Selecting a school in France can seem like one of the most stressful aspects of moving with children. Web resources rarely describe everyday life accurately, and each family’s priorities vary. This guide emphasizes practical questions and a straightforward decision process — especially for families planning a move to Paris.
Step One: Clarify What “Good” Means for Your Family
Before you compare schools, outline your non-negotiables. Many choices go wrong when families weigh everything at once without a clear set of priorities.
- Commute: the daily driving time matters more than you might realize.
- Curriculum: British / American / IB / local options.
- Language environment: what your child is exposed to throughout the day.
- Support: learning assistance, ESL support, pastoral care.
- Culture fit: the school's structure, discipline, and communication style.
How to Decide Without Feeling Overwhelmed
A practical approach that works well for expat families:
A straightforward process
- Shortlist by location first. In Paris, traffic can turn a “good” school into a daily struggle.
- Confirm availability and admissions timeline. Waiting lists are common.
- Ask about the classroom reality. Class sizes, teacher turnover, communication style.
- Ask about support. ESL / learning support / transition support for new students.
- Do one visit (or virtual tour) per finalist. Trust your observations more than glossy brochures.
Pro tip: Make a one-page checklist and score each school after a visit. It prevents the “everything feels the same” problem.
Questions Worth Asking Schools
These questions usually reveal more than general “tell us about your program” conversations:
- What is the typical class size for this age group?
- How do you handle new students mid-year?
- How do teachers communicate with parents (weekly updates, apps, email)?
- What does the day actually look like (start/end times, breaks, homework expectations)?
- How do you support kids who are anxious or adjusting to a new country?
- What is the policy for language support (ESL) if needed?
- How do you handle heat/indoor/outdoor time in hotter months?
Costs & Logistics (The Part Nobody Loves)
School decisions are never just tuition. Factor in the full routine cost:
Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
- Choosing by reputation alone: the daily routine matters more.
- Ignoring commute time: it affects sleep, mood, and family life.
- Assuming “international” means the same everywhere: it doesn’t.
- Not asking about support: transitions are real for kids.
- Waiting too long: admissions timelines can be tighter than expected.
Key Takeaway
The ideal school usually lines up with your family’s actual routine: location, support, and everyday comfort for your child — not the one with the most eye-catching marketing.
If you’d like help weighing priorities for Paris (commute, routines, what to ask), reach out — or call +33 1 42 68 53 01.