on availability, with start dates for new pupils that may be staggered tofacilitate their adaptation. To begin, visit the school by appointment or contact the school to obtain an online registration access code. A file with prices and registration procedures is provided; registration is now done online. To enroll, contact us via the registration form to receive the access code and complete the online enrollment. For the 2025–2026 school year, the required documents are: the fully completed, initialed and signed registration form; the registration fee (for new pupils only); the first tuition payment (monthly or yearly); a signed direct debit authorization; a certificate of individual school insurance; copies of the parents' identity cards or passports; a copy of the child's birth certificate or family book; a health form completed and signed with copies of vaccines; for school‑aged children: the two most recent school reports; AMF membership form (optional). Admission is final when the registration forms are signed by the parents or guardian and fees are paid. Because the school has limited places, it may be necessary to place your child on a waiting list. Registration is valid for the 2025/2026 school year and renews for subsequent years unless terminated by March 1, 2026 and March 1 of each following year; tacit renewal applies with terms of the registration file, except that the rates will be those applicable to the school year in question. The 2025/2026 school year starts on Monday, September 1, 2025, with separate start dates for new pupils communicated by the school to facilitate adaptation. School days and hours vary by class: for ages 2–6, 8:30am–4:00pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (doors close up to 10 minutes after closing); for ages 6–12 and 12–15, 8:15am–4:15pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 8:15am–12:00pm on Wednesday. The school is located at 3735 route des Dolines, 06410 Biot / Sophia Antipolis, France.
Scholarships	Scholarships null	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	Waitlist Because places are limited, enrolment may be placed on a waiting list.
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