Compare SEN / Special Education International Schools in Paris, France

The school is located at 7 rue Chardin, 75016 Paris, in the 16th arrondissement, in the heart of Paris. It operates from two renovated private mansions and sits opposite the Eiffel Tower, with the Trocadéro Gardens nearby, enabling frequent outdoor excursions. The campus serves three bilingual cycles: a two-year-old section, a bilingual preschool, and a bilingual elementary school, housed within the two buildings.

Three bilingual cycles: a 2-year-old section (Toute Petite Section), a bilingual preschool (Maternelle), and a bilingual elementary school (Primaire). Each class is limited to a maximum of 20 students and is taught by two teachers—one French-speaking and one native English-speaking.

Private bilingual preschool and elementary school

France

The school day starts at 8:40 a.m. Morning sessions last about 45 minutes with breaks, followed by lunch at 12:45 p.m. The afternoon is for arts and sports or group activities, with the day ending at 4:30 p.m. After-school care and extracurricular activities are available until 6:00 p.m. On Wednesdays, instruction ends in the morning (11:25 a.m. for most grades) with after-school workshops until 4:30–5:30 p.m.

There is no school uniform during school hours. Some activities require appropriate clothing; the school provides each child with an art apron, a windbreaker, a cap and a polo shirt for outdoor activities, as well as sportswear for gym, climbing and other sports, all in the school's colors, and staff ensure pupils are equipped to participate in activities.

Menus are prepared mainly with organically farmed products and are prepared at the school. For the 2024-2025 year, Marmites Volantes provides the meals.

The school is a private hors contrat institution. Its opening is conditioned on approval by the Rectorat, the Mairie, and the Préfecture. It is under the supervision of the Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale, with inspections possible each year. The school does not receive state subsidies.

The school offers bilingual preschool and elementary education in the heart of Paris for children aged 2 to 12. Language mastery, mathematics, the arts, and sports are the core educational priorities. Teaching methods are designed to prepare children for academic success while nurturing creativity, personal growth, and openness to others. The school operates across two campuses in the 16th arrondissement at 7-11 rue Chardin. The program is delivered through a bilingual English–French approach, including a bilingual literacy program.

Ongoing support and daily communication foster children's well-being and social-emotional development; families are kept informed through Seesaw weekly updates and a monthly digital newsletter; twice-yearly meetings discuss well-being and behavior.

The school provides bilingual education in English and French through immersive method; from the very first year of kindergarten, two interlocutors are in every class; from first grade, classes are taught in both languages.

Twice-yearly parent meetings discuss student well-being, behavior, and academic progress; educators and school leadership provide ongoing support; daily communication fosters a trusting relationship between families and the teaching team.

How to apply: École Bilingue Chardin welcomes children whose parents adhere to the educational program. Step 1: Fill in the form to obtain the Application Form (child's age options: 1 year old, 2 years old, 3 years old, 4 years old, 5 years old, 6 years old, 7 years old, 8 years old, 9 years old, 10 years old; class options: 2-year-old Section, Preschool, First grade, Second grade, Third grade, Fourth grade, Fifth grade; school year options: 2025-2026, 2026-2027). Step 3: Once the completed application is received, you will be invited within 15 days to a personal interview with the child. Step 4: After the interview, the admissions decision and, if applicable, an Application Form along with the list of required documents will be sent. Step 5: The complete registration form must be sent either by email or by post.

Located outside of Paris in historic Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the Lyce9e International houses the American Section.

Pre-K through 12 (MS through Terminale): Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School.

Public, co-educational day school within the Lyce9e International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye; all students study the French national curriculum in French and enroll in one of 14 national sections; the American Section provides native English-speaking instruction.

Over 50 nationalities are represented in the American Section; the majority hold French and American dual nationalities or are French citizens who spent time abroad in English-language schools.

France; public school within the French national education system.

Access to campuses via the Paris RER network (line A) and public buses; a limited school bus service operates for Ecole Schnapper.

