Bordeaux International School vs International School 33
Bordeaux International School and International School 33 are both in Bordeaux, about 8 km apart. Both schools offer French programmes. Bordeaux International School also offers Cambridge IGCSE, and International School 33 also offers IB and IBCP. Published annual fees are close, at €8,290 - 12,170 for Bordeaux International School and €6,210 - 16,094 for International School 33. Bordeaux International School takes pupils from 3 to 18, and International School 33 from 2 to 18.
IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme), French Curriculum
Pupils
Pupils
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Pupils
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Typical class size
Typical class size
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Typical class size
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Instruction language
Instruction language
English, French
Instruction language
French, English
Opened
Opened
1987
Opened
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Bus service
Bus service
No
Bus service
No
Essentials
Essentials
Location
Location
Located in the heart of Bordeaux, France. 252 Rue Judaïque, 33000 Bordeaux, France.
Location
47 avenue de la Poterie, 33170 Gradignan, France
Stages
Stages
Early Learning (3-6 years); Primary (6-10 years); Middle School (10-14 years); Upper School: International GCSE (14-16 years); Upper School: International A Level (16-18 years)
Stages
Kindergarten (ages 2-6), Elementary (ages 6-12), Middle School (ages 11-16)
School type
School type
Bilingual international school operated as a SCOP (Educational Cooperative) since 1999
School type
Private international school
Pupil nationality mix
Pupil nationality mix
More than 40 nationalities represented
Pupil nationality mix
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Additional learning support
Additional learning support
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Additional learning support
Small classes (15-20 pupils per class) with personalised follow-up. Tutoring, methodology and remediation sessions are integrated into the timetable to reinforce independence and confidence.
Country affiliation
Country affiliation
France
Country affiliation
France
Religious affiliation
Religious affiliation
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Religious affiliation
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School day structure
School day structure
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School day structure
Full-day program with bilingual instruction. Kindergarten day runs 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. with two French days and two English days; daycare is available from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Bus service details
Bus service details
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Bus service details
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Fees
Fees
Fee details
Fee details
Admissions & one‑off fees
- Application / registration fee (one‑off, non‑refundable except if the school cannot guarantee a place): 1st child €680; 2nd child €580; 3rd child €480; 4th child free. - Capital fund (one‑off, per family, non‑refundable): €1,200. - Security deposit (one‑off, per child; refunded after audited accounts): - Early Learning: €2,600 - Primary: €2,700 - Lower Middle School: €3,500 - Upper Middle School: €4,000 - International IGCSE: €4,600 - International A Level: €5,200 The security deposit is refunded within 60 days of the student's departure after the accounts have been audited.
Tuition fees — annual and per‑term by year group (tuition only)
All figures are tuition fees (annual). Term amounts are shown on a 10‑month basis (school uses a 10‑month payment schedule: 1st term = 4 months; 2nd term = 3 months; 3rd term = 3 months):
- Foundation / Reception / Year 1 (Early Learning) - Annual tuition: €7,890 - Term 1 (4 months): €3,156 - Term 2 (3 months): €2,367 - Term 3 (3 months): €2,367 - Years 2–5 (Primary) - Annual tuition: €8,240 - Term 1: €3,296 - Term 2: €2,472 - Term 3: €2,472 - Years 6–7 (Lower Middle) - Annual tuition: €10,050 - Term 1: €4,020 - Term 2: €3,015 - Term 3: €3,015 - Years 8–9 (Upper Middle) - Annual tuition: €12,170 - Term 1: €4,868 - Term 2: €3,651 - Term 3: €3,651 - Years 10–11 (International IGCSE) - Annual tuition: €14,290 - Term 1: €5,716 - Term 2: €4,287 - Term 3: €4,287 - Years 12–13 (International A Level) - Annual tuition: €16,290 - Term 1: €6,516 - Term 2: €4,887 - Term 3: €4,887
Reductions applicable to tuition fees only: - 4% discount for payment of the full year in advance by 1 June (date specified in the school's payment schedule). - 2% discount applicable for termly payments made on the set dates. - 3% discount for families with three or more children enrolled.
