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Danielle Mitterrand International French School – Erbil

Iraq, Erbil

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The school at a glance
Instructs in French, English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 2 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 150
Type Co-educational
Opened 2009
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum French Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary)
Taught languages Arabic, Spanish
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Danielle Mitterrand International French School – Erbil is located on Baharka Road in Erbil, Iraq. The school delivers a bilingual international program, combining the French curriculum with Cambridge Primary and Cambridge Secondary frameworks, and serves students aged 2 to 18. From kindergarten onward, classes are conducted in French and English, with Kurdish, Arabic and Spanish language lessons to support multilingual development. The school carries accreditation from the French Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, and maintains partnerships with AEFE and the French Institute. Modern facilities include spacious classrooms, a well-equipped laboratory, a vibrant library and extensive technology resources, supporting science, humanities and digital learning. A hallmark is the sustained record of 100% final-year graduates gaining admission to leading universities in France, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Kurdistan. A range of clubs spans Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, and Cultural and Language activities, fostering inquiry, creativity and intercultural understanding worldwide, supporting families.

Near Lebanese Village, Baharka Rd, Erbil, Erbil Governorate, 44001, Iraq

The Essentials

Danielle Mitterrand International French School – Erbil has 150 pupils, instruction in French, English.

Location

Baharka Road, Erbil, Iraq

Stages

Kindergarten (ages 3-6); Primary school (ages 6-11); Middle School (ages 11-15); High School (ages 15-18)

Type

International school offering a French curriculum; classes in French and English from kindergarten; Kurdish, Arabic, and Spanish language lessons.

Additional learning support

An Inclusive Education Committee provides support for students with special educational needs; personalized support plans and accommodations defined for the student in collaboration with the parents; includes dyslexia, dysorthographia, dysphasia, dyspraxia, attention disorders, autism spectrum disorders, gifted students, and motor, sensory, or cognitive disabilities.

Country affiliation

France (French Government accreditation) and Iraq (Kurdistan Regional Government accreditation)
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership

The school is not-for-profit. It is managed and overseen by a volunteer, unpaid Board of Directors composed of parents whose children attend the school. It is a member of AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), which oversees French international schools, and accreditation is maintained through annual inspections by the Government of France.
Fees
Application / Registration fees
- No public numeric amount is published for the application or annual registration fee.
- A deposit payment is required to finalize registration at the school; the amount is not published.
- Time-limited registration discounts are offered: a 50% reduction on registration fees is available for families who finalize registration before the end of July for the 2026–2027 school year.

Tuition fees by school year (per term / per year)
- The school does not publicly publish a detailed tuition fee schedule by year group or per-term amounts. No specific per-grade or per-term tuition figures are available on the school's public pages.
- The school states that tuition exists to cover operating costs and keep class sizes small, but exact annual or term amounts are not listed.

Discounts and concessions affecting tuition
- For the 2026–2027 academic year, a 20% tuition discount is offered for Iraqi families.
- Additional discounts mentioned (without published amounts) include: sibling discounts, referral discounts when you refer a friend who registers, and possible discounts for prepayment of the full year. Early registration before stated deadlines may also trigger registration-fee reductions.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- No published billing schedule (for example: term / trimester / monthly invoicing dates or per-term due dates) or detailed payment terms are available. Parents are advised that registration is completed through the school's enrolment portal and that a deposit is required to finalize registration, but precise billing cycles and deadlines are not publicly listed.

Boarding / accommodation fees
- The school does not advertise boarding provision or boarding fees. No boarding fee schedule is published, and the school appears to operate as a day school (no public boarding programme or associated charges are listed).

Other costs and typical additional fees
- No published amounts for uniform costs, school lunch/cafeteria charges, activity or club fees, transport (bus) fees, or textbook/material charges are available on the public pages. The school does mention after-school homework assistance and extracurricular activities, but any associated fees are not published.

Refund information
- No public refund policy or refund amounts/conditions (for withdrawal, cancellation, or overpayment) is published on the school's publicly available pages.

Fee payment options
- The school uses an online enrolment portal (Eduka) for registration; this indicates that registration and related transactions are processed through that system, but specific accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, cash, mobile payment) are not publicly listed.