There is no cafeteria lunch program for Kindergarten (GS) and First Grade (CP) on the Lycée International campus; students may go home for lunch or bring a packed lunch and participate in the Lunchbox program, run by the parents whose children participate.

The American Section is governed by the ASALI (Association de la Section Américaine du Lycée International) Board of Trustees, consisting of seven to 11 trustees elected by ASALI members (parents) for a two-year term at the AGM held each autumn. The Board recruits, appoints, supports, and evaluates the Director, leads strategic planning, and sets budgets and tuition. The American Section is a not-for-profit association under French law (Association loi de 1901) and operates on the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye campus as part of the public Lycée International.

Authentic American education within a top French public school, from pre-K to 12 (MS-Terminale). Native English-speaking teachers teach the American Section classes, accounting for about 20% of a student's time, while the remaining 80% is taught by French teachers following the French Ministry of Education program. This creates a bilingual and bicultural education, combining English-language instruction with a full French curriculum. In the Upper School, students pursue the Baccalauréat Français International (BFI), introduced in 2024 to replace the OIB, with eight additional hours of instruction in the section language (including English Language and Literature, History and Geography as DNL, and Connaissance du Monde). The BFI contributes 41% of the total BFI score, emphasizes spoken communication, and includes a capstone oral presentation for an independent research project, with a Contemporary US Society module. The first BFI exam session occurred in spring 2024.

The American Section reports 100% success on the BFI diploma. The BFI replaced the OIB, with the first exam session in spring 2024, and BFI components account for 41% of the total score. Graduates go on to attend some of the world's top universities.

Graduates matriculate at Anglophone universities or programs abroad as well as in France. Notable university destinations include Brown University, Caltech, University of Chicago, Duke University, Stanford University, Wellesley College, University of Oxford, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, Trinity College Dublin, Sciences Po, ESSEC Business School, Lycée Louis le Grand Paris, Lycée Sainte Geneviève, EPFL, University of Leiden, McGill University, and University of Toronto. About half of graduates enroll in Anglophone universities or programs abroad, while the other half study in France.

The program offers enrichment beyond the standard curriculum, including a Writer-in-Residence program that brings authors to classrooms and extensive experiential learning. Students engage in independent inquiry such as capstone oral presentations and a US-context research project (CdM), alongside global learning experiences like field trips and other enrichment activities.

Character Education is a key element of the Lower School curriculum. The basic human values of respect, responsibility, self-discipline and perseverance, trustworthiness, fairness, and caring are discussed and developed during the year. The program is integrated with the curriculum in the form of discussions, writing exercises, and books that promote happiness, belief in oneself, and being a caring, determined, and responsible child. In Middle and Upper School, the Secondary Student Support Program builds on the Lower School Character Education and Life Skills programs to address wellness issues that accompany adolescence and young adulthood. The Support Program emphasizes authentic, compassionate advocacy, resilience in facing academic and personal challenges, and the ability to identify reliable resources when needed. The program rests on two pillars: Personal Advisory and Wellness Education, with Sixth Grade (Sixième) and Tenth Grade (Seconde) delivered by teacher-advisors; one-on-one sessions occur outside class hours; Wellness Education covers bullying prevention, stress management, cyber-safety, self-esteem, and positive body image; Terminale prepares students for the transition to university life.

The American Section provides native English instruction alongside a full French curriculum. Students learn from native English-speaking faculty and follow a complete French program within the Lycée International de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Français Spécial is offered to students with limited French to acquire sufficient written and spoken French to join regular classes in French the following year, with FS available from CE1 through Seconde. Admission requirements for Français Spécial emphasize strong English skills and solid math ability, and a motivation to learn French and integrate into the French school system.