Equipment, lunches and other recurring charges
- Equipment fee (annual, per student): €680 (covers notebooks, textbooks, photocopies, materials for arts/music/theatre, specialised classroom resources and access to computers/software; excludes personal stationery, external exam fees, personal insurance and some school trips). - Lunch / canteen (annual) or packed‑lunch contribution (supervision/maintenance): - Early Learning: €1,254 (canteen) / €280 (packed‑lunch contribution) - Primary: €1,418 / €280 - Lower Middle: €1,418 / €280 - Upper Middle: €1,682 / €350 - IGCSE: €1,682 / €350 - A Level: €1,682 / €350 Meals are provided at school; special dietary/allergy arrangements require an official Individual Health Plan (PAI). - Miscellaneous academic costs: A‑Level online supplementary subjects, language support, special needs support and preparation for the Diplôme National du Brevet are charged separately (fees available on request). External examination fees, some school trips, extra tuition and personal items are not covered by the equipment fee.
Boarding (host‑family) fees
- Weekly host‑family stay (Monday–Friday, excluding school holiday periods): €7,495 per year. - Full‑time host‑family stay (including weekends, excluding school holiday periods): €11,445 per year. - Host‑family re‑arrangement fee (any changes during the school year): €200. Fees for host‑family stays include an annual local transport card (TBM); in the event of early departure a pro‑rata deduction is applied.
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Termly payment dates (reductions apply when payments are made on these dates): 1 June for Term 1 (4 months), 1 September for Term 2 (3 months), and 1 January for Term 3 (3 months). Monthly payments by standing order are available over 10 months (payments begin 1 June and end 1 March). - Late payments incur a 10% annual late fee plus a fixed administrative charge of €40. Bank charges (cheques, transfers, exchange costs, etc.) are payable by the payer.
Refunds, early departure and related conditions
- Registration fees are non‑refundable except where the school is unable to guarantee a place. The capital fund is non‑refundable. The security deposit is refunded within 60 days of departure after accounts have been audited. - Early departure notice requirements (registered letter with acknowledgement or hand delivery against signature): notice must be received by the school by the announced deadlines to take effect at the end of a term; if notice is not provided by those dates, tuition fees for the current term and the following term remain payable. In cases of definitive exclusion by the Disciplinary Committee, tuition fees will not be refunded.
Fee payment options
- Options explicitly described in the school's payment terms are: termly payments on set dates and monthly payment by standing order over 10 months. The school notes bank charges for methods such as cheques and bank transfers are to be borne by the payer (these payment types are referenced in the payment terms). Late payment penalties apply as above.
Fee details
Application / initial registration fees
- First registration fee (per child): EUR 600 (1st child), EUR 549 (2nd child), EUR 466 (3rd child). - Family development fund (one-off, per family): EUR 983. - These initial costs are indicated as non‑refundable; an initial withdrawal period of 7 days applies to the registration.
Tuition fees by school level (2025–2026) — annual totals and instalments
Note: fees are shown by household income category. The school applies 6 categories based on taxable reference income to determine the fee level. Tuition is invoiced as an annual total and is paid by monthly direct debit over 10 instalments (see Payment Terms). Annual totals below include the administrative charge shown on the school fee grid.
- Category 1 (Taxable income up to EUR 54,000): - Kindergarten (2–6 years): Admin EUR 155; School EUR 6,210; Annual total EUR 6,365 (≈ EUR 637/month). - Elementary (6–12 years): Admin EUR 207; School EUR 6,831; Annual total EUR 7,038 (≈ EUR 704/month). - Middle school (12–15 years): Admin EUR 259; School EUR 7,452; Annual total EUR 7,711 (≈ EUR 771/month). - High School (15–18 years): Admin EUR 414; School EUR 8,073; Annual total EUR 8,487 (≈ EUR 849/month).