Practical notes for parents
- When planning for costs, expect an initial deposit/registration payment at enrolment, possible registration discounts tied to early deadlines, and the existence of tuition discounts for certain groups (for example, the 20% Iraqi-family tuition discount announced for 2026–2027). Exact numeric amounts for application fees, per-grade tuition, per-term billing, uniforms, transport, and refund rules are not published.

Brief summary of findings and gaps
- The school's public pages do not publish numeric fee schedules (application fees, per-year or per-term tuition by year group, boarding fees, uniform charges, billing calendar, refund policy, or specific payment-method instructions). The public information that is available describes required deposit payment, time-limited registration discounts (50% registration-fee discount for registrations completed before end of July for 2026–2027), a 20% tuition discount for Iraqi families for 2026–2027, and general categories of discounts (siblings, referrals, prepayment). These specific numeric fee amounts and formal billing/refund terms were not available on the publicly accessible pages.
Academics

Danielle Mitterrand International French School – Erbil teaches French Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge (Secondary) for students aged 2 to 18.

Curriculum

The school follows the French curriculum, accredited by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the French Government.

Exam Results

100% of final-year students graduated and were accepted in top universities in France, Canada, Denmark, the UK and Kurdistan.

Higher Education Progression

Graduates are accepted to top universities in France, Canada, Denmark, the UK and Kurdistan.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Danielle Mitterrand French School of Erbil prioritizes student well-being and personal development within a stimulating, inclusive environment. The mission is to nurture curious, creative, compassionate, globally-minded learners and critical thinkers who will lead tomorrow. From kindergarten through high school, the programs are designed to provide a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in a rapidly changing world. The school fosters active, project-based learning and varied activities to inspire curiosity and global-minded citizenship. Partnerships with parents and ongoing communication help support students' social and emotional growth and engagement in school life.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

At Danielle Mitterrand, inclusive education is a priority. An Inclusive Education Committee coordinates support for students with special needs and helps teachers implement practical accommodations. The types of needs recognized include disabling health conditions, dysorthographia, dysphasia, dyspraxia, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, giftedness, and motor, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. For each student, a personalized support plan or learning pathway is defined, with adaptations and accommodations carried out by the teaching team in collaboration with the School Director and parents. The goal is to foster equity and enable every student to participate fully in the learning process.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

From kindergarten, classes are offered in French and English, with Kurdish added from primary school and Arabic starting in Grade 4. Iraqi nationals continue with French, English, Kurdish, and Arabic; non-Iraqi students can continue with French and English and may choose to continue Arabic or begin Spanish. The language program emphasizes reading, writing, listening, and speaking, with attention to grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and culture. DELF exams are administered to all students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 to certify French language proficiency, and Cambridge ESL exams are offered to accompany the French CNED program from Young Learners to IELTS Preparation. Language learning is designed to develop communication skills and intercultural understanding.

Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing and academic success are central to the school's approach, with a stimulating and inclusive environment where students can thrive socially and emotionally. A full-time guidance counselor provides personal and social support and creates a safe space for students to discuss challenges and emotions, supporting mental health. The school offers a homework assistance after-school program to help primary students with homework in a supervised setting, reinforcing study skills. A nurse delivers immediate medical assistance, health education, and management of chronic conditions, contributing to student health and safety. The inclusive education approach and family involvement further support students' emotional development and resilience.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is embedded in the school's inclusive and supportive culture. An Inclusive Education Committee coordinates support for students with special needs and assists teachers in delivering appropriate safeguards and accommodations. A full-time guidance counselor provides personal and social support in a safe space for students, contributing to protection and well-being. The nurse provides immediate medical assistance and health education, helping to safeguard student health. The school emphasizes active parent involvement, communication, and collaboration to ensure students' safety and welfare.
Parent Experience

History

The Danielle Mitterrand French School of Erbil has 16 years of excellence. It follows the French curriculum, accredited by the Kurdistan Regional Government and the French Government. From kindergarten through high school, the school provides education across all levels in a multilingual setting. 100% of final-year students graduate and are accepted to top universities in France, Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Kurdistan. The school partners with AEFE and the French Institute.