Wellness Education aims to help teens anticipate challenges they will face at school and beyond. The program covers bullying prevention, stress management, navigating interpersonal relationships, cyber-safety, and developing self-esteem and a positive body image. Personal Advisory sessions provide access to a trusted adult and faculty advocate, with a focus on overall wellness rather than solely academics. The program is integrated with the Student Support framework and extends across the middle and upper school years, including guidance related to the transition to university life in Terminale.

The American Section provides a bilingual education, English and French, to students ages 4–18. Admission is selective. For students who do not speak French, Français Spécial is offered to develop French language skills (ages 7–15) so they can join bilingual classes the following year.

Financial aid and scholarships are funded through the Annual Fund.

Prunelle School Montessori Bilingual operates across two campuses: Levallois-Perret at 18-22 Rue Camille Pelletan, 92300 Levallois-Perret, and Puteaux-La Défense at 44 Rue Marius Jacotot, 92800 Puteaux. It is easily accessible by public transport, including Metro stations Anatole France and Pont de Levallois Bécon, and by RER Clichy – Levallois; driving routes are available via Pont de Levallois, Rue Henri Barbusse, and Rue de Courcelles.

Pre-Primary (2-3 years), Primary (3-6 years), Elementary (6-12 years).

Montessori bilingual school (French-English) with two campuses in Levallois-Perret and Puteaux-La Défense; member of the Association Montessori de France and the Association Montessori Internationale.

The school welcomes children from all nationalities.

Classrooms maintain a strict student-teacher ratio to ensure individualized instruction; hands-on, self-directed learning; progress is measured and shared with parents, with conferences held twice yearly.

France

The school is a proud member of the Association Montessori de France and the Association Montessori Internationale. The Prunelle School operates across two campuses: Levallois-Perret, 18-22 rue Camille Pelletan, 92300 Levallois Perret, and Puteaux La Défense, 44 Rue Marius Jacotot, 92800 Puteaux.

Montessori curriculum is designed as Cosmic Education, an integrated, thematic approach that examines the physical universe, nature, and the human experience, developing a sense of community and a love of learning. It challenges students to apply skills in practical life as part of a larger whole, achieving proficiency in a wide range of concepts in depth. The program is structured in three age-based stages: Pre-Primary (2-3 years), Primary (3-6 years), and Elementary (6-12 years), with the formal curriculum organized around Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural Activities in the early years. In the Elementary years, students study geography, science, history, biology, botany, zoology, and more through the Great Lessons, while language instruction in French and English is delivered by native speakers. English-French bilingual instruction from nursery upwards is provided by native staff, using Montessori materials in both languages.

Each classroom is led by a Montessori-trained head teacher with at least one assistant. The school maintains a strict student-teacher ratio to ensure individualized instruction. Classrooms are organized in three-year cycles to reinforce leadership and mentoring.

The school develops the whole personality of the child with love, respect, and independence, providing them with the tools to make their own decisions in a caring and structured environment. Hands-on, self-directed learning, character development, and peaceful conflict resolution are central to the curriculum. The Montessori environment fosters collaboration across age groups, with leadership and mentoring reinforced in the Primary level. The school maintains a low student-teacher ratio to support individualized instruction. A tailored, respectful approach aims to cultivate autonomy, empathy, and social responsibility.

Low student-teacher ratio enables a tailored program. French and English-speaking educators are aware of each child's specific needs.

English-French bilingual teaching from nursery upwards. English is not taught separately but experienced as a lived language. Montessori materials are used in both English and French. Native English and native French staff work side by side.

Hands-on, self-directed learning supports independence and personal growth. Character development and peaceful conflict resolution are central. The mission is to develop the whole personality with love, respect, and independence, providing the tools to make decisions with confidence.

1. Two-fold admissions process designed to provide parents with the opportunity to learn about the School, its philosophy and policies, and its people. The goal is to enroll families who will both benefit from and contribute to the community. Prunelle School Montessori Bilingual is currently accepting applications for Pre-Primary programs (2-3 years old), Primary programs (3-6 years old), and Elementary programs (6-12 years old) for the 2024-2025 school year. Enrollment is for a full, 10-month calendar year; Applications are accepted throughout the year and acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis.

2. The Admission Process is as Follows: Parents complete the application and return it to Prunelle School Admissions Office, 18 rue Camille Pelletan, 92300 Levallois-Perret/44 rue Marius Jacotot, 92800 Puteaux. The Admission Office sends an acknowledgement to parents upon receipt of the application and the processing fee. In the meantime, a parent can learn more about the School by getting involved in our: Prospective Café & Présentation (includes presentation and tour). The Admission Committee reviews the application and all necessary information and makes a decision.

3. When the applicant is accepted, an enrollment agreement is sent. A student is formally admitted when the signed agreement and applicable fees are received by the Admission Office, and the agreement is countersigned by an appropriate representative of Prunelle School Montessori Bilingual. Please take care to fill out your form completely and follow the submission instructions. A tuition schedule is available upon request.

9 rue de la Sabotte, 78160 Marly-le-Roi, France. Marly-le-Roi is a commune in the Île-de-France region to the west of Paris. The area is residential with local shops and services.

Preschool; Primary School. The school is organized into early years and elementary levels.

International school

Over 70 nationalities represented

France

Starter Uniform Pack includes: 1 Winter coat (Doudoune), 1 Raincoat, 1 P.E trouser, Cardigans, 2 White tee-shirt long sleeves, 2 White tee-shirt short sleeves, 2 Standard Trouser, and 2 Polos short sleeves.

Canteen (Cantine) provides lunch options; Lunch Box is available; Snack (Fresh fruits) is offered. Morning daycare runs 8:00–8:45 AM; After School CLUB runs 4:00–6:00 PM; Garderie options include 4:00–5:00 PM, 4:00–6:00 PM, and 8:00–8:45 AM childcare; late fees apply after 6:00 PM.

The school is governed by SARL COSMOPOLITE SCHOOL (R.C.S Versailles; Siren 939711511). Address: 9 rue de la Sabotte, 78160 Marly-le-Roi.

British French curriculum adapted to all children with Montessori pedagogy. Nursery (Ages 2-4) focuses on discovering the world through observation, sensory experiences, and hands-on activities. Reception and Primary (Ages 5-11) introduce scientific concepts across Life and Earth Sciences, Physics and Chemistry, and Technology and Engineering. Pre-primary (Ages 3-6) provides a playful introduction to programming with Bee-Bot, Cubetto, Code & Go Mouse, ScratchJr, Lightbot, and Kodable. Primary (Ages 6-11) covers first steps in programming with visual coding (Scratch, Blockly, Code.org) and programmable robots (Thymio, Blue-Bot, LEGO WeDo), with creative projects and Robotics/Science workshops including a dedicated Science, Technology, and Robotics Room. English language classes are offered, and language options include Chinese or Spanish.

The school prioritises pupils' well-being and personal development. The environment is safe, respectful and stimulating. Small class sizes and personalised support foster individual growth, and a relationship of trust with families underpins learning. The bilingual, international community supports social and emotional development in a multicultural setting.

The school provides support for learners with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia or giftedness, with the entire teaching team working with specialists to develop a personalised educational plan.

The school teaches in English and French as a bilingual programme. Preschool classes have approximately 60% English and 40% French; Primary classes follow the same distribution. Teachers are native or fluent in English and French, ensuring linguistic immersion and consistency across languages.

The school prioritises pupils' well-being and personal development in a safe, respectful, and stimulating learning environment, with small class sizes and personalised support to support mental well-being.

1. Age range and admissions policy: The school accepts pupils from age 2 (18 months depending on the child) through to the end of primary school (Year 6). It operates an open admissions policy and enrolments are accepted throughout the year, subject to availability in each class. The school offers bilingual education.

2. Documents and interview process: For primary pupils, previous school reports are requested. For admission to pre-nursery, an evaluation of the child's English level is not required. An interview with the Headteacher and the class teacher responsible will be organised to discuss each individual case. The small size of our classes enables the school to cater for almost any educational background and can be adapted to offer additional support if needed.

3. Special educational needs and interviews: Decisions regarding the admission of children with special educational needs are made by the Headteacher and the teaching team, based on the school's ability to meet the pupil's needs. An individual interview will be required for these pupils. The school will request a recent report from an educational psychologist to ensure that the teacher and all staff can meet the pupil's needs.

4. Enrolment form and fees: Enrolment Form Academic Year 2025–2026; Registration fees are €900 and school supplies fees are €300, payable at the time the registration form is submitted. Without payment, no place is reserved.

Ranelagh Campus: 96 bis Rue du Ranelagh, Paris 75016; Cortambert Campus: 45 Rue Cortambert, Paris 75116; Beethoven Campus: 6 Rue Beethoven, Paris 75016. All campuses are in Paris, located in the 16th arrondissement.

Primary Years (Nursery - Grade 5); Middle Years (Grade 6 - 9); Diploma Years (Grade 11 - 12). Grade 10 is a transition year between the Middle Years and the Diploma.

International Baccalaureate World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.

65 nationalities represented.

Learning Support is offered for Primary and Secondary. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) are developed; services for mild to moderate learning variances; Advanced 1 and Advanced 2 support options with fees.

Primary Years: Nursery–Grade 5 – Early Learners arrive 8:45; Nursery/Pre-K 9:00–15:30; Kindergarten–Grade 5 9:00–15:45 (arrival from 8:45; some Grade 1–5 arrivals from 8:30). Middle Years (Grade 6–9): 8:50–16:30 (Wednesdays 8:50–14:45; doors open 8:30; Grade 10 may leave lunch). Diploma Years (11–12): 8:50–16:30; doors open 8:30; high school students may leave lunchtime.

Hopways provides a dedicated bus shuttle for Primary School students to and from school, with real-time tracking, trained drivers, a scheduling app, family-friendly routes, and reliability.

We currently do not offer boarding facilities at ISP.

No uniform is required.

Students have a choice of bringing their own lunch or having a hot lunch provided (ordered in advance for the whole term). The hot lunch program is announced to parents before each term, and the school encourages healthy, balanced lunches.

The school is a not-for-profit organization governed by a Board of Trustees.

The school offers the full continuum of the International Baccalaureate curriculum. ISP is IB-accredited since 1982 and is the first and only IB World School in Paris to offer the three IB programmes. Primary School (PYP) engages Early Learners to Grade 5 with the transdisciplinary PYP Curriculum through play, inquiry and student agency. Middle School (MYP) serves Grades 6 to 9 and introduces the interdisciplinary MYP Curriculum. High School (Grades 10–12) follows the MYP path into the IB Diploma Programme (DP), consolidating learning and research skills through community action, service and student engagement. ISP provides Paris-based, experiential learning including over 70 local field trips each academic year.

Class of 2025 IB Diploma results: 90% pass rate for the 2024-25 academic year with an average score of 32 points. 26% of ISP students attained 36 points or above, 51% qualified for the IB bilingual diploma, with exams spanning nine mother tongue languages. Technical note: The IB releases Diploma examination results in July each year, and formal annual statistics are published after re-marks and adjustments.

University and Career Counselling supports ISP students in exploring post-secondary options and preparing applications to colleges and universities worldwide. The counselling team offers group information sessions for grades 10–12, individual appointments, and compulsory university meetings begin in grade 11. The programme includes Career Day, University Testing Assistance (SAT prep and mock tests), and university application guidance to support writing personal statements, interviews, and enrollment decisions. Counselors assist with researching university lists and admissions strategies across geographic regions.

Wellbeing at ISP is defined as caring and connecting. It encompasses emotional, physical, relational, belonging, and responsibility aspects that guide students to be themselves, maintain healthy habits, build supportive relationships, feel a sense of belonging, and act with consideration for others. A dedicated Wellbeing Team coordinates medical services, counseling, and wellbeing programmes. The team is led by Elisabeth Mailhac, Fiona Lee, and Mike Kopp, who serve as designated safeguarding leads and oversee counselling. School counselors provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to external resources when needed.

ISP's Learning Support Department assists students with mild to moderate learning variances. In Primary School, learning support works with teachers, parents, and outside specialists to deliver ILPs and provide targeted services such as basic reading, writing, spelling, phonics, mathematics, motor skills, organizational skills, and curriculum-based support. A dedicated learning support liaison coordinates between homeroom teachers, parents, and outside specialists. In Secondary School (Grades 6-12), learning support offers services for students with mild weaknesses in core skills, though availability is limited and services may incur fees. Services are designed to support students who are of average ability rather than address more significant or generalized learning difficulties.

ISP welcomes students from over 65 countries. The English as an Additional Language (EAL) department provides specialized support for students new to English. This support is included in tuition and takes place during the school day for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. For Grades 10-12, students are required to have academic language levels. EAL support is provided at both the Primary and Secondary School, with EAL teachers collaborating with homeroom teachers to plan, differentiate, teach, and assess using the EAL continuum. The main language of instruction is English at ISP.

ISP places mental wellbeing at the center of its wellbeing framework. The wellbeing team provides mental health support and intervenes for students experiencing emotional or behavioural challenges. Counseling is available on an individual and group basis, with crisis intervention to respond to emergencies and to support staff as needed. The team maintains a network of external resources and referrals for families. Preventive education and advocacy programmes promote a positive, safe, and inclusive school environment.

Safeguarding is of utmost importance at ISP. The school upholds international best practices in safeguarding and child protection across recruitment and daily learning environments. Designated safeguarding leads provide guidance and support; Elisabeth Mailhac, Fiona Lee, and Mike Kopp are listed as leads. The safeguarding framework rests on Prevention, Protection, Support, Collaboration, and Training and Awareness. Regular staff training, including Educare online training, and the use of CPOMS for safeguarding records, support safeguarding in practice.

1. Submitting an Application. Applications are submitted online through the ISP OpenApply platform. The OpenApply system guides you through the necessary documents, with some forms completed directly in OpenApply and other documents scanned and uploaded separately. Any documents written in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an official translation.

2. Application Timeline 2025-26. Applications for the 2025-26 academic year (September 2025 – June 2026) can be submitted with no deadline; complete application files are reviewed as of January 2025 and on a continual basis thereafter. There are separate checklists for Early Learners to Kinder, Grade 1 to Grade 5, and Grade 6 to 12.

3. How Applications Are Reviewed and Acceptances Sent. Application reviews begin in December for the next academic year, but December is not a deadline; applications are reviewed throughout the year and space varies by grade. The Admissions Committee comprises members of the Admissions Team, the Primary or Secondary School Principal, and the Head of School, and may consult the Wellbeing or Learning Support teams. If an application is successful, an official acceptance letter is sent by email with instructions on completing the registration process and securing the child's place at ISP.

4. Registration After Acceptance. After receiving the acceptance, follow the email instructions to complete registration and secure the child's place at ISP.

5. Waiting Pool. If capacity is reached in any grade, successful candidates are placed in a waiting pool; full details on waiting pool procedures are described in the ISP Admissions Policy.

6. Additional Admission Considerations. Grade placement decisions are based on the child's age on September 1 of entry, in line with the Grade Placement Chart. Some grades have additional entry requirements, including English-language proficiency: non-native English speakers must provide evidence of at least B1 English across all test components (speaking, reading, writing, listening); Grade 11–12 entry typically expects higher English proficiency (B2) to access the IB Diploma Programme. For Grade 10 entry, private English tuition may be required if necessary to achieve the required level by year-end.

If a grade reaches capacity, successful candidates are placed in a waiting pool; details on waiting pool procedures are described in the ISP Admissions Policy.