- Category 2 (EUR 54,001–EUR 73,516): - Kindergarten: Admin EUR 176; School EUR 6,728; Annual total EUR 6,904 (≈ EUR 690/month). - Elementary: Admin EUR 207; School EUR 7,400; Annual total EUR 7,607 (≈ EUR 761/month). - Middle school: Admin EUR 279; School EUR 8,073; Annual total EUR 8,352 (≈ EUR 835/month). - High School: Admin EUR 435; School EUR 8,746; Annual total EUR 9,181 (≈ EUR 918/month).
- Category 3 (EUR 73,517–EUR 120,000): - Kindergarten: Admin EUR 207; School EUR 7,245; Annual total EUR 7,452 (≈ EUR 745/month). - Elementary: Admin EUR 259; School EUR 7,970; Annual total EUR 8,229 (≈ EUR 823/month). - Middle school: Admin EUR 311; School EUR 8,694; Annual total EUR 9,005 (≈ EUR 901/month). - High School: Admin EUR 466; School EUR 9,522; Annual total EUR 9,988 (≈ EUR 999/month).
- Category 4 (EUR 120,001–EUR 158,122): - Kindergarten: Admin EUR 228; School EUR 7,814; Annual total EUR 8,042 (≈ EUR 804/month). - Elementary: Admin EUR 279; School EUR 8,591; Annual total EUR 8,870 (≈ EUR 887/month). - Middle school: Admin EUR 331; School EUR 9,419; Annual total EUR 9,750 (≈ EUR 975/month). - High School: Admin EUR 486; School EUR 10,350; Annual total EUR 10,836 (≈ EUR 1,084/month).
- Category 5 (EUR 158,123–EUR 200,000): - Kindergarten: Admin EUR 259; School EUR 8,435; Annual total EUR 8,694 (≈ EUR 869/month). - Elementary: Admin EUR 311; School EUR 9,263; Annual total EUR 9,574 (≈ EUR 957/month). - Middle school: Admin EUR 362; School EUR 10,868; Annual total EUR 11,230 (≈ EUR 1,123/month). - High School: Admin EUR 518; School EUR 12,420; Annual total EUR 12,938 (≈ EUR 1,294/month).
- Category 6 (Taxable income over EUR 200,000): - Kindergarten: Admin EUR 311; School EUR 9,108; Annual total EUR 9,419 (≈ EUR 942/month). - Elementary: Admin EUR 362; School EUR 10,040; Annual total EUR 10,402 (≈ EUR 1,040/month). - Middle school: Admin EUR 414; School EUR 12,524; Annual total EUR 12,938 (≈ EUR 1,294/month). - High School: Admin EUR 569; School EUR 15,525; Annual total EUR 16,094 (≈ EUR 1,609/month).
Billing schedule and payment terms
- Tuition and administrative charges are invoiced as an annual total and must be paid by automatic direct debit in 10 monthly instalments. No single‑payment option is required. - All invoices must be paid by the due date. A payment incident will incur a surcharge of 10%. A delay in payment of more than 30 days may result in the pupil being excluded. - Fee category is determined by the household taxable reference income; categories 1–5 require a copy of the tax assessment (TI 2024) to qualify. Without proof by the second week of September, Category 6 will be applied automatically.
Boarding
- International School 33 operates as a day school (no boarding facilities). There are no boarding fees.
Other costs and optional fees
- Uniform: not included in tuition; families incur the cost of school uniform. - Meals / Canteen: not included; options are family‑prepared lunchboxes or delivered catered meals (charged separately). - Transport: optional and charged separately. - Language option fees (2025–2026): 1 hour/week EUR 500 per year; 2 hours/week EUR 850 per year. - French Language B (compulsory for students with no knowledge of French): EUR 2,200 per year. - After‑school care (daycare) rates (examples): morning care and evening care fees vary by level and time slot (examples shown on the school FAQ: mornings from EUR 2 / EUR 1.50; evenings until 5pm EUR 5 / EUR 5.50; further hourly brackets listed). - Extra‑curricular activities, external exam fees (HSK, Cambridge, Cervantes, IB), school supplies, study trips, and specific federation memberships are charged separately.
Discounts and company support
- Sibling discounts on tuition: second child −10%; third child and subsequent −15% (applied to tuition fees). Special company charge‑back rates are available for employer‑sponsored fees.
Refunds and contract termination
- Initial registration fees and the family development fund are indicated as non‑refundable. A 7‑day withdrawal period applies to the initial registration. - If a pupil leaves during the school year, a written notice of two months (sent to the secretariat with acknowledgement of receipt) is required.
Fee payment method(s)
- The school requires payment by automatic direct debit (prélèvement automatique) over 10 monthly instalments. Details for company support and special invoicing options are handled by the admissions office. No public listing for credit‑card or alternative payment methods is provided on the rates/FAQ pages.
Notes on optional items and penalties
- Optional items (uniform, meals, transport, language options, extracurriculars, exam fees, trips) are invoiced separately from core tuition. Late or failed payments incur a 10% surcharge; >30 days overdue may lead to exclusion.
Diving deeper
Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements
Boarding arrangements
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Boarding arrangements
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Uniform requirement
Uniform requirement
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Uniform requirement
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Food options
Food options
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Food options
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House system
House system
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House system
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Governance and ownership
Governance and ownership
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Governance and ownership
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Academics
Academics
Curriculum details
Curriculum details
Cambridge International Education is the framework BIS uses. BIS is an official Cambridge Education centre and has been accredited since 1991. The bilingual English–French programme is delivered across Early Learning, Primary and Middle School. In Upper School, Cambridge International IGCSE (14–16) and International A Levels (16–18) are offered, with most subjects taught in English; students may take exams in their home language where possible. BIS administers SATs as an official College Board examination centre.
Curriculum details
IS33 offers the International Baccalaureate continuum starting with the Primary Years Programme from kindergarten, incorporating Montessori pedagogy and English–French bilingualism. Core subjects are taught in both languages with a 50/50 French-English distribution, and two days per week are taught in French and two in English in the primary cycle. Cambridge exams are part of the programme, with Cambridge Young Learners offered and a 100% success rate reported in Cambridge exams, and Cambridge exam preparation provided annually. The four IB programmes are the Primary Programme (kindergarten–grade 5), Middle Years Programme (grade 6–10), International Baccalaureate Diploma (grade 11–12) and Career-related Programme (grade 11–12).
Student teacher ratio
Student teacher ratio
Small class sizes: 10–12 per class in Early Learning; 16 per class in Primary and Secondary.
Student teacher ratio
Class size is 15–20 students.
Exam results
Exam results
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Exam results
Cambridge exam preparation is provided every year and students take Cambridge English Qualifications with strong results. The school offers Cambridge Young Learners exams, and there is a 100% success rate reported for Cambridge exams in the elementary cycle. Cambridge exam preparation and related certifications are integrated into the curriculum to support students' academic development.
Higher education progression
Higher education progression
Students go on to study all over the world, most frequently in France, the UK, the Netherlands, the USA and Canada.
Higher education progression
Universities and colleges benefit from IB education, with IB graduates typically pursuing undergraduate degrees and postgraduate studies. IB students are positioned for admission to prestigious universities and programs, including examples such as Ecole Polytechnique, HEC Paris, University of Oxford, and Harvard University.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented
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Gifted and talented
Teachers at IS33 work with children who have high intellectual potential, allowing them to develop at their own pace while accounting for their sensitivity and individual needs.
Academic calendar
Academic calendar
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Academic calendar
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Wellbeing & support
Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning
Social & emotional learning
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Social & emotional learning
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Special educational needs (SEN)
Special educational needs (SEN)
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Special educational needs (SEN)
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English as an additional language
English as an additional language
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English as an additional language
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Mental wellbeing
Mental wellbeing
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Mental wellbeing
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding
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Safeguarding
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Safeguarding policy
Safeguarding policy
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Safeguarding policy
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Facilities
Facilities
Facilities overview
Facilities overview
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Facilities overview
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Sports facilities
Sports facilities
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Sports facilities
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Academic facilities
Academic facilities
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Academic facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
Extra curricular facilities
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Extra curricular facilities
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Parent experience
Parent experience
History
History
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History
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Community
Community
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Community
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Parent teacher association
Parent teacher association
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Parent teacher association
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Extra-curricular
Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual
Academic & intellectual
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Academic & intellectual
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Arts & creative
Arts & creative
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Arts & creative
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Cultural & language
Cultural & language
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Cultural & language
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Social & hobbies
Social & hobbies
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Social & hobbies
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Community & service
Community & service
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Community & service
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Leadership & professional
Leadership & professional
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Leadership & professional
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Lifestyle & wellbeing
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Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
Language provision
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Language provision
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Bilingual teaching
Bilingual teaching
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Bilingual teaching
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Immersion programs
Immersion programs
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Immersion programs
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Reputation
Reputation
Awards
Awards
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Awards
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Accreditations
Accreditations
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Accreditations
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Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
Admissions
1. Submit an application for Early Learning or Primary (3–10 years). The Admissions Committee reviews all applications because demand exceeds places each year. BIS welcomes foreign, binational and French students and reserves places for international families on short- and long-term missions to balance bilingual classes. No test is required for BIS registration before the age of 14.
2. For Middle School & Upper School (10–18 years), BIS admits students from around the world who demonstrate a positive attitude to work and accept the school's attendance conditions and Mission and Objectives. An Open Day is organized in February or March to allow visitors to discover the programme and meet the teaching team. Applicants for IGCSE must have sufficient English to benefit from the programme (CEFR B1; extra English support may be arranged at cost). Applicants for International A Level must have CEFR B2 English to follow the full range of subjects; they may be accepted with fewer English requirements only in certain circumstances or with longer duration. Applicants should have five IGCSE passes (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics, with a B in chosen A Level subjects where possible; where the certificates cannot be produced, prior assessment may be required.
3. Admissions Policy and Admissions Pack: The Admissions Policy 2025–26 in ENGLISH and the Admissions Pack 2025–26 in ENGLISH are available, with French versions also offered. These documents outline the official criteria, required documentation, and timelines for Early Learning through Upper School admissions and reflect BIS's bilingual mission.
4. Fees: Fees are published in the School Fees 2026/2027 document, which lists the annual tuition by section. For current amounts and payment schedules, refer to the Fees document.
5. An Open Day is also offered to showcase the school's programmes and facilities, and staff are available to answer questions during organised visits.
Admissions
1. File online — Fill in the application form. The admissions process is open year-round, subject to availability. Admission is based on the application and an interview; there is no academic entrance test. The International Baccalaureate Diploma is recognized by the French state and is integrated into Parcoursup. 2. Family interviews — Meet with management to discuss the educational project and your child's goals. This interview helps assess compatibility with the international bilingual program. You may be asked about your child's learning needs and expectations. 3. Visit the campus — Get to know the school and its teaching team during a campus visit. The visit allows you to see the school in operation and to ask questions about programs and daily routines. A representative guides you through facilities and daytime activities. 4. Decision — You will receive a decision within 10 days of the interview and campus visit. Admission decisions are based on the application and interview; no entrance exam is required. The enrollment decision is communicated with the next steps for registration. 5. Finalisation — Complete administrative registration to finalize enrollment. Provide the required documents and confirm the starting date. Subsequent onboarding information will be provided.