Community

Staff come from France and from around the world, bringing diverse experience. The school offers language, cultural, athletic, social, artistic, and academic activities that enrich learning beyond the classroom. The campus is on Baharka Road in Erbil, and the school maintains an active calendar of news and events to engage the community. The school emphasizes a collaborative, supportive learning environment.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

The school values a strong partnership with parents and provides newsletters, handbooks, policies, and guidelines to keep families informed and to foster collaboration with staff. Parent/teacher meetings are held each trimester for primary students to review progress and set goals. Parent delegates, elected each year (six), act as liaisons between parents and school administration, representing the parent body and organizing involvement. A bi-monthly Café des parents offers topics presented by experts, fostering socialization, discussion, and support among parents. The school runs a Homework Assistance after-school program to help primary students with assignments, supervised by teachers, including native French-speaking instructors. For parents wishing to learn French, the French Institute in Erbil offers private lessons scheduled at the school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

The Danielle Mitterrand French School of Erbil has modern facilities to support learning. The campus includes spacious classrooms, a well-equipped laboratory, a vibrant library, and technology resources. The school provides education from kindergarten through high school, creating a dynamic and engaging environment for students. These facilities are designed to support diverse activities and academic growth.

Academic Facilities

Education follows the French curriculum, accredited by the Kurdistan Regional Government and the French Government. Classes are conducted in French and English from kindergarten, with Kurdish, Arabic, and Spanish language lessons offered. The school maintains high academic standards and aims for graduates to gain admission to top universities in France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Kurdistan.

Extra Curricular Facilities

School Activities and Projects: Learning is designed to be innovative and engaging. The school offers activities and projects that allow children to discover and develop new skills and learn in different settings. These activities inspire students to become curious, passionate, and globally minded citizens.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

We focus on reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking to reinforce concepts learned in the classroom. The development of academic skills is essential for students' academic and professional success. They learn to become autonomous and independent, to communicate effectively, and to be better prepared to face the challenges of daily life.

Arts & Creative

Artistic activities foster creativity, communication, self-esteem, cultural understanding, critical thinking, and perseverance. They help students communicate visually and understand their own culture and that of others. Participation in the arts enhances confidence and cultural awareness.

Cultural & Language

Classes are in French and English from kindergarten, with Kurdish, Arabic, and Spanish language lessons. Language activities aim to improve comprehension, oral and written expression in all languages, enabling students to apply classroom concepts in concrete and enjoyable ways. These activities build self-confidence and communication skills, and they encourage students to explore the world and communicate successfully with others.

Social & Hobbies

Social activities are essential as they allow students to interact effectively and positively with others, to communicate clearly, and to resolve conflicts constructively. These social skills help students feel connected and included in the school community. Students with good social skills participate in class, ask questions, and express their ideas clearly. They also collaborate with peers and solve problems constructively.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Athletic activities are a key element of physical education and well-being at school. They help students maintain good health through regular exercise and improve coordination, flexibility, endurance, strength, and speed. They foster social skills such as communication, cooperation, leadership, and teamwork, and help form friendships and a sense of belonging to the school community. Sports activities also teach values like fair play, perseverance, teamwork, discipline, and responsibility.
Languages

Language Provision

The school teaches in French and English from kindergarten, and offers Kurdish, Arabic, and Spanish language lessons.

Bilingual Teaching

Bilingual teaching is offered in French and English starting from kindergarten.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Age and language eligibility: Kindergarten accepts children aged 2 to 5 years. Young learners aged 6 years are admitted into grade 1. Children with no prior knowledge of the French language are accepted into the school until grade 4 inclusively. Starting in grade 3, some French proficiency is required; cases are evaluated individually, and exceptions may be granted in certain circumstances.

2. Registration process: Registration is quick and easy. Start by registering online by completing the registration form and uploading the required documents. Then finalize the registration by visiting the school to pay the deposit fee. This completes the initial enrollment steps.

3. How to apply and contact: Apply online via Eduka by completing the online form and uploading the necessary documents. Submit your application after completion. The admissions team reviews the submitted application and contacts you with the next steps. For more information, contact the administration office at the numbers provided, and download the registration tutorial and mobile app installation documents.
School Events
The school has not